2021 NFL Draft Prospects: Offensive Guard

4/24/21: With Austin Jackson in the NFL, Vera-Tucker took over USC's left tackle and played well in limited action. Vera-Tucker was going to sit out the 2020 season before opting back in, and rejoining the Trojans helped him display the versatility to compete at guard or tackle in the NFL. Vera-Tucker was a good left guard for the Trojans in 2019 and has upside to develop for the next level. Some team sources think Vera-Tucker is one of the best players in the 2021 NFL Draft.

For the next level, there is a lot to like about Vera-Tucker in pass protection. He is an easy mover with athleticism, quickness and agility. He can glide with speed rushers with ease, showing the ability to play the typewriter with his feet. Vera-Tucker is a natural knee bender who maintains good leverage while avoiding bending at the waist.

In the ground game, Vera-Tucker is not a bull at the point of attack, but he is effective. He is more of a wall-off-and-position blocker who beats defenders to a spot to cover them up and keep them from making a tackle. He does a nice job of scrapping and keeping his hands fighting to sustain his blocks.

It would help Vera-Tucker to add strength if his frame isn't maxed out. For a pro rushing offense, he might fit best in a zone-blocking scheme. Vera-Tucker looks like a starting left tackle or guard in the NFL and worth a first-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. Some team sources think Vera-Tucker is one of the better prospects in the entire draft and see him as a very safe pick with two position starting ability.

4/24/21: Some are projecting Slater high in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft, while some team sources say they have Slater graded late in the first round and some have him in the second round. The discrepancy is due to some projecting Slater to remain at tackle and other evaluators feeling he is too undersized and lacks length, so he will have to move to guard or center in the NFL. Northwestern's pro day proved Slater's length issue, as his arms measured in at 33 inches.

Slater is a solid athlete who is quick, agile, smart, and tough. Given his lack of height and length, he might be a better fit on the inside at guard or center, but his foot quickness, athleticism, and agility are that of a tackle. Teams like how tough and intelligent Slater is, and some sources think his best position in the NFL could be center, where they think he could be a Maurkice Pouncey-caliber snapper.

8/29/20: 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 solid all-star game performance.

4/24/21: In 2020, Smith played well for the Volunteers. He played his natural position of guard and was a steady blocker for Tennessee in both phases. Even though he played some tackle in college, teams view Smith as a guard. Some sources think Smith has a shot at sneaking into the first round, while others think he belongs on Day 2 of the 2021 NFL Draft. His pulmonary-issue history hurts him with some teams, but other teams say their medical staff gave Smith a thumbs up for having a NFL career.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Davis was a bull in the ground game in 2020, but he also allowed sacks in each of the first two games of the season. His pass protection needs improvement. He can react late to blitzes and games up front while also having some issues with speed rushers. However, he has a good skill set and upside to get better. If Davis gets good NFL coaching, he could be an excellent pro guard.

8/29/20: 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. He has real strength at the point of attack. For the NFL, Davis needs to get better at blocking speed rushers. As Davis gains his experience, his pass blocking could improve.

4/24/21: Banks played really well for the Fighting Irish in 2020. He was a tough run blocker at the point of attack, using his size to help Notre Dame move the ball on the ground. He also was very reliable in pass protection. It was the second season in a row of good play out of Banks, who only allowed two sacks on 844 total snaps in 2019.

For the NFL, Banks could be a better fit at right guard, but he has the flexibility to play on either side of the center. Team sources say they like Banks and think he could be a safe second-day pick who turns into a solid starter.

4/24/21: Hainsey helped himself with a quality week at the Senior Bowl, where he did well in the one-on-ones. Hainsey broke into the starting lineup in 2018 and remained a quality blocker for the Fighting Irish for the next three seasons. His run blocking was ahead of his pass protection in the early going, but as he gained experienced, Hainsey became a well-rounded player. While he may not be flashy, he could be a solid mid-rounder who turns into a quality starter in the NFL.

4/24/21: Meinerz wasn't been helped by the lack of DIII football. He made up for it with a quality week of practice at the Senior Bowl.

8/29/20: 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 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.

4/24/21: Newman started some at right tackle for the Rebels in 2020, and while he held his own, he is a guard for the NFL. Newman participated in the Senior Bowl.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Not having football in 2020 didn't help Moore, but he did get to the Senior Bowl.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Kraemer blocked well for the Fighting Irish at right guard in 2020. He could be a solid backup who evolves from that role.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Hutcherson had a nice game against Vanderbilt early in 2020, but he was not as good against Florida. Moving to the inside could be best for Hutcherson in the NFL.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Anderson could have been a mid-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he went back to Texas Tech. While he played well enough to earn a Senior Bowl invitation, team sources say Anderson's play looked soft as a senior. That is about the worst adjective a scout can use for an offensive lineman.

4/24/21: Jones received an invitation to the East-West Shrine, but the game was cancelled.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Hoge was a solid starting right guard for BYU in 2020.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Brown played well for Alabama in 2020, but he is more of a late-round project for the NFL. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Awosika did not impress in 2020.

8/29/20: 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.

4/24/21: Sculthorpe's draft stock is based more on his past seasons than 2020, but he had a solid playing career at N.C. State.

8/29/20: 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.