As we close out March, I have already discussed the the 2021 NFL Draft player rankings of the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends and offensive tackles. And I finish up my 2021 NFL Draft offensive player rankings with the interior of the offensive line. This is another outstanding position group that contains the potential for multiple starters throughout and a few All-Pro possibilities.
Take a look below as I discuss my top-10 interior players in the 2021 NFL Draft, which includes both the guards and centers. The IOL encompasses a versatile group of small school studs as well as the big school bullies. My next set of rankings will focus on the other side of the ball with the defensive interior, so let’s see
Alijah Vera-Tucker top IOL in 2021 NFL Draft class
The conversion from college tackle to NFL guard is a tricky but inevitable proposition for many prospects this time of year. One of the best projections in this regard for the 2021 NFL Draft is USC’s Alijah Vera-Tucker. The former offensive tackle did an admirable job switching between OG and the LT position with the Trojans but is better suited inside at the next level.
Vera-Tucker’s experience at a multitude of positions should only benefit his stock when April rolls around. His nasty demeanor on the field and bully-style mentality will make him a great fit inside in a power-blocking scheme. And he could also end up as a swing-tackle on some NFL squads. The former Trojan’s lack of ideal size for the tackle position prompted the projection to guard, but that could make Vera-Tucker a coveted player in the top 25 picks.
2. Creed Humphrey (OC) – Oklahoma
Many expected Humphrey to declare after the 2019 season as one of the best interior blockers on a loaded Sooners line. However, he decided to come back and help break in a new young and exciting QB prospect in Spencer Rattler. His stock seems to have slipped a bit in 2020 behind some inconsistent play on offense.
However, Humphrey remains one of the better bets at the pivot position and could be a late first-rounder when the dust settles. Although Humphrey has tremendous size and footwork inside, he’s not going to overpower most interior DL. He’s got an incredibly high football IQ and should start for the next decade in a zone-blocking scheme.
3. Wyatt Davis (OG) – Ohio State
Despite an untimely leg injury in the National Championship game versus Alabama, Wyatt Davis remains one of the premier interior OL prospects available for the 2021 NFL Draft. He’s another outstanding prospect in a long line of great Buckeyes’ linemen. Like Humphrey, he will not overpower you, but he does have great size and higher upside than most on this list.
Davis was also a big-time leader on the Ohio State football team in 2020, which bodes well for his future at the next level. If he can prove healthy for the 2021 season, Davis has a chance to be taken before the end of the second round. He’s smart kid and a great technician inside at the OG spot.
4. Trey Smith (OG) – Tennessee
Tennessee’s Trey Smith was a blue-chip, 5-star recruit from the high school field to Neyland Stadium and the Volunteers. He started from the moment he arrived his freshman season, only missing part of his sophomore season in 2018 due to blood clots. This issue appeared to be career-threatening, but Smith reappeared in 2019 to win first-team All-SEC honors as a junior.
With those problems seemingly behind Smith, he has been a consistent performer for the Volunteers. He was a leader on the football team both on and off the field and will be one of the most liked players in any locker room he enters. Smith has outstanding power and should upgrade any power running game right away. His athleticism and movement skills are lacking, but he’s a day one starter that should find a home before the end of the third round.
5. Landon Dickerson (OC) – Alabama
The first of two Alabama teammates on this list, Landon Dickerson is a former transfer from Florida State that won the Rimington Award in 2020 as the top center in college football. He has started every game he’s played for the past two seasons and has been consistently dominant for the Alabama offense.
Dickerson’s 2020 season ended prematurely with a knee injury in the SEC Championship game against the Florida Gators. That injury was one of the few blemishes on an otherwise stellar career for the Alabama pivot man. If he can prove healthy, Dickerson will be taken on the second day of the 2021 NFL Draft and slide in as a day one NFL starter.
6. Deonte Brown (OG) – Alabama
Another dominant Alabama offensive lineman appears in the rankings with monster OG Deonte Brown. The mammoth, 6-foot-4, 350-pound interior player is the prototype for the position in a power running scheme. He should step in as a starter to anchor inside for the next 10 years. Brown is an absolute bully with tremendous strength, balance, and instincts for the OG position.
Brown is also a proficient pass blocker, despite a lack of standout movement skills inside. The one knock here is the time it takes Brown to reach the second level. He’s not a player that does well in space but can be dominant in close quarters. In the right offense, Brown could develop into an All-Pro for the team that drafts him. I see Brown coming off the board between rounds three and four.
7. Josh Myers (OC) – Ohio State
Another talented center prospect in the 2021 NFL Draft is Ohio State’s, Josh Myers. He’s a polished player for the Buckeyes that should help contribute immediately at the next level. As mentioned before, the Buckeyes have produced many top talents on the offensive line in recent years, and Myers should be another great one.
Myers has the perfect size for the position, and can be dominant inside at times. He’s started for the past two seasons at Ohio State after breaking out in 2019. Like Brown, he’s best in small spaces with a lack of great quickness or ability to get outside in a hurry. Myers also does not possess the upside of some others on this list. However, he should go before the end of the fourth round as an above-average, long-term starter in the NFL.
8. Quinn Meinerz (OC) – Wisconsin-Whitewater
One of my favorite prospects in the entire 2021 NFL Draft is Wisconsin-Whitewater’s Quinn Meinerz. The lesser-known center entered the Senior Bowl with little fanfare but emerged as a major player to watch as we close in on the final month of the process. Meinerz is an intelligent and strong player that earned AP First-Team All-America honors in 2019.
His strength is certainly his biggest asset, as he can move interior opponents at ease and could be a fit inside at both OG and C. Meinerz does not have the speed to get to the next level consistently, and won’t be a huge threat on pulling plays. However, he has good quickness and the intelligence to recognize blitzes from all over and should keep his quarterback consistently upright. He’s got good upside and could be drafted higher than the guys mentioned before him on this list.
9. Ben Cleveland (OG) – Georgia
Another set of SEC teammates appear next on this list with Georgia’s Ben Cleveland and Trey Hill. Cleveland is first up as one of the better interior players in the SEC last season. On a struggling Georgia offense, Cleveland was named All-SEC First Team by the Associated Press.
Has seen time at mostly right guard during his career, making starts in each season for the past four years. Cleveland also has special teams experience and was named a team captain during his senior year in 2020. The big guard should be taken before the end of round five and should get a chance to start before the end of his rookie season.
10. Trey Hill (OC) – Georgia
Trey Hill is another player that held his own in a difficult and shortened season for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2020. He’s a versatile interior player that has experience at both the right guard and center positions at the college level. Hill was an AP All-SEC Second Team selection in 2019 and one of the more dependable and consistent players on the offense for the past three seasons.
Despite his great size, his lack of great power and strength will limit him to a zone-blocking scheme in the NFL. However, his versatility to play multiple positions should get him drafted with a chance to start sooner than later. The Bulldogs have a good track record with OL in the NFL the past few seasons, which should also help Hill as we get closer to the 2021 NFL Draft.