2024 NFL Draft- Top 10 Guards

A good interior line is important in the NFL. With teams exploiting different ways to bring pressure, a strong unit in the middle is required to keep pressure from coming right into the quarterback’s face. Last season there were 8 guards selected, including 4 in the second round.

Complete list of every Guard pick from the 2023 NFL Draft:

Round 2, Pick 36: Steve Avila, TCU

Round 2, Pick 38: Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse

Round 2, Pick 59: O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida

Round 2, Pick 62: Juice Scruggs, Penn State

Round 4, Pick 107: Jake Andrews, Troy

Round 4, Pick 114: Chandler Zavala, North Carolina State

Round 4, Pick 117: Sidy Sow, Eastern Michigan

Round 7, Pick 229: Andrew Vorhees, USC

This year, many are predicting the potential of one guard going in the first round, starting a trickle into round two and beyond. Overall this class of interior offensive linemen are deeper than the 2023 class, with perhaps as many going before the end of round three than went in all of last season's selection process. Here is the top ten list of potential prospects to pay attention to:

1. Washington- G- Troy Fautanu (6’4” 317 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• Versatility
• Run blocking
• 2nd level

Weaknesses

• Footwork 
• Length
• Balance
• Pass blocking

Versatile offensive linemen are highly regarded in each NFL draft and Fautanu has enough skill to stick at tackle or guard. He is agile and can pull, getting to the second level, which most advantageous for his position. He is a better run blocker than he is pass protector and can start day one at the guard position. And he has the best mechanics of any offensive linemen in this class regardless of position. He won’t make it out of round one.

Projection- 1st round pick

 2. Kansas State- G- Cooper Beebe (6’4” 335 lbs)

Strengths

• Versatility
• Strong hands
• Football I.Q.
• Athleticism

Weaknesses

• Short arms
• Speed
• Mechanics

Cooper Beebe has played some tackle in his career, but in the pros will be better served moving permanently to an interior spot. He can be a team's swing tackle in a pinch. He is a student of the game and understands blitzes and assignments about as well as any IOL in this class. He has short arms and needs to improve footwork but that won't stop him from going early on day two. He will become a fixture in some team’s starting lineup for the next decade.

Projection- 2nd round

3. Connecticut- G- Christian Haynes (6’2” 313 lbs)

Strengths

• Hands
• 2nd level
• Pulling

Weaknesses

• Reads
• Body control
• Balance
• Reaches

Christian Haynes is balanced and agile, and has as much ceiling as any other guard in the draft. He is light on his feet and gets to the second level with ease. He has a tendency to reach against faster opponents and then balance becomes an issue. But he is a solid day two addition to any offensive line room.

Projection- 2nd round

4. Kansas- G- Dominick Puni (6’5” 320 lbs)

Strengths

• Versatility
• Athleticism
• Explosiveness
• Run blocking

Weaknesses

• Back pedal
• Balance
• Pass blocking
• Playing in space

Puni is an athletic mauler who can get out in front and lead the way for a ball carrier. Another versatile guard who has played both left guard and left tackle in his collegiate career, Puni will hear his name called on day two.

Projection- Round 3

5. Michigan- G- Zac Zinter (6’6” 322 lbs)

Strengths

• Run blocking
• Hands
• Play in tight quarters
• Length

Weaknesses

• Upright
• Open field
• Injury
• Footwork

Zac Zinter may be the most polished guard in this draft. He is positionally sound and uses his hands effectively. However, he is coming off a gruesome broken leg he suffered late in the season and was not able to perform at pro day. Reports have stated that he is healing, but there will still be question marks. Zinter may have been an early day two pick but will now likely slide because of the injury. He will be a value pick at that spot for some lucky team.

Projection- Round 3

6. TCU- G- Brandon Coleman (6’6” 320 lbs)

Strengths

• Length
• Size
• Versatility
• Football IQ
• Range

Weaknesses

• Footwork
• Mechanics
• Balance
• Base

Coleman can be moved around the offensive line and has the physical tools and length to play tackle. He has great range and has a football IQ that offensive line coaches covet. He needs to work on his mechanics and improve his footwork and base to become successful at the next level.

Projection- 4th round

7. Boston College- G- Christian Mahogany (6’3” 335 lbs)

Strengths

• Football IQ
• Run blocking
• Pulling

Weaknesses

• Injury history
• Penalties
• Upright 
• Base

Christian Mahogany bounced back in 2023 from a torn ACL, but his history of injuries still create some question marks. He has leadership qualities and his football IQ is that of a center’s. He is quick to recognize blitzes and stunts but can get lazy at times and play too upright which leads to careless penalties and/or mistakes.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

8- South Dakota State- G- Mason McCormick (6’5” 312 lbs)

Strengths

• Strong hands
• Play Strength
• Leadership

Weaknesses

• Age
• Pass blocking
• Pulling

Mason McCormick was a man amongst boys at the FCS level. He does an excellent job of picking up blitzes and stunts. McCormick is not the most athletic guard, and he will struggle in some offenses. Look for a team that's a schematic fit for him to pluck him away on day two or three . He's nice mid-round pick with some upside.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

9- Utah- G- Sataoa Laumea (6’4” 311 lbs)

Strengths

• Athleticism
• Versatility
• Pulling
• Combo blocks

Weaknesses

• Footwork
• Stamina
• Experience
• Pass blocking

Sataoa Laumea has a nice mix of power and flexibility and has the ability to lead sweeps and screens. He tends to lose power as games go on and needs to work on his stamina. His footwork will need to be improved to be a real difference maker in the NFL.

Projection- 5th or 6th round

10. Michigan- G- Trevor Keegan (6’6” 320 lbs)

Strengths

• Point of attack
• Football IQ
• Base
• Pass blocking

Weaknesses

• Range
• 2nd level
• Reaches

Teams looking for a guard who can pass block will have Keegan high on their list. Even though he struggles with moving and has a limited range, his pass protection is top three in this class. He can be a solid late round pick that has some upside.

Projection- 6th round