2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Guard

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1. Deonte Brown, G, Alabama
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 338.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-2.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Brown was suspended for part of 2019 season, which carried over from 2018, but he returned mid-year and played very well for Alabama. Brown is a load at the point of attack with the strength to open holes in the ground game and is a steady pass protector. After breaking into lineup during his sophomore season, Brown played well until getting suspended prior to the semifinal game against Oklahoma for a violation of team rules.





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2. Cade Mays*, G/OT, Tennessee
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 318.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.1.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-3.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Mays was a good starter on Georgia's all-star offensive line in 2019 and could have been the replacement for Andrew Thomas at left tackle for 2020, but Mays decided to transfer to Tennessee.
   
   Mays started seven games as a freshman in 2018 while also dealing with injuries. With his versatile size, Mays could fit at guard or tackle, and it will be interesting to see where he settles in at Tennessee. Mays is a strong run blocker with good size to create a push at the point of attack.



3. Trey Smith, G/OT, Tennessee
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 320.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-3.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Smith returned to the field in 2019 and was a solid left guard for Tennessee. It was a wise decision to return for his senior year and show that the blood-clot issue is behind him so NFL teams will have less of a concern there after two healthy seasons.
   
   Smith had a strong sophomore season for Tennessee prior to missing the final five games of 2018 with blood clots in his lungs. The issue first impacted Smith during workouts after his freshman season. After being held out for some time, Smith returned to practice in training camp and played the first seven games of the 2018 season while showing his impressive skill set for the Volunteers.
   
   In 2017, Quenton Nelson was the top offensive lineman in college football, but the second-best guard in the nation could have been Smith. Considering there were other good guards like Will Hernandez and Braden Smith who were second-round picks in the 2018 NFL Draft, that is really saying something for how Smith played as a freshman. Smith dominated at the point of attack and was extremely impressive when taking on Alabama. He looked like he was just scratching the surface with the upside to be even better with more experience. Smith played guard and left tackle for the Volunteers as a freshman.



4. Jackson Carman*, G, Clemson
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 345.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.65.
   Projected Round (2021): 2-4.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Carman is a big interior blocker who was very good for Clemson in 2019. It was his first season as a starter after serving as a backup at left tackle during his freshman season. Carman could be even better now that he has some experience. Dropping some weight for the NFL might be a good idea for Carman.





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5. Thayor Munford, G/OT, Ohio State
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 319.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.3.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-4.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Munford was a candidate to be a potential early-round pick who entered the draft early, but in 2019, he was not that impressive and did not stand out by showing the skill set to be a franchise left tackle. In speaking with some team sources, they felt Munford did not make the case that he should skip his senior year and enter the 2020 NFL Draft. Thus, he was wise to return to Columbus. Munford needs to improve his technique and become more polished to take on pro edge rushers. He had an ugly outing versus Wisconsin in 2019 and could be better off moving inside to guard at the next level.
   
   Munford was a rotational backup as a freshman before breaking into the starting lineup at left tackle in 2018. The sophomore had some issues during his first year as a starter, and those might cause him to move inside to guard for the NFL. However, he could improve as a senior and perhaps remain at tackle. Munford also played with a hip injury as a sophomore, and he missed the game against Maryland with a leg injury. He then missed the Rose Bowl with another injury.



6. Royce Newman, G, Ole Miss
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 305.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.25.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Newman had an impressive junior year as Ole Miss' left guard. He did a very good job in pass protection, being credited with only one sack allowed on 416 pass blocks. It was his first season as a starter, so Newman could be even better now that he has some experience. He could stand to get stronger and fill out his frame for the NFL.



7. Ed Ingram*, G, LSU
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 315.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.31.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Ingram is a gifted talent who could end up rising if he stays on the field and plays up to his potential. As a freshman in 2017, Ingram was the Tigers' starting right guard, and he played really well in his first season. Ingram sat out the 2018 season with a season-long suspension, so NFL teams will be grilling him about that in the leadup to the 2021 NFL Draft.
   
   Ingram returned to the field in 2019 and mostly was backup behind Adrian Magee and Damien Lewis. Ingram is strong at the point of attack and forceful run blocker with athleticism. If he stays on the field and out of trouble, he could be an early-rounder if NFL teams can get comfortable with his off-the-field issues.



8. Stewart Reese, G, Mississippi State
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 345.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.58.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: Reese has been a starting right tackle for Mississippi State, but NFL advance scouts have him listed as a guard for the next level. Reese could be a power right guard who is a good contributor to a ground offense. His limitations in pass protection wouldn't be as painful on the inside of the line.



9. Wyatt Davis*, G, Ohio State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.42.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   View Ranking History
   
   6/22/20: As a redshirt sophomore, Davis earned a starting spot on the offensive line for Ohio State and had a strong debut. He has good size to him and was a tough run blocker for the Buckeyes. As Davis gains his experience, his pass blocking could improve and he could rise up rankings.





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10. Robert Jones, G, Middle Tennessee
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 319.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.27.
    Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Jones started out in the junior college ranks before ending up at Middle Tennessee. In his opening season, Jones played well enough for the NFL advance scouts to place him on their pre-draft watch list for the 2021 NFL Draft. Jones could be better now that he has experience. He has a good build with NFL size and athletic upside. Jones could be a sleeper who rises, and performing well at an all-star game would help him.



11. Sadarius Hutcherson, G/OT, South Carolina
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 320.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.4.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Hutcherson should probably slide inside to guard for the NFL, but he starts at left tackle for the Gamecocks. He broke onto the field as a full-time starter during his redshirt sophomore season at right guard. Hutcherson moved to left tackle in 2019.
    
    Hutcherson could lack the length and agility for left tackle in the NFL. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection. However, his ability to play guard and tackle could make him a valuable sixth offensive lineman on game days in the pro ranks.



12. Zion Johnson, G, Boston College
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.3.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Johnson started out his college career at Davidson before transferring. In 2019, Johnson made seven starts at left guard in his first season with Boston College. Johnson has good size to him and ability. He could be better in 2020 now that he has a year of experience with the Eagles.



13. Tommy Kraemer, G, Notre Dame
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 319.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.28.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Kraemer went down with a knee injury during the 2019 season, but prior to that he was having a solid season for Notre Dame. Kraemer has played guard and right tackle, but for the NFL he projects as a guard. Kraemer needs to stay healthy as a senior to rise.



14. Bryce Foxworth, G, Southern Miss
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 316.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.33.
    Projected Round (2021): 4-6.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Foxworth has a strong build, and he has been a good blocker for Southern Miss the past few seasons. The NFL advance scouts placed Foxworth on their preseason watch list, and he has versatile size to play either guard position and could also get cross-trained at center.





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15. Quinn Meinerz, G, Wisconsin-Whitewater
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 320.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.2.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: It takes a lot of impressive play on tape for a Division III offensive lineman to make it onto NFL teams' preseason watch list, and Meinerz was able to accomplish that feat for the 2021 NFL Draft. Meinerz has NFL size and strength and should dominate as a senior. If he can get to an all-star game and play well there, he could rise into the top half of the 2021 NFL Draft, as a number of small-school offensive linemen have risen from an impressive postseason.



16. Jalen McKenzie, G/OT, USC
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 315.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.3.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: McKenzie has played right guard and right tackle for the Trojans. He has good size to him with some upside to improve as he gains experience. Moving inside to guard, however, might be his best fit in the NFL.



17. Joe Sculthorpe, G/C, N.C. State
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 300.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Aside from missing the game against Clemson with a suspension, Sculthorpe had a solid 2019 season for N.C. State. He has played guard and center for N.C. State, and as a pro, he could be backup at either position to start out his career. Sculthorpe should get stronger for the NFL.



18. Jaxson Kirkland, G, Washington
    Height: 6-7. Weight: 322.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.5.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Kirland was Washington's starting right tackle in 2019 before an injury sidelined him for the final few games of the season. He broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore. Kirkland's run blocking is ahead of his pass protection.



19. David Moore, G, Grambling
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 320.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.4.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Moore has a strong build and has been a good player for Grambling over the past few seasons. He could rise with a strong postseason.



20. Tristen Hoge, G, BYU
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.31.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Hoge started out his career at Notre Dame and played six games for the Fighting Irish in 2016. Since sitting out the 2017 season, Hoge has been a starter for BYU and a solid blocker at the point of attack. He has quality size for an interior blocker. Showing the ability to shut down speed rushers would help him rise.



21. Kayode Awosika, G, Buffalo
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 305.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.37.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Awosika has started at right tackle for Buffalo, but he projects to guard in the NFL. Awosika has good height for an interior blocker and could stand to get stronger. He broke into the starting lineup as a sophomore.



22. Derek Kerstetter, G, Texas
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 310.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.5.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Entering his senior year, Kerstetter has started 28 games for the Longhorns and has been a steady blocker. Kerstetter has played right tackle and guard for Texas, but for the NFL, he projects as a guard. He could stand to get stronger for the next level.



23. Rashawn Slater, G, Northwestern
    Height: 6-4. Weight: 315.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
    Projected Round (2021): 6-FA.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Slater has been a starting right tackle for Northwestern, but he projects to the NFL for a move inside to guard. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection, but he could end up rising with a strong senior year and a solid all-star game performance.



24. Luke Wattenberg, G, Washington
    Height: 6-5. Weight: 297.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
    Projected Round (2021): 7-FA.
    View Ranking History
    
    6/22/20: Wattenberg has good height and length for an interior blocker, but he needs to get get stronger and fill out his frame for the NFL. Wattenberg became a full-time starter as a sophomore and has held down the left guard spot during the past two years for Washington. If Wattenberg adds strength and fills out his frame, he could rise as a senior.

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