2018 NFL Draft by Position: Guards and Centers (6/11)

The Guard class is deeper than usual, but one player stands out way above the rest: Quenton Nelson. He's the highest-rated Guard prospect in my entire tenure of covering the NFL Draft, and I was very, very high on David DeCastro coming out of Stanford in 2012. James Daniels is the only true Center who could (should) land in the first round, whereas Gaurds Isaiah Wynn and Will Hernandez have legitimate cases of hearing their names on Day One. It will be interesting to see where Ohio State's Billy Price, who can start at Guard and Center, will fall after tearing his pectoral during the combine. He was a definite first-round lock before the injury, but some scouts have him falling until the third round. Guard and Center are both positions that often reap starters in the middle rounds, so teams looking for a new interior O-Lineman should definitely do their homework on the entire class. Or, you know, just read this article?

1. Quenton Nelson, G, Notre Dame - Top 10 Pick

I never thought I'd see a Guard prospect ranked as a guaranteed Top 10 pick, but here we are. Quenton Nelson is absolutely deserving of it, too. He boasts the drool-worthy combination of elite size (6'5", 330 pounds), off-the-charts power and absolutely incredible finishing ability, especially on running plays. Oh, and he's NFL-ready with astoundingly consistent technique. Nelson reminds me a lot of Hall of Fame Guard Larry Allen, and while he may not see 11 All-Pro nods throughout his career, I can almost guarantee he'll have at least a few to his name in no time.

2. James Daniels, C, Iowa - Late 1st/Early 2nd Round

The best factor for James Daniels' draft stock is the fact that he's outstandingly the best Center in this draft class. Daniels' movements are very fluid and quick, two major advantages at the next level. His frame (6'3", 295 pounds) is average, and his arm length isn't impressive either. Initial scouting reports constricted Daniels to a zone-only blocker, but his formidable draft season should erase those concerns. Daniels is a quality run blocker and pass protect who should start every down right away, and if he gets stronger and learns to use his arms better, he has the upside of an Pro Bowl-caliber Center.

3. Will Hernandez, G, Texas-El Paso - Late 1st/Early 2nd Round

Similar to Quenton Nelson, Will Hernandez possesses a rare combination of consistent power, balance and athleticism. He naturally excels as a run blocker, and he anchors his technique well enough to hold his own in pass protection as well. Hernandez's major drawback is how he's built: 6'2", 348 pounds and relatively short arms. He only bettered his stock with an incredible Senior Bowl week and a formidable Combine performance. Hernandez is an immediate above-average starter for any franchise, with a realistic potential of an All-Pro caliber Guard.

4. Isaiah Wynn, G, Georgia - Late 1st/Early 2nd Round

Isaiah Wynn simply wins blocks consistenly and with a mean streak: two traits scouts absolutely love. He's as athletic as any Guard in this class, with the quick feet and agility to instantly gain a positioning advantage over most interior Defensive Linemen. Wynn's also a better pass blocker than most Guards in this class, a major plus for teams looking to protect their franchise QB. His technique is consistent and effective, and he's not afraid to pull or slide out for key blocks all over the field. Wynn's size (6'3", 313 pounds) and arm usage are both concerns, but he has the athleticism and technique to overcome any struggles in the build department. Wynn should start at Guard early and quickly develop into a quality starter for years to come.

5. Billy Price, C/G, Ohio State - 2nd Round

Billy Price is exceptionally explosive with a jaw-dropping initial charge. His power and strength are rarely found in Centers of any draft class. Price tore his pectoral during the combine, naturally hurting his draft stock, but his medical reports (according to SB Nation) show he should be back sometime in training camp. His natural ability to gain leverage, combined with the aforementioned power and strength should see an easy transition to blocking at the NFL level. He reminds me a lot of his former Ohio State teammate Pat Elfein, and like Elfein, Price should be an above-average starter at either Center or Guard right away. He needs to work on his patience and charging head-first a lot if he wants to see a Pro Bowl, though.

6. Braden Smith, G, Auburn - Mid 2nd/Mid 3rd Round

At 6'6" and 303 pounds, Braden Smith has an NFL-ready frame. He's a hard worker that will try to out-battle everyone in front of him. However, Smith's found himself in trouble with complex rushers who can out-skill his inconsistent technique, and the rushers only get more talented in the NFL. The size and power to earn a starting job right away are there, but Smith's play-style and technique cap his potential off as an above-average starting Guard.

7. Austin Corbett, G/C, Nevada - Late 2nd/3rd Round

Austin Corbett is a solid all-around player comfortable in any set. His stature (6'4", 305 pounds), arm length and combine measurable are complacent, but his astounding IQ make him mentally-ready at both Guard and Center in the NFL. Corbett's strength is mediocre, and the arm usage combined with poor length concern scouts. The size, smarts and talent in both pass and run blocking make him qualified for a starting job early on, but unless he gets significantly stronger, it's hard seeing him become anything more than an average starting Guard or Center.

8. Frank Ragnow, C/G, Arkansas - 3rd Round

Frank Ragnow has the consistent mean streak and physical demeanor teams desperately want from interior O-Linemen. He used his 6'5" 309-pound stature to power over SEC linemen all season. Ragnow's foot speed is mediocre and he isn't very athletic, but he's very smart with his blocking technique and will be successful in any type of offense. Ragnow's ability to anchor himself well over any opponent opens up the possibility of seeing reps at Guard, if an NFL franchise needs that depth. Scouts see him struggling against athletic linemen with quick hands, and that is a reasonable concern. However, practice and experience should help Ragnow develop into an above-average starting Center or Guard. A poor man's Nick Martin is a reasonable comparison.

9. Mason Cole, C, Michigan - Late 3rd/5th Round

Mason Cole's tape can be described in one word: consistent. His power and balance are mediocre, and his hand usage definitely needs work. Still, Cole used his athleticism to get the job done time and time again, regardless of what type of play or package the offense was running. His technique in pass protection doesn't translate well, and while he's a reliable option with a fantastic motor, it doesn't look like Cole will develop into anything more than an average Center. Think of a younger Ryan Jensen.

10. Scott Quessenberry, C/G, UCLA - 4th/5th Round

Scott Quessenberry bears a sturdy 6'4", 315-pound body. His balance and body control are both outstanding given his build. Quessenberry isn't very powerful, and his overall foot speed and agility are average at best. His initial attack has been consistently good for four years of starting at UCLA, and he doesn't have any glaring weaknesses in his technique. Quessenberry can be described as "pretty good all-around", and like his older brother David, he'll likely start out as a third Guard/backup Center option with a low ceiling as a quality fill-in starter.

11. Wyatt Teller, G, Virginia Tech - 4th/6th Round

For whatever reason, Wyatt Teller's 2017 campaign was much worse than 2016. In 2016, he was a high-motor Guard who consistently held his own. In 2017, Teller looked lazy and wasn't consistent in any aspect of his technique. His great combination of upper-body strength, quick hands and surplus of body control make him an attractive pick. It's really hard for any team to trust Teller though. Still, he has the tools to become a quality starter eventually, but he's relatively raw and may not develop into anything more than a backup Guard.

12. Colby Gossett, G, Appalachian State - 5th/6th Round

Colby Gossett's frame (6'5", 315 pounds) is NFL ready, but his technique sure isn't. In a game against Georgia, Gossett got absolutely destroyed by DT Trenton Thompson on every single drive. He's slow off the snap, allowing defenders to often make the first move, and hand usage is as disappointingly slow as his feet. Gossett is so raw that whoever drafts him may keep him on the practice squad for year one, but if he learns under a good Offensive Line coach, he could be molded into an above-average starting Guard.

13. Bradley Bozeman, C, Alabama - 5th/6th Round

Bradley Bozeman's size (6'5", 316 pounds) and the competition he faced starting for Alabama are his two biggest assets. His technique is average, but his very poor athleticism limits his ceiling quite a bit. Bozeman should be a decent back-up right away, but unlike his predecessor Ryan Kelly, the only starting reps he'll likely ever see are as an injury replacement.

14. Tony Allen, G, North Carolina State - 5th/7th Round

Tony Allen weighed in at 322 pounds, a solid level, but his 6'2" height and short arms both are reasonable cause for concern. His background in competitive tennis has given him above average body control, balance and footwork. Adams' technique should have him ready for NFL-level run blocking reps, but he'll need to work a lot on pass protection if he wants to develop into anything more than a low-end starting Guard.

15. Toby Weathersby, G/T, LSU - 5th/7th Round

Because of how his 302 pounds of weight is distributed, Toby Weathersby's 6'6" frame is actually a disadvantage at the next level. Fortunately, his tape shows he doesn't play like a top-heavy lineman. Weathersby has pretty much reached his potential as being no more than average at run blocking and pass protecting, but he has enough competitiveness and awareness to develop into a quality backup at both Tackle and Guard positions.

16. Will Clapp, C/G, LSU - 5th/7th Round

Will Clapp is as reliable and durable as they come. His 6'5", 314-pound frame held up all four years against NFL-level competition in the SEC. Clapp is a hard worker with no character issues, and his technique is adequate enough to translate as a quality backup at both Guard and Center in the NFL, with the possibility of splitting starting reps in a few or more years.

17. Jamil Demby, G, Maine - 5th Round/Undrafted

Jamil Demby is built like a Tackle at 6'5" and 335 pounds, but his poor bending and inconsistent hand usage make him better suited to move inside. His tape flashes the technique and skill set of a starting NFL Guard, but it's so inconsistent and Demby's very raw all around. His arm length is great and his explosiveness will help him at the next level, but it may be a while before Demby ends up near his ceiling of a low-end starting Guard. I wouldn't be surprised to see him relegated to a practice squad spot in year one.

18. Dejon Allen, G/C, Hawaii - 6th Round/Undrafted

Dejon Allen is undersized at 6'3" and 290 pounds, but he's extremely athletic for a Center. He also has an uncanny ability to sustain his blocks pretty much every single down on both passing and running plays. Allen definitely needs to put on weight, and he's a relatively raw prospect, but he should develop into a quality backup at both Center and Guard.

19. Coleman Shelton, C, Washington - 7th Round/Undrafted

At 6'3" and 295 pounds, Coleman Shelton has the average Center's build; however, he severely lacks the upper body strength and ability to anchor his blocks. Shelton's initial attack is good, and there are no major flaws in his overall technique, but if he doesn't learn how to both gain and maintain positioning, he'll have a very hard time making a 53-man roster come September.

20. Brendan Mahon, G, Penn State - 7th Round/Undrafted

Brendan Mahon is well-seasoned against large Big 10 D-Linemen, and his 6'4", 320-pound frame is promising. He's also athletic and more than willing to make big blocks in space, as we saw often protecting Saquon Barkley running out of the backfield. Mahon has the talent to be a decent run-blocking backup, but his pass protecting technique and finishing ability on blocks overall need plenty of work before he ever sees NFL reps.

Other Guards and Centers with training camp chances: Skylar Phillips, G, Idaho State; Timon Parris, G, Stony Brook; Cole Madison, G, Washington State; Brian Allen, C, Michigan State; Sean Welsh, C, Iowa.