2021 NFL Draft Preview: Guard sleepers and Broncos fits
Apr 9, 2021, 6:37 AM
The Denver Broncos don’t need a starting guard on the offensive line. In the 2018 NFL Draft, they selected left guard Dalton Risner in the second round, and he’s got the upside to be a Pro Bowl player in 2021. On the right side, veteran Graham Glasgow was added via 2020 free agency and like Risner he has Pro Bowl upside.
Even though they’re not looking for a starter, it’s a good idea to always have depth on the interior of the offensive line. Versatile players who can line up at both guard spots and even at center should be coveted by all teams. This class has some quality guards and players with upside the Broncos could be considering later in the draft.
In this article, I will look at the market for the position. I’ll also write about sleepers at the guard position and some players who could fit what the Broncos need in the 2021 NFL Draft.
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Market Watch
Some in the scouting community consider Rashawn Slater (Northwestern) as the best guard in this draft, but I’ve graded him as a tackle and will write about him in that report. That writeup is coming next week, so here is how the market is shaping up at the guard position.
Alijah Vera-Tucker (USC) is my highest-graded guard in this class. Vera-Tucker played both guard and left tackle for the Trojans, but in the NFL, he’s going to be on the inside. He has the best footwork of any prospect at guard, and that helps Vera-Tucker when it comes to dealing with speed players or power players. He’s not a mauler, but Vera-Tucker is technically sound and keeps his feet underneath him when a stronger player is trying to move him out of the way. He should go off the board early in the second round and can start as a rookie.
Wyatt Davis (Ohio State) is another guard who could go early on day two of the draft. He has the makings of a guard who could thrive in a wide zone scheme because of his athleticism and high football intelligence. Davis is a good athlete and can get out and move on reach blocks. He is very smart, and he is rarely fooled by stunts or late-blitzers in pass protection. While not possessing elite strength, Davis should get stronger in an NFL weight program. He’s a scheme-specific player who could be a quality starter for years to come.
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Sleepers
One of my favorite players in this entire draft class, regardless of position, is Quinn Meinerz (Wisconsin-Whitewater). Meinerz was a stud during the week of practice at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, something not many Division III prospects are able to even get invited to.
I was there at the Senior Bowl a few years ago when Ali Marpet came out of tiny Hobart College and now, he’s one of the best at his position in the league. Watching Meinerz gave me that sort of feeling, as well. He’s a likable bully, if such a thing exists.
Meinerz plays with a ton of confidence and loves to push people around on the football field. He wins with leverage and brute strength, often playing to the echo of the whistle. He is not technically sound but showed he was coachable at the Senior Bowl. With the right coaching, Meinerz could become a Pro Bowl player.
Kendrick Green (Illinois) is a sleeper in this article, but NFL scouts know he could be an early contributor (and a quality one) as a rookie. Green was a prep defensive lineman, but he switched to the offensive side and became a fine starter at both center and guard. He’s versatile, smart and does a good job of recognizing when stunts are coming his way. Green is a technically sound knee-bender with a strong initial punch. He weighs in around 315 pounds, but carries some bad weight and could be trimmed down about 10 pounds or so in an NFL weight program.
David Moore (Grambling) is a player who is still developing at the guard position. He only played football for two years in high school and is a budding talent with upside the Broncos should be interested in on day three of the draft. He’s a squatty guard who plays with a mean streak. At 320 pounds, he moves well for a big man, although he’s not someone who wins with power. Instead, he understands angles and will do his best to get his man off balance after the snap. I feel like a team could get a value pick with Moore in the later rounds on day three.
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Broncos Fits
Robert Jones (Middle Tennessee State) would be a perfect late-round addition for the Broncos. He is massive (330 pounds), strong but in need of some refinement. That’s where offensive line coach Mike Munchak comes into play. Jones only played two years of high school football and is still trying to learn the nuances of the position. Munchak is a Hall of Fame guard who can mold a player like Jones into a solid starter.
In a gap/power system like the Broncos employ, Jones is the perfect fit. He’s a powerful player with a basketball background. Jones is tough to move off his spot, and he’s got violent striking hands to attack defenders with. He is an intimidating presence and has shown a willingness to work hard in order to better hone his skill on the football field.
Jones was at the Senior Bowl earlier this year, so clearly, he’s on the national radar. While at that game, Jones did talk to the Broncos so at least a small amount of interest is there.
