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Offensive guard is one of the least sexy positions on a football team, and consequently one of the least exciting to talk about when it comes to the NFL Draft. It is also a position where early draft choices are seldom used, with teams preferring the franchise tackles first.
In 2012, however, there are two guards -- Stanford's David DeCastro and Georgia's Cordy Glenn -- who could be selected within the first 20 picks on Thursday night in the opening round of the NFL Draft. Kevin Zeitler of Wisconsin and Amini Silatolu of unheard of Midwestern State could be selected at the end of the first round.
Let's look a little closer.
Top 5 Offensive Guards [Rated by SI.com]
1. David DeCastro, Stanford
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com Profile
NOTES: Will be the first guard selected. Can he sneak into the top 10? Unlikely, but possible.
2. Cordy Glenn, Georgia
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com Profile
3. Kevin Zeitler , Wisconsin
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | SB Nation Video | SI.com Profile
4. Amini Silatolu, Midwestern State
SI.com Profile | Big Blue View Prospect Profile
5. Kelechi Osemele, Iowa State
Mocking The Draft Scouting Report | Big Blue View Prospect Profile | SI.com Profile
Local Prospect
Desmond Wynn, Rutgers -- A potential third-day selection
Other Players To Watch
Brandon Brooks, Miami-Ohio; Senio Kelemete, Washington; Tony Bergstrom, Utah; Robert T. Griffin, Baylor; Ronald Leary, Memphis; Joe Looney, Wake Forest; Lucas Nix, Pittsburgh.
New York Giants
The Giants don't generally draft with need as a priority. Whether it is in the first round, or later, the Giants do need to supplement an aging offensive line that was one of the team's weaknesses during 2012. Some think Silatolu, the small school player with intriguing athleticism and upside, could be in play at the end of Round 1. Brandon Brooks might be a second-round possibility.
New York Jets
The Jets want to play 'ground and pound' football, and getting better on their offensive line could help them do that. Guard is a spot Gang Green could add to during the second day of the draft. Brooks, Baylor's Robert T. Griffin and Ronald Leary of Memphis have all visited with the Jets.