NFL Scouting Combine Workout Analysis: Guards

The 2016 NFL Scouting Combine quick analysis of the workouts of every prospect: the offensive guards.

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Vadal Alexander, LSU, 6-5, 326

With a 5.57 40, he looked every bit the plodding guard he was expected to be. Big and strong, but he just might not be athletic enough to be a regular starting tackle.
Projection: Second Round

Joe Cheek, Texas A&M, 6-6, 295

He measured in small and thin for a guard – he’s built more like a right tackle – and the 20 reps on the bench didn’t really help the overall cause to kick him inside.
Projection: Seventh Round

Joshua Garnett, Stanford, 6-4, 312

30 reps. The bench press is what truly matters for a strong guard who can pop. However, he surprised a bit by being a bit quicker and more athletic than expected, running well in the cones and doing a good job of getting around. He ran a 5.32 40, but that doesn’t matter. He helped himself.
Projection: Second Round

Darrell Greene, San Diego State, 6-3, 321

The goal was to show his power – that’s his game – and the 28 reps on the bench were good enough. He measured big and wasn’t brutally slow, but it was what was expected.
Projection: Seventh Round

Nila Kasitati, Oklahoma, 6-3, 317

Yuck. He might be a great blocker, but the 12 reps on the bench will have to be fixed in later workouts. The 5.32 40 didn’t help, either. He wasn’t quick, and he didn’t show off his strength.
Projection: Free Agent

Connor McGovern, Missouri, 6-4, 305

Yup. That’s what you’re supposed to do at the Combine. He was supposed to be really strong, and he destroyed the bench press with 33 reps. The 5.11 40 was great, and the times in the short drills were fantastic. At the very least, he secured himself as a mid-round pick.
Projection: Third Round

Alex Redmond, UCLA, 6-5, 294

Outstanding. Explosive in the broad jump and good through the short drills, he also cranked up 30 reps on the bench. He could still handle adding a little bit of good weight, but he looked like he was supposed to.
Projection: Sixth Round

Isaac Seumalo, Oregon State, 6-4, 303

One of the quickest guards at the Combine, he didn’t lift, but he ran well, moved great, and ripped through the cones and shuttle. His 4.52 in the 20-yard drill and the 7.4 three-cone helped him in a big way.
Projection: Fifth Round

Sebastian Tretola, Arkansas, 6-4, 314

Here’s the problem. If you’re supposed to be a short-area blast blocker, you have to come up with more than 22 reps on the bench. Really slow and lumbering, even for a guard, he’s a football player, not a workout warrior.
Projection: Third Round

Landon Turner, North Carolina, 6-4, 330

He did what he was supposed to. He wasn’t supposed to be able to run, and he didn’t with a 5.58 40 that you could’ve run. Not being able to move isn’t supposed to be an issue for a phone booth guy, and that’s why the 30 reps on the bench helped.
Projection: Second Round

Christian Westerman, Arizona State, 6-3, 298

The guard looked an awful lot like a tackle. The 5.17 40 was outstanding, and considering his functional strength was a concern, the 34 reps on the bench were eye-popping. Now he looks like the right fit for the modern NFL – he worked out like he can do it all.
Projection: Second Round

Cody Whitehair, Kansas State, 6-4, 301

It was interesting. He was supposed to come into Indy and lift the stadium, but he only came up with 16 reps. However, he ran and moved really, really well with a 5.08 40 and a phenomenal 7.32 through the three-cone drill. He was explosive, athletic, and outside of the bench, did a great job of helping his stock as a top guard.
Projection: Second Round