Alongside wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, the next highest-rated Arizona Wildcat is their offensive guard Jonah Savaiinaea.
The American Samoa native is a behemoth, standing 6’5″ and 336 pounds. Despite his massive frame, he has solid hands and moves well for his size — while being a terrific mauler in the run game. With several teams having a need for a physical, tone-setting guard, Savaiinaea could be a hot prospect on Day 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft.
5 Landing Spots for Jonah Savaiinaea
Here are the five most likely teams to select the Arizona guard.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins come into the draft with a question mark at the right guard poison, as they signed G James Daniels away from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason. While he was an exceptional pass blocker in four games of action a season ago, he was middling in terms of pass protection.
With franchise QB Tua Tagovailoa behind Miami’s offensive line, it’s never a bad idea to invest in more talent — and a potential replacement in the short- or long-term at the guard position, which Savaiinaea could develop into.
San Francisco 49ers
With Savaiinaea having the ability to flip to either side of the line at the guard position, it’d be worth it for the 49ers to take a shot on the Wildcats guard. They resigned left guard Ben Bartch to a one-year, $1.3 million deal to replace the departed Aaron Banks, who joined the Green Bay Packers.
While Bartch graded out well in 2024, it was on only 65 total snaps. Bringing in Savaiinaea to compete for that spot would be an ideal proposition even if he didn’t win it right away, as he could sit and learn for a year and eventually take Bartch’s spot come 2026.
Cincinnati Bengals
After a season filling in as the spot-starter at guard, Cody Ford is heading into 2025 as the expected placeholder at right guard for Cincinnati — despite his far below average grades in both run and pass blocking.
His slight contract — two years, $6 million — allows the Bengals to invest in his replacement without having to kick Ford back to a reserve spot. Savaiinaea would presumably wait a year before stepping in. It’s worth noting that Cincinnati deploys a sixth offensive lineman more than other teams and the former Arizona guard would fit well in that position as he learns the pro game.
Arizona Cardinals
With a need for some juice along their interior O-line, why not keep Savaiinaea in Arizona with the Cardinals? Both of Arizona’s expected started guards, Evan Brown and Royce Newman, were below average in both aspects of blocking a season ago.
Newman is especially inexperienced and bringing in Savaiinaea would push both to improve. The name of the game is to protect the QB, and while the Cardinals have done a good job overall, it’s never a bad idea to continue to refine those positions.
Chicago Bears
QB Caleb Williams is the one guy who can make the Bears relevant again, and while Chicago’s front office did a terrific job in building a competent O-line in front of him this offseason, they could stand to infuse young talent to the group.
KEEP READING: Top 300 Prospects — Get Your Free Printable 2025 NFL Draft Big Board
LG Joe Thuney was the big addition, coming in from a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs, but he’s 32 years old and has shown his age in recent seasons. He’s also scheduled to be a free agent after the 2025 season, potentially opening the door for Savaiinaea to take that spot.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
