NFL Execs, Coaches Rank Top 10 Guards, Centers for 2026

Zack Martin, the seven-time All-Pro guard who restructured his deal with the Dallas Cowboys this offseason to become the highest-paid interior lineman in NFL history at $24 million per year, tops a comprehensive ranking of the league's best guards and centers compiled by The Athletic through interviews with more than 20 NFL executives, coaches and scouts conducted in July 2026. The survey, which evaluated all interior offensive linemen entering the 2026 season, reflects a position group undergoing a significant generational shift as veterans cement legacies and younger blockers force their way into the elite conversation.

The Full Rankings: Who Made the Top 10

The interior offensive line has quietly become one of the most competitive and financially consequential position groups in professional football. According to NFL.com, average annual salaries for starting guards and centers have climbed 31 percent since 2023, a reflection of how teams have responded to elite pass-rush talent reshaping roster construction priorities. The rankings arrive as several franchises head into training camp with unresolved questions along the interior line, making the evaluations directly relevant to betting markets, fantasy rosters and front-office decisions alike.

What the Rankings Reveal About the Position in 2026

Martin's placement at the top is unanimous among respondents, but the separation ends there. Tyler Linderbaum of the Baltimore Ravens ranks second among centers, with multiple scouts describing him as the most technically refined pivot in the game at age 26. Joe Thuney of the Kansas City Chiefs, now in his 11th season, holds the third spot, a testament to his consistency in one of the most demanding blocking schemes in the league. Chris Lindstrom of the Atlanta Falcons and Evan Neal, who converted to guard with the New York Giants in 2025, round out the top five. According to ESPN NFL advanced metrics, the top five players on this list allowed a combined 12 sacks over the entire 2025 regular season across 1,360 pass-blocking snaps.

Several evaluators flagged the rapid ascent of Sedrick Van Pran, the second-year center for the Green Bay Packers, as the most significant development at the position. One AFC defensive coordinator, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Van Pran is already operating at a level most centers do not reach until their fifth season. That kind of early development has real salary implications heading into the 2027 contract cycle. You can follow all related training camp news and team updates through our live scores section throughout the preseason.

What to Watch as Training Camps Open

With training camps opening the week of July 21, the interior line competition to watch most closely involves the Falcons, where Lindstrom is working under a new offensive coordinator installing a zone-heavy run scheme that represents a significant adjustment from his previous role. Teams evaluating trade markets for interior line depth before the August 26 roster cutdown deadline should monitor injury reports closely. Our streaming guide has full coverage of how to watch every preseason game live. The final preseason rankings will carry direct weight on which players enter September on fully guaranteed contracts and which face genuine competition for starting roles.