Who are the guards and centers who’ll matter in the 2021 NFL Draft, and what’s the college perspective on all of the top prospects?
2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings
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Infrastructure can be sexy.
It’s a really, really good draft for the interior line. The guard prospects are good, the centers are excellent, and there are more than enough to go around for the teams that need an instant fix for the front five.
From the college perspective, here are the top guards and centers – interior linemen – in the 2021 NFL Draft, starting with the good value picks likely to go late on Day 2 to early Day 3, and then into the stars in the top five.
16. Royce Newman, Ole Miss (OG)
Size: 6-5, 310
The Good: Versatile enough to play almost anywhere on the line, he’s not going to blast over anyone, but he could see time at tackle and be solid in a fast-paced offense that gets him on the move.
The Not-So-Good: He’s a little smallish. He’s not going to blast away on anyone and he’s not a sure-thing guard for a power attack. A true tweener, he’s got the ability to play any of four spots in a pinch, but he’s not any sort of long term answer at tackle.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It took a little while for him to grow into his upside, but now he’s got the experience and the movement to be a nice value blocker for the interior. At worst. he’s a jack-of-all-trades backup.
Projected Round: Fifth Round
15. Michal Menet, Penn State (C)
Size: 6-4, 301
The Good: A good-sized hitter who could work at guard if needed but is more of a center. While he won’t be for everyone, he’s a power blocker who won’t have too much of a problem with the stronger tackles. As dependable as they come, he was a rock for the Nittany Lions for a long time.
The Not-So-Good: Don’t expect him to move too much. He’s a phone booth guy who can handle himself well as a tough guy for the ground game, but he’s not a top athlete and has to be surrounded by guards with good feet.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s going to be worth the late round flier as a rock of a blocker who could be a nice value for the interior. He plays through everything, he’s tough enough be a problem in practices, and he’ll be a tough cut who could rise up and take over a starting gig early.
Projected Round: Fifth Round
14. Larry Borom, Missouri (OG/OT)
Size: 6-5, 322
The Good: There’s a chance he could find a gig at right tackle if he doesn’t live at guard. He’s got the bulk for the interior and just enough athleticism to move to the outside, and he’s got an interesting game with good power who might still be improving depending on his position.
The Not-So-Good: He’s not really an NFL tackle. He’ll be tested out on the outside, but he wins a job by showing he’s able to blast away as a guard. There isn’t quite enough athleticism to be for everyone, especially as a tweener.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll be an interesting late round call for someone. Don’t expect much in pass protection, and he’ll have issues with elite quickness, but he’s a big, thick blocker with enough versatility to matter.
Projected Round: Fifth Round
13. Ben Cleveland, Georgia (OG)
Size: 6-6, 343
The Good: Very big and very good for the ground game, he’s got the NFL size. No, he’s not a tackle, and no, he’s not going to move well, but if you want a large guy who can generate a push and is tough to get around, here you go. He’s not going to get moved, but …
The Not-So-Good: He’s not going to move. He’s not a tackle in any way, and he might be a right guard only without the mobility to handle any semblance of NFL quickness. Sort of a one-trick blocker, you know what you’re getting.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He can be a rock of a run blocker on an NFL O line as long as he’s surrounded by more athletic options. If you need the hard yard, though, he’s your guy to work behind.
Projected Round: Fifth Round
12. Jared Hocker, Texas A&M (OG)
Size: 6-5, 325
The Good: The NFL size, look and experience are all there to fit in right away on the interior of any line. He’s got the right look and skills of a modern day NFL guard with the power to go along with the length. Put him on the left or right side and there’s no problem. However …
The Not-So-Good: It would be nice if he could move a little more. He was able to come back from a knee problem, but he’s not going to be great with the elite athletes on an NFL defensive front and can’t be tried out at tackle.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought:A key cog in the Texas A&M offensive ball control system – and star of the underappreciated line – if his legs hold up he’s a good option for any running game and can fit on the inside in just about any offense. He’ll be one of those mid-round guys who seems to hang around the league for a long, long time.
Projected Round: Fourth
11. Kendrick Green, Illinois (OG/C)
Size: 6-2, 305
The Good: The guy can flat-out block. He’s athletic, he can be used anywhere in the interior, and the guy knows how to hit for the running game. He’s not going to flatten anyone, but he’s a people mover with the quickness to do anything you need.
The Not-So-Good: 6-2, 305. He’s just not big enough to be a consistent NFL guard, even if that’s his better position. With his size the goal will be to make him a full-time center. He might have to be team specific – to use a college term, he might be a recruit-to-a-type draft pick.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Welcome to the guy who might be the most intriguing interior line Day 3 pick in the draft. Don’t be shocked if someone falls deeply in love with his skill set and doesn’t care about the size – or he could slip through the cracks and slide and slide and slide. He’ll make a roster no matter when he’s taken.
Projected Round: Fifth
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings Top Ten
2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings Top Ten
10. Quinn Meinerz, Wisconsin-Whitewater (C/OG)
Size: 6-3, 320
The Good: The Senior Bowl made the guy a whole lot of money. Amazing at the D-III level, he was a dominant force for a killer team. One trip to Mobile later, and he looked like he belonged with the Power Five brand name guys. He’s got the size and power to be a guard, but he’s an NFL center who’s still improving.
The Not-So-Good: Division III. Again, he was more than solid at the Senior Bowl against the big guys, but the team didn’t play in 2020 and he’s going from 0-to-90 miles per hour if thrown too the wolves right away. In Mobile he won on power and toughness, but there’s a lot of refining to do.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t expect massive things right away, but work through the learning curve and he’s a long term answer for somewhere in the interior. Watch for him to be a must-have on someone’s board early on Day 3.
Projected Round: Fourth
9. Josh Myers, Ohio State (C)
Size: 6-5, 312
The Good: He’s got the NFL size, bulk, and length everyone is looking for. The leader of a few fantastic Buckeye lines, he’s able to get on the move enough to matter and brings just enough power to be more than adequate at blasting away. The basics are all there.
The Not-So-Good: Yeah, all the traits are in place to be a good starting NFL center, but the skill set isn’t necessarily elite. There’s no real knock on what he does, but there’s no real wow factor, either. He’s not going to make a whole slew of mistakes and he gets the job done. It might not be at a Pro Bowl level, but he’ll start.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t read too much into the negatives – there really aren’t any other than that he’s a bit stiff. The one big sticking point with him will be the lack of any one standout thing compared to some of the other top centers, but he’s going to be very durable and very reliable. That’s just fine for a starting NFL center.
Projected Round: Third
8. Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma (C)
Size: 6-4, 302
The Good: The quarterback of a line that’s been one of the most efficient and effective over the last few years, he’s the guy who’ll take over your front five right away and know the offense as well as the coach. A true mauler, overlook the lack of refinement and bottom line it with him – he gets the job done as a nasty all-around blocker.
The Not-So-Good: He doesn’t necessarily look the part. He’s hardly small, but he’s not quite as bulky as most teams would like, he’s not a great athlete, and there isn’t one athletic trait that stands out at an NFL level.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: You want a ten-year starting center for your NFL line? Here you go. There’s just enough missing from his style and skill set to drop him down a wee bit among the top centers, but some team will be ecstatic when he’s there for the taking.
Projected Round: Third
7. Deonte Brown, Alabama (OG)
Size: 6-3, 344
The Good: If you can get past a few flaws and concerns, he’s a bulldozer of a blocker with the leverage missing from some of the other top guards who might be taller.
No, he doesn’t quite look the part, and yeah, he’s not going to move much, but you’re not moving the guy off of his base. No, he’s not going to be for everyone, but yeah, if you want to blast away for the ground game, he’ll get it done.
The Not-So-Good: He’s hardly small at 6-3, but he’s not all that long – he has a heavy that’s good for leverage but isn’t out of central casting. While he’s not stuck in the mud, he’s not all that athletic and isn’t going to do much of anything on the move.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s not going to be for everyone, but for a team with athletes and length on the line, he can play either guard spot and be the run blocker to work around. He’ll make up for his shortcomings by doing all of the little things right.
Projected Round: Third
6. Trey Smith, Tennessee (OG/OT)
Size: 6-6, 321
The Good: Big, tough, and talented, the one-time superstar recruit has been through it all in a rough run and deserves everything he gets for his perseverance. Originally a top tackle prospect, he’s purely a guard at the next level, and that’s not a knock considering he’s right out of central casting. He’s a blaster with the power to go along with the bulk and size.
The Not-So-Good: Don’t expect him to move all that much. He’s not a statue, but he’s all about cranking things up in the interior – but without elite quickness as a pass protector. Talent-wise there’s no issue, but he’ll drop in the draft over concerns of a frightening issue with blood clots he had to fight through.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’s a minimal risk on greatness after the first 50 picks. If everything with him stays healthy and okay, he’s a potential Pro Bowl-caliber guard with the upside to be an anchor of a line. After all he’s been through, he deserves a great career.
Projected Round: Third
NEXT: 2020 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings No. 5
2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings Top Five
5. Landon Dickerson, Alabama (C/OG)
Size: 6-6, 333
The Good: What do you want in a center? You want him to be tall but bulky, long but strong, and you need him to be just quick enough that the size isn’t a much of a problem when it comes to playing in the interior.
Dickerson is really more of an NFL guard than a center, but his 6-6 height isn’t an issue with the tougher defensive tackles who can get low. He’s not an elite athlete for an O lineman, but so what if he’s not an NFL tackle? He’s a tough guy’s tough guy who’ll start for the next ten years at a high level.
However …
The Not-So-Good: Can he stay healthy? There’s no question about his talent, toughness or skill set, but he might slip a wee bit after getting battered around a bit – he’s coming off a knee injury that might lift him a bit early on.
He’s not going to do a whole lot on the move and his size might occasionally work against him at center, but that’s nitpicking. As long as he’s bookended by guards who can handle elite quickness, he’ll be fine.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’s almost a joke at this point when it comes to analyzing Alabama pro prospects, especially for the offensive line. To go cliché, go ahead and check almost every box when it comes to the no-bust potential on his ability. Again, though, it’ll all come down to durability – staying healthy hasn’t been a positive.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings No. 4
4. Jackson Carman, Clemson (OG/OT)
Size: 6-5, 317
The Good: Out of all the top guard prospects, Carman brings the most versatility as a possible tackle.
He’s a guard, and he has the athleticism lacking in some of the other top interior blockers in the draft. Don’t assume he’s a finesse player, but he fits more styles than other guards do.
There’s enough power to matter. He’s not a road grader, but he’s an adequate run blocker who’s better and stronger on the move than he is in a phone booth – that’s not a knock depending on the scheme.
However …
The Not-So-Good: He’ll have to prove he can handle bulk power at the next level.
No, he’s not soft at all, and he’ll get the job done for the running game, but he’s not going to kill his guy and there could be problems against the Coke machines who need to be moved off their bases.
For all his skills, he’s not quite as polished as some might like. His style is different, but it worked for him at a high college level – there might be an adjustment period needed.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Here’s your Best Of All Worlds guard prospect. He doesn’t have the otherworldly upside of Trey Smith, and he’s not going to bring the power of Aaron Banks, but he’ll find a fit in almost any scheme and on any team. Again, he’s not your typical throwback tough guy interior blocker, but for today’s NFL he might grow into a perfect fit.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings No. 3
3. Aaron Banks, Notre Dame (OG)
Size: 6-5, 338
The Good: Power, power, power.
Don’t worry about the lack of finesse, and don’t focus on what he isn’t. He’s a big blocker who’ll separate his man from a desire to keep playing football with the finishing ability to keep pounding away for a full four quarters.
You’re not moving the guy. He’s got the base and the size to take over at times and be the one you work an entire game plan for the ground attack around.
For mostly good over bad, you know what you’re getting – if you want one of the five guys on your O line win the battle of toughness, here you go.
The Not-So-Good: Again, though, he’s only a guard without the ability to work as a tackle – if you care about that. You won’t find a stronger blocker, but that’s what he is – he doesn’t get on the move and there’s little subtlety to his game.
Basically, if you’re in a quick, finesse offense that relies on athletic linemen who can get on the move, you might have to look elsewhere. The feet just aren’t there to dance.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: Don’t get caught up in Banks not being Quenton Nelson – no one can be asked to be that on an NFL O line. He’ll drop because he’s a guard, but he’s going to be far, far more productive than most of the players who go before him. Put him at right guard, ask him to block his man for the run game, repeat.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings No. 2
2. Wyatt Davis, Ohio State (OG)
Size: 6-3, 315
The Good: You want this guy on your line to set the tone for everything else. You want a tough guy’s tough guy who’ll work his tail off to beat up the guy in front of him.
Forget that he’s not massive and blow off his lack of quickness. There’s going to be a fight on the inside of an NFL line, and he’s going to make sure he wins it.
Of course every NFL blocker is nasty – Davis can hit, too. He’s a blaster who has the strength to take over at times with the ability you don’t have to worry about. Effort is never going to be a concern.
.@OhioStateFB OG Wyatt Davis wants to live out his NFL dreams and honor his late grandfather, @packers legend Willie Davis.
"I know that he'll be smiling up above." 🙏 @wyattdavis53 pic.twitter.com/M09NEUGGDo
— NFL (@NFL) April 6, 2021
The Not-So-Good: Does he have all of the tools to go along with the want-to? He’s got the talent and toughness, but he’s not out of central casting.
He’s got enough overall athleticism to be fine on an NFL line, but he’s not going to always be as fluid as you might like – it’s all relative for these massive guys – against the quicker interior linemen. Throw in a few injury concerns – he got knocked out of the national championship against Alabama with a leg problem – and …
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: He’ll be fine. He might slide just a wee bit because he’s not the perfect prospect for the interior, but that’s for the draftniks to worry about. For those who just want a really good football player who’ll block the guy in front of him better than just about anyone else in this draft, he’ll be an easy pick to bring an attitude to the offensive front.
Projected Round: Second
NEXT: 2021 NFL Draft Guard, Center Rankings No. 1
1. Alijah Vera-Tucker, USC (OG/OT)
Size: 6-5, 308
The Good: In a draft full of tough guy bulldozers and blasters, here’s the technician. Here’s the guy who might still need a little refinement here and there, but he’ll either be adequate on the outside or an overwhelming all-around blocker in the interior.
His future and long term production will be at guard, but go ahead and use him as a tackle if needed – he’s what a modern interior NFL lineman looks and plays like.
He’s a big guy who carries it well, the strength is there to be a bit of a bully and handle power, and again, he can move well enough to work as a tackle.
A Trojan great, @ALIJAHVT!!
Good luck and thank you for always giving your all. 💯💯💯#TrojanMade⚔️ pic.twitter.com/wvCEKzi2Cc
— USC Football (@USC_FB) December 28, 2020
The Not-So-Good: Is he a tweener? Someone will think of him as more of a tackle, and that might not be what you’re buying considering where he’s likely to go in the draft.
Again, there’s no problem getting tough, but he’s not the pure masher that other guards in the draft are. In terms of value, is he enough of a gamechanger to go in the top 20 overall? He’s not Quenton Nelson as a guard, and there are other tackles-who-could-be-guards in this with a better upside on the outside.
NFL Draft College Perspective Thought: It’s a deep group of very good guards, and Vera-Tucker is the best of the lot. The stigma of being a guard is gone – you need stars at all five spots on an NFL front. Best of all, he fits everyone.
He can be the star of a line in the interior, he’ll be athletic enough to stand out on a line full of thumpers, and/or he can hold his own on a finesse line that needs to protect the franchise superstar quarterback.
Projected Round: First
