Ranking the top 20 NFL guards for 2022
We’ll wrap up the 2022 offensive line preview today by ranking the league’s 20 best guards
It’s a good time to be a fan of offensive linemen. We’ve already discussed the historic amount of talent at offensive tackle and the NFL’s elite crop of All-Pro centers. We’ll wrap up the 2022 offensive line preview today by ranking the league’s 20 best guards, including three players performing at a Hall of Fame level.
I organized this list by factoring in recent production, injuries, age, situations, and skill sets. The tiers are more important than the individual number ranking since most players are interchangeable in their tiers.
There are two 2021 rankings below each guard. The first shows where I ranked the guard among their peers during the 2021 offseason. The second rank shows where each guard landed on my top 200 players project last summer.
I understand these rankings will be controversial. Please remember that they are just my opinion and don’t really hold any greater meaning. You can reach me in the comments or on Twitter @Sam_Teets33 to tell me what I got wrong and what you would change.
*Indicates rookie player
NFL 2022: Top 20 Guards
Tier 1: Hall of Fame Peaks
1. Zack Martin, G Dallas Cowboys
2021 Guard Rank: 2
2021 Top 200 Rank: 14
2. Joel Bitonio, G Cleveland Browns
2021 Guard Rank: 6
2021 Top 200 Rank: 61
3. Quenton Nelson, G Indianapolis Colts
2021 Guard Rank: 1
2021 Top 200 Rank: 12
Tier 1 consists of guards who have performed at a Hall of Fame level for several years. These players are franchise cornerstones and legends who will appear on the Hall of Fame ballot shortly after retiring.
Martin’s career hasn’t been as historic as Aaron Donald’s, but I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Martin’s dominance at guard since he entered the NFL in 2014 rivals Donald’s reign at defensive tackle. The two draftmates are future first-ballot Hall of Famers. That’s how I choose to illustrate Martin’s historic career.
Martin opened his career by earning All-Pro honors in six consecutive seasons and only missing two games. He looked like a lock to extend the streak to seven years in 2020, especially considering he held his own in a few games at right tackle, but injuries caused him to miss over a third of the year.
Martin rebounded in 2021, earning his fifth First-Team All-Pro nod. The 31-year-old has never allowed 20 or more pressures in a season. To understand the scope of that accomplishment, consider that 52 guards surrendered at least 20 pressures in 2021, including five of the other eight Pro Bowl guards.
Nelson opened his career with three consecutive First-Team All-Pro selections. He didn’t miss a game during that stretch but was absent from four contests last year. Nelson still earned Second-Team All-Pro honors, but the 26-year-old wasn’t anywhere near his usual dominant self. Hopefully, he healed up over the offseason and is ready to round back into form.
Bitonio isn’t as gifted as Nelson, and the young Colts guard has a higher ceiling when healthy. At least, that’s what I thought. Bitonio’s 2021 season was nothing short of outstanding. He entered the season on a streak of three consecutive Second-Team All-Pro selections but blew those great years out of the water with a perception-changing campaign.
Bitonio played over 1,100 snaps for the first time in his career, including two fantastic starts at left tackle, and only allowed 17 pressures and two sacks. He played about 4,300 offensive snaps over the past four seasons. During that time, Bitonio allowed one pressure every 67 snaps while playing roughly 66 snaps per game. He has a Hall of Fame case.
Tier 2: All-Pro Candidates
4. Wyatt Teller, G Cleveland Browns
2021 Guard Rank: 4
2021 Top 200 Rank: 57
5. Joe Thuney, G Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Guard Rank: 7
2021 Top 200 Rank: 101
6. Brandon Scherff, G Jacksonville Jaguars
2021 Guard Rank: 5
2021 Top 200 Rank: 59
The guards in Tier 2 are cornerstone players capable of competing for All-Pro selections each year. Unlike the players in Tier 1, Tier 2 guards have limitations. Some are more specialized, while others have worrisome injury histories. These guards could perform at a Tier 1 level in any individual season, but they haven’t strung together years of Tier 1 play.
I debated including Teller in Tier 1. He has the physical tools to belong in that class, but his style is heavily predicated on dominating the running game. Teller is still an above-average pass blocker, but the guards in Tier 1 perform both tasks at elite levels.
Teller was a First-Team All-Pro in 2020 and a Second-Team All-Pro in 2021. The high school defensive lineman turned guard is only 27 years old and could put together a resume worthy of Canton before his prime ends.
If Teller’s bread and butter is run blocking, Tuney’s is pass protection. The former Patriot hasn’t allowed 20 or more pressures in a season since 2018. The 29-year-old hasn’t missed a start during his whole career, and he only allowed one sack last season despite taking a chunk of snaps at left tackle in Week 17.
Injuries have shaken Scherff’s career several times, but he’s still one of the league’s better guards. Unfortunately, his days of All-Pro consideration are near an end. The 30-year-old just doesn’t play enough games anymore. He’s missed 22 appearances over the past four years and hasn’t played 1,000 snaps in a season since 2016.
Despite the battering he’s taken, Scherff remains an elite option who performs at a high level when healthy.
Tier 3: High-End People Movers
7. Shaq Mason, G Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2021 Guard Rank: 8
2021 Top 200 Rank: 108
8. Chris Lindstrom, G Atlanta Falcons
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: Honorable Mention
9. Michael Onwenu, G New England Patriots
2021 Guard Rank: 9
2021 Top 200 Rank: 121
10. Laken Tomlinson, G New York Jets
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
11. Trey Smith, G Kansas City Chiefs
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
Tier 3 primarily consists of guards who thrive in the running game and create significant displacement when allowed to unleash their power on defenders. These are still above-average starters, but they lack All-Pro potential. Most of these guards lack upward mobility because of their one-dimensional style, but they have stretches of Tier 2 play.
At the end of his career, left guard Ali Marpet was a better, more well-rounded blocker than Mason. However, the drop from Marpet to Mason isn’t that significant. Technically, you can frame Tampa Bay trading for Mason as upgrading over Alex Cappa, who Mason took over for at right guard, but I like pointing out that the Buccaneers still have one high-level guard.
Mason and Onwenu played together for two seasons in New England, giving the Patriots one of the league’s best run blocking lines. While Mason was a consistent starter, Bill Belichick pulled Onwenu several times throughout 2021. I don’t understand Belichick’s decisions, especially considering Onwenu’s raw power. He’s New England’s projected starting right guard this year.
The Falcons have plenty of needs, but right guard isn’t one of them. Lindstrom has quietly developed into one of the best run blockers in the NFL. The 25-year-old still has plenty of room to grow in pass protection, but he could be one of the team’s key pieces during their rebuild.
Speaking of key pieces in a rebuild, the Jets gave Tomlinson a hefty contract to help solidify their offensive line. The former first round pick made his first Pro Bowl last season after starting every game for the fourth consecutive year. Tomlinson has become a sought-after commodity despite flaming out in Detroit early in his career.
Smith fell to the sixth round of the 2021 NFL Draft because of medical concerns. Ordinarily, he would’ve been a top 100 selection. Smith flashed his immense potential as a rookie and established himself as a long-term starter. The Tennessee product primarily won in the running game last year as he allowed 49 pressures and four sacks. I’m optimistic he’ll clean up his pass protection production this year.
Tier 4: Proven Starters
12. Kevin Zeitler, G Baltimore Ravens
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
13. Rodger Saffold, G Buffalo Bills
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
14. Alex Cappa, G Cincinnati Bengals
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
15. Matt Feiler, G Los Angeles Chargers
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
Veteran guards with proven track records make up Tier 4. These are long-standing members of the NFL community on their second or third teams. Tier 4 guards are quality starters, but they aren’t stars. Teams are comfortable letting these players walk in free agency if it means getting cap relief or freeing up money to target a premier position. However, organizations are always waiting with open arms when one of these guards hits the open market.
Feiler (30), Saffold (34), and Zeitler (32) have experienced many ups and downs during their winding careers in the NFL. Feiler, a former undrafted free agent with starting experience at right tackle, had one of his worst pass blocking seasons in 2021 but also set a career-high in snaps played. He’s not spectacular, but the Bloomsburg product is crucial to Los Angeles’ offensive infrastructure.
Saffold earned his first career Pro Bowl berth last year despite allowing his most pressures since 2016. The former Ram and Titan began to show his age over the past two years, but the Bills are confident he’ll stabilize in their system.
The Giants cast Zeitler aside after 2020. Fans wish they could undo the move because Zeitler looked like his old self with the Ravens. He only allowed one pressure for every 45 quarterback drop backs and surrendered one sack in 771 pass blocking reps.
Cappa (27) is the youngest member of Tier 4. He was hit-or-miss some weeks with the Buccaneers but still produced solid seasons in 2020 and 2021. Cappa’s one penalty committed in 2021 was the least among the top 15 guards in offensive snaps.
Tier 5: Average or Developing Starters
16. Jonah Jackson, G Detroit Lions
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
17. Landon Dickerson, G Philadelphia Eagles
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
18. James Daniels, G Pittsburgh Steelers
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
19. Andrew Norwell, G Washington Commanders
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
20. Dalton Risner, G Denver Broncos
2021 Guard Rank: NR
2021 Top 200 Rank: NR
Tier 5 consists of guards who are average for starting-level players at the position. There are also several younger developmental options in this tier who could emerge as Tier 3 or 4 players in several years. These guards have high upward mobility but generally fall short of reaching Tier 2. Currently, none of these players are franchise cornerstones, but they’re consistent players who offer some peace of mind.
Dickerson (23), Jackson (25), and Risner (27) are still developing. Jackson still has a long way to go in pass protection, but the former third round pick pairs his immense upside with a physical demeanor. As the oldest and most experienced member of the trio, Risner has the lowest ceiling, but he’s still a quality starter.
Dickerson struggled early in his rookie season, allowing one sack and 16 pressures in his first four appearances. The Alabama product cleaned up his game over his final ten games. During that time, Dickerson only allowed 15 pressures and one sack.
Daniels struggled to develop in Chicago as the Bears kept changing his position. The soon-to-be 25-year-old already has four seasons under his belt and could find better positional stability in Pittsburgh.
Norwell turns 31 in October. He’s the only true veteran in Tier 5. The former undrafted free agent’s best days are behind him, but he’s reuniting with some old coaches in Washington. Norwell won’t recover his former glory, but the 2017 First-Team All-Pro is still an average starter.
Honorable Mentions
Austin Corbett, G Carolina Panthers
Nate Davis, G Tennessee Titans
Kevin Dotson, G Pittsburgh Steelers
Robert Hunt, G Miami Dolphins
Zion Johnson, G Los Angeles Chargers*
Quinn Meinerz, G Denver Broncos
Justin Pugh, G Arizona Cardinals
Wes Schweitzer, G Washington Commanders
Trai Turner, G Washington Commanders
Alijah Vera-Tucker, G New York Jets
Cody Whitehair, G Chicago Bears