Top 10 Players at Guard/Center in the 2018 NFL Draft
- Mar 2, 2018
- 4 min read
This draft class is filled with incredibly talented and versatile Offensive Lineman. There are most certainly a handful who are projected to go in the 1st round of the draft and with good reason.
Here are my top 10 Offensive Linemen in the 2018 NFL Draft:
Quenton Nelson – Notre Dame – 6’5 – 325
Quenton is by far the most talented Offensive Linemen in the NFL draft and has been heavily compared to Patriots all pro, Logan Makins. Nelson is something to behold when you watch his film, he is incredibly gifted in both run blocking and pass protection and will be one of the best guards in the NFL very early in his career. I don’t think there is much developmental time needed for Nelson and many scouts have echoed that saying that he will be a plug and play guy right from the word go. The only thing stopping Nelson going in the top 10 is his position, sadly a lot of teams do not value guards that high. However, there are an array of teams where a player with Nelsons talent is needed.
Billy Price – Ohio State – 6’4 – 315
Billy is an above average athlete who handles big tackles very well. His awareness is certainly something some scouts have picked up on. They have said he plays well in space and is an overall very well-balanced player. Much like Nelson, he is a plug and play guy who will start with whichever team he is drafted by. His size athleticism work to his advantage at the point of attack where he stands his ground against the best of them. His pass protection is something that needs to be slightly improved on, but his run blocking is very well matured. Price has had problems with penalties in the past, and he will need to work on this for the NFL as giving up free yards will win or lose a game.
Isaiah Wynn – Georgia – 6’2 – 308
Isaiah is an incredibly dependable player who performed well at the Senior Bowl. When watching Wynn’s tape, it’s clear to see that he is a natural football player with great intelligence and always finds a way to get the job done. Wynn is an excellent run blocker with a good temperament which is hard to find. Wynn is an excellent run blocker and is projected to be played at guard or center in the NFL. Even though Wynn is shorter than usual, scouts have compared him to Kelvin Beachum, who similar in size but has carved out a successful career in the NFL.
Will Hernandez – UTEP – 6’2 – 340
Will is a great pass protector who can routinely push defenders out of their gaps. He is insanely strong at the point of attach and has a very strong based which allows him to anchor very well. He is shorter and lacks length when compared to other starting guards at the NFL level. But he makes up for it within his sheer strength. He would fit a power-man scheme as opposed to a zone.
Bradan Smith – Auburn – 6’6 – 303
Brandan is a well-balanced run blocker and pass protector. He has a NFL skill set already with his size, strength and athleticism. Smith is projected to go in the 2nd day. In 2016 Smith was considered the best linemen for Auburn.
Frank Ragnow – Arkansas – 6’4 – 307
Frank is a tough run blocker and his strength on the line means he could play guard or center in the NFL. 2015 & 2016 season, Frank did not allow a single sack against his QB. He started 26 games on the bounce and played incredibly well for Arkansas in 2017 until a high ankle sprain ended his season.
Will Clapp – LSU – 6’5 – 309
Clapp played very well for LSU in 2017. His run blocking is ahead of his pass protection; however, his pass protection is still reliable. Scouts have said that Clapp could use a little more development when he enters the NFL. Many of those scouts have also said they believe Clapp should have returned to LSU in 2018 instead of entering the draft. In 2016/2017 Clapp dealt with a shoulder injury which will be on the mind of any team looking to draft him.
Scott Queensberry – UCLA – 6’3 – 314
Scott played well for UCLA and put in some good work in protecting QB Josh Rosen in 2017. He is an average athlete who needs some improvement to his run blocking game however Scott is a reliable pass protector who is suited to either guard or center in the NFL.
Sean Welsh – Iowa – 6’2 – 296
Sean is a very versatile player and has played right tackle, guard and center. Scouts are looking at Welsh as a guard in the NFL. Sean is likely to be cross trained at the NFL combine as both a guard and center. Sean however didn’t impress at the Senior Bowl so all eyes will be on him at the combine to excel in his workouts.
Skyler Phillips – Idaho State – 6’2 – 314
Skyler has some good size on his frame but is a bit shorter than usual. Scouts have said that Skyler needs to bulk up before playing in the NFL. Skyler played in only 4 games in 2016 due to injury. Phillips didn’t impress at the Senior Bowl and so again, the combine will be important for him to show his worth. He is projected to in rounds 4-6.
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