clock menu more-arrow no yes mobile

Filed under:

Ranking the AFC West by offensive guards

New, comments
By Levi Damien
/ new
Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

We pick back up our Ranking the AFC West series with a look at the guard position, where there isn't a team in the division that can boast of two surefire solid starters at both guard positions, but where all have at least one road grader in place.

1. Chargers - Orlando Franklin, D.J. Fluker

The Chargers could be starting two former right tackles at each guard spot this season. Franklin spent the first three years of his career at right tackle for the Broncos before switching to left guard last season where he had played well. He signed with the Chargers as a free agent this offseason. Fluker was the Chargers starting right tackle last season but they could look to move him inside to guard in part because he was pretty bad at tackle. At least that would be the wise move, although it is not settled for sure yet.

2. Chiefs - Ben Grubbs, Jeff Allen

Like the Chargers, left guard looks good and right guard is a bit more questionable. Allen has been one of the worst run blocking guards in football over the past few seasons. It's 2-time Pro Bowl left guard Ben Grubbs' addition that saves this unit.

3. Broncos - Ben Garland, Louis Vasquez

Vasques is one of the better guards in the NFL. But who's Ben Garland? He's a former undrafted defensive lineman who's been in the NFL four years and saw his first game action last season, appearing in 8 games at guard. He had a total of 47 snaps, with 41 of them coming in the Broncos' two meetings with the Raiders. It's the play of Vasquez that keeps the Broncos out of the cellar at guard.

4. Raiders - Gabe Jackson, J'Marcus Webb/ Jon Feliciano

Gabe Jackson had a fantastic rookie season and looks to have a long career ahead of him holding down the left guard spot for the Raiders. The right side is kinda scary. Right now it appears to be a battle between rookie fourth round pick Jon Feliciano and former offensive tackle J'Marcus Webb. This could very well end up being a lesser of the two evils situation.

Also see: Ranking the AFC West by offensive tackles

More From Silver And Black Pride

Loading comments...