2025 NFL Draft: Top 10 guards

NFL teams like to be strong up the middle between the hash marks. Having two solid guards allows a team to be balanced and be able to use either side of their offense. What usually makes guards valuable is the versatility that is brought in by young prospects. Most guards started out as centers or tackles and bring a sense of toughness to an offensive line. Last season there were 17 guards selected in the NFL draft. Here is a look at the top 10 guards as we head into the 2024-2025 season.

10- Javontez Spraggins, Tennessee

Spraggins is a mauler in the run game who does what he can physically to manhandle his opponent. He has violent and strong hands that he uses to latch onto defenders and move them side to side. He lacks the athleticism to be a factor in pulling and getting out in front of screens. Spraggins is a stronger run blocker than he is a pass protector.

9- Jaeden Roberts, Alabama

Roberts is an athletic and powerful offensive lineman. At 6-foot-5 and 316 pounds, he has the agility to get out front and pull on screens and sweeps. Has shown the ability to hold his own against bigger defensive tackles in the SEC. Needs to compete more and work through the whistle, sometimes after landing the initial blow he stops driving his feet.

8- Clay Webb, Jacksonville State

Webb is a former wrestler and uses his experience to be tough in hand battles and understands the importance of leverage against his opponent. His pass blocking mechanics are as good as anybody in the class, he drops back and transitions smoothly and utilizes angles well in keeping defenders at bay. He is on the small side for an NFL guard and will need to add mass to his frame. He is a transfer from Georgia and has been dominating the FCS. He will need to show he can have success against bigger and faster opponents in the future, to help his NFL stock.

7- Joshua Gray, Oregon State

Gray is the starting left tackle at Oregon State, but we believe his lack of length and mass, he will be drafted as a guard in the NFL. Gray is a fierce competitor who plays physically through the whistle. He has excellent footwork and agility and is very athletic. His athleticism should help him to pull and get out in front of the running back or pass receiver with ease. His aggressiveness can be a downfall at times and he will lunge and lose his patience on pass rushers. 

6- Dylan Fairchild, Georgia

Fairchild is a hard worker who plays through the whistle on each down. He does a good job of putting himself in the best position by understanding angles. He is athletic for a 6-foot-5 guard and gets to the second level seamlessly. Fairchild does not always play with the proper bend and can be too upright, especially in pass rushing situations.

5- Connor Colby, Iowa

Colby has already played 40 games at the collegiate level and will be one of the most experienced prospects in the draft. He has excellent agility and his side to side movement helps him in combo blocking situations. He can play too high at times and he loses leverage in battles. He can get lazy with his footwork from time to time.

4- D.J. Campbell, Texas

Campbell is one of the heaviest guards in the class, weighing in at 343 pounds. He is a colossal body in the middle of the line and he dominates in the run game. His awareness is strong, he is able to pick up different stunts and blitz schemes before the snap. He does not have athletic feet and can be beaten with speed through the gaps. Not a guard who will be able to pull with a lot of success.

3- Donovan Jackson, Ohio State

Jackson is an experienced prospect who has played since early in his career. He has excellent strength and length and explodes off the snap. His combination of physical strength and athleticism will put him in the top end of the draft. At times, he explodes off the snap and misses his target by lunging too quickly.

2- Tyler Booker, Alabama

Booker earned first team All-SEC honors in 2023. He has imposing power and hits and drives opponents back consistently. He is 6-foot-5, 335 pounds and athletic enough to pull and get to the second level. He is one of the more polished guards coming out in this class. At times he can play too high and allow smaller players to gain leverage on him.

1- Tate Ratledge, Georgia

Ratledge was named 2nd team All-American last season and could have gone in the middle of last year’s draft. He is experienced and has a high football IQ. He is a mauler in the run game and athletic enough to have success in the passing game. He can be overaggressive at times and lose balance and positioning.