The 2026 NFL Draft featured a strong offensive guard class, with three players selected in the top 40 picks. The first guard came off the board at No. 14 overall when the Baltimore Ravens selected Penn State's Olaivavega Ioane. This year's class is headlined by another highly regarded interior lineman in Missouri's Cayden Green. However, it lacks the high-end depth of last year's group, as Green is the only offensive guard on my board who currently carries a first- or second-round grade.
Who are the top offensive guard prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft?
1. Cayden Green, Missouri
Missouri's Cayden Green enters the 2027 NFL Draft cycle as the top offensive guard prospect, even though he is expected to play tackle for the Tigers this season. After spending the first two years of his college career at guard, Green is widely projected to move back inside in the NFL, where his skill set is a better fit. While he has enough athleticism to play tackle in college, he lacks the foot quickness NFL teams typically look for on the edge. Instead, Green thrives in the tighter confines of the interior, where his outstanding play strength, ability to anchor against power rushers, and physicality at the point of attack stand out. He is also one of the nation's most dependable pass blockers, allowing just seven pressures last season. With his combination of size, strength, and pass protection, Green carries a first-round grade and should be firmly in the mix late in the first round of the 2027 NFL Draft.
2. Brandon Baker, Texas
Texas' Brandon Baker enters the 2027 NFL Draft cycle as the No. 2 offensive guard prospect after making the move from right tackle to offensive guard. A highly regarded recruit coming out of high school, Baker is an outstanding athlete whose mobility allows him to climb effortlessly to the second level as a run blocker while also making him a reliable pass protector who did not allow a sack last season. The biggest concerns entering the year are his play strength and tendency to draw penalties, as he was flagged 12 times last season and needs to generate more power at the point of attack. Those concerns keep him in the third-round range on my board entering the season, but his athleticism makes him an ideal fit for an NFL team that employs a zone-blocking scheme.
BREAKING: Five-Star OT Brandon Baker tells me he has Committed to Texas!
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) September 25, 2023
The 6’5 290 OT from Ontario, CA chose the Longhorns over Ohio State, Nebraska, Oregon, & Florida State
Ranked as the No. 1 OT in the ‘24 Class 🤘🏼
“#Block4Arch” https://t.co/FSk6TJMU85 pic.twitter.com/Hw1WkXD3Mv
3. Greg Johnson, Minnesota
Minnesota's Greg Johnson is the first non-SEC player on this list and one of the biggest offensive guard prospects in the 2027 NFL Draft class at 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds. His combination of size and strength allows him to consistently generate movement at the point of attack, and once he gets his hands on defenders, he has the power to control the rep. Despite his massive frame, Johnson moves well enough to fit in either a zone- or gap-blocking scheme, giving him scheme versatility at the next level. He also brings valuable positional flexibility after seeing time at every position along the offensive line during his college career.
4. Anthonie Knapp, Notre Dame
Notre Dame's Anthonie Knapp is the first of two Fighting Irish offensive guards on this list. Although he is a bit undersized for the position at 6-foot-4 and 300 pounds, Knapp makes up for it with outstanding quickness and athleticism. He fires off the ball in the run game, moves well in space, and has the foot speed to mirror defenders in pass protection. Those traits make him an ideal fit for an NFL team that likes to get its guards on the move in a zone-blocking scheme, and he projects as an intriguing early Day 3 prospect entering the 2027 NFL Draft.
Anthonie Knapp in 2025
— PFF College (@PFF_College) June 14, 2026
🍀 334 pass blocking snaps
🍀 1 sack allowed pic.twitter.com/Bdu1smxtIV
5. Charles Jagusah, Notre Dame
Notre Dame's Charles Jagusah may be the biggest boom-or-bust prospect in the 2027 NFL Draft offensive guard class. His talent is undeniable, but so is his lengthy injury history after missing last season with a knee injury and appearing in just three games in 2024 because of a torn pectoral/shoulder injury. When healthy, however, Jagusah flashes elite traits, including outstanding leverage, rare athleticism, and the versatility to hold up at left tackle despite projecting best at guard in the NFL. A former high school state champion who went 41-0 as a starter, Jagusah has the physical tools to develop into one of the league's top interior offensive linemen if he can stay healthy and continue refining his technique.
Best of the rest
Evan Tengesdahl, Cincinnati
Joe Brunner, Indiana
Patrick Kutas, Ole Miss
Griffin Empey, North Dakota State
Wendell Moe Jr., Tennessee
Knijeah Harris, Florida
Dave Iuli, Oregon
Ezomo Oratokhai, Northwestern
Noah Josey, Virginia
Tristian Smith, Arkansas State
