There is generally a lot of lip service paid to offensive lines
in the fantasy community. For the most part, fantasy analysts
and managers overwhelmingly tend to reach the following conclusions
about teams as it relates to offensive lines:
1) They must have a good pass-blocking line if the quarterback
doesn't take a lot of sacks and
2) They must have a good run-blocking line if multiple backs on
the same team run "well" consistently.
As is typically the case in this industry, such analysis is far
too simplistic and far from 100 percent true. So why does that
logic seem to reign supreme? Analyzing offensive line play is
not glamorous or easy and requires a high degree of football intelligence.
Most analysts would rather resort to their models and hope for
the best when it comes to the health or performance of NFL offensive
lines.
There are also no well-established stats (or easily) available
to the public - other than those that players accumulate at other
positions - to inform the general fan as to how those five linemen
are performing play after play. Shockingly, offensive line coaches
are not going to share that information with the public at large
anytime soon either.
Why does any of this matter? If "it all starts up front"
as coaches have been saying for decades, then getting a sense
of how proficient an offensive line is at their job should mean
quite a bit to the fantasy game.
Below you will find a team-by-team breakdown of the projected
five starting linemen for each NFC team at their likely spots.
Here is the
link to each AFC team's breakdown from last week. As was the
case last season, I am giving each starter and the starting group
as a whole a run- and pass-blocking projected score to illuminate
how I expect the lines to perform in 2024.
At the end of this article, I rank each team's offensive line
as a run-blocking unit, pass-blocking unit and by overall score.
As I did last season, I am including backup linemen. I am doing
this to 1) illustrate the depth each team appears to have and
2) account for potential camp battles in which the "underdog"
overtakes the "favorite." Pro Football Focus' run-blocking
grade (RBG) from last season is included in the second-to-last
column, while PFF's pass-blocking grade (PBG) from last season
is in the last column.
Green box - Player graded 80 or higher in that
particular discipline per PFF (100-point scale) Blue box - Player graded between 70 or 79.9 in
that particular discipline Yellow box - Player graded between 60 or 69.9
in that particular discipline Red box - Player graded 59.9 or lower in that
particular discipline Black box - Rookie or did not play in 2023
Offensive line coach: Klayton Adams (second season
with Arizona)
Cornerstone(s): Johnson enjoyed a strong three-game
stretch at the end of his rookie season, perhaps reinforcing Arizona's
belief in him as the long-term answer at left tackle. While there
figures to be a learning curve on the left side after playing
all 1,129 of his snaps on the right side as a rookie, there is
a reason he was the No. 6 overall pick - and first lineman off
the board - in 2023.
Reason(s) for optimism: Williams steadily declined
after a very good first two seasons in Cincinnati and was probably
unhappy for most of 2023 after playing right tackle for the first
time since his freshman season at Alabama in 2016. Arizona plans
to keep him at right tackle and move Johnson to the left side,
but the team is probably content to have a player four years younger
than D.J. Humphries manning one of the tackle spots even if he
is not an upgrade. Froholdt accounted well for himself in his
first full year as a NFL center and should only get better the
longer he plays the position.
Potential question mark(s): Williams may be
a reason for optimism, but he is a question mark as well. Fortunately,
Arizona has the luxury of turning to 35-year-old Beachum if Williams
is unable to live up to the Cardinals' belief in him (two years,
$30 million).
Reason(s) for concern: Brown is a much better lineman than Wilkinson
- last year's snap leader at left guard - but there is likely
a bit of concern with the former entering the season after playing
a mere 72 snaps at that specific position during his five-year
NFL career. He arguably is much more valuable to the team as a
reserve and could end up doing just that if Adams - a third-round
pick this spring - can adapt quickly at guard. The problem with
that is more of a natural tackle (and built like one) at 6-5 and
315 pounds.
Atlanta
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Jake Matthews
32
6
8
60.2
80.1
LG
Matthew Bergeron
24
6
6
59.6
57.1
C
Drew Dalman
25
8
6
90
53.0
RG
Chris Lindstrom
27
9
8
87.5
78.6
RT
Kaleb McGary
29
7
7
76.5
69.5
36
35
Reserves
C
Ryan Neuzil
26
56.2
59.1
G
Kyle Hinton
26
54.5
79.2
T
Tyler Vrabel
22
62.1
71.6
T
Storm Norton
30
66.4
69.3
Offensive line coach: Dwayne Ledford (fourth season with Atlanta)
Cornerstone(s): The Falcons are in good shape with Matthews and
McGary holding down the tackle spots and Lindstrom on the short
list of best guards in the league.
Reason(s) for optimism: Bergeron was considered one of the best
run-blockers in the 2023 draft class. While that did not exactly
manifest itself in his rookie season, he is such a powerful force
that it is likely to happen soon. An adjustment period should
have been anticipated after playing a mere four snaps at guard
during his four-year college career at Syracuse.
Potential question mark(s): It is a small question mark since
he is so good as a run blocker, but it is mildly concerning that
Dalman has struggled so much as a pass blocker over three NFL
seasons now that Atlanta figures to throw the ball more often.
Reason(s) for concern: Depth. Atlanta enjoyed reasonably good
health on the offensive line in 2023, but there is a concerning
lack of depth at every spot. Norton played well when needed while
McGary was sidelined last year, but he is the only reserve who
has logged significant NFL snaps. It is also worth noting that
none of the four listed reserves was drafted.
Carolina
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Ikem Ekwonu
23
7
7
77
62.3
LG
Damien Lewis
27
6
6
57.9
63.0
C
Austin Corbett
28
6
7
51
44.5
RG
Robert Hunt
27
7
7
74.7
74.4
RT
Taylor Moton
29
6
8
65.6
78.1
32
35
Reserves
G/T
Brady Christensen
27
57.5
51.4
G
Cade Mays
25
71.2
43.0
G
Chandler Zavala
25
41.5
7.1
T
Yosh Nijman
28
57.7
59.3
Offensive line coach: Joe Gilbert (first season with Carolina)
Cornerstone(s): Hunt had better be a cornerstone after the Panthers
inked him to a five-year deal worth $100 million. He is worth
betting on, however, after consistently grading out as a very
good run- and pass-blocker over his four-year stay with the Dolphins.
(Carolina used seven players at right guard in 2023.) Moton has
been a fixture at right tackle since 2018 and might be a more
well-known commodity if Carolina had posted a winning record at
any point since he became a regular starter.
Reason(s) for optimism: Ekwonu's career has not taken off as
one might have expected when he was the No. 6 overall pick in
2022, but it is important to remember how chaotic things have
been in Carolina over the last two-plus seasons. He will not turn
24 years of age until Halloween and began showing signs of putting
it together near the end of last season. Lewis arrives from Seattle
and should have no problem upgrading left guard - a spot that
Carolina used six players to fill after Christiansen was lost
for the season in Week 1.
Potential question mark(s): Corbett's 2023 campaign was destined
for failure after he tore his ACL in the season finale of the
2022 season. He played in only four games last year before he
underwent season-ending surgery on the same knee. Christensen
is listed as the backup center and has displayed his versatility
since arriving in Carolina in 2021, but he never took a snap at
the pivot in college and has yet to do so as a pro.
Reason(s) for concern: Corbett needs to stay healthy. No one
else listed above has taken a NFL snap at center.
Chicago
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Braxton Jones
25
7
7
68.2
70.8
LG
Teven Jenkins
26
7
7
71.7
68.6
C
Ryan Bates
27
7
6
77.2
70.8
RG
Nate Davis
27
6
5
55.3
47.9
RT
Darnell Wright
22
7
6
66
61.4
34
31
Reserves
C/G
Coleman Shelton
28
74.6
49.2
G/T
Larry Borom
25
50.4
45.2
G/T
Kiran Amegadjie #
22
G/T
Matt Pryor
29
87.7
80.8
Offensive line coach: Chris Morgan (third season with Chicago)
Cornerstone(s): Chicago appears to have struck gold with its
fifth-round selection of Jones in 2022, although he took a slight
step back in 2023. How much of that was a result of Justin Fields
holding the ball as long as he did is up for debate. Either way,
Jones appears entrenched as the long-term left tackle for the
Bears. Wright, who will turn 23 in August, could emerge as one
of the best right tackles in the league as early as this season
after holding up well as a rookie.
Reason(s) for optimism: Jenkins took a bit of a step back in
2023 but is in no danger of losing his job at left guard. While
he will not be the answer at tackle that Chicago wanted him to
be in 2021, he appears to have found his long-term home. Bates
was a depth piece in Buffalo that the Bears have been eyeing for
a couple of years. Last year's grades came on only 35 snaps, but
he has consistently graded out well as a run- and pass-blocker
across 1,692 snaps in five NFL seasons. He should be a noticeable
upgrade over Lucas Patrick. Chicago also has a capable reserve
at center and tackle with ex-Ram Shelton and Borom, respectively.
Potential question mark(s): Davis bottomed out in 2023 after
earning a three-year deal worth $30 million last offseason. He
performed well enough over his two final years as a Titan to believe
last season was an expected bump in the road for a player on a
bad offense, but it does not bode well for him that his drop-off
was so significant.
Reason(s) for concern: If Jenkins and Davis play well and stay
healthy, Chicago should be fine at guard. If the duo repeats 2023
from a performance perspective and Jenkins cannot stay healthy,
the Bears could be in trouble. Backup guard Ja'Tyre Carter has
yet to distinguish himself after logging only 206 snaps in two
pro seasons and may not make the team, while Pryor's NFL existence
(42 snaps in 2023 with the 49ers) has produced mostly mixed results.
Dallas
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Tyler Guyton #
23
5
5
LG
Tyler Smith
23
7
7
80.7
70.2
C
Cooper Beebe #
23
6
5
RG
Zack Martin
33
6
7
62.3
75.1
RT
Terence Steele
27
6
5
56.5
48.9
30
29
Reserves
C/G
Brock Hoffman
24
54.3
57.0
G
T.J. Bass
25
54.2
54.9
G/T
Chuma Edoga
27
56.8
63.7
T
Asim Richards
23
63
63.9
T
Nathan Thomas #
22
Offensive line coach: Mike Solari (second season with Dallas)
Cornerstone(s): Tyler Smith was drafted in 2022 to be Tyron Smith's
successor, but he has played so well at left guard that he will
likely remain there for the foreseeable future. While Martin is
no longer the dominant force he once was as he enters his age-34
season, he is still an above-average right guard.
Reason(s) for optimism: Guyton projects as a high-level pass
protector long-term. Although there is virtually no chance he
matches the standard Tyron Smith set any time before 2026, he
should be much more dependable than the 33-year-old veteran who
has played no more than 13 games in any year since 2015.
Potential question mark(s): Martin cannot afford to look or feel
his age this season in what appears to be a transition year for
this offensive line. Especially after losing Tyler Biadasz in
the pivot to free agency, Dallas can ill afford to lose its rock
next to him - regardless of whether Beebe or Hoffman wins the
center job. Steele failed to follow up on his breakout 2022 campaign,
giving up eight sacks and a career-high 56 pressures. With Martin
likely needed to help Hoffman or Beebe, Dallas cannot afford Steele
to struggle again. The Cowboys also lack the tackle depth to replace
Steele if he is unable to rediscover his 2022 form.
Reason(s) for concern: Hoffman is a former undrafted free agent
in 2022 who saw his first pro snaps last season. It would be unrealistic
to expect him to perform at the same level as Biadasz, and it
is certainly possible he will end up losing his job to Beebe by
November - if not sooner.
Detroit
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Taylor Decker
29
6
8
73.9
79.4
LG
Graham Glasgow
31
7
6
82.1
54.8
C
Frank Ragnow
28
8
7
91.3
70.3
RG
Kevin Zeitler
34
6
7
62.4
82.3
RT
Penei Sewell
23
9
8
95.1
79.2
36
36
Reserves
C
Michael Niese
26
G
Kayode Awosika
25
60.5
46.0
G/T
Giovanni Manu #
23
G/T
Christian Mahogany #
23
Offensive line coach: Hank Fraley (fifth season with Detroit)
Cornerstone(s): Decker, Ragnow and Sewell. Decker has been a
consistently great left tackle since before HC Dan Campbell and
GM Brad Holmes arrived on the scene in 2021. Ragnow was incredibly
beat up at the end of last season and still enjoyed his finest
year as a pro. No tackle in the NFL graded out higher last season
than Sewell. He saved his best games for the playoffs, posting
overall grades of 90-plus against the Buccaneers and 49ers.
Reason(s) for optimism: Jonah Jackson and Halapoulivaati Vaitai
were not bad at their jobs by any means, but they have been the
weakest links on what has otherwise been a dominant line at times.
Both have struggled to stay healthy in recent years. Durability
has not been a problem for Zeitler, who continues to churn out
one good season after another despite turning 34 in March. The
end is coming soon for him, but he should be a noticeable upgrade
on Jackson for at least the upcoming season.
Potential question mark(s): Glasgow has been more Mr. Versatility
than a standout starter for most of his eight-year NFL career.
It would appear he is locked into a starting job at left guard
entering 2024, but it should not come as a surprise that opponents
will view him as the weak link on a line that features four players
capable of earning Pro Bowl or All-Pro honors.
Reason(s) for concern: Losing Jackson to the Rams in free agency
and not re-signing Vaitai is forcing Glasgow into the lineup and
has created a situation where the team lacks depth at just about
every spot. Manu is an interesting project, but he needs time
to develop after playing his college football in Canada. Niese,
who has yet to take a NFL snap despite being in the league since
2022, is listed as Ragnow's backup. Colby Sorsdal struggled mightily
as a rookie and could be cut if Detroit goes with nine linemen,
while Awosika has not shown much in part-time action since 2021.
Green Bay
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Rasheed Walker
24
6
6
56.3
74.7
LG
Elgton Jenkins
28
6
7
56.4
78.3
C
Josh Myers
25
5
6
53.2
55.7
RG
Jordan Morgan #
22
5
5
RT
Zach Tom
25
8
8
81.2
72.3
30
32
Reserves
C/G
Jacob Monk #
23
G
Sean Rhyan
23
50.8
42.5
G/T
Royce Newman
26
43.3
52.2
G/T
Travis Glover #
23
T
Andre Dillard
28
56.6
47.4
Offensive line coach: Luke Butkus (third season with Green Bay)
Cornerstone(s): Jenkins battled through knee pain throughout
2023, resulting in the worst of his five pro seasons. His knee
issues were probably the key reason his run-blocking grade was
a career-low 56.4. Jenkins' versatility figures to keep him in
Green Bay long-term. Tom impressed in limited duty as a rookie
and parlayed that into a starting right tackle job in 2023. There
is some thought within the organization that the 25-year-old has
Hall
of Fame potential at center, so a move inside could happen
in 2024 if Myers struggles and Morgan shows he can handle right
tackle. Needless to say, the Packers believe he will be a foundational
piece somewhere across their offensive line.
Reason(s) for optimism: One of the reasons Green Bay may feel
emboldened to move Tom inside is because Morgan was drafted to
replace David Bakhtiari. Walker accounted for himself nicely at
left tackle last year as Bakhtiari struggled to get on the field.
Potential question mark(s): Myers has yet to distinguish himself
in three NFL seasons. Green Bay used a fifth-round pick on Monk,
but he played much more guard at Duke.
Reason(s) for concern: Tom suffered a torn pec in April, which
makes him highly questionable for the start of the season. The
Packers' top Week 1 option if he is not ready could be Dillard,
who has been a colossal disappointment as a pro. It may be too
much to ask for Morgan to start right away at tackle and he may
be needed at guard anyway. In short, if Tom is not ready and Morgan
has not earned enough trust by the opener, Green Bay could be
in huge trouble on the right side.
LA Rams
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Alaric Jackson
25
6
6
59.5
68.3
LG
Jonah Jackson
27
7
6
60.3
60.7
C
Steve Avila
24
6
7
56
65.0
RG
Kevin Dotson
27
7
8
88.4
66.8
RT
Rob Havenstein
32
7
6
85.6
66.9
33
33
Reserves
C/G
Beaux Limmer #
23
G/T
KT Leveston #
24
G/T
Joe Noteboom
28
48.9
51.6
T
Warren McClendon Jr.
23
57
45.0
Offensive line coach: Ryan Wendell (second season with Los Angeles)
Cornerstone(s): Avila and Dotson. Avila was an iron man at left
guard as a rookie last year and held up well. Once the opportunity
arose for the team to add Jonah Jackson, the Rams decided to take
advantage of Avila's versatility and move him back to center -
a position he logged more than 1,000 snaps while at TCU. It would
be a stunner if he does not become one of the top 5-10 pivots
in the league over the next couple of seasons. Listing Dotson
as a cornerstone after one great season with the Rams is questionable,
but he is likely viewed as such in LA. He took a huge step forward
as a run blocker and was a key reason why the Rams' transition
to more of a power-running attack worked out so well.
Reason(s) for optimism: While Jonah Jackson-Avila may not be
an upgrade over Avila-Brian Allen, Allen's availability has been
a hit-or-miss proposition in recent years. Solely from the standpoint
of durability and availability, the Rams likely upgraded the interior
of their line.
Potential question mark(s): Havenstein has been a steady presence
at right tackle over his nine-year tenure with the Rams. He is
coming off one of his best years, but some decline should be expected
soon from the 6-8 and 330-pounder who turned 32 in mid-May. Alaric
Jackson held up well at left tackle despite emerging as something
of a surprise starter over Noteboom last summer, but he is probably
the weakest link of the front five right now. Patience should
be exercised, however, as 2023 was his first extended work at
left tackle since college.
Reason(s) for concern: Depth across the line
figures to be a concern. Allen (Cleveland) and Coleman Shelton
(Chicago) left in free agency, taking away the two men who have
snapped the ball to Matthew Stafford an overwhelming majority
of the time since he arrived in 2021. Limmer - the team's sixth-round
draft choice this spring - is expected to be Avila's primary backup.
Noteboom has seemingly settled in as a swing tackle capable of
playing guard, but injuries and inconsistency have plagued him
throughout his six-year stay in LA.
Minnesota
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Christian Darrisaw
25
8
8
73.9
85.3
LG
Dalton Risner
28
5
6
50
67.4
C
Garrett Bradbury
28
6
5
65.5
56.8
RG
Ed Ingram
25
6
6
59.1
60.9
RT
Brian O'Neill
28
7
7
71.7
73.4
32
32
Reserves
C/G
Michael Jurgens #
24
G/T
Blake Brandel
27
63.8
52.2
T
David Quessenberry
33
57.2
68.3
T
Walter Rouse #
23
Offensive line coach: Chris Kuper (third season with Minnesota)
Cornerstone(s): Darrisaw is already one of the best left tackles
in the league at age 25. O'Neill is arguably a top-10 right tackle
as well.
Reason(s) for optimism: It feels like a bit of a stretch to say
a sixth-round draft choice like Rouse is "reason for optimism,"
but there is a decent chance he ends up being a decent swing tackle
for a team that has not had one of those very often in the Kevin
O'Connell era.
Potential question mark(s): Risner was arguably Minnesota's best
interior offensive lineman after joining the team during the season.
The team ended up bringing him back in May, but there is also
a reason why he was on the open market for as long as he was.
Ingram and Brandel have yet to show much at either guard spot,
which becomes a real problem when the center is not superhuman.
Reason(s) for concern: Bradbury had the best season of his career
in 2022 but was mostly average last season. His pass blocking
has typically been a weak spot, which is an issue in an O'Connell
offense. The 29-year-old (in mid-June) does not have any legitimate
competition for his job and has two years remaining on his contract,
so Minnesota is probably stuck with him until the end of the 2025
season.
New Orleans
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Taliese Fuaga #
22
6
5
G
Nick Saldiveri
23
5
5
59.9
32.2
C
Erik McCoy
26
7
6
89.4
59.3
RG
Cesar Ruiz
25
5
6
46.3
58.3
RT
Trevor Penning
25
5
6
49
60.8
28
28
Reserves
C/G
Lucas Patrick
30
61.6
40.6
G/T
Olisaemeka Udoh
27
50.5
49.8
T
Landon Young
26
51.1
45.9
T
Josiah Ezirim #
23
Offensive line coach: John Benton (first season with New Orleans)
Cornerstone(s): Although it is unfair to ask him to be one, Fuaga
will need to be the foundational piece of this offensive line.
He has the talent to be a 10-year anchor at left tackle - that
much is not in question. The problem is Penning - the Saints'
2022 first-rounder - has been a massive disappointment at left
tackle. McCoy has been a fixture at center for five years and
is coming off his best season in four years.
Reason(s) for optimism: The Saints may have no choice but to
move Penning over to right tackle, and it may end up being a blessing
in disguise. His aggressiveness may end up playing better over
there, although that suggestion is pure speculation on my part.
Patrick will likely be a backup in New Orleans, but his ability
to play center and guard will come in handy for a team lacking
depth.
Potential question mark(s): Ryan Ramczyk's knee is enough of
a concern that his football-playing future might be in question.
He has been a stud at right tackle in the Big Easy for seven seasons,
so his absence would be a huge deal for what may be one of the
worst offensive lines in the league this season with him healthy.
Reason(s) for concern: Udoh graded out well on 189 snaps in 2022,
but he was otherwise sub-par over his other four seasons with
the Vikings. The fact he and Saldiveri are battling it out to
start at left guard is telling. The depth is also bad. Players
like Shane Lemieux and Patrick may have plenty of experience but
are journeymen at this point.
NY Giants
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Andrew Thomas
25
7
8
64.1
80.2
LG
Jermaine Eluemunor
29
6
6
71.5
64.7
C
John Michael Schmitz
25
6
5
51.3
26.9
RG
Jon Runyan
26
5
6
53.2
62.4
RT
Evan Neal
23
5
5
51.1
38.5
29
30
Reserves
C
Austin Schlottmann
28
59.4
72.3
G
Aaron Stinnie
30
58.9
53.7
G/T
Marcus McKethan
25
53.9
26.8
G/T
Joshua Ezeudu
24
T
Matt Nelson
28
53.9
71.6
Offensive line coach: Carmen Bricillo (first season with New
York)
Cornerstone(s): Thomas missed most of the first half of last
season and it showed in the Giants' on-field product. Despite
failing to post the same blocking grades he did in 2022, he is
still the present and long-term future at left tackle in New York.
Reason(s) for optimism: Runyan may not be the reason the Giants'
line goes from awful last season to great this year, but he is
a clear upgrade over the four players who manned right guard in
2023. The same can probably be said for Eluemunor and the six
players who played at left guard. Stinnie will be the third guard
and may also be an upgrade over any of the players who played
the position for the team last season.
Potential question mark(s): Schmitz was too good of a prospect
to give up on after one year and was likely a victim of the terrible
line play around him.
Reason(s) for concern: It is getting late early for Neal, who
has struggled mightily to adapt to the NFL through two years.
It is fair to wonder how long the ankle injury that eventually
landed him on IR bothered him. Nevertheless, the grace period
for him keeping his job likely ends this season if the Giants
do not see significant improvement. While he is not a long-term
answer by any stretch, Nelson gives the team a decent option behind
Neal if that does not happen.
Philadelphia
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Jordan Mailata
27
8
8
83.9
84.5
LG
Landon Dickerson
25
6
7
66.9
76.9
C
Cam Jurgens
24
7
6
64.8
51.6
RG
Tyler Steen
23
5
5
64.1
21.9
RT
Lane Johnson
34
7
8
75.8
80.0
33
34
Reserves
C/G
Trevor Keegan #
23
C/G
Dylan McMahon #
23
C/G
Matt Hennessy
26
T
Mekhi Becton
25
56.3
60.7
Offensive line coach: Jeff Stoutland (12th season with Philadelphia)
Cornerstone(s): Mailata and Johnson may form the best tackle
tandem in the league. Both men excel in the run and pass game.
The only concern here is that Johnson just turned 34.
Reason(s) for optimism: Dickerson may not have reached elite
status yet, but he may not be far off. While he benefited greatly
from playing in between Mailata and the recently retired Jason
Kelce, the 25-year-old would not have been able to hold his spot
on a deep and talented roster if he was not pulling his weight.
Philadelphia reportedly asked for Kelce's input on his potential
successor before the 2022 draft and he identified Jurgens as his
choice, which is obviously quite the endorsement. Now able to
play his natural position with Kelce no longer around, expect
Jurgens to quickly become one of the top pivots in the league
over the next year or two. Stoutland is unquestionably one of
the two or three best line coaches in the league, so his presence
alone means we should give any questionable offensive line talent
the benefit of the doubt.
Potential question mark(s): Steen's transition from college tackle
to guard did not go particularly well in 2023, albeit on 71 snaps
as a rookie. Becton could be a consideration there if Steen struggles
again in 2024, but the ex-Jet never played guard in college and
has not yet to do so in the NFL.
Reason(s) for concern: Steen's inexperience is probably more
concerning than his ability to handle the right guard job. The
Eagles were wise to add Hennessy in free agency despite the fact
he missed all of last season due to a preseason knee injury. Nevertheless,
the departures of Kelce and Sua Opeta will limit some of the versatility
this line had as well as their ability to withstand injuries.
Becton is a luxury as a third tackle, but the overall depth on
this line will not be entering camp what it was in previous seasons.
San Francisco
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Trent Williams
35
9
8
92.5
84.3
LG
Aaron Banks
26
5
5
55.8
50.2
C
Jake Brendel
31
6
6
72.6
45.3
RG
Jon Feliciano
32
7
6
85.6
63.5
RT
Colton McKivitz
27
6
6
66.3
58.3
33
31
Reserves
C/G
Ben Bartch
25
64.4
48.6
G/T
Dominick Puni #
23
G
Spencer Burford
23
62.9
26.7
T
Jaylon Moore
26
69.8
69.7
Offensive line coach: Chris Foerster (fourth season with San
Francisco)
Cornerstone(s): Father Time will win out eventually, but Williams
has not bowed down at that alter yet. Williams may still be the
best tackle - if not offensive lineman - in the league entering
his age-36 season.
Reason(s) for optimism: McKivitz may never make a Pro Bowl, but
he has turned out to be a more than adequate replacement for Mike
McGlinchey. Entering his age-28 season, he should be a fine right
tackle in San Francisco for at least two more years. Feliciano
did not see regular time until the second half of the year, but
he graded out very well over that time. While Puni is probably
the long-term plan at right guard, he gives the team a very capable
option early if Banks or Feliciano get hurt.
Potential question mark(s): Banks is entering his third season
as the starting left guard for the 49ers. He has yet to display
consistently the talents and traits that made him a second-round
pick in 2021. Feliciano would ideally be a third guard on this
roster, so Banks needs to step up or Puni needs to adjust to the
NFL quickly.
Reason(s) for concern: Perhaps the biggest worry up front for
San Francisco is age. Williams is year-to-year at this point,
Feliciano is 32 and Brendel will join him by the start of the
season. The 49ers have used Day 3 picks to address their line
over the last four drafts but have little to show for it other
than Moore, who has shown some promise on limited snaps.
Seattle
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Charles Cross
23
6
7
58.3
69.7
LG
Laken Tomlinson
32
5
6
49.6
60.6
C
Olusegun Oluwatimi
24
5
6
50.1
75.5
RG
Christian Haynes #
24
6
5
RT
Abraham Lucas
25
6
7
58.8
44.4
28
31
Reserves
C/G
Nick Harris
25
58.7
66.3
G
Anthony Bradford
25
58.5
38.9
G/T
Sataoa Laumea #
23
T
George Fant
31
51.9
68.7
T
Michael Jerrell #
24
Offensive line coach: Scott Huff (first season with Seattle)
Cornerstone(s): Cross took a while to get healthy after getting
injured in Week 1, but he ended up grading out slightly better
than he did during his spectacular rookie season in 2022. The
former first-round pick, who will not turn 24 until around Thanksgiving,
is well on his way to becoming one of the best left tackles in
the league.
Reason(s) for optimism: A knee injury ended up being the main
reason the 2023 season was a lost one for Lucas, who was wildly
impressive as a rookie the year before. So long as his knee issue
is a thing of the past, it would be surprising if he and Cross
fail to return to their previous form. Fant is a quality swing
tackle who should fill in nicely at either left or right tackle
if Cross or Lucas misses time again. Seattle badly needed to add
some talent at guard and/or center and likely got a good one who
might be able to play both spots in Haynes. He will begin his
pro career at right guard - the same spot that he played for five
years at UConn.
Potential question mark(s): Oluwatimi is primed to become a full-time
starter at center in 2024 after logging only 128 snaps across
four games as a rookie. At least in the short term, he is a downgrade
from his predecessor (Evan Brown). Fortunately, the addition of
versatile veteran pivot Harris should guarantee the Seahawks get
at least adequate play at the position.
Reason(s) for concern: LG Damien Lewis fled Seattle for the big
money Carolina offered him in free agency, forcing the Seahawks
to counter with Tomlinson, who has struggled during his NFL career
when he was not in San Francisco. The two players graded out similarly
last season (Tomlinson was with the Jets), but Seattle would have
probably preferred to keep Lewis since he is about five years
younger than the 32-year-old Tomlinson.
Tampa Bay
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Tristan Wirfs
25
7
8
73.8
86.1
LG
Ben Bredeson
26
6
5
41.4
42.4
C
Graham Barton #
22
6
6
RG
Cody Mauch
25
5
5
37.6
52.1
RT
Luke Goedeke
25
6
6
70
72.5
30
30
Reserves
C
Robert Hainsey
25
50.3
57.3
G/T
Elijah Klein #
24
G
Sua Opeta
27
50.2
57.9
T
Brandon Walton #
26
Offensive line coach: Kevin Carberry (first season with Tampa
Bay)
Cornerstone(s): Wirfs proved to be a natural at left tackle after
not playing the position at all during his first three pro seasons
and very rarely during his three-year stay at Iowa. He is Tampa
Bay's best offensive lineman and it is not particularly close.
Reason(s) for optimism: The Buccaneers have missed Ryan Jensen
for the better part of the last two seasons. It was important
for them to find someone to replace him, and the odds are strong
they did so with their first-round selection of Barton in April.
Barton could conceivably play any of the five positions along
the line. Players with that kind of versatility rarely fail in
the NFL, so he is probably one of the better bets from this draft
class to become a regular Pro Bowler. Goedeke took a huge step
forward in his sophomore season - moving back to his college position
of right tackle instead of the left guard spot he occupied most
of his rookie campaign. Tampa Bay likely feels good that it has
a pair of young bookend tackles for the next five or so years.
Potential question mark(s): As is the case of most rookie linemen,
Mauch struggled throughout most of 2023. His struggles were profound
enough though that the Bucs are likely questioning his ability
to become a long-term fixture up front. He is yet another young
player who could benefit from the upgrade at center that Barton
should provide.
Reason(s) for concern: Left guard was a problem last year with
Aaron Stinnie and Matt Feiler manning the spot. It is unlikely
Bredeson will make it any better, which is likely one of the reasons
why Opeta was added. The problem is that Opeta may not be a much
better option.
Washington
Pos
Player
Age
24 R-Rat
24 P-Rat
RB G
PB G
LT
Cornelius Lucas
32
6
6
49.7
73.6
LG
Nick Allegretti
28
5
6
59.6
73.7
C
Tyler Biadasz
26
6
6
68.3
64.6
RG
Sam Cosmi
25
7
7
80.9
74.0
RT
Andrew Wylie
29
6
6
66.1
67.5
30
31
Reserves
C/G
Ricky Stromberg
23
46.3
41.7
G
Chris Paul
25
45.1
27.8
C/G
Michael Deiter
27
55.2
59.4
G/T
Brandon Coleman #
23
Offensive line coach: Bobby Johnson (first season with Washington)
Cornerstone(s): Cosmi has been a bright spot for the Commanders
since he was a second-round draft choice out of Texas in 2021.
Even though he graded out well in each of his first two seasons,
last year was the first time he managed to be a full-time player.
He responded with a Pro Bowl-caliber season.
Reason(s) for optimism: Biadasz may already be the second-best
lineman Washington has. To his credit, he enjoyed one of the most
prolonged good stretches of his career at the end of last season
as a member of the Cowboys. While Allegretti was never able to
become a regular starter in Kansas City, he should be a clear
upgrade at left guard over Saahdiq Charles and Paul. The 28-year-old
played some of his best football during the Chiefs' somewhat improbable
Super Bowl run late last season and can play all three interior
spots.
Potential question mark(s): Wylie's first season in Washington
was arguably the best of his career, but he is much better suited
to be a swing tackle than a regular starter.
Reason(s) for concern: Asking Lucas to replace Charles Leno Jr.
seems like a lateral move at best. He may be a bit of a downgrade.
Making matters worse is that the soon-to-be 33-year-old (in July)
has only once started more than eight games (12 in 2022). It should
not come as a surprise if third-round pick Coleman makes some
starts in place - be it due to injury or performance - in 2024.
As promised, my final projected grades for each team's offensive
line.
Doug Orth has written for FF Today since 2006 and has appeared as a guest analyst on several national sports radio shows and podcasts, including Sirius XM's Fantasy Drive, FantasyPros and RealTime Fantasy Sports. He is also a member of the Fantasy Sports Writers Association.