2025 NFL Draft: Top 25 OG
A look at the updated NFL Draft OG Big Board courtesy of NFL Draft Bible.
Welcome to the February 12, 2025 edition of the All Access Football Newsletter, Presented By Sports Management Worldwide Football Career Conference.
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SERRITELLA ON SPORTS RAGE: LATEST DRAFT BUZZ
AAF founder Ric Serritella joins Sports Rage host Gabriel Morency every Tuesday night on SIRIUSXM 159 and Sports Grid TV. This week, the dynamic draft duo discuss potential quarterback carousel scenarios that could transpire this offseason, plus a look at how the top of the draft order could pan out and a recap of Super Bowl LIX.
2025 NFL DRAFT BIG BOARD: GUARDS
We have seen a slight uptick in the number of guards drafted each season, as there has been an average of 18 selected over the past three NFL Drafts (2022-24). By comparison, there was an average of just 13 guards selected on average the previous five drafts (2017-2021). There are likely several reasons for this.
The run game is making a comeback. The NFL works in fads, so it’s only natural that ground and pound is en vogue again. We witnessed the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles and numerous contenders lean on the running attack this past year. A byproduct of what has been percolating the past few seasons for those who have been paying attention.
In addition, many defensive schemes employ heavy pass-rush up the middle. Hence, teams must guard against this with depth on the interior. While the guard position has gained importance, NFL teams have still been reluctant to invest high value at the guard position early on in the draft. The heavy concentration of guards chosen usually occurs on Day 2 and Day 3 of the draft.
The top pure guard on our board is Alabama mauler Tyler Booker who has remained entrenched in that spot since the start of the season. A ferocious force who can move bodies in the trenches, Booker is an instant plug-and-play starter. Ohio State swingman Donovan Jackson knows a thing or two about plug-and-play. When starting left tackle Josh Simmons went down early in the year with injury, Jackson slid from his natural left guard position over to the left tackle spot. It was a seamless transition that could result in Jackson getting a look at tackle in the pros.
Often times, college tackles with flaws such as limited athleticism, lack of height, or short arms, are kicked inside to guard. Sometimes, it’s just a much better natural fit. Such is the case in Grey Zabel of North Dakota State, who played tackle for the Bison. Despite an impressive Senior Bowl showing, where he lined up at every spot along the offensive line, he appeared to be most effective when at guard, which is why he appears in these rankings.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Arizona offensive tackle Jonah Savaiinaea performed so poorly in Mobile, he was asked to move to guard after the first day of practice. He struggled against the top competition throughout the week, showing signs of being a step slow with limited bend. Not only did we shift him from our tackle rankings over to guard but he has now dropped into Day 3 territory based on his most recent performance.
The real value will lie in the middle rounds, where shrewd organizations will realize they can find starters with draft selections outside the top 100. In fact, the top nine guards ranked on our big board all possess starter traits. Their success will ultimately be dictated by the team/scheme and coaching but this guard class overall should be considered rich with talent.
KEY: HPFA = High Priority Free Agent || PFA = Priority Free Agent || FA = Free Agent
RANK | PLAYER | SCHOOL | YEAR | HEIGHT | WEIGHT | FORTY | HAND | ARM | WING | PROJ
Tyler Booker, Alabama, Jr, 6044, 348, 5.65, Rd1*
Donovan Jackson, Ohio State, Sr, 6033, 318, 5.15, Rd1
Grey Zabel, North Dakota State, Sr, 6053, 316, 5.05e, 0938, 3320, 7758, Rd2
Joshua Gray, Oregon State, rSr, 6033, 300, 5.00e, 0938, 3200, 7800, Rd2
Dylan Fairchild, Georgia, rJr, 6044, 315, 5.15, Rd3*
Marcus Mbow, Purdue, rJr, 6041, 309, 5.12e, 1038, 3300, 8018, Rd3*
Tate Ratledge, Georgia, rSr, 6061, 315, 5.00, Rd3
Hayden Conner, Texas, Sr, 6057, 327, 5.35, 1.5, Rd4
Connor Colby, Iowa, Sr, 6060, 311, 5.04, Rd4
Jonah Savaiinaea, Arizona, Jr, 6036, 339, 5.30e, 1028, 3458, 8168, Rd4*
Wyatt Milum, West Virginia, Sr, 6063, 315, 5.00e, 1028, 3258, 7958, Rd4
Garrett Dellinger, LSU, Sr, 6045, 325, 5.22e, 1000, 3278, 7918, Rd5
Nash Jones, Texas State, 6037, 314, 4.99e, 1038, 3328, 8258, Rd5
Miles Frazier, LSU, rSr, 6053, 324, 5.37e, 0900, 3338, 8038, Rd6
Jalen Rivers, Miami, Jr, 6052, 331, 5.20e, 1018, 3500, 8348, Rd6
Joe Huber, Wisconsin, Sr, 6043, 308, 5.20e, 0918, 3258, 7958, Rd6
Jack Conley, Boston College, rSr, 6066, 327, 5.25e, 0968, 3300, 8078, Rd7
Thomas Perry, Middlebury, Sr, 6023, 311, 5.27e, 0918, 3158, 7828, Rd7
Jackson Slater, Sacramento State, Sr, 6025, 320, 5.10e, 0968, 3300, 7800, HPFA
Luke Kandra, Cincinnati, rSr, 6045, 318, 5.25, HPFA
Caleb Rogers, Texas Tech, Sr, 6044, 313, 5.10e, 0968, 3268, 7876, HPFA
Tyler Cooper, Minnesota, rSr, 6050, 305, 0978, 3238, 8068, HPFA
Timothy McKay, NC State, rSr, 6037, 311, 5.30e, 0948, 3368, 7948, HPFA
Luke Newman, Michigan State, rSr, 6034, 312, 5.20e, 0928, 3068, 7618, HPFA
Josh Priebe, Michigan, rSr, 6044, 306, 5.20e, 0918, 3300, 8100, HPFA