2012 NFL Draft Projections: Landing Spots for Top Offensive Guards

Where will the top offensive guards of the 2012 NFL draft end up? The purpose of this column is to answer that question.

Most casual fans don't think much about the big guys in the middle—especially nowadays as the NFL becomes more and more a pass-first league. 

Guards still have an important role to play, though, and there are a few exceptional prospects in this year's draft class that will significantly upgrade the teams lucky enough to land their services.

David DeCastro to Kansas City Chiefs with No. 11 Pick

Before free agency began, the biggest need for the Chiefs was at the offensive tackle position. Since then, they have signed Eric Winston—one of the premier tackles in the NFL.

Now they can solidify the rest of their line by taking the best offensive guard to come out since Steve Hutchinson.

Cordy Glenn to Cincinnati Bengals with No. 21 Pick

Cincinnati.com speculates that the Bengals will consider taking Glenn with this pick. 

It makes perfect sense to me. The Bengals struggled to get any push at all last year in the running game, and as such their passing game suffered as well.

Glenn is both a dominant run-blocker and an adequate pass-protector, who has a ton of upside. If he chooses to dedicate himself to his craft and hits the weight room, he will become a monster.

Kevin Zeitler to San Francisco 49ers with No. 30 Pick

The 49ers have only one position of need: right guard. They could easily go with a wide receiver with this pick, but in the end Zeitler's ability to step in right away and start will trump landing a receiver that might not even see the field much his rookie year.

Zeitler is from Wisconsin—one of the best offensive linemen factories in college football. He is technically sound and skilled in both the running game and as a pass-blocker.

Kelechi Osemele to Cleveland Browns with No. 37 Pick

The Browns had to let go of Eric Steinbach this offseason, leaving a tremendous void in their offensive line.

Osemele is somewhat of a raw prospect, but his sheer size, strength, agility and motor are going to be enough to begin with. Given the proper coaching and better technique, he could ultimately become better than all the rest, save DeCastro.

Amini Silatolu to San Diego Chargers with No. 49 Pick

Silatolu was a left tackle at Midwestern State that projects as a guard in the NFL. He is an explosive athlete at the point of attack, who possesses a thick anchor to go with a high motor. 

The Chargers really need help on their offensive line, too. Silatolu may not start right away, but by the middle of the season I expect to see him overtake Tyronne Green on the left side.

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