Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL guards, centers for 2026

[big dog cowboy]

Just one reason Smith won't be moved outside to tackle.

Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL guards, centers for 2026
Jeremy Fowler
Jul 12, 2026

1. Tyler Smith, G, Dallas Cowboys
Highest ranking: 1
Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25
Last year's ranking: 2

Smith is the league's highest-paid guard, and for good reason. The 2022 first-round pick has worked his way from offensive tackle prospect to elite guard with three consecutive Pro Bowls. His win rates of 72.1% in the running game and 95.2% in the passing game are quality but not elite numbers. But to watch him is to value him...

In a very close race with several others, Smith wins on raw ability.

"Rare combination of size, athleticism, strength and finish," an AFC exec said. "He's like prime Jason Peters playing guard."

Honorable mention

Tyler Booker, G, Dallas Cowboys: "Strong and athletic with physicality. Struggles a bit with guys that are good lateral movers." -- NFL coordinator

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...r-offensive-linemen-2026-execs-coaches-scouts

 

[gimmesix]

Just one reason Smith won't be moved outside to tackle.

Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL guards, centers for 2026
Jeremy Fowler
Jul 12, 2026

1. Tyler Smith, G, Dallas Cowboys
Highest ranking: 1
Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25
Last year's ranking: 2

Smith is the league's highest-paid guard, and for good reason. The 2022 first-round pick has worked his way from offensive tackle prospect to elite guard with three consecutive Pro Bowls. His win rates of 72.1% in the running game and 95.2% in the passing game are quality but not elite numbers. But to watch him is to value him...

In a very close race with several others, Smith wins on raw ability.

"Rare combination of size, athleticism, strength and finish," an AFC exec said. "He's like prime Jason Peters playing guard."

Honorable mention

Tyler Booker, G, Dallas Cowboys: "Strong and athletic with physicality. Struggles a bit with guys that are good lateral movers." -- NFL coordinator

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...r-offensive-linemen-2026-execs-coaches-scouts

I feel like with Smith that this is going to be one of those knocks until it just all clicks in place for him someday, then he's going to be that guy who routinely is at the top for a few years. I don't think technical proficiency and playing under control is high on his list of things so he has to learn from his mistakes rather than by practice repetition. His high level of athletic ability helps him be this good while he's doing that.

 

[StarW]

Smith mauls when he's healthy and even looked above average playing injured. I like him at guard. We can draft another T if Guyton busts out. Our IOL is dirty with Booker and Beebe developing and Smith sitting at the top of the league.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

What idiot didn’t even rank him?

 

[gtb1943]

So who are these so called NFL experts? Are they from the teams that are in the playoffs every year
or are they janitors that stopped to answer questions?

 

[big dog cowboy]

So who are these so called NFL experts?

The very first sentence of the article:

"The 2026 NFL training camps are on the horizon, and with that in mind, ESPN surveyed league executives, coaches and scouts to help us rank the top 10 players at 11 positions."

 

[BLEU3ASY]

Here come the couch coaches thinking they know more than an NFL executive. Lol

 

[Creeper]

I hate player rankings. I really do. Line them up and let them play. The best ranking is on the scoreboard.

 

[LouBrown]

He might be the best guard in football when he's healthy but he certainly wasn't that last year.

This evaluation is probably more based on ceiling than anything.

 

[Hawkeye0202]

This is why you leave him at G.........

 

[MarcusRock]

What idiot didn’t even rank him?

Probably the same guy that ranked Justin Simmons 8th best DT. Gotta have one troll executive.

 

[Vtwin]

Not sure why the guard position seems to be underrated by many fans.

Remember when the Cowboys had Tyron Smith at LT and Doug Free at RT?

Didn't stop defenses from killing Romo up the middle because... Mackenzie Bernadeau and Nate Livings.

Brought in Ronald Leary and Zach Martin and bingo bango, Bob's your uncle.

 

[gtb1943]

Here come the couch coaches thinking they know more than an NFL executive. Lol

you mean the same NFL executives from the Browns and so on?
Like so many others you did not bother to think about that those NFL executives might not be worth any more than Junior is

 

[Rockport]

Just one reason Smith won't be moved outside to tackle.

Execs, coaches, scouts rank top NFL guards, centers for 2026
Jeremy Fowler
Jul 12, 2026

1. Tyler Smith, G, Dallas Cowboys
Highest ranking: 1
Lowest ranking: Unranked
Age: 25
Last year's ranking: 2

Smith is the league's highest-paid guard, and for good reason. The 2022 first-round pick has worked his way from offensive tackle prospect to elite guard with three consecutive Pro Bowls. His win rates of 72.1% in the running game and 95.2% in the passing game are quality but not elite numbers. But to watch him is to value him...

In a very close race with several others, Smith wins on raw ability.

"Rare combination of size, athleticism, strength and finish," an AFC exec said. "He's like prime Jason Peters playing guard."

Honorable mention

Tyler Booker, G, Dallas Cowboys: "Strong and athletic with physicality. Struggles a bit with guys that are good lateral movers." -- NFL coordinator

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id...r-offensive-linemen-2026-execs-coaches-scouts

The haters will agree to this ranking done by the same experts that ranked the QB’s. Huh.

 

[Rockport]

you mean the same NFL executives from the Browns and so on?
Like so many others you did not bother to think about that those NFL executives might not be worth any more than Junior is

So where would you rank Smith?

 

[zrinkill]

Grats to Smith

That last name leads to a lot of greatness on this team.

 

[DoctorChicken]

Grats to Smith

That last name leads to a lot of greatness on this team.

I know we’re all thinking about Zuriel Smith (kick returner, 2003).

 

[shabazz]

Yeah ok, but what's his playoff record?

 

[speedkilz88]

I feel like with Smith that this is going to be one of those knocks until it just all clicks in place for him someday, then he's going to be that guy who routinely is at the top for a few years. I don't think technical proficiency and playing under control is high on his list of things so he has to learn from his mistakes rather than by practice repetition. His high level of athletic ability helps him be this good while he's doing that.

Smith was already 2nd team all-pro in 2023. He was dealing with tendonitis last season and his play did dip.

 

[gtb1943]

So where would you rank Smith?

Smith I would put right now top ten. He had a All Pro year his first year as Guard but has slipped due to injuries. I think he can still reach that level but he has to show it