NFL Draft Bible: Offensive Guards

While the guard position has gained importance, NFL teams have still been reluctant to invest high value.

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PLAYER PROFILE KEY (How to read the prospect header):

RK. LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | SCHOOL | POSITION | JERSEY # | YEAR | HOMETOWN | PROJECTION | VALUE

HEIGHT | WEIGHT | HAND | ARM | WINGSPAN | FORTY (10-YARD SPLIT), MPH | BENCH | VERT | BROAD | SHUTTLE | 3-CONE

**Note**Heights of players are measured to the nearest eighth of an inch – for example, “6003” would stand for 6 ft. and 3/8 inches tall. (The first number refers to the feet, the second two numbers refer to the inches, and the last number refers to eighths of an inch.). Arm, hand, and wingspan are written differently – 3012 would mean 30 1/2 inches, 0934 would mean 9 3/4 inches, and 7558 would mean 75 5/8 inches.

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TIER 1 PROSPECTS -- FRANCHISE TALENT

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TIER 2 PROSPECTS -- PRO BOWL TALENT

1. BOOKER, TYLER | Alabama | OG | #52 | Jr | New Haven, CT | Pro Bowl Talent | Round 1

Combine: 6045 | 321 | 1100 | 3448 | 8348 | 5.38 (1.96), 19.22 | 21 | 27” | 7-10 | 4.84 | 7.96

One-Liner: One of the most impressive athletic specimens from a size and quickness standpoint, with a mean streak like a hungry hippo and a frame comparable to one.

Evaluation: A nasty player inside the trenches, the gargantuan-sized Booker thrives in the run game and has made great strides in pass protection. Due to his great footwork and nimble agility, Booker is able to get down the line in a jiffy on pull blocks and seeks out defenders in the second level. In addition, Booker does an excellent job utilizing his arm length to create leverage and drive opponents. His lateral athleticism is somewhat limited but is masked playing on the interior. The ‘Bama big man is known to hold teammates accountable and has been praised for his preparation. Booker is a candidate to be the first offensive lineman off the board come April. If not, he certainly states a case to be the best.

Quotable: "I love football because of the brand of football I play. I make guys not love football anymore. My tenacity and my relentlessness makes me the best offensive lineman in this class. What you see on play one is what you're going to see on play eight. I'm always trying to finish, I'm always trying to put you on your back." – Tyler Booker on what separates him

Background: Did not allow a sack in 715 snaps in 2024, earning All-American First Team honors. Was temporarily used at left tackle in early 2024 but was reverted back to his left guard position, which is a more natural fit. A five-star recruit coached by former NFL linebacker Pepper Johnson at IMG Academy.

2. ZABEL, GREY | North Dakota State | OG | #74 | Sr | Pierre, SD | Pro Bowl Talent | Round 1

Combine: 6057 | 312 | 0948 | 3214 | 7758 | n/a | 26 | 36.5" | 9-3 | n/a | n/a

One-Liner: An extremely versatile blocker, capable of playing all five offensive line positions.

Evaluation: The aggressiveness and violent hands is what initially grabs your attention when watching Zabel, who is a technician. His wide base, quick get-off, leg drive and strength are what drives his success. It might sound funny to say that the number one showstopper in Mobile was an offensive lineman but Zabel stole the show and was named the 'Senior Bowl Most Outstanding Practice Player of the Week,' for his efforts. The Bison brawler stood tall against top-competition. In fact, the water-mark point of the week was watching Zabel jump in at every position along the offensive line, while winning nearly every one-on-one rep. There is some hip stiffness to his game. Zabel also tends to lunge, or overextend on blocks at times and at other times can whiff entirely on a block. However, they are far and few between. A tackle for most of his career, he projects as an interior player at the next level due to his 33" arms and lateral limitations. Some decision-makers have even stated they prefer him at center. It appears that Zabel may have played himself into the first round equation based on his body of work.

Quotable: “He’s taken it and ran with it. He’s a superior leader, probably one of the best leaders I’ve ever been around and that’s saying a lot. I’ve been around guys like Cody Mauch, Cordell Volson, all really great Chief Rams.” - NDSU OT Mason Miller on Grey Zabel

Background: A two-year starter at North Dakota State (2020-24). Hails from T.F. Riggs High School (2020); a three-sport athlete, playing football, baseball and basketball. Son of Mark and Tanna; father played football at Northern State, mom was on track/basketball teams. NFL Combine and Senior Bowl invite.