2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Guards

By Charlie Campbell.
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The top 2021 Guards prospects available for the 2021 NFL Draft. * – denotes 2022 prospect. ** – denotes 2023 prospect.

This page was last updated Feb. 17, 2020. Follow Walter @walterfootball for updates.

1. Deonte Brown, G, Alabama
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 338.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.35.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-2.
   2/17/20: 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.





2. Cade Mays*, G/OT, Tennessee
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 318.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.10.
   Projected Round (2021): 1-3.
   2/17/20: 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.
   2/17/20: Smith returned to the field 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. Thayor Munford, G/OT, Ohio State
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 319.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.30.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-4.
   2/17/20: 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. 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 pro 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 missed the game against Maryland with a leg injury. He then missed the Rose Bowl with another injury.





5. Kevin Jarvis, G/OT, Michigan State
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 317.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.
   2/17/20: Jarvis moved to left tackle for Michigan State, but for the NFL, he might better off at guard due to his length. Jarvis went down with a knee injury against Arizona State in mid-September of 2019. He had a strong debut for Michigan State in 2017, starting 10 games as a freshman. His strong run blocking and steady play saw him break into the lineup sooner than normal under the Mark Dantonio coaching staff. In 2018, Jarvis played well at right guard, but he also missed four games with injuries.



6. Chris Owens, G, Alabama
   Height: 6-3. Weight: 315.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.22.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.


7. Ben Brown*, G, Ole Miss
   Height: 6-5. Weight: 320.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.20.
   Projected Round (2021): 3-5.




8. Alex Givens, G, Ole Miss
   Height: 6-6. Weight: 303.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.32.
   Projected Round (2021): 4-6.


9. William Sherman*, G/OT, Colorado
   Height: 6-4. Weight: 310.
   Projected 40 Time: 5.15.
   Projected Round (2021): 5-7.


10. Emil Ekiyor Jr.**, G/C, Alabama
    Height: 6-3. Weight: 327.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.19.
    Projected Round (2021): 5-7.


11. Jaxson Kirkland, G, Washington
    Height: 6-7. Weight: 323.
    Projected 40 Time: 5.50.
    Projected Round (2021): 7-FA.

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