Top NFL Guards 2026
Read about interior protection, power, movement skills and execution in the running game.
32 of up to 32 qualifying players · Updated Oct 8, 2026.
Click a player to expand their bio and latest scouting report.
#1
Joe Thuney
92/100- College
- NC State
- Jersey
- 62
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 301
- Experience (years)
- 11
Won a pair of Super Bowls with both Patriots and Chiefs.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
33 and still the best guard in football imo. bears are 5.3 a carry and only 6 sacks taken.
#2
Quinn Meinerz
91/100- College
- Wisconsin Whitewater
- Jersey
- 77
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 320
- Experience (years)
- 6
Drafted in third round out of DIII UW-Whitewater in 2021.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
broncos run for just 3.6 a carry which feels low for a guy this good. mauler in the run game though.
#3
Quenton Nelson
88/100- College
- Notre Dame
- Jersey
- 56
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 330
- Experience (years)
- 9
Drafted sixth overall by the Colts in 2018.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
colts are 3.7 a carry and 6 sacks. he's still tough as nails but the offense isn't helping.
#4
Trey Smith
87/100- College
- Tennessee
- Jersey
- 65
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 321
- Experience (years)
- 6
Drafted in sixth round out of Tennessee in 2021.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
kc is 3-0 and only gave up 4 sacks. smooth and reliable.
#5
Landon Dickerson
82/100- College
- Alabama
- Jersey
- 69
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 332
- Experience (years)
- 6
Became starter in Week 3 of rookie season.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Dickerson is the interior force who helps keep Philadelphia's offensive identity physical. The expectations are high because the line already knows how to dominate; the task is retaining that edge with a new coach and scheme details.
Strengths: Power, interior versatility, starting experience and tone-setting presence.
Weaknesses: The standard is elite, so even a minor drop in consistency stands out.
#6
Chris Lindstrom
82/100- College
- Boston College
- Jersey
- 63
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 310
- Experience (years)
- 8
Uncles and brother all spent time in the NFL.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
falcons run for 5.0 a carry and Bijan has 349 yds. he's a huge reason. one of the best guards in the game.
#7
Isaac Seumalo
82/100- College
- Oregon State
- Jersey
- 73
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 310
- Experience (years)
- 11
Drafted in third round by Eagles in 2016.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
32 and the shoulder is fine, he's active vs seattle. cardinals line is average.
#8
Grey Zabel
77/100- College
- North Dakota State
- Jersey
- 76
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 316
- Experience (years)
- 2
Drafted 18th overall out of North Dakota State in 2025.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Zabel already looks like the type of young guard a line can be built around. He is powerful, technically mature and part of Seattle's offensive identity; maintaining that level is now the challenge.
Strengths: Power, technique, All-Rookie production, durability and run-blocking impact.
Weaknesses: High expectations and occasional vulnerability to fast interior counters.
#9
Kevin Dotson
76/100- College
- Louisiana
- Jersey
- 69
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 328
- Experience (years)
- 7
Drafted in the fourth round by the Steelers in 2020.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
rams are running for 5.0 a carry. strong, steady, doesn't get the credit.
#10
Ben Bredeson
74/100- College
- Michigan
- Jersey
- 68
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 315
- Experience (years)
- 7
Drafted by Ravens in fourth round of 2020 NFL Draft.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Bredeson has a clean assignment: keep the interior firm and give the Bucs' skill players a chance to work. His starting placement makes him central to the run-game consistency Tampa wants.
Strengths: Starting left-guard role, stable line partners, and a clear fit in a skilled offensive supporting cast.
Weaknesses: Interior rushers will test his anchor and communication in a system asking the line to execute both wide-zone and play-action concepts.
#11
Matt Goncalves
74/100- College
- Pittsburgh
- Jersey
- 71
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 317
- Experience (years)
- 3
Drafted in third round by Colts in 2024.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Goncalves did one of the hardest things an NFL lineman can do: move inside after living at tackle and start every game. The transition showed in some hurried reps, but so did the upside. With a full year of guard tape and a stronger frame, he is well positioned to make a noticeable second-year jump there.
Strengths: Size, tackle-derived length, durability and proven positional adaptability. He has logged a heavy starting workload and has deliberately added strength and technique work to suit life inside.
Weaknesses: He is still refining guard-specific footwork and can overset or play too fast, traits the team itself noted. Internal competition means he must turn development into more consistent leverage and pass-protection finish.
#12
Dylan Fairchild
73/100- College
- Georgia
- Jersey
- 63
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 318
- Experience (years)
- 2
Drafted in third round of 2025 NFL Draft out of Georgia.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Fairchild walked in as a third-round rookie and basically never gave the left guard job back. He started 15 games, played 961 snaps and was the team's rookie of the year. Two sacks allowed over that workload is encouraging, even if 31 pressures show there were still plenty of reps to clean up. I have him at a seven because he already looks like a real starter, not just a young guy surviving. The wrestling background shows up in his balance and hand fighting. If his pass sets get more consistent, the Bengals may finally have a long-term interior lineman.
Strengths: Fairchild plays with power, balance and natural hand strength developed through an elite wrestling background. He handled a heavy rookie workload, moved defenders in the run game and limited catastrophic pass-protection losses.
Weaknesses: His 31 pressures allowed show that quicker interior rushers can still stress his feet and timing. He occasionally lunges for contact, which opens counter moves and prevents his power from landing cleanly.
#13
O'Cyrus Torrence
73/100- College
- Florida
- Jersey
- 64
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 330
- Experience (years)
- 4
A 2023 second-round pick, he signed a four-year, $78.4M extension with Buffalo in August 2026.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Torrence has become the no-drama tone-setter on Buffalo's right side: huge, durable and consistently available. His chemistry with Spencer Brown is a real building block for the offense.
Strengths: Size, durability, power, snap-to-snap consistency and right-side chemistry.
Weaknesses: Heavy-footed matchups against sudden interior counters remain the area offenses will try to exploit.
#14
Zion Johnson
71/100- College
- Boston College
- Jersey
- 77
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 315
- Experience (years)
- 5
Chargers used 17th overall pick on him in 2022.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Johnson arrives as a practical interior fix: strong, experienced and expected to make the new scheme work quickly. He should benefit from keeping his assignment and technique focus simple while chemistry develops around him.
Strengths: Projected starter status, free-agent investment, interior experience, and early placement in first-line groupings.
Weaknesses: New scheme and new teammates create communication risk early, and he must prove the fit rather than rely on résumé alone.
#15
Robert Hunt
70/100- College
- Louisiana
- Jersey
- 50
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 323
- Experience (years)
- 7
Drafted with No. 39 pick by Dolphins in 2020.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Hunt is a forceful guard who makes the interior feel different when he is healthy. He has the power to move the line and the toughness to play through hard moments; availability after the biceps injury is the only real concern.
Strengths: Power, established starter role, interior chemistry, toughness, and contract stability.
Weaknesses: 2025 torn-biceps history and the need to restore continuity after a shuffled line season.
#16
Dalton Tucker
70/100- College
- Marshall
- Jersey
- 68
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 307
- Experience (years)
- 3
Undrafted out of Marshall in 2024.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Tucker is the kind of undrafted success story coaches appreciate. He has already started games at guard, can cover more than one line spot and provides legitimate relief depth behind Nelson. His best skill may be simply being ready when the team needs a steady, low-drama snap.
Strengths: Experience at guard and tackle, 30 NFL games of exposure and dependable backup value. He has already been part of Colts lines that protected well and ran efficiently in spot starts.
Weaknesses: He has not yet secured a long-term starting role and must keep improving functional strength against top interior power. His offensive value is mainly versatility and reliability, not high-end one-on-one dominance.
#17
Sam Cosmi
69/100- College
- Texas
- Jersey
- 76
- Height (in)
- 79
- Weight (lb)
- 309
- Experience (years)
- 6
Washington used 51st pick on him in 2021.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
concussion, won't travel to london. washington needs him back.
#18
Dominick Puni
69/100- College
- Kansas
- Jersey
- 77
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 313
- Experience (years)
- 3
Cousin of NFL defensive end A.J. Epenesa.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
niners haven't given up a sack all year and run for 5.1 a carry. he's a part of that.
#19
Steve Avila
68/100- College
- TCU
- Jersey
- 73
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 332
- Experience (years)
- 4
Drafted 36th overall by the Rams in 2023.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Avila brings size, power and useful flexibility to the Rams interior. He can help in the run game and hold up in protection, with health and consistency being the only things keeping him from a higher tier.
Strengths: Power, interior versatility, size and young-starter experience.
Weaknesses: Availability history and occasional pass-protection balance issues.
#20
Brady Christensen
68/100- College
- BYU
- Jersey
- 70
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 300
- Experience (years)
- 6
Drafted in third round out of BYU by Panthers in 2021.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Christensen is roster insurance in the best sense: he can enter almost anywhere without forcing the offense to reinvent itself. Getting all the way back from the Achilles injury is what turns that versatility back into real value.
Strengths: All-five-position starts, versatility, system knowledge, initial-53 role, and veteran depth.
Weaknesses: Returning from torn Achilles and showed preseason rust; a full recovery is essential.
#21
Donovan Jackson
68/100- College
- Ohio State
- Jersey
- 74
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 324
- Experience (years)
- 2
Drafted 24th overall by Vikings in 2025.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
A powerful guard with high-level college experience and starter-caliber physical traits. Anchor, run-blocking strength, awareness and positional toughness. The next step is translating those traits into dependable 2026-2027 snaps.
Strengths: Anchor, run-blocking strength, awareness and positional toughness.
Weaknesses: Must keep his feet active against quick interior counters.
#22
Tyler Smith
68/100- College
- Tulsa
- Jersey
- 73
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 328
- Experience (years)
- 5
Drafted 24th overall by Cowboys in 2022.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
on ir with a thumb, progressing well and could return soon. cowboys gave up just 3 sacks and they miss him.
#23
Wyatt Teller
68/100- College
- Virginia Tech
- Jersey
- 75
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 315
- Experience (years)
- 9
Drafted in fifth round out of Virginia Tech in 2018.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
A powerful, accomplished guard who can set a physical tone in the run game. Power, finish, anchor and veteran interior experience. The next step is translating those traits into dependable 2026-2027 snaps.
Strengths: Power, finish, anchor and veteran interior experience.
Weaknesses: Lateral quickness against sudden interior counters can be tested.
#24
Jackson Powers-Johnson
67/100- College
- Oregon
- Jersey
- 58
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 325
- Experience (years)
- 3
Drafted No. 44 by Raiders in 2024.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
groin injury, questionable. raiders 3-0 so he's been fine.
#25
Peter Skoronski
67/100- College
- Northwestern
- Jersey
- 77
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 313
- Experience (years)
- 4
2023 first-round pick out of Northwestern.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
titans are 0-3 and the offense is stuck. he's a good guard on a bad team.
#26
Cole Strange
67/100- College
- Chattanooga
- Jersey
- 69
- Height (in)
- 77
- Weight (lb)
- 305
- Experience (years)
- 5
First-round pick of the Patriots in 2022.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Strange brings something this new interior needs: he has played real snaps and already understands the scheme. He is not being asked to become a superstar; he needs to be a steady, physical right guard who communicates well and helps the younger linemen settle in. That is a meaningful role in front of Herbert.
Strengths: Extensive starting experience, scheme familiarity, good mobility for zone concepts and a clear current first-team role. He can be a stabilizer amid line turnover.
Weaknesses: He has changed teams and must prove his 2025 Miami form carries over. Interior pressure and power rushers will test whether he can be more than a competent short-term starter.
#27
Branson Taylor
67/100- College
- Pittsburgh
- Jersey
- 71
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 330
- Experience (years)
- 1
Drafted in sixth round by Chargers in 2025.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Taylor was quietly one of the more interesting line competitions in camp. He can line up inside or outside, and the preseason pass-protection results were encouraging before the injury pause. The immediate mission is simply getting healthy, then turning that versatility into a lasting rotation role.
Strengths: Position flexibility across guard and tackle, developmental pass-protection promise and a diligent practice approach praised by teammates. His ability to cover multiple spots gives the line useful emergency depth.
Weaknesses: He has only one regular-season start and will miss at least the opening four games on injured reserve. The next step is proving that preseason progress holds against regular-season power and speed.
#28
Mike Onwenu
66/100- College
- Michigan
- Jersey
- 71
- Height (in)
- 75
- Weight (lb)
- 350
- Experience (years)
- 7
Drafted 182nd by Patriots in 2020.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
2 games for the patriots who gave up 9 sacks. he's solid but the line is not.
#29
Jon Runyan
66/100- College
- Michigan
- Jersey
- 76
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 307
- Experience (years)
- 7
Father, Jon Sr., was NFL offensive lineman.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Runyan is part of the interior that has to make New York's physical philosophy function. His job is consistency—create movement in the run game and avoid the interior leakage that can ruin heavy-play designs.
Strengths: Interior starting value, physical-run-game fit and active roster role.
Weaknesses: Must keep the interior clean while the offense changes structure around him.
#30
Ezra Cleveland
64/100- College
- Boise State
- Jersey
- 76
- Height (in)
- 78
- Weight (lb)
- 312
- Experience (years)
- 7
Drafted by Vikings with 58th pick in 2020.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Cleveland is an athletic guard who has to make the move to the right side feel boring. His best reps come when he gets moving in space and plays on the front foot.
Strengths: Starting experience, movement ability and scheme flexibility make him a strong fit for a line that wants to change angles.
Weaknesses: He can be knocked backward by heavy interior power and must adjust quickly to the timing and landmarks on the right side.
#31
Patrick Mekari
64/100- College
- California
- Jersey
- 65
- Height (in)
- 76
- Weight (lb)
- 305
- Experience (years)
- 8
Made professional debut in Week 12 of rookie season.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Mekari is the classic six-man-line luxury: he can cover several jobs, understands protections and gives coaches a veteran contingency plan. Health is the immediate issue, not whether the versatility plays.
Strengths: Rare position flexibility, veteran communication and extensive game experience make him premium depth when available.
Weaknesses: Injury status delays his contribution, and constant position changes can prevent him from settling into one dominant role.
#32
Daniel Faalele
63/100- College
- Minnesota
- Jersey
- 68
- Height (in)
- 80
- Weight (lb)
- 380
- Experience (years)
- 5
Learned football at age 17.
Full player profile and scouting reports →Latest scouting report
Faalele is massive, experienced depth with real starting reps. He gives Jacksonville a physical answer at guard and can change the personality of short-yardage plays when his size starts moving people.
Strengths: Exceptional size, recent starting continuity and proven run-game experience give him meaningful line depth.
Weaknesses: His range is naturally limited, and quick interior rushers can exploit his foot speed in wide-open passing situations.
Explore NFL player rankings
Compare the highest and lowest PlayerMeter scores, or explore the leaders at each position.