by Do you know what a right guard is? They’re the big, strong players who line up next to the center on the offensive line. Their job is super important!
Right guards protect the quarterback from getting tackled. They also push defenders out of the way so running backs can run through.
Without good right guards, teams can’t score touchdowns or win games.
Most fans don’t notice right guards during games. But every amazing play starts with these heroes doing their job perfectly.
Best NFL Right Guards of All Time
Today, we’re going to learn about the best NFL right guards of all time — the players who changed football forever!
Let’s meet them!
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What Makes a Great Right Guard?
Before we meet our heroes, let’s learn what makes a right guard special.
Here’s what they need to be great:
- Strength: Right guards must be super strong. They push against 300-pound defenders on every play. They’re like human bulldozers!
- Quick Feet: Even though they’re big, they need to move fast. They have to get in front of quick defenders who try to sneak past them.
- Teamwork: Guards work closely with centers and tackles. They talk to each other and help each other block. No one can do it alone!
- Courage: Playing right guard is tough. You get hit on every single play. Great guards are brave and never give up.
- Smart Thinking: They need to know what the defense is doing. Smart guards can figure out who to block before the play even starts.
These skills make someone not just good, but great!
Top 10 Greatest NFL Right Guards of All Time
Now let’s meet the legends! These are the NFL right guards of all time who became heroes to millions of fans.
1. Larry Allen — The Strongest Player Ever
Larry Allen was incredibly strong — maybe the strongest player in NFL history!
He played for the Dallas Cowboys and was unstoppable. Defenders were scared to play against him because he was so powerful.
Larry once chased down a fast linebacker from behind, even though Larry weighed over 300 pounds!
He helped the Cowboys win the Super Bowl and made the Hall of Fame. Fans still talk about his amazing strength today.
Awards: 11 Pro Bowls, 7 All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion, Hall of Fame
2. Will Shields — The Iron Man
Will Shields played 14 years for the Kansas City Chiefs and never missed a game! That’s 223 games in a row. He was always there for his team, no matter what.
Will was not just tough — he was also really nice. He won the Walter Payton Man of the Year award for helping people in his community. He’s a hero on and off the field!
Awards: 12 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pro, Hall of Fame, Man of the Year
3. Bruce Matthews — Mr. Everything
Bruce Matthews could play every position on the offensive line! He played for 19 years — that’s almost two decades! He knew football better than almost anyone.
Bruce came from a football family. His brothers and sons also played in the NFL. He earned 14 Pro Bowls, which was a record for a long time. He was smart, strong, and always did his job perfectly.
Awards: 14 Pro Bowls, 7 All-Pro, Hall of Fame, played 19 seasons
4. Zack Martin — The Modern Master
Zack Martin is still playing for the Dallas Cowboys right now! He’s one of the best guards in NFL 2024 and has been great since 2014.
Coaches say Zack does everything perfectly. His footwork is amazing, and he never makes mistakes.
He’s already been to 9 Pro Bowls, even though he’s still playing. He might be the best right guard playing today!
Awards: 9 Pro Bowls, 7 All-Pro, still playing at an elite level
5. Marshal Yanda — The Tough Guy
Marshal Yanda played his whole career with the Baltimore Ravens. He was known for being really tough and physical. Defenders hated playing against him!
Marshal helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl and went to 8 Pro Bowls. He played angrily and always finished his blocks.
Ravens fans loved watching him dominate the line of scrimmage every Sunday.
Awards: 8 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion
6. Joe DeLamielleure — The Complete Player
Joe played in the 1970s and could do everything well. He helped O.J. Simpson rush for 2,000 yards in one season! That was a huge deal back then.
He was great at run blocking and pass protection. Joe could adapt to any situation and always found a way to win. He made the Hall of Fame because he was so good at his job.
Awards: 6 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro, Hall of Fame
7. Jahri Evans — The Super Bowl Hero
Jahri Evans helped the New Orleans Saints win their first Super Bowl ever! That made him a legend in New Orleans. Fans there will never forget him.
He was strong and athletic at the same time. Jahri earned 6 Pro Bowls and 4 All-Pro honors. He was a key player during the Saints’ best years in team history.
Awards: 6 Pro Bowls, 4 All-Pro, Super Bowl Champion
8. Steve Wisniewski — The Raiders Legend
Steve played 13 years with the Oakland Raiders and never missed a game. He started all 206 games he played in! That’s incredible durability.
Raiders fans loved Steve because he was tough and physical. He went to 8 Pro Bowls and represented everything the Raiders stood for. He was a warrior in the trenches!
Awards: 8 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pro, perfect attendance
9. Walt Sweeney — The Old-School Star
Walt played in the 1960s and early 1970s for the San Diego Chargers. Back then, offensive linemen didn’t get much attention, but Walt stood out anyway.
He earned 9 Pro Bowls during his career! That’s a lot for any player, especially back then. Walt helped the Chargers win an AFL Championship and was one of the era’s best players.
Awards: 9 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pro, AFL Champion
10. David DeCastro — The Pittsburgh Powerhouse
David played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for 9 years. He was a first-round draft pick who became even better than expected. Steelers fans loved watching him dominate!
David was a “road grader” — that means he pushed defenders backward like a bulldozer. He was athletic and strong, earning 6 Pro Bowls during his career. He made Pittsburgh’s offense work.
Awards: 6 Pro Bowls, 2 All-Pro, first-round draft pick
Honorable Mentions from the Top 20
The top 20 best NFL right guards of all time include other great players who just missed our top 10.
Ken Gray earned 6 Pro Bowls in the 1960s. He was dominant but didn’t get as much attention as today’s players.
When people talk about the greatest NFL guards of all time, they mention both right guards and left guards.
The best left guard in NFL history might be Gene Upshaw or John Hannah. They were incredible too!
The top 10 best left guards of all time would be a whole different list. But left guards need the same skills as right guards — strength, speed, smarts, and courage!
Right Guards Who Could Be the Next Legends (2024–2025)
Want to know about today’s great right guards? Players like Chris Lindstrom and Landon Dickerson are among the best guards in NFL currently!
Chris Lindstrom plays for the Atlanta Falcons and has been amazing. Quinn Meinerz from the Denver Broncos is another rising star. These young players are learning from the legends who came before them.
Looking ahead to the best guards in NFL 2025, we’ll see new stars emerge. Young players are getting better every year. They watch films of Larry Allen and Zack Martin to learn how to be great.
The future of the right guard position looks bright! These current players might someday join our list of all-time greats.
Why Guards Matter So Much?
So why do guards matter? Let me explain it simply!
When a quarterback drops back to pass, guards protect him from defensive tackles. If guards don’t do their job, the QB gets hit and can’t throw touchdowns.
When a running back gets the ball, guards push defenders out of the way. This creates holes — spaces where the running back can run through. No holes means no yards!
Guards also call out defensive plays. They help the center and tackles know who to block. They’re like coaches on the field during the game.
Every successful play starts with good blocking. Every touchdown begins with guards doing their job. They might not score points, but they make scoring possible!
That’s why the best NFL right guards of all time are so important. They’re the foundation that everything else is built on.
Conclusion: Remember These Heroes
The best NFL right guards of all time might not get as much attention as quarterbacks or running backs, but they’re just as important.
Without these powerful protectors, teams can’t win games.
From Larry Allen’s incredible strength to Will Shields’ perfect attendance, each player on our list changed the game.
They protected quarterbacks, opened running lanes, and won championships.
These legends earned Pro Bowls, All-Pro honors, Super Bowl rings, and Hall of Fame inductions.
They proved that offensive linemen can be superstars too!
Next time you watch a football game, pay attention to the right guard.
Watch how they move, how they push defenders, and how they protect their teammates. These big guys make football possible!
The heroes of the trenches deserve our respect. They built the foundation for every great play in NFL history!
