The Top 15 Guards in NFL History

Today we are going to rank the top 10 Guards in NFL history, no active players are eligible.

15) Randy Cross, San Francisco 49ers

Cross was consistently a good player year in and year out during his career.  Cross was a Second-team All-Pro in 1980 and followed that up with First-team All-Pro in 1981 (consensus), Second-team All-NFC in 1982, First-team All-Pro in 1984 and 1985, Second-team All-Pro in 1986, and Second-team All-NFC in 1987-88 (as a center). And along the way, he earned three Super Bowl rings.

Randy Cross former San Francisco 49er Legend!

14) Ed White, Minnesota Vikings, San Diego Chargers

White is quite simply one of the most underrated linemen in NFL history. played 17 seasons, playing in 241 games (210 starts) and was a four-time Pro Bowler. He was also All-Pro in 1974 and 1975 and Second-team All-Pro in 1976 and 1979.

Interview with former Viking and Charger Legend Ed White!

13) Jerry Kramer, Green Bay Packers

Kramer earned All-Pro honors acclaim five times (and Second-team All-Pro once) and was also named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team of the 1960s, the NFL’s 50th Anniversary Team, and the Super Bowl Silver Anniversary Team. The Green Bay sweep was Ktamers forte.

Jerry Kramer on Vince Lombardi, The Beautiful Man

12) Mike Munchak, Houston Oilers

Injuries hampered his career and without the injuries, he would probably rank much higher. Munchak was named to 10 Pro Bowl teams.

The Mike Munchak HOF Autograph “Player Era” TTM Project

11) Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs

Shield’s Pro Bowl total was an amazing twelve and he was named First-team All-Pro three times (twice consensus) and a four-time Second-team All-Pro and also was a Second-team All-2000s Team member. Shields never missed a game during his 14-season career and his 224 games played and 223 starts are still Chiefs records.

A Look Back at Will Shields

10) Gene Upshaw, Oakland Raiders

A classic puller who could get outside to lead the sweep with the best of them. Upshaw’s exceptional quickness and strength were invaluable, but it was his ferocious attitude that was his greatest asset.

Highway 63 – The Legacy of Gene Upshaw HD

9) Tom Mack, Los Angeles Rams

Mack was voted to 11 Pro Bowls in 13 seasons and was a First-team All-Pro five times and a Second-team All-Pro three times. When you add in his All-Conference selections to all that, Mack got post-season honors in 12 of his 13 seasons.

Tom Mack

8) Steve Hutchinson, Seattle Seahawks

Hutch had the size of a tackle but did struggle from time to time in pass protection. Hutch blocked for two different rushing champions (Shaun Alexander, Adrian Peterson) and was named all-pro an amazing 7 consecutive times.

Seattle Seahawks guard Steve Hutchinson highlights

7) Larry Little, Miami Dolphins

Little could run in space, knock guys off the ball, and finish guys, he was a classic pulling guard and maybe faster than any guard on this list. Little was named the NFLPA AFC Lineman of the Year three times (1970-1972) and was a First-team selection on the 1970s All-Decade Team.

Dolphins Daily | Looking back at Larry Little’s playing career

6) Joe Delamielleure, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns

He was a strong run blocker, gets downfield to lead interference, has textbook-perfect technique, and was a great pass blocker. He short set as well as any guard on this list. First-team All-Decade for the 1970s, went to six Pro Bowls, was a six-time First-team All-Propick and twice more was a Second-team All-Pro selection and twice he was voted as the  Offensive Lineman of the Year by a pair of organizations.

Joe DeLamielleure

5) Bruce Matthews, Houston Oilers

Matthews was not aggressive as say a John Hannah, but he was a patient technician. He was a complete offensive lineman and started at all three positions during his 19-year career. In those 19 years, he started 293 games and only missed 4 games!

Bruce Matthews

4) Randall McDaniel, Minnesota Vikings

Once McDaniel got his hands on you it was a wrap. He had the ability to pull and trap like the guards of the 50s and 60s. He had great hips and explosion. McDaniel was a two-time Offensive Lineman of the Year, a nine-time All-Pro (eight consensuses), and a 12-time Pro Bowler and also was a First-team All-1990s selection.

Randall McDaniel Ultimate NFL Career Highlights

3) Jim Parker, Baltimore Colts

Jim Parker was massive and powerful yet he had quick feet and quick hands. I think he was the best pass blocker ever yet he was also one of the best-run blockers. On the line he drove his man back, opening up huge holes yet he was also capable of pulling out and throwing a block past the line of scrimmage. Parker was an eight-time First-team All-Pro, a 1950s All-Decade Team member, and a first-ballot Hall of Famer and in 1964 was voted the NFL’s top blocker and earned two NFL Championship rings. In my opinion, Parker has a solid case to be number one all-time at this position.

NFL Men Who Played The Game Baltimore Colts OT Jim Parker imasportsphile

2) John Hannah, New England Patriots

Hannah had textbook pass pro technique and only missed seven starts in his entire career. He never blocked for a legendary running back or Quarterback which is why a lot of people may underrate him, but he was the best pulling guard in NFL history.

John Hannah Highlights

!). Larry Allen, Dallas Cowboys

Larry Allen went on to be named First-team All-Pro seven times and voted to eleven Pro Bowls. He was named the NFL’s Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni in 1997 and by the NFL Players Association as the NFC Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1996, 1997, 1998, and 1999. In fourteen seasons Allen was called for holding on just 13 occasions.

Larry Allen 700 pound bench press – Hall of Famer