UPGRADES
Cleveland up 3 slots
Right guard Wyatt Teller has started the last four games in place of vet Eric Kush and the rushing offense has improved during this span. Teller's strength was apparent coming out of Virginia Tech two years ago but his agility getting to the second level has been surprising. In other news, left tackle Greg Robinson could miss this week's rematch with Pittsburgh while in the league's concussion protocol. Justin McCray carries a similar grade in the model as Robinson and he would get the start if Robinson cannot go. This is a mid-tier line, clawing their way up to respectability.
Philadelphia up 5 slots
The Eagles' offensive line will have all of their starters healthy for this weekend's game at Miami. This will be a huge improvement from last week against Seattle, when the team was without two starters: right tackle Lane Johnson (concussion) and right guard Brandon Brooks (illness). The team started Andre Dillard for Johnson but he was benched after a rough start. The right side ended up with Matt Pryor at guard and Halapoulivaati Vaitai at tackle to close out the loss. There are obviously concerns with the quarterback and skill positions but assuming all systems go from Brooks and Johnson, this group holds the highest grade in the latest rankings.
Dallas up 3 slots
Right tackle La'el Collins and left guard Connor Williams both braced up and played through their respective knee injuries during the rainstorm loss at New England. Of note in this game were two questionable tripping penalties. This statement is not an opinion, as the league took the rare step on Tuesday of saying these calls (2 in one game, after only 9 called on all teams all season) were erroneous and should not have been flags. The team hosts a tough Buffalo defensive front seven on Thanksgiving Day and the Cowboys' offensive line again grades in the top-tier.
Cincinnati up 19 slots
After missing several weeks in the concussion protocol (and several more dramatic weeks out of it) left tackle Cordy Glenn finally returned to the lineup during last week's close loss to Pittsburgh. The four sacks John Jerry allowed to Raiders defensive end Maxx Crosby (and the injury to Andre Smith) allowed Glenn the opportunity to start again. Glenn is likely auditioning for free agency and is playing motivated football for his next contract. Glenn and the rest of the Bengals' offensive line will have their hands full when the New York Jets and the league's top rushing defense come to town this weekend. But with their left tackle in the lineup, the offensive line is trending in the right direction.
Detroit up 10 slots
Right guard Frank Ragnow was held out of last week's road loss to Washington with a concussion. Ragnow has practiced in full and will most likely start on Thanksgiving Day. This is good news as last week was a bit of a shuffle, with Kenny Wiggins starting but Oday Aboushi also seeing reps at the spot. In other news, rookie Beau Benzschawel dressed for the first time last week but did not play. There are obviously quarterback injury issues but the line with all their starters grade out as a solid mid-tier group.
NY Jets up 4 slots
Left tackle Kelvin Beachum has been playing with two bad ankles, and rookie right tackle Chuma Edoga is out with a grade 2 MCL sprain but somehow the Jets' offensive line has been humming the last three weeks. The right side of Tom Compton at guard and Brandon Shell at tackle (for Edoga) have been adequate, while left guard Alex Lewis looks excellent. This group still grades in the lowest third of the rankings, but they are getting better, and assuming Beachum continues to play hurt, they have a choice match up this week against Cincinnati's leaky run defense.
DOWNGRADES
New Orleans down 9 slots
The Saints' offensive line will likely be down two key starters for Thanksgiving Day against Atlanta as left guard Andrus Peat is still healing from a broken arm and left tackle Terron Armstead was forced from last week's contest versus Carolina with a high ankle sprain. Patrick Omameh (a natural guard wearing Max Unger's old #60 jersey) replaced Armstead. Omameh has strength and experience on his side but he lacks tackle feet. Will Clapp, more of a center/guard naturally, has been working at tackle-eligible and is also another option. Once the league's top-rated line, this group falls to the mid-tier without Armstead and Peat.
Green Bay down 4 slots
Right tackle Bryan Bulaga was forced from last week's loss against San Francisco with a knee injury. Alex Light (a second-year player from Richmond) saw 89% of the snaps last week for Bulaga and will likely get his first career start this weekend in New York. Light is a physical specimen but raw technically and had a rough time of things against the 49ers' front. The team claimed veteran Jared Veldheer from waivers after the Patriots released him from the reserved/retired list. This is still a solid line but depth is being tested.
Baltimore down 2 slots
Center Matt Skura was forced from Monday Night Football against Los Angeles with a knee injury. Skura was placed on the injured reserve list and he will be targeting a 2020 return. Patrick Mekari, a rookie from Cal who almost beat out Bradley Bozeman for left guard this preseason, took 79% of last week's snaps for Skura and he is expected to get the start this week at home against the 49ers. While losing a center is never good, the team should be able to scheme around the issue and rely upon the leadership of Marshal Yanda at right guard in the near term. Also note, Bozeman showed up on the injury report this week with an ankle injury but the model assumes he will play. Losing one starter, the Ravens' offensive line still grade in the mid-tier.
Pittsburgh down 12 slots
Center Maurkice Pouncey has been suspended three games (reduced to two) for his role in the Myles Garrett fracas. Pouncey missed last week against Cincinnati and will miss this week's rematch against Cleveland. While B.J. Finney is a decent backup, Pouncey's production is almost impossible to replace. One more week in the mid-tier for this unit.
Carolina down 3 slots
Left guard Greg Van Roten injured his foot during last week's game against New Orleans and the team announced this week he will be out for the remainder of the season. In his place, Daryl Williams was moved to left guard. In related news, Greg Little injured his ankle and is questionable for this week at Washington. Dennis Daley relieved Little during the contest and could be asked to make another spot start. Daley is a good player but more of a natural guard. Despite the uncertainty, this group remains a mid-tier group.
San Francisco down 7 slots
Left tackle is the issue in San Francisco. Justin Skule, a mostly decent rookie, was benched during the team's win over Green Bay. Usual starter Joe Staley has a chance to play this Monday Night in Baltimore. His dislocated finger appears to be fine but coaches have alluded to after-effects from his broken leg suffered in Week 2, and he might not be able to go. Staley is not in the rankings this week. All this leaves Daniel Brunskill, a second-year player from San Diego State, to make his 5th career start. The 49ers' grade as a mid-tier line with Staley but a low-tier line without him.
Denver down 2 slots
Could the coaching staff finally bench left tackle Garett Bolles? Beat writers believe it to be a distinct possibility. With right tackle Ju'Wuan James practicing fully this week, the team could move Elijah Wilkinson to left tackle this week when the team hosts the Chargers. This might be a good long term move, but the short term uncertainty (even if they don't bench the struggling Bolles) forces the Broncos' grade to the low-tier.
Chicago down 14 slots
Right tackle Bobby Massie was declared out of the Thanksgiving Day game against Detroit with a high ankle sprain. Cornelius Lucas, a sixth-year player from Kansas State, will likely get his 12th career start, with Alex Bars as the swing tackle. Lucas has experience but the coaches like Bars and Lucas could have a short leash if he struggles. Already without Kyle Long for the rest of the season, the Bears' offensive line falls to the low-tier without their starting right tackle
Buffalo down 4 slots
Center Mitch Morse left last week's game against Denver with a hand injury and he is questionable for the Thanksgiving Day game at Dallas. Jon Feliciano (the usual right guard) slid over to center without issue and Spencer Long will likely get a start at right guard. This has been a solid line for most of the season, and they have the depth, but with right tackle Ty Nsekhe hurt they are down two starters, and their grade falls to the low-tier.
OTHER NEWS
- HOU - RT Tytus Howard has been limited in practice due to a knee injury, he is expected to play versus New England this weekend.
- JAC - C Brandon Linder missed practice due to illness, he is expected to play against Tampa Bay this weekend.
- LAC - Sam Tevi and Russell Okung were limited in practice - They not in the model for the game against Denver, but the LAC rank would be 22nd if both come back, 25th if only one.
- NE - LT Isaiah Wynn and RT Marcus Cannon missed practice due to illness. Both remain in the model.
- OAK - C Rodney Hudson did not practice due to an ankle injury. He is expected to play at Kansas City.
- TB - Vita Vea at fullback - a Big Man Touchdown. No, he's technically not an offensive lineman but a 350-pound man wearing a number in the 50's scoring a touchdown? We'll take it.
- TEN - Demand your big man TD's be more legitimate? Tackle-eligible Dennis Kelly scored (and had a nifty celebration) in the win over the Jaguars
FULL RANKINGS
|
Rank
|
Team
|
Old
|
Diff
|
Score
|
Overall Grade
|
Run Grade
|
Pass Grade
|
Cohesion
|
Notes
|
|
1
|
Philadelphia
|
6
|
5
|
34.65
|
A+
|
A+
|
A+
|
5
|
RT Lane Johnson and RG Brandon Brooks likely to return to lineup at Miami.
|
|
2
|
Dallas
|
5
|
3
|
34.43
|
A+
|
A+
|
A+
|
5
|
RT La'el Collins and LG Connor Williams returned to lineup Week 12.
|
|
3
|
Indianapolis
|
3
|
0
|
33.03
|
A+
|
A+
|
A
|
5
|
|
|
4
|
Kansas City
|
4
|
0
|
32.9
|
A
|
A-
|
A+
|
4.5
|
|
|
5
|
Oakland
|
8
|
3
|
32.13
|
A
|
A+
|
B+
|
5
|
|
|
6
|
Tennessee
|
9
|
3
|
32.05
|
A
|
A+
|
B+
|
5
|
|
|
7
|
Atlanta
|
10
|
3
|
32.05
|
A
|
A
|
B+
|
4.5
|
|
|
8
|
Seattle
|
13
|
5
|
31.03
|
A-
|
A
|
B+
|
4
|
|
|
9
|
Jacksonville
|
14
|
5
|
30.93
|
B+
|
A-
|
B
|
5
|
|
|
10
|
New Orleans
|
1
|
-9
|
30.88
|
B+
|
A-
|
B
|
3
|
LT Terron Armstead out (Ankle - Patrick Omameh replaced). LG Andrus Peat out (Arm- Nick Easton replaced).
|
|
11
|
Green Bay
|
7
|
-4
|
30.68
|
B+
|
B
|
A-
|
4
|
RT Bryan Bulaga likely out with knee strain (Alex Light to replace).
|
|
12
|
Cincinnati
|
31
|
19
|
30.43
|
B
|
B-
|
B+
|
5
|
LT Cordy Glenn starting again (John Jerry to bench).
|
|
13
|
Baltimore
|
11
|
-2
|
30.33
|
B
|
B+
|
B-
|
4
|
C Matt Skura to IR with knee injury (Patrick Mekari to replace).
|
|
14
|
Pittsburgh
|
2
|
-12
|
30.33
|
B
|
B
|
B
|
4
|
C Maurkice Pouncey suspended 1 more game (B.J. Finney replaced).
|
|
15
|
Washington
|
16
|
1
|
30.31
|
B
|
B
|
B
|
4
|
LT Trent Williams reported from hold out but not playing with team (no change to ranks).
|
|
16
|
Cleveland
|
19
|
3
|
30.3
|
B
|
B+
|
B-
|
5
|
Wyatt Teller good at RG last 2 weeks. LT Greg Robinson likely out with concussion (Justin McCray - same individual grade as Robinson).
|
|
17
|
Detroit
|
27
|
10
|
30.3
|
B
|
B+
|
B-
|
5
|
RG Frank Ragnow likely to return from concussion (Kenny Wiggins to bench).
|
|
18
|
Carolina
|
15
|
-3
|
30.28
|
B
|
B+
|
B-
|
4
|
LG Greg Van Roten to IR with foot injury (Daryl Williams replaced) LT Greg Little likely out again (Dennis Daley).
|
|
19
|
New England
|
18
|
-1
|
30.25
|
B
|
B
|
B
|
5
|
|
|
20
|
Arizona
|
20
|
0
|
30.15
|
B-
|
B-
|
B-
|
5
|
|
|
21
|
NY Giants
|
21
|
0
|
30.15
|
B-
|
B-
|
B-
|
5
|
|
|
22
|
NY Jets
|
26
|
4
|
30.03
|
B-
|
B
|
C
|
5
|
|
|
23
|
Houston
|
22
|
-1
|
29.93
|
B-
|
B
|
C+
|
5
|
|
|
24
|
San Francisco
|
17
|
-7
|
29.78
|
C+
|
B-
|
C
|
4
|
LT Joe Staley still likely out with a dislocated finger. Justin Skule benched for Daniel Brunskill vs GB.
|
|
25
|
Denver
|
23
|
-2
|
29.75
|
C+
|
C
|
B-
|
5
|
RT JaWuan James likely to return from knee injury (Elijah Wilkinson to LT?)
|
|
26
|
Chicago
|
12
|
-14
|
29.68
|
C+
|
B-
|
C
|
4
|
RT Bobby Massie week-to-week with ankle sprain (Cornelius Lucas to replace).
|
|
27
|
Tampa Bay
|
25
|
-2
|
29.55
|
C
|
C-
|
C+
|
5
|
|
|
28
|
Buffalo
|
24
|
-4
|
29.33
|
C-
|
C-
|
C-
|
4.5
|
C Mitch Morse questionable with hand injury (Jon Felciano to C, Spencer Long to RG), RT Ty Nsekhe week-to-week with ankle sprain (Cody Ford to replace).
|
|
29
|
LA Rams
|
28
|
-1
|
29.28
|
C-
|
C
|
D+
|
4
|
RT Rob Havenstein week-to-week with knee injury (Bobby Evans good in replacement).
|
|
30
|
Minnesota
|
29
|
-1
|
29.03
|
C-
|
C
|
D+
|
4
|
LG Josh Kline likely out with concussion (Dakota Dozier replaced).
|
|
31
|
Miami
|
30
|
-1
|
28.28
|
D+
|
D+
|
D+
|
4
|
|
|
32
|
LA Chargers
|
32
|
0
|
27.55
|
D
|
D-
|
D+
|
4
|
RT Sam Tevi questionable with knee injury (Trent Scott would replace). LT Russell Okung questionable with groin injury (Trey Pipkins would replace).
|
If you have a question about a player, team or matchup not specifically talked about in this article, please feel free to contact the author via Twitter.
