A reminder: Gravel in the US is basically roadbiking on hardpack dirt roads, hence 35mm tyres. We don't have that in the UK so people try and ride stuff that would be more fun on a normal MTB on stupid contraptions with huge tyres and massive drop bars. You end up on the road to get between the bits worth riding and guess what, it sucks for that too.
A reminder: Gravel in the US is basically roadbiking on hardpack dirt roads, hence 35mm tyres. We don't have that in the UK so people try and ride stuff that would be more fun on a normal MTB on stupid contraptions with huge tyres and massive drop bars. You end up on the road to get between the bits worth riding and guess what, it sucks for that too.
Mudguards don't have a place on any of that.