There are some very good
guards in this draft, with at least 4 or 5 projected
starters over the next 3 years.
Top
Offensive Guards
1
. Davin Joseph, 6-3, 311,
Oklahoma:
He is arguably the top guard in the
draft, and should be one of the first
three guards selected in April. Davin
has consistently graded out very high
for one of the better offensive lines in
the nation. Since guards are not put at
a premium, he probably won’t hear his
name called too early, but the early
second round is not out of the question.
Joseph has made a smooth transition to the left
tackle position as a senior in 2005 but he will be a
far better fit at guard in the NFL, mostly due to
his lack of ideal height. Joseph can still improve
his technique, but he is a hard-working and
"coachable" player who should continue to improve if
coached well at the next level. Otherwise, Joseph
has very few flaws. He is a wide-bodied, long-armed,
strong, athletic and nasty guard prospect. Joseph
should quickly develop into a good starter in the
NFL, which is why he is worth considering late in
the second round of the 2006 NFL draft.
FoxSports:
Has
the quick feet, balance and long arms to possibly
transition to left tackle, but lacks the height most
teams want at the position. Started 39 games for the
Sooners, mostly at right guard. Good quickness off
the snap and plays with both strength and technique.
Listed as the top ranked OG in the country by
National Scouting Services, and the No. 3 guard by
BLESTO (behind Jean-Gilles).
2. Max Jean-Gilles,
6-4, 355, Georgia: Max Jean-Gilles has blocked
against the top defenses of the SEC his entire
career. He has great size and quick feet for a
player of his stature. He is a monster of a player
and a guy with great work ethic who fits perfectly
on any offensive line as he plays for the team, more
so than individual accolades. A physical specimen
because of his immense strength, he has ideal size
and all the qualities to be an effective starter at
the next level.
He
is a massive mauler with the size, strength and
toughness to immediately contribute as a
road-grading run blocker in the NFL. However,
Jean-Gilles lacks ideal athletic ability and his
technique in pass protection leaves much to be
desired. His weight fluctuation over the last three
years is also reason for concern. If he wants to
work at it in the NFL he has the physical tools to
develop into a dominating starter, but the team that
takes a chance on Jean-Gilles also runs a risk of
him cashing it in once he starts to collect
paychecks. In our opinion, Jean-Gilles is worth
selecting late in the first or early in the second
round of the 2006 NFL draft but only for a team that
emphasizes the power-run game (ie. Steelers, Ravens,
Panthers, etc.). He could develop into a starter at
ROT but his best fit will be inside at one of the OG
positions
FoxSports:
Physically dominant mauler is the best run blocker
in this draft. Although gaining weight will always
be a concern, Jean-Gilles is known as a hard worker
and has never missed a game due to injury. Has
played tackle and guard, but lacks the footwork to
play on the outside. Held up surprisingly well at
the Senior Bowl in one-on-one passing drills, as he
has an awesome initial hand punch that stuns most
defenders.
3.
Taitusi "Deuce" Lutui, 6-4, 334, USC
:
This is a massive man, he has great feet for someone
his size and he has pretty good athletic ability.
Some would say great if you take his size into
consideration. He is a powerful run blocker and can
be used situationally right away. He was a decent
tackle, but can be dominating at the guard position
if he keeps his weight in check could be a gem.
Lutui is a massive offensive guard/right tackle
prospect with experience at both spots. His massive
frame and impressive feet give him great NFL
potential. He also has made noticeable strides over
the course of his two seasons at USC. However, the
team that selects Lutui will need to be patient with
his development. He still needs a lot of polishing
in terms of his technique, he must improve his
overall power, and weight fluctuation will always be
a concern. As it stands right now, Lutui grades out
as a second round prospect in the 2006 class.
FoxSports:
Monster offensive lineman with better athletic
ability than given credit for. Played tackle and
guard, but seems much better suited for guard at the
NFL level. Originally signed with Utah out of high
school, but didn't qualify academically. Went to
Snow Junior College before signing at USC.
Immediately inserted into the starting lineup,
playing at right tackle for much of the 2004 season.
Was dominant force when he used his bulk, but lacked
the quickness as a pass blocker and looked much
better in 2005 after being moved to left guard
4.
Charles Spencer, 6-5, 352, Pittsburgh:
Spencer
is huge, and plays like it. He can dominate at the
point of attack. Once he locks on to a defender
forget it, he will not be involved in the play. He
also plays with an attitude on the field. He does
not give up on plays and will drive players to the
ground. He is an extremely smart player who
has moved from DL to tackle to guard in his college
career. There is no telling how good he can be
when given a single position for some time.
Spencer is a former defensive tackle who
thrived in his late transition to the offensive
line. Spencer has great size, quick feet and
impressive overall power. He still has room to
improve in terms of his overall technique and
awareness, but Spencer has all the physical tools
necessary to eventually develop into an NFL starter
either at OG or ROT. After Spencer impressed during
the Senior Bowl and combine, he has emerged as a
late Day 1 draft prospect in the 2006 class.
FoxSports:
Only made the transition from defensive tackle to
guard two years ago, but already has played with the
reliability and consistency of a veteran. Earned
All-Big East honors while providing Pitt with an
athletic and tenacious blocker at left guard in
2004. Uses his hands well and has rare balance for
such a large man. Considered a rising talent with
his best football ahead of him. His 30 reps were the
most of the highly ranked guard prospects at the
Combine and third of all offensive linemen tested
5.
Rob Sims, 6-3, 307,
Ohio State
:
Sims is a talented offensive line
prospect who spent most of his collegiate career at
Tackle. He brings a lot of versatility to the line,
having played all over in college. For a guard, he
is a very good pass blocker, and shows very good
mobility. He can get out and block on the move. Sims
also has the strength to lock on to a defender and
move him off the ball and can be a very reliable if
not superb player at the next level.
Sims played both tackle and guard at
Ohio State, but due to his lack of ideal height and
athletic ability, he projects as a guard in the NFL.
While Sims has steadily emerged as a reliable and
efficient starter at the collegiate level, he never
developed into a dominant player. He possesses good
size and is naturally strong, but he does not play
with explosive power or finish off blocks as well as
his weight-room strength would indicate.
Furthermore, there's a sense that Sims' work ethic
is not up to par, which has led to his failure to
meet expectations. Sims certainly flashes the
physical tools to develop into a good starting guard
in the NFL, but he will be a bit of risk even as an
early Day 2 draft pick.
FoxSports:
Started 40 games at left tackle over the past three
years. Lacks height, and despite having above
average foot quickness, isn't athletic enough to
remain on the outside. Solid but not a dominator by
any means. A strong performance at guard at the
East-West Shrine Game helped stock rise.
The rest of the best
Fred Matua, 6-3,
306, USC
Kevin Booth, 6-5, 316, Cornell
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