We are finally back to finish up the offense with my final interior offensive linemen rankings. I like most people in the scouting community combine both guards and centers for my rankings because there is so much versatility that goes on in the NFL that most interior offensive linemen need to be able to play both unless you are a top level guy.
This years interior offensive line group is very deep. This years group is full of centers and guards, but also a lot of college tackles that project to move inside in the NFL. One caveat though is that its mostly deep at guard. Center is pretty shallow as far as guys who could start as rookies, but there are some interesting guys who could surprise. So lets get to the rankings.
Top Five Interior Offensive linemen:
- Will Campbell-G-LSU: Campbell famously was a elite recruit who came to LSU and started three years at left tackle. He has tackle size and feet, but has guard length and you can see it on film. He will give up his outside shoulder. Campbell is technically proficient and is a physical player. There is a good chance whoever drafts him will let him “fail at tackle” meaning they will give him a chance to show he can play tackle in the NFL, then move him inside to guard if he struggles. I think ultimately he will move inside and start for ten years.
- Tyler Booker-G-Alabama: Tyler Booker is a mountain of a man that is a mauler and wants to make you question your decision to play football. He is well put together and would fit best in a gap scheme. His combine testing bears that out scoring a 3.93 RAS. This doesn’t mean he has a low floor either. There is still some technical stuff he can work on and improve. He has continued to improve his body as well having played around 350 in 2023. Booker is one of the mostly naturally strong guards we have seen come out in awhile. He should hear his name in the first round.
- Donovan Jackson-G-Ohio State: Jackson was a very much heralded five-star recruit coming out of high school. He ended up starting three seasons, all at left guard for Ohio State. He was a a talent coming into college, but struggled with consistency early on. It seemed to have all come together in 2024, even starting half the season at left tackle when Josh Simmons went down. After having some adjustment issues his first couple of starts at left tackle Jackson seemed to flourish during the playoffs. There was even talk that he could play left tackle in the NFL. Jackson is a good athlete and still has plenty of room for growth. Adding being able to play tackle to his resume definitely helps.
- Jonah Savaiinaea-G-Arizona: Savaiinaea is another large offensive tackle that projects better to guard in the NFL. He even started at right guard for Arizona in 2022, but played right tackle the last two seasons. Savaiinaea is a big physical blocker that still moves pretty well for his size. While he projects better to guard in the NFL he still could end up playing some tackle. His issues with oversetting and his hands getting wide will be helped with moving inside as well.
- Marcus Mbow-G-Purdue: Purdue has not been much of an NFL factory as of late, but Mbow might be the best once since George Karlaftis. He spend his first season at guard, but moved out to tackle for his final two. Due to his length he will have to move inside. He could honestly player either guard or center. I think he has higher upside at guard thought. Mbow is a big, athletic blocker that can be used in either a gap or zone blocking scheme.
The Best Of The Rest: Six Thru Ten
6. Jared Wilson-C-Georgia: Wilson might end up being the only center drafted on day two. While he is only a one year starter, he has plenty of experience. Wilson tested like a freak at the combine and the testing shows up on film. He is an elite athlete at center and can get to the second level with ease and can block guys on the move. Obviously being just a one year starter means he still has room to grow, but with how good he already is; it shows how high his potential is. Wilson even has played some guard, so he could offer depth there as well.
7. Wyatt Milum-G-West Virginia: Milum is another in the line of college offensive tackles that will likely have to move inside. Like some of the others he is a big guy at 6’6 313 that has been a starter since he was a freshman. Milum has been an elite pass protector at least from a statistical standpoint. You do see some physical flaws on film though, one of the main ones being his short arms (32 1/8″). He is a solid, but not elite athlete, but is very technically sound. Once he makes the adjustment he could be an 8-10 year starter at left guard.
8. Emery Jones Jr-G-LSU: Jones like his teammate Campbell started at tackle for LSU, but he will likely move to the interior to guard in the NFL for different reasons. Jones has the length (34″) that Campbell lacks, but his play style and some of his flaws point to him being better off at guard. Jones is aggressive, sometimes even too aggressive. He has a great anchor against power rushers. He doesn’t seem as comfortable moving from side to side and can get off balance and duck his head. Jones though could slide out to right tackle in case of an injury.
9: Tate Ratledge-G-Georgia: Ratledge has seen every career snap on the interior, specifically at right guard. His size (6’6 1/2 308) suggests he could probably play some tackle if needed. His short arms though will likely keep him at guard for the most part. He has been a pretty consistent and solid overall blocker. Ratledge will never be elite at any part of his game, but will be a solid all around starter in the league. He is a smart guy that works hard.
10. Grey Zabel-G-North Dakota State: Zabel has become a bit of a fan daring on the interior. He showed up at the Senior Bowl and was probably the best overall offensive linemen there. He is strong and very technically sound. Zabel is thought to be a projection at guard or even center as some have thought, but he did play a bunch of guard at NDSU in 2022 and 2023. He has six career starts at either left or right guard. Zabel is your typical NDSU offensive linemen: big, strong, well coached and average-ish athlete with a high floor, but not much room for growth. He could be a solid 5-8 year starter.
Honorable Mentions:
Miles Frazier-G-LSU, Logan Parr-G-SMU, Seth McLaughlin-C-Ohio State, Joshua Gray-G-Oregon State, Drew Kendall-C-Boston College, Jackson Slater-G/C-Sacramento State, Xavier Truss-G-Georgia, Ajani Cornelius-G-Oregon, Jonah Monheim-C-USC and Dylan Fairchild-G-Georgia
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