Pewter Report analyzes the top players in the 2025 NFL Draft with its position previews. Scott Reynolds continues the previews at the offensive guard and center positions, offering a comprehensive look at what the Bucs have and what they need along the interior offensive line.

Adam Slivon then analyzes a detailed list of this year’s top offensive guard and center prospects while Reynolds provides the annual Pewter Report Bucs Best Bets – the most likely offensive guards and centers for Tampa Bay to select in Rounds 1-3, and in Rounds 4-7.

What The Bucs Have At Guard And Center

Bucs RG Cody Mauch and C Graham Barton – Photo by: Cliff Welch P/R

The Bucs have one of the best up-and-coming guards in the league in Cody Mauch, who plays next to right tackle Luke Goedeke. Mauch, a second-round pick in 2023, was thrown into the fire right away as a rookie and went through his share of growing pains. After hitting the weight room and getting bigger and stronger, Mauch was the most improved Buccaneer last season and is turning into one of the NFL’s best guards as he enters his third year.

Tampa Bay spent its first-round draft pick on center Graham Barton last year and he showed a ton of promise in his rookie season. Barton has the size, strength, athleticism, competitiveness and football I.Q. to become a Pro Bowl center in time. The Bucs love his toughness and work ethic and he should take a big step in his second season in 2025.

At left guard, the Bucs took a flier on veteran Ben Bredeson in free agency and he parlayed a one-year, prove-it deal into a three-year contract worth $21 million this offseason. Bredeson is an above average lineman with the versatility to play both guard and center, and that was part of the reason why he was re-signed. With backup center Robert Hainsey moving on to Jacksonville, Bredeson would be the go-to guy if Barton gets injured and misses time.

The Bucs re-signed veteran guard Sua Opeta, who tore his ACL in the first week of training camp last year, and also drafted a guard in Elijah Klein in the sixth round. Klein has been cross-training at center and has some real upside. Luke Haggard spent last year on the practice squad and had some bright spots in the preseason.

What The Bucs Need At Guard And Center

The re-signing of left guard Ben Bredeson in free agency means that Tampa Bay’s entire starting offensive line returns intact for the 2025 season. The Bucs have invested first-round picks in left tackle Tristan Wirfs (2020) and center Graham Barton (2024) and second-round picks in right guard Cody Mauch (2023) and right tackle Luke Goedeke (2022), but there isn’t a need to draft another interior offensive lineman this year.

That’s because the Bucs re-signed veteran guard Sua Opeta and drafted Elijah Klein last year. Yet, general manager Jason Licht loves fortifying the offensive line, so don’t rule out another Day 3 lineman getting selected if the right player is there in the right round. The Bucs had three formal interviews with interior offensive linemen at the NFL Scouting Combine, including North Dakota State’s Grey Zabel, Sacramento State’s Jackson Slater and USC’s Jonah Monheim.

Top Guards And Centers In The 2025 NFL Draft

*Important Note: These players are NOT listed in the order of Pewter Report’s ranking for them. Rather, the numbers are provided to show you the rough order in which we expect them to come off the board during the draft. Also, while some of these prospects played more at offensive tackle in college, they are listed below based on draft analysts projecting them to kick inside entering the NFL.

1. Alabama G Tyler Booker – Junior – 6-4, 321 – 5.38

The first thing that stands out about Booker when watching him play for the Crimson Tide is how much of a mauler he is. Booker, a two-year starter primarily at left guard save for a start at left tackle, is a nightmare for opposing defensive linemen. He has plus size along the inside, with his strong hands and anchor limiting the ability for his matchup to drive him back.

Booker’s large stature comes with the downside is that he is not the fleetest of foot. He still holds his own when asked to pull and climb, but he lacks an initial explosion. That will limit him to being more of a gap run scheme style blocker in the NFL, but his play strength and nasty mentality will see him come off the board in the late first to early second round.

2. Texas OT/G Kelvin Banks Jr. – Junior – 6-5, 315 – 5.16

You might ask yourself, ‘Why is Banks listed as an interior offensive lineman when he has never started a game anywhere besides left tackle?’ When looking at various scouting reports and noting Banks’ strengths on tape, it is easy to see him being even better pushing inside to guard at the next level. He possesses smooth lateral movement and is light on his feet when asked to move in space. Even when he is waiting for an outside pass rusher to make a move, the 2024 first team All-American stays a step ahead.

The biggest knock on Banks’ game is that he lacks the arm length you would like to see from an offensive tackle. He was able to overcome that deficiency in the college ranks and still might in the NFL, but whichever team selects him will be getting an immediate starter that is as polished as they come.

Texas OT Kelvin Banks Jr. and Ohio State DE JT Tuimoloau – Photo by: USA Today

3. North Dakota State G/C Grey Zabel – RS Senior – 6-6, 312 – DNP

Zabel truly put himself on the map with a dominant Senior Bowl week in Mobile, Alabama that Pewter Report witnessed up close. Zabel dominated nearly every rep in one-on-ones, showcasing the kind of talent that originally got him an invite. During his time at North Dakota State, he played four out of five positions across the offensive line, demonstrating an unrivaled versatility compared to other prospects. Looking at how his professional career could go, the first comparison that comes to mind is Bucs right guard Cody Mauch.

Mauch joined Tampa Bay after being the left tackle for the Bison, settling in on the inside with a leaner frame. Zabel is in a similar boat, as after solely playing at left tackle last season a position switch could do him wonders. He has plus footwork and plays a lot like his former college teammate when it comes to playing hard until the whistle. Having the ability to play guard and center could see him become the first interior offensive lineman drafted, with a draft range spanning from middle of the first round to one of the first players taken on Day 2.

4. Georgia G Tate Ratledge – RS Senior – 6-6, 308 – 4.97

Sporting a long mullet, Ratledge looks every bit like an offensive lineman. Ratledge plays with a fiery streak fitting for his physical appearance and stringed plenty of solid performances together for the Bulldogs. He holds his line when it comes to pass protection, but some of his best film came as a run blocker who dictated where he wanted his matchup to go. There is a lot to like about the 2024 first team All-American’s game, from his strength to love for the game.

That will be enough for Ratledge to carve out a long and productive career, but he has a medical red flag. He has missed at least one game due to injury every season, including in 2021 when he missed 14 games with a right foot injury after winning the starting right guard job. Should Ratledge remain on the field, he could start right away and is the kind of player who would fit in wherever he lands.

Georgia OG Tate Ratledge – Photo by: USA Today

5. Ohio State OT/G Donovan Jackson – Senior – 6-3, 317 – DNP

Jackson greatly benefited from an experience standpoint with how his senior season at Ohio State unfolded. Filling in for the injured Josh Simmons, Jackson got a taste of what it means to play offensive tackle, doing so for the final nine games of the year. Before that, the former five-star recruit started two full seasons at left guard. He is always aware of what is going on around him, seamlessly bouncing between assignments as plays develop and getting to where he needs to be.

Jackson plays with a quick twitch and controls things up front the second the ball is snapped. That gives him the upper hand to use his hands and put his strength to good use. His ability to sustain blocks if he does not come of the gates with a dominant rep can suffer at times, but the talent is there. Getting experience under his belt at tackle works in his favor, but he is viewed as a Day 2 guard prospect by most.

6. Arizona OT/G Jonah Savaiinaea – Junior – 6-4, 324 – 4.95

All the way around, Savaiinaea is a balanced player. Savaiinaea had close to an even split between tackle and guard for the Wildcats, with 16 games at right tackle, 15 games at right guard, and five games at right tackle. The balance continues with how he plays before and after contact, springing efficiently to cover a lot of ground and always looking for the next block. Compared to other prospects listed here, his athleticism really stands out.

Savaiinaea has the chance to stick at tackle, but he may truly develop into a mismatch as a full-time guard. It would allow him to mask some of his weaknesses, such as when he loses with his hips and struggles to recover. Still, he should be able to compete for snaps as a rookie and has the chance to be drafted as soon as the second round.

7. Georgia C Jared Wilson – RS Junior – 6-3, 310 – 4.84

Wilson only started one season for the Bulldogs, but he flashed a ton of potential and elite traits. For Wilson, it starts with his legs. Centers are not supposed to be as fast as he is, clocking in a 4.84 40-time and topped out at over 21 miles per hour. Get him moving in space, and that is where he finds his best leverage. Every NFL offensive coordinator would be pleased to have him at the pivot and draw up plays to take advantage of his strengths.

Wilson does not have the ideal size and will not be bowling over people with his raw play strength. He will be more of a finesse player, but for someone with only one year of starting experience, his best days are ahead of him. Consistency will come over time, but being in a situation that gives him time to hone his craft would afford him the chance to bulk up.

8. LSU G Miles Frazier – RS Senior – 6-5, 317 – 5.24

Talk about dependable. Frazier not only played every game for the Tigers each of the last four seasons, but he did it at four different positions. Frazier is strong at the point of contact and the positional versatility has helped him understand how to use his hands. He can slow down pass rushers coming in at full speed with relative ease, not allowing a sack all last season which asserted that his play strength is for real. As much as he is a tone-setter though, he will not be winning many agility contests.

Frazier does not possess a lightning quick burst, and his footwork needs refinement. There is enough to like about his game if teams can look past concerns about his athleticism and movement. That does not mean he cannot be a starter down the road, but this is where the offensive guard class goes down a peg.

9. Purdue OT/G Marcus Mbow – RS Junior – 6-4, 302 – DNP

Mbow spent the past two seasons as the Boilermakers’ right tackle, but switching back inside would be the best way to maximize his skillset. Mbow is on the lighter side for an offensive lineman at just over 300 pounds, but his lack of size does not define his playstyle. He plays bigger, and his basketball background stands out in the way he moves and displays plus body control. His hand placement disrupts the momentum of pass rushers, while he is able to create space in the run game with how he can keep pace with the play.

Obviously, Mbow does not have the size teams typically covet. He struggled with discipline (seven penalties) and does not play with consistent urgency. The lack of power in his frame caps how high he will be drafted, but there is the possibility he grows into a player who can move across the line and keep a starting spot.

10. Ohio State C Seth McLaughlin – RS Senior – 6-4, 304 – DNP

When it comes to play against top competition, few had to deal with as much star power than McLaughlin. Four seasons at Alabama and a senior season at Ohio State will do that. McLaughlin came to the Buckeyes as a seasoned veteran and bettered an already strong offensive line and run game.

He served as a catalyst in the first half of last year’s National Championship victory, but he missed the last six games after suffering a torn Achilles last November. That is a kind of injury every team will do its due diligence on before selecting McLaughlin. The talent and football intelligence are there, and if not for that setback he would have had a much better case at being taken higher.

Ohio State C Seth McLaughlin – Photo by: USA Today

11. Georgia G Dylan Fairchild – RS Junior – 6-5, 325 – DNP

There is a reason Fairchild cracked Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks List” entering last season. Feldman noted that “Fairchild bench pressed 440 pounds, squatted, 570 and power cleaned 370” last summer. That strength shows up on the football field, where Fairchild was a two-year start for the Bulldogs. He is an absolute grinder and his size poses problems for whoever attempts to get past him.

If the NFL does not work out for Fairchild, he can be a bouncer with the “throw you out of the club” power he possesses. This comes with the caveat that his range will need to get better, as well as his reaction time when facing more athletic players. In the right situation, it would be no surprise to see him blossom as a starter.

12. West Virginia G Wyatt Milum – Senior – 6-6, 313 – 5.27

Milum is another prospect who spent his college career at tackle but projects better inside. Milum was a four-year starter at West Virginia, making the freshman All-American team and winning Big XII Offensive Lineman of the year last season. That resume speaks loudly when evaluating how ready he is to play at the next level, and his playstyle has been seasoned with that experience. He processes things well pre-snap, understanding the plans defenders will use to attack him.

Milum will win the hand fight battle at the line of scrimmage, but his shorter arms leave less room to make a mistake. His lack lateral quickness and ability to recover will hinder him, especially in pass protection. There is enough of a track record and foundation to believe he can be impactful, but it might not be right away.

Best Of The Rest

13. Miami OT/G Jalen Rivers – RS Senior – 6-6, 319 – 5.29

Rivers had one of the most important jobs in all of college football last year — protecting likely top pick quarterback Cam Ward’s blindside. Rivers did an admirable job, although he did miss the final five games of the Hurricanes’ season. He has experience at left tackle (20 starts) and left guard (11 starts) and played center during Senior Bowl week, making him an intriguing depth option along an offensive line. He has long arms and large hands which aids him against pass rushers and allows him to play with force in the run game. It will take coaching up to iron out his issues with balance and angles, but he projects as a Day 3 pick with starting potential.

14. Sacramento State G/C Jackson Slater – Senior – 6-3, 311 – 5.01

Slater is the kind of offensive lineman that can molded to play anywhere across an offensive line. Slater logged most of his college playing time at left guard while dabbling at left tackle and also getting some run as a center during the Senior Bowl. Another player who made Bruce Feldman’s “Freaks List,” his strength (31 bench press reps) and speed (capping out around 20 miles per hour) give him an edge. He is fun to watch moving in space, but his technique will need some fine-tuning. He would be a fun flier for a team to draft and develop as either a guard or a center.

15. Texas Tech G Caleb Rogers – RS Senior – 6-4, 312 – 5.10

The theme of this year’s interior offensive line class is versatility. Rogers is no different, having alternated the first four years of his college career between left and right tackle before sprinkling in two starts apiece at each guard spot his final season. There is no questioning Rogers has plenty of experience, starting 55 games over five seasons. He sets up blocks well with his hands and plays with great energy. His base does not give him the best leverage, and he will need to be more disciplined to avoid flags. Rogers does not have the highest floor but could fill a spot when needed.

16. Boston College C Drew Kendall – RS Junior – 6-4, 308 – 5.05

Kendall knows what it takes to be an NFL offensive lineman, with his dad Pete having played 13 years in the league from 1996-2008. The younger Kendall learned the ropes from his dad and was a three-year starter for Boston College. He saved his best year for last, being named first team All-ACC and a team captain in 2024. He is a fluid athlete and times up his sets and strikes to disrupt the rhythm of his matchups. Don’t expect him to be a mauler, but he does enough to get the job done and is a solid backup center option.

17. LSU G Emery Jones Jr. – Junior – 6-5, 315 – DNP

Outside of Will Campbell and Miles Frazier, Jones was the other key cog along LSU’s offensive line who will hear his name called during the 2025 NFL Draft. Jones held down the right tackle spot opposite Campbell, playing well enough to earn second team All-SEC honors each of the past two seasons. He just turned 21 years old in March, which gives him plenty of room to grow. Already possessing enough tools and experience to be a factor, the next step for him will be processing quicker and not being late to the party when it comes to putting himself in position to succeed. Guard appears to be his best home at the next level.

18. USC C Jonah Monheim – RS Senior – 6-4, 303 – DNP

Monheim makes the most of his size. Possessing only 30 1/2 inch arms, Monheim has his work cut out for him against longer and stronger players. That did not stop him from playing all over the Trojans’ offensive line, and his football acumen was revered by the coaching staff. He was entrusted with being a leader, and he puts up a fight with a motor that does not stop. There is a limit to how productive he will be given his size limitations, but there is enough to like about his game to be a fine depth piece.

Former USC QB Caleb Williams and C Jonah Monheim – Photo by: USA Today

19. Kentucky C Eli Cox – Sixth-Year Senior – 6-4, 306 – 5.02

Cox is a seasoned prospect after spending six seasons in college. Cox was a full-time starter for the last four years, spending most of his time manning the pivot spot. He is athletic and rangy enough to make a dent in the run game, ideally in a zone-blocking scheme that would best suit his playstyle. A lack of power and age (25 years old in October) work against him, but he will find a home as a backup.

20. Jacksonville State G Clay Webb – Sixth-Year Senior – 6-3, 312 – 5.11

Webb spent three seasons at Georgia after being recruited as a five-star recruit but only played sparingly in five games during that time without making a start. Looking to crack the field and get playing time, Webb pounced on an opportunity to start at Jacksonville State, manning the left guard spot over the past three seasons. He is strong and athletic, but all that time in school means he is already 25 years old. Despite being quick, he does not have the most polished footwork. His best selling point is as a guard/center option that will fight to crack a 53-man roster.

Bucs’ Best Bets – By Scott Reynolds

Rounds 1-3: Sacramento State G-C Jackson Slater

We know two things for certain about Bucs general manager Jason Licht. He loves drafting offensive linemen – and he’s damn good at it. Perhaps no other position has produced more hits in Tampa Bay in Licht’s tenure than the offensive line. And Licht also has a fondness for drafting tough, athletic linemen from small schools. Ali Marpet, Alex Cappa and Cody Mauch are just a few examples, and Slater may be the next one. The Sacramento State star has great positional flexibility as he’s logged 42 starts at left guard and two at left tackle but also projects to center at the next level.

At 6-foot-3, 311 pounds, Slater has a thick, sawed-off frame that functioned well in Sacramento State’s zone blocking scheme where he blocked for Cam Skattebo before the talented running back transferred to Arizona State. He moves exceptionally well for such a stout interior lineman, evidenced by his 5.01 time in the 40-yard dash. Slater is adept at pin-and-pulls and on counter runs. Incredibly strong (30 bench press reps), Slater could be an ideal fit in Tampa Bay as a third- or fourth-round pick. He had a great showing at the Senior Bowl and a formal interview with the Bucs at the NFL Scouting Combine.

Rounds 4-7: USC G-C Jonah Monheim

At 6-foot-4, 303 pounds, Monheim is a bit undersized and lacks some power in both the running game and in pass protection. But he has quick feet and is very competitive, and that was on display at the Senior Bowl where he had a good showing. Monheim is a very smart player and also reliable, not missing a start over the last three seasons at USC. He was the leader of the offensive line and showed tremendous versatility with 18 starts at right tackle, 12 starts at left tackle, four starts at right guard and 12 starts at center during his final season with the Trojans.

Monheim has very short arms at just over 30 inches, and that really limits his effectiveness as an interior blocker and almost makes him a center-only candidate in the NFL where he can double-team opponents with guards instead of having to face defensive tackles one-on-one. The Bucs had a formal interview with Monheim at the NFL Scouting Combine and could be looking for a versatile reserve interior offensive lineman. Monheim’s ability to play both center and guard could make him a late Day 3 candidate for Tampa Bay.