Guard

1. Deuce Lutui, USC – A mammoth beast with a great understanding of the game. Reggie Bush said he wouldn’t have had near the success he did without Lutui. Lutui has been through a lot and is devoted to the game. Is quicker than he appears and has a great understanding of sophisticated schemes. Early second round with a possibility for the late first seems about right.

2. Max-Jean Gilles, Georgia – Gilles is another mountain of a man at 355 pounds. He is an absolute brawler with great punch at the line of scrimmage and a road grading type of run blocker. Gilles should immediately help whichever team gets him in the running game. Will battle Lutui for the spot of the top guard in the draft up until the start of the selection process.

3. Davin Joseph, Oklahoma – Joseph was a key to Oklahoma’s return to prominence as a long time starter and is as refined as they come technically. Somewhat of a ‘tweener between tackle and guard, but projects as more of a guard at the NFL level.

4. Rob Sims, Ohio State – Sims has an excellent understanding of the game after playing starting for the better part of three years for the Buckeyes. Has played tackle and guard, but is a mauler type that should have success as a guard in the NFL.

5. Charles Spencer, Pittsburgh – Another massive guy with the type of power to push people around in the running game. Doesn’t have great feet, but can be another instant help type of guy. Should land in the late second or early part of the third round. 

Sleeper: Chris Kuper, North Dakota – A big man from a small school. Kuper has good quickness and burst off the ball. Will get a look in the middle to late rounds, but has potential to be developed. 

Center

1. Nick Mangold, Ohio State – Perhaps the strongest player in the draft, Mangold tied the record for bench presses at 225 pounds at the combine. Was a key cog for the Buckeyes and is widely considered the best prospect at center. Good enough to go in the first round, which is high praise for a center.

2. Greg Eslinger, Minnesota – As consistent a performer as you will find in the draft. He doesn’t necessarily dominate at his position, but is solid in all phases and smart in his pickups at the line of scrimmage. Should land somewhere on the first day.

3. Jason Spitz, Louisville – A versatile type of player that can play any of the interior positions. Intelligent player, but doesn’t have great strength or size.

4. Chris Chester, Oklahoma – Tremendous experience and very solid in all areas of the game. Chester is athletic and has played a number of positions. Not great as a pass blocker, but his experience and explosiveness should help him land somewhere in the middle rounds.

5. Mike Degory, Florida – Degory was at Florida for what seemed like forever. That’s because he played at a high level as a starter for all four years. Not terribly mobile or quick, but should be able to have success as a backup with potential starter ability in the NFL.

Sleeper: Brian Van Acker, Northern Illinois – Good size and well built, but might be a little tall for the position. Coming from Northern Illinois, Van Acker didn’t get much attention. But he’s a good athlete with a raw skill set that could be developed into something solid for the NFL.