The 2021 NFL Draft is just about a month away, and the league’s football clubs are working feverishly in order to plan out their course of attack throughout the rest of free agency up into the three-day marathon of selections. Compared to just a week ago, front offices are beginning to show their hand as to what positions they might be leaving until draft day due to their actions early in free agency. For example, the Chiefs, Chargers, and Raiders have all had a focus on making some moves along the offensive line. The first two AFC West teams seemed to interested in acquiring free agent talent along their offensive front instead of developing the position through the draft. Meanwhile, the Raiders seem intent on the opposite and have gutted their veterans in the trenches in favor of developing a younger unit.
The Raiders aren’t the only team likely to aggressively go after the big guys in this draft class. With holes along their front, the Jets, Jaguars, and Giants have remained largely quiet through the first few days of this free-agent frenzy. And luckily for them, this is a top-heavy draft class at offensive linemen, as standout prospects such as Penei Sewell, Rashawn Slater, and Wyatt Davis highlight the impressive talent available at any spot along the line. Today, I will be looking for some fits between some of the top blocking prospects and teams that will have a realistic shot to draft them, based on their respective positioning throughout the draft. After going through the top available offensive tackles yesterday, now its’ time for Davis, Jackson Carman and company to receive predictions as to where I believe they might end up. There will be some college tackles added into the mix here instead of my recent piece, and that is due to their attributes being closer to that of a successful NFL interior offensive lineman as opposed to the tackle spot they excelled at against less physically-imposing competition. With that settled, let’s get to who I believe will be the first guard off the board.
GUARDS
Wyatt Davis, Ohio State – New York Giants
- Projected Pick: 47th overall
Will Hernandez was benched last season. Shane Lemiux, his replacement, qualified for last out of 80 guards in PFF’s overall ratings for 2020. Overall, the guard position is not okay for the Giants after releasing Kevin Zeitler. They could change that in a big way by taking Wyatt Davis, by far the most complete guard prospect in this draft due to his combination of strength, technique, and athleticism. The All-American suffered a tough leg injury in the national championship against Alabama, but the former Buckeye instantly becomes the best option for this interior offensive line once he returns. He would be in heavy consideration for the first round if it weren’t for the timing of the injury likely preventing him from being on the field early in the season.
Jackson Carman, Clemson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Projected Pick: 64th overall
Despite never playing guard in college, Jackson Carman ends up listed as a guard here. Why? His lack of mobility and length will hurt him against faster rushers off the edge in the pros. However, the Clemson product still provides a huge presence as a versatile guard who can kick outside and flash that experience at tackle if needed. The Buccaneers have a couple of starters that might not make it past the 2021 season on the roster, Donovan Smith and Alex Cappa are scheduled to be free agents next time free agency rolls around and an versatile option along the offensive line will do the offense wonders as they prepare to protect Tom Brady for the remainder of his career.
Trey Smith, Tennessee – Baltimore Ravens
- Projected Pick: 74th overall (WAS)
I haven’t been projecting trades in these columns so far, but I’m going to make an exception in this situation. The Ravens make a trade with their in-state rival to acquire two third-rounders (the 83rd-overall pick as well) in exchange for disgruntled star Orlando Brown Jr.. This trade helps the Ravens grab a couple of solid young pieces to contribute on a rookie deal before Lamar Jackson inevitably signs his extension in the near future. Trey Smith isn’t likely to contribute as a tackle in the pros after moving to guard in college, but the former five-star recruit is a day-one starter for plenty of teams that incorporate a power running game. A hard-nosed guard like Smith helps solidify the interior offensive line in case Eric DeCosta fails to secure a quality replacement for Zeus at right tackle.
Robert Hainsey, Notre Dame – Las Vegas Raiders
- Projected Pick: 80th overall
With their offensive line in shambles, Las Vegas could look to home-grow some talent to take over for the now-gone Rodney Hudson, Trent Brown, and Gabe Jackson. Robert Hainsey is another blocker who played tackle instead of guard in college that projects to be better at guard for the next level. However, on a team like the Raiders that needs help at both tackle and guard, Hainsey’s versatility will allow him a few attempts at different positions along the line. Another mauler with some movement issues, the trait that sets the Notre Dame product apart from the rest is his polish in pass protection.
Ben Cleveland, Georgia – New York Jets
- Projected Pick: 108th overall
The Jets have done nothing so far to help out their suspect offensive line this offseason. Mekhi Becton and Alex Lewis are currently the only big men on the roster that was ranked in the top half of their position, per Pro Football Focus. The former first-rounder especially impressed, but could use some big help, and it’s hard to find bigger blockers than Ben Cleveland. An absolute mauler for Georgia who is another great fit for power schemes at the next level, the former Bulldog would fit right in with Mike LaFleur’s offense. Cleveland’s size takes away from his potential mobility, but imagine getting through an offensive line that fields what will be two of the largest and strongest players in football through the 2021 season.
Aaron Banks, Notre Dame – San Francisco 49ers
- Projected Pick: 118th overall
I’m sure you’re noticing a trend here. All of these guys except for Davis possibly Hainsey are big-bodied maulers that should be limited power-running schemes due to some mobility issues. Aaron Banks continues that trend, as the Notre Dame product excels at moving his guy off the point of attack, but struggles to beat a defender to a zone. San Francisco relies on their power from the offensive line in order to open holes for their committee of running backs, but might lose both Laken Tomlinson and Daniel Brunskill to free agency in 2022. Here’s a scheme-fit who can step in at either spot.
CENTERS
Landon Dickerson, Alabama – Los Angeles Rams
- Projected Pick: 57th overall
Durability concerns might drop Landon Dickerson, but the Alabama center figures to be the best overall center prospect when healthy. Austin Blythe played better in 2020 than 2019, but is now a free agent and Los Angeles remains cap-strapped since the Matt Stafford Deal. A better fit in power-rushing offenses like most in this class, Dickerson offers a little more mobility than his visible athleticism might indicate due to his polish at the position. Like Wyatt Davis, Dickerson is a starter as soon as he returns from his most recent injury.
Josh Myers, Ohio State – Atlanta Falcons
- Projected Pick: 68th overall
The Falcons, like the Rams, are low on cap space and could look to the draft for an experienced offensive line prospect. Josh Myers was exposed a bit against Christian Barmore and the Bama defensive line during the national championship game, but provides impressive size, strength, and ability to survive in zone schemes, something rare for interior offensive line prospects this year. Arthur Smith will likely bring his hard-nosed, but versatile offense along with him to Atlanta, where Myers could flourish in the power-running sets and hold his own when Smith wants to get Matt Ryan into the shotgun.
Creed Humphrey, Oklahoma – Pittsburgh Steelers
- Projected Pick: 88th overall
After losing Maurkice Pouncey to retirement and Matt Feiler to the Chargers, the Steelers are left relatively thin at offensive line. While general manager Kevin Colbert will probably bring in a veteran to mitigate the loss of a potential Hall of Famer at center, Creed Humphrey has the necessary skillset to fit into Pittsburgh’s hard-nosed scheme and allow the other guy to fill another spot along the offensive front. Humphrey, like Myers and many of the guards, isn’t the most mobile, but makes up for it with his experience, skill, and power. Despite likely being due for a later pick on the second day of the draft due to the depth in the draft for power-blockers on the interior, he’s a likely day one starter wherever he goes.
Trey Hill, Georgia – Las Vegas Raiders
- Projected Pick: 122nd overall
Better in 2019 than 2020, there is a little bit of risk involved in drafting Trey Hill, but provides plenty of potential for a mid-round prospect. The former Bulldog has the ideal size and strength to succeed in most schemes at the next level. One of the few linemen that needs to trim his weight a bit, which is a bit of a concern, but it beats the opposite issue of some of these guys entering the league physically underdeveloped. The Raiders do have Nick Martin signed, but Hill could end up an improvement over the former Texan with the proper development.
QUEUESPORTS 
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