1. David DeCastro, Redshirt Jr. - Stanford Cardinal
DeCastro was an elite guard in college football and is the best guard to come out in the draft since Seahawks All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson. He has excellent size at 6'5'', 316 pounds and excels at both run blocking and pass protection. He moves in space very well and makes his blocks at the second level getting off the ball extremely quick. DeCastro is likely a Top 15 pick and should start right away for the team that selects him.
2. Cordy Glenn, Sr. - Georgia Bulldogs
Glenn is a big man at 6'5'', 345 who could also play tackle in the NFL. He has long 36'' arms and has the abiltiy to open massive holes in the run game. Glenn understands the pro concepts in blocking recognizing and picking up blitzes. He started at Georgia his freshman year and has plenty of experience playing against the top notch talent in the SEC. Glenn is a Top 25 selection and will likely start right away.
3. Kelechi Osemele, Sr. - Iowa State Cyclones
Osemele is a big and athletic guard who did very well in 2011. He is 6'6'', 333 pounds who could also be a tackle in the NFL. Osemele may have the most upside of any offensive lineman prospect who could dominate and overpower defensive lineman at the next level. Does a good job in pass protection but can struggle to get to the second level and stay on blocks. He would be an excellent 2nd Round option.
4. Brandon Brooks, Redshirt Sr. - Miami (OH) RedHawks
Brooks may have the biggest upside of all the guards in this years NFL Draft with how well he did at his Pro Day. At 6'5'' and 346 pounds, he ran a 4.98 forty with a 1.71 10 yard split which is faster than any of my Top 10 guards and shows that he can explode off the ball and get to the second level. He benched 225 pounds 36 times and is the Dontari Poe of offensive lineman in this years draft but no one has talked about him since he wasn't invited at the combine. He did very well during the East-West Shrine week and could be a steal in the 3rd Round.
5. Kevin Zeitler, Sr. - Wisconsin Badgers
Zeitler has good size at 6'4'', 314 pounds and was a key factor in the success that Wisconsin RB Montee Ball had last year. Zeitler is a great run blocker who has the athletic ability to block in open space. He will have to work on pass protection as he can get beat when blocking one on one with a defensive lineman. Zeitler with more work could also transition into a great starting center in the NFL. He would be a good value draft pick toward the end of the 2nd Round.
6. Amini Silatolu, Sr. - Midwestern State Mustangs
Silatolu dominated opponents at the Division II level at 6'4'' and 311 pounds. An NFL team might have to develop him for a year or two before he could be a solid NFL starting guard. He moves pretty well and has good footwork in getting to where he needs to be whether pulling or getting to a linebacker. Silatolu definitely has the upside and should be able to get better with the technique of the position as he gains experience. He would make a great 3rd Round pick.
7. Brandon Washington, Jr. - Miami Hurricanes
Washington was an All-ACC guard his sophomore season with the Hurricanes before being moved to left tackle last year. He has the ability to be a solid starting guard in the NFL with some work. At 6'3'', 320 pounds, he is a powerful, explosive run blocker that moves very well for his size. Washington is a much better pass protector inside compared to when he played left tackle. Washington would make be a solid late 3rd Round pick in the NFL Draft.
8. James Brown, Redshirt Sr. - Troy Trojans
Brown did very well at left tackle for the Trojans but will likely move inside because he's not tall enough at 6'3'' and 306 pounds and he is a much better run blocker than pass protector. Since Brown didn't play guard in college, he will need time to learn the position and develop. He does a good job of getting off the snap and staying on his blocks. Brown is a good athlete and should be able to move and pull well. He is likely to be selected in the 3rd or 4th Round.
9. Senio Kelemete, Sr. - Washington Huskies
Kelemete played left tackle at Washington but will have to make the move inside to guard as he doesn't have the athleticism to be a tackle in the NFL. Kelemete has good size at 6'4'', 307 pounds with ability to get to the second level and should be able to pull effectively. He will need time to develop and also will need to work on his overall technique. Kelemete will probably be selected in the 4th or 5th Round as depth.
10. Lucas Nix, Sr. - Pittsburgh Panthers
Nix displays excellent size at 6'5'' and 317 pounds. Nix is a very physical player in the run and pass games who was a consistent player at Pittsburgh. He may struggle pulling and getting out in space but will give the effort to be the best player he can. He has a solid base, shows solid technique in blocking and was a versatile player with the Panthers. Nix would make a good 5th Round selection for an NFL team for depth.
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