Which guards were drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft? Who were the teams that drafted those guards, and how does the 2022 class compare to previous years?
Which Guards Were Drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft?
Let’s take a look at the guards drafted in the 2022 NFL Draft. The first round saw three guards selected, including a surprise pick by an AFC team late on Day 1.
Kenyon Green, Texas A&M | Texans
Round 1, Pick 15
This was a tiny bit of a surprise. While Green was certainly expected to be a first-round pick, many expected Zion Johnson to be the first guard off of the board. This was a good reminder that there are 32 independent front offices with different sets of values, and Houston made Green the 2022 NFL Draft’s first guard selected.
Zion Johnson, Boston College | Chargers
Round 1, Pick 17
Johnson wasn’t far behind, however, getting selected just two picks later. The Johnson selection was a continued investment by the Los Angeles Chargers in their offensive line.
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A year prior, they selected Rashawn Slater, who quickly emerged as a front-line player. With the Johnson selection, the Chargers are hoping for continued growth from star quarterback Justin Herbert.
Cole Strange, Chattanooga | Patriots
Round 1, Pick 29
The Cole Strange selection was seen by many to be a…strange selection. However, leave it to Bill Belichick to select a player in the first round no one has ever heard of from a school few even knew existed. Chess, not checkers. Or something like that.
Luke Goedeke, Central Michigan | Buccaneers
Round 2, Pick 57
The Buccaneers lost several offensive linemen over the years, including the retirement of Ali Marpet. The Goedeke selection was made in hopes to erase some of that loss and keep the Buccaneers’ signal-caller upright as they enter this era of rebuilding.
Ed Ingram, LSU | Vikings
Round 2, Pick 59
The Vikings had a glaring need in the interior of their offensive line and were able to get a good player in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was plugged in as a Day 1 starter, and as Minnesota secured a 13-4 record in 2022-2023, the hope is Ingram will be a mainstay for the foreseeable future.
Rounds 3-7
6) Joshua Ezeudu, North Carolina
Round 3, Pick 67 | Giants
7) Dylan Parham, Memphis
Round 3, Pick 90 | Raiders
8) Logan Bruss, Wisconsin
Round 3, Pick 104 | Rams
9) Marcus McKethan, North Carolina
Round 5, Pick 173 | Giants
10) Justin Shaffer, Georgia
Round 6, Pick 190 | Falcons
11) Cade Mays, Tennessee
Round 6, Pick 199 | Panthers
12) Chasen Hines, LSU
Round 6, Pick 210 | Patriots
13) Lecitus Smith, Virginia Tech
Round 6, Pick 215 | Cardinals
14) Chris Paul, Tulsa
Round 7, Pick 230 | Commanders
15) Thayer Munford, Ohio State
Round 7, Pick 238 | Raiders
16) Marquis Hayes, Oklahoma
Round 7, Pick 257 | Cardinals
How Many Guards Were Drafted in 2022?
Interior offensive line play never gets the credit it deserves. However, with 16 guards being selected in 2022 — the fourth most in the last decade — teams are starting to recognize that it can’t be a no-name position forever.
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With more and more athletic interior rushers being drafted, having guards and centers who can match them step for step is important. On that note, three guards being drafted in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft made it the first draft to see that many since 2015. In contrast, a total of three guards were selected in Round 1 of the prior three drafts combined (2019-2021).