We recently took a look at some of the best left tackles in the NFL, so we'll continue our massive NFL power rankings series, and also continue looking at the offensive line. In today's league, not having a competent offensive line is a death sentence for many teams.
And there does seem to be a notable shortage of quality players along the offensive line, so we have seen teams struggle to field solid units. This also makes it more impressive that teams like the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos are consistently able to field top-tier units for multiple years in a row.
Let's power-rank the 10 best guards in the NFL, and as we have done for much of our power rankings series, we'll look at 2025 performance and also consider the total body of work for the player.
2026 NFL Power Rankings: Ranking the best guards in the league as the offseason rolls on
10. Damien Lewis, Carolina Panthers
Oddly enough, Damien Lewis has started exactly 16 games every NFL season but one, back in 2021. He finished up his second year for the Carolina Panthers in 2025 and now has 93 regular-season starts under his belt in just six seasons.
Consistently solid as a pass blocker and a run blocker, Lewis is also just 29 years old, so this is the type of player that could continue to sustain success well into his 30s.
9. Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Tyler Smith is a stud guard for the Dallas Cowboys, and he's paid like one. The three-time Pro Bowler has started 32 regular-season games over the past two seasons and is only set to play in his age-25 season in 2026.
Smith also has tackle flexibility, which is a huge plus for any offensive line. He's got the accolades and has the high-end, sustained play to back up this stellar ranking, landing inside the top-10 of our guard power rankings.
For all the hate that the Cowboys sometimes get, they typically draft better than many teams. Smith is, weirdly, one of three Tylers who start along the offensive line, joining Booker and Guyton.
8. Peter Skoronski, Tennessee Titans
Starting in all 17 games in each of the last two seasons, Peter Skoronski has honestly turned into one of the more underrated players in the NFL, not just guards. A slightly better pass blocker, Skoronski's stability is going to be huge for the Tennessee Titans in 2026 and beyond.
This team might be on the bring of breaking out with Cam Ward, and Skoronski anchoring the middle of the offensive line is going to be a huge boost.
7. Steve Avila, Los Angeles Rams
After starting all 17 games as a rookie back in 2023, Steve Avila has since started 23 total games, playing in 10 and 15 games in the last two years, respectively. Avila is a well-built guard at 6-3 and over 330 pounds, and coming into the NFL, he was one of the more slam-dunk prospects.
Avila is actually one of two Los Angeles Rams' guards on this list. He has shown a strong ability in the run game and in pass protection, and it's reflected in the Rams high-flying offense.
6. Mike Onwenu, New England Patriots
One of my favorite players in the NFL, admittedly, Mike Onwenu comes in at No. 6 in our guard power rankings. Another guard on this list who is solid in both run blocking and pass protection, Onwenu has actually played tackle before, but he's turned into one of the steadiest guards in the league.
He has started in every single game he's played in the past four seasons, and has missed just three regular-season games during his career.
5. Kevin Dotson, Los Angeles Rams
Kevin Dotson has been a strong player at the position for a long time, and he's No. 5 in our power rankings. Dotson has played just one full season throughout his six-year career, but he's a brick wall when he's on the field.
According to PFF's data, Dotson ranked third among all guards with an 89.3 run blocking grade, and at 6-4 and over 320 pounds, Dotson brings an ideal size to the position as well.
4. Quenton Nelson, Indianapolis Colts
We're now approaching the 'big 4' at the position, and you could truly have these guards ranked in any order, and I'd not argue with you. Quenton Nelson comes in at No. 4 in our power rankings, and he's been so good for so long, that I think he's entered into that 'name' tier, meaning his name is carrying a lot of wait, and we kind of just assume that he's going to be a top player at the position.
That usually isn't always the case, but it is with Nelson. Coming into the NFL back in 2018, he was absolutely seen as one of the 'can't-miss' prospects that year, and all he's done is make eight Pro Bowls. He's only set to play in his age-30 season and has been a Pro Bowler in each year of his career.
3. Chris Lindstrom, Atlanta Falcons
Chris Lindstrom has been a four-time Pro Bowler and four-time second-team All-Pro, and he's accomplished all of this over the last four years, which is a neat mark of consistency. Lindstrom helps anchor one of the best offensive lines in the NFL in Atlanta.
He's missed just one game the past six seasons and is only set to play in his age-29 season. Both Nelson and Lindstrom are both trending toward being Hall of Famers when it's all said and done.
2. Quinn Meinerz, Denver Broncos
Quinn Meinerz was a finalist for the Protector of the Year award, and he's been a first-team All-Pro in each of the past two seasons. Oddly enough, while he was an All-Pro in 2024, he was not a Pro Bowler. Meinerz hasn't missed a start the past three seasons and was also a third-round pick, so he wasn't necessarily a top guard prospect coming into the NFL.
Excelling at both run blocking and pass protection, Meinerz is No. 2 in our power rankings.
1. Joe Thuney, Chicago Bears
Winning the league's first Protector of the Year award in 2025, Joe Thuney is a future Hall of Famer and has been doing his thing in the NFL for 10 years now. He's been a Pro Bowler and a first-team All-Pro in each of the last three seasons, missing just two career regular-season games across his career.
One of the ultimate examples of stability and consistency in all of professional sports, Thuney takes our top spot.