2016 NFL Draft Prospects: Guards

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2016 guard prospects available for the 2016 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2017 prospect. ** – denotes 2018 prospect.

This page was last updated April 26, 2016. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Joshua Garnett, G, Stanford
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 325. Arm: 33.88. Hand: 9.88.
   40 Time: 5.32.
   Projected Round (2016): 2-3.
   4/26/16: I sampled a variety of teams, and overall, Garnett came back the most as the top guard in the 2016 NFL Draft, though it varied from franchise to franchise. On the whole, teams felt that this was a weak guard class and there wasn’t much talent at the position.
   
   Last season, Garnett blocked well for Stanford, being well-balanced in the ground game and with the passing attack. He is good at pulling and has nice technique for the NFL. Garnett has the potential to add strength and could be a difference-maker as a run blocker at the next level. He needs to build up his upper body, but he did well on the combine bench press, so it seems he has some natural strength to him. At the Senior Bowl, Garnett was decent. He was better at the combine with his impressive workout.
   
   8/15/15: Garnett had a mixed 2014 season for Stanford. It was his first season as a starter, and his run blocking is ahead of his pass blocking. As a sophomore in 2013, he rotated into the game in the jumbo package. Garnett has good size to him.





2. Cody Whitehair, G, Kansas State
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 300. Arm: 31.38. Hand: 10.
   40 Time: 5.08.
   Projected Round (2016): 2-3.
   4/26/16: Whitehair is undersized for guard or tackle in the NFL. Some pundits rate him higher, but I know teams that have third-round grades on him and one that has him lower on Day 3. A few other teams said they had a late second-round, early third-round grade on Whitehair, so opinions are split on him.
   
   Whitehair played left tackle for the Wildcats, but for the NFL, he’s a guard. He struggled against Oklahoma State defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and needs to get stronger for the NFL. At the combine, that was illustrated when Whitehair put up the lowest bench press total of any offensive lineman (16 reps).
   
   As a guard, Whitehair has better quickness, athleticism and movement skills. On the edge, he doesn’t have the athleticism for tackle, plus he has extremely short arms. Whitehair was solid at the Senior Bowl, but it illustrated that adding power is a good idea for him and he isn’t an edge blocker.
   
   8/15/15: Whitehair was a Second-Team All-Big XII pick in 2014 and was a quality blocker for the Wildcats. It was his second-straight season as a second-team pick. He broke into the starting lineup as a freshman and has started 38-of-39 games. Whitehair has played tackle and guard for Kansas State, but for the NFL, he projects better as the latter.



3. Joe Thuney, G, N.C. State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 304. Arm: 32.25. Hand: 9.63.
   40 Time: 4.95.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Thuney is a versatile offensive lineman who played every position on the line during his collegiate career. He has versatile size for the NFL, but would fit best as a guard. Thuney doesn’t have the athleticism or the length to play tackle as a starter, though he could serve as an emergency tackle. Thuney’s run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. He could develop into a starting guard before too long.



4. Sebastian Tretola, G, Arkansas
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 314. Arm: 30.5. Hand: 10.
   40 Time: 5.45.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Tretola is a bit of a love/hate prospect. Some teams have graded him on the second day of the 2016 NFL Draft, yet others have him much lower. The teams that don’t like him say he is a tough player in the phone booth but limited athletically with extremely short arms.
   
   At Arkansas, Tretola was a power run blocker who was also rather dependable in pass protection, but that latter phase is what he will need to improve the most in the NFL. At the Senior Bowl, Tretola had a solid week and achieved movement at the point of attack, but he struggled in space and had some issues in the pass-protection one-on-ones.
   
   Tretola was the Razorbacks’ starter at left guard in 2014 and didn’t allow a sack all season. He also had only four penalties. In 2011, Tretola was on Nevada’s scout team, and the next year, he played in four games for the Wolf Pack. Tretola spent 2013 playing at the JUCO level for Iowa Western.



5. Vadal Alexander, G/OT, LSU
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 326. Arm: 34.5 Hand: 10.5.
   40 Time: 5.57.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Alexander was a tough run blocker as a right tackle in 2015, but he lumbers and looks slow-footed in pass protection for that position in the NFL. Moving back inside to guard could be his pro future. NFL evaluators say they see Alexander as a guard, and he’s going to have to watch his weight at the next level.
   
   At the Senior Bowl, sources said that Alexander had trimmed down from when they saw him at LSU during the season. In practice, he had some struggles in the pass-blocking one-on-ones, reinforcing the view of him as a better fit at guard. By the combine, Alexander had lost 10 pounds from his Senior Bowl weight, but he didn’t impress in the field drills in Indianapolis.
   
   8/15/15: Alexander had a quality 2014 season. He was a powerful run-blocker with quickness and athleticism. He was wise to return for his senior year though. Alexander needs to continue to improve his pass protection and his abilities to play in space and mirror speed rushers. Following La’el Collins’ departure for the NFL, LSU is reportedly planning on moving Alexander to right tackle for 2015. It wouldn’t be surprising though if NFL teams view him more as a guard.
   
   Alexander has been an asset as a run-blocker for LSU over the past three seasons. As a freshman in 2012, he started nine games at right tackle before spending his sophomore year at left guard. Alexander was a road-grading guard for the Tigers in 2013. He paved the way for Jeremy Hill and also did a good job of protecting quarterback Zach Mettenberger.





6. Christian Westerman, G, Arizona State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 305. Arm: 33.5.
   40 Time: 5.17.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Westerman didn’t start the year well, and the Arizona State offensive line as a unit was dominated by Texas A&M in the 2015 season opener. After that Westerman and Arizona State played better, but the Sun Devils’ ground game wasn’t as effective as in 2014. At the Senior Bowl, Westenman had some struggles with the talented defensive linemen. However, he was much better at the combine with an impressive bench press total (34) and a solid performance in the field work.
   
   8/15/15: Westerman was a tough and reliable blocker for the Sun Devils in 2014. He was better in the ground game, opening holes for D.J. Foster, than he was in pass protection. Westerman needs to improve his pass blocking as a senior. He is athletic for left guard with the ability to pull. Westerman was a backup in 2013 and redshirted in 2012 at Auburn.



7. Connor McGovern, G, Missouri
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 302. Arm: 32. Hand: 10.38.
   40 Time: 5.11.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Missouri didn’t have an impressive 2015 season, but McGovern earned an invitation to the Senior Bowl. In Mobile, McGovern was just okay in pass protection and didn’t generate a big push in the ground game. He could use another 10-20 pounds of power for the NFL, but he worked out well at the combine with a strong performance in the bench press and field workout.



8. Joe Dahl, G/OT, Washington State
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 299. Arm: 32.75. Hand: 8.75.
   40 Time: 5.18.
   Projected Round (2016): 3-5.
   4/26/16: Here’s how one scout summarized Dahl in one of our Scuttlebutt articles, “He has starting potential. Nice player. Athletic, but lacks strength. He could be a poor man’s [David] Bakhtiari.”
   
   That summary was put on display at the Senior Bowl as Dahl was overpowered by a lot of defensive linemen. He struggled all week with the talented all-star defensive lineman. Dahl looked like he should move inside to guard in the NFL. He also has short arms to be an edge blocker as a pro. Dahl had a decent showing at the combine, but he still should move to guard in the NFL.
   
   Dahl broke into the lineup as a sophomore starter at guard, but he played left tackle for Washington State for the past two seasons. In the Cougars’ offense, Dahl got a lot of preparation for blocking in pass protection on the edge.





9. Alex Redmond*, G, UCLA
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 294. Arm: 33.25.
   40 Time: 5.30.
   Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
   4/26/16: Redmond was a quality blocker for the Bruins. He probably should have returned for his senior year and added weight before going pro, but he went ahead and declared for the 2016 NFL Draft. Redmond did well on the combine bench press, but he didn’t stand out in the field work in Indianapolis.
   
   8/15/15: Redmond was an honorable mention all-conference pick as a sophomore. The junior has the size to fill out his frame and add weight. He’s started 21 games at guard over the past two seasons and has the upside to improve as an upperclassman. Like the entire UCLA offensive line, Redmond will need to get his pass blocking closer to his run blocking to be more well-rounded.



10. Landon Turner, G, North Carolina
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 330. Arm: 32.88.
    40 Time: 5.58.
    Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
    4/26/16: Sources said that Turner didn’t impress them when they scouted him. Turner is solid on the inside, but is limited to playing in the phone booth. He is sluggish and a waist-bender rather than having the preferred style of being a knee-bender. Turner isn’t especially athletic or strong either.
    
    8/15/15: Turner started off 2014 well, but strained an MCL and missed the games against East Carolina and Clemson. He has some athleticism, though he could use more power for the NFL.
    
    Turner started 12 games at left guard in 2013 as the replacement for Jonathan Cooper. While there was a drop-off from Cooper, Turner wasn’t bad. He has a combination of strength and athleticism. Turner was better as a run-blocker, but his pass protection improved as the year went on. Turner flashed when he saw the field as a redshirt freshman in 2012, starting four games. Turner has upside to rise.



11. Rees Odhiambo, G, Boise State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 314. Arm: 33.25.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.27.
    Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
    4/26/16: Odhiambo was an impressive blocker for the Broncos. He has some strength and athleticism to him. Odhiambo was a 3-year starter and helped Boise State to a high-scoring offense in 2014 and 2013. Odhiambo’s play could have him rated higher, but teams said that his combine medical wasn’t good and that could cause him to slide.



12. Denver Kirkland*, G, Arkansas
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 335. Arm: 34.63.
    40 Time: 5.55.
    Projected Round (2016): 4-6.
    4/26/16: Kirkland played well for Arkansas as a run blocker, but he will need work on pass protection. The Razorbacks used him at left tackle, but that clearly is not his home for the NFL as he struggles with speed rushers. Kirkland is a power guard for the next level.
    
    8/15/15: When you watch Arkansas, Kirkland stands out as a mauler at the point of attack. The Razorbacks feature a power ground attack and have had success running behind their power right guard. Kirkland allowed only one sack as a sophomore in 2014 and had only three penalties on the season. He’s a prospect who hasn’t gotten much attention, but could easily rise.





13. Jordan Rigsbee, G, California
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.21.
    Projected Round (2016): 5-7.
    4/26/16: Rigsbee was okay for California despite having some issues in pass protection on occasion. He should get stronger for the NFL. Rigsbee had some issues with UCLA nose tackle Kenny Clark. Rigsbee didn’t work out at the combine.
    
    8/15/15: Rigsbee was a reliable blocker in 2014 and did a good job of helping to create a clean pocket for Jonathan Goff. Rigsbee broke into the lineup in 2012 as a redshirt freshman. He has played well at left guard the past couple of seasons. For the NFL, Rigsbee looks better as a zone blocker, but he could add weight for a man scheme.



14. Matt Hegarty, G/C, Oregon
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.02.
    Projected Round (2016): 6-FA.
    4/26/16: Hegarty transferred to Oregon for 2015, and that was smart because he wasn’t going to beat out Nick Martin for the starting center job at Notre Dame. Hegarty spent the year as the Ducks’ starting center and had a respectable season.
    
    8/15/15: Hegarty has been starting at guard for Notre Dame, but is a better fit at center as he’s undersized for the NFL. If Hegarty can gain some weight and strength, those would help him at either interior position.



15. Ted Karras, G, Illinois
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 307.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.27.
    Projected Round (2016): 6-FA.
    4/26/16: Karras was an honorable mention All-Big Ten selection over his time with the Illinois. He was a 4-year starter at guard and is a fighter who plays with scrappy style. Karras missed the final four games in 2014 with a knee injury.
    
    The senior could be begin his NFL career as a nice interior backup lineman who could be a starter in time. At the East-West Shrine, he had a quality week and was a solid blocker. Karras didn’t participate in the combine. He could go undrafted, but don’t be surprised if he ends up being a good value as a free agent signing.





16. Alex Huettel, G, Bowling Green
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 301.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
    Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
    4/26/16: Huettel had a quality week at the East-West Shrine to help his draft stock. He played some guard and center in St. Petersburg. At Bowling Green, Huettel was a guard. He needs to get stronger for the NFL. Huettel didn’t work out at the combine.



17. Lene Maiava, G/OT, Arizona
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 290.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
    Projected Round (2016): 7-FA.
    4/26/16: Maiava moved around the offensive line for the Wildcats. For the NFL, his best fit would come at guard. He could also use more bulk and strength for the next level. At the East-West Shrine, Maiava was up and down. On some plays, he looked good, while on others, he struggled. Maiava could be a late-round or priority undrafted free agent worth developing. He didn’t work out at the combine.



18. Sedrick Flowers, G, Texas
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 320.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.40.
    Projected Round (2016): FA.
    4/26/16: Flowers had a decent senior season, but didn’t do much to help his draft stock. He didn’t work out at the combine.
    
    8/15/15: Flowers is a power run-blocker who needs to improve his pass protection for the NFL. He started at left guard for Texas in 2014 as a junior. Flowers was a backup as a sophomore and freshman.



19. Alex Barr, G, N.C. State
    Height: 6-8. Weight: 326.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.29.
    Projected Round (2016): FA.
    4/26/16: After a solid start to 2015, Barr missed three games with an ankle injury. Upon his return, the N.C. State offensive line struggled against Virginia Tech, but that is a tough assignment coming off an injury. Barr didn’t participate in the combine.
    
    8/15/15: Barr played half the 2014 season at right tackle and also saw starting action at right guard. He started 10 games at right guard in 2013. Barr needs to improve his pass protection, and his height could be problematic for him to play guard in the NFL.



20. Jonah Austin, G/OT, Nicholls State
    Height: 6-6. Weight: 330.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
    Projected Round (2016): FA.
    4/26/16: In mid-August, Austin started playing with Nicholls State after transferring from LSU. He didn’t work out at the combine.
    
    8/15/15: Austin could take on a starting role at tackle with La’el Collins moving to the NFL. Austin’s best fit for the next level could be at guard.



21. Isaac Luatua, G, Alabama
    Height: 6-2. Weight: 315.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.33.
    Projected Round (2015): FA.
    4/26/16: Luatua was a backup in 2015.
    
    8/15/15: Luatua could replace Arie Kouandjio at left guard this year. He is a powerful blocker who can open running lanes and needs to improve his pass protection.

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