For a long period of time, offensive guards were always an afterthought in the NFL draft. The key position along the offensive line was always left tackle, followed by right tackle. In recent years, right tackles have been taken almost as high as the left tackles because in today’s spread offenses, where little blocking help comes from a tight end, the right tackle is on an island just like the guys on the left side.
Defensive coordinators are always looking for a mismatch — especially when it comes to rushing the passer, and they now realize putting a quick inside pass rusher up against an immobile guard can give them the mismatch they are looking for.