UPGRADES
MINNESOTA UP 12 SLOTS
The Vikings are apparently running a throw-back offense, establishing the run to set up the pass. Offensive linemen, as a group, do better going forward and attacking than sitting back against pass rushers "with their ears pinned back." It builds confidence among the group and this unit is churning at the moment. Watch for the knee issue of left guard Pat Elflein (who did not participate in Wednesday's practice). He is included in the ranks for now, but Dakota Dozier would sub in his place if needed. This unit is vastly outplaying their preseason projection. This might mean less production for the wideouts, but the Vikings' line carries a mid-tier grade, with upside to rise higher as the season progresses.
HOUSTON UP 4 SLOTS
This is a cohesion upgrade based on experience as the team was running with rookie Tytus Howard and Max Scherping for most of the preseason but actually started Senio Kelemete at left guard and Zach Fulton at right guard last week at New Orleans. Along with the addition of Laremy Tunsil, this line has solid veterans at all five spots. It's not as exciting for long term upside but the vets should make fewer mistakes than the kids. It's a grown man's job in the trenches and both these rookies can use a year, or even a few months in the strength and conditioning program. The Texans' are a solid line in the latest rankings.
LA Rams UP 5 SLOTS
The new starters Joseph Noteboom (left guard) and Brian Allen (center) flat out did their jobs last week at Carolina. Noteboom looked good pulling and the running lanes were huge for most of the day. Part of this was the unique play design but the Rams coaches took a risk going with less experienced players and so far, these players are comporting themselves like veterans. The Rams' line currently grades on the cusp between the mid and low tiers, but they are trending upward as a group.
OAKLAND UP 4 SLOTS
The pass blocking was surprisingly good Week 1 for the Raiders, who kept Von Miller and Bradley Chubb out of quarterback Derek Carr's face for most of the game. The addition of right tackle Trent Brown has been huge and left tackle Kolton Miller has grown into the job. The team is still without starting guard Richie Incognito (suspended) and Gabe Jackson (knee), but they could get both players back for Week 3. This is a mid-tier line in the grades but they are trending up and will likely jump in the rankings soon.
TENNESSEE UP 3 SLOTS
Guard Kevin Pamphile missed Week 1 at Cleveland and he may have been "Wally Pipped" by Jamil Douglas, who had an outstanding game in his place. This line is still without their left tackle and captain Taylor Lewan for three more games but if they can block this well without him, they might be absolutely dominant upon his return. This is another long term play, as they will get better as the year progresses.
DOWNGRADES
Atlanta Down 4 Slots
Rookie right guard Chris Lindstrom broke his foot during the Week 1 loss at Minnesota and has been placed on the injured reserve list. Lindstrom could come back to the team around Week 10. Jamon Brown replaced him in the contest. The team paid Brown like a starter this offseason, but he's a clear step down from Lindstrom. The Falcons' line falls into the mid-tier.
NY Jets down 7 slots
This is a downgrade based on the individual play of center Ryan Kalil and right guard Brian Winters. Both were extremely shaky in the Week 1 home loss to Buffalo. Kalil was famously lured out of retirement and it's fair to ask how much he has left. Winters could be pushed by Alex Lewis, who was acquired from Baltimore via trade. The tackles of Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell were decent, for the most part. This entire offense looks disjointed under new head coach Adam Gase, proceed with extreme caution.
New England down 6 slots
Right tackle Marcus Cannon left the home win against Pittsburgh with a shoulder injury. To replace him, Joe Thuney slid over from left guard and Jermaine Eluemunor played Thuney's guard spot. Cannon was limited in practice on Wednesday and based on his history, and the fact they signed Marshall Newhouse for depth, the team could opt to rest him against Miami. This is likely a short term downgrade; the Patriots' grade will be among the mid-tier again with the return of Cannon.
DENVER DOWN 6 SLOTS
Right tackle Ja'Wuan James left the game against Oakland with a knee injury. The team has described his status as week-to-week, which is better than season-ending but implies a lengthy rehab. Elijah Wilkinson, who started seven games last season, replaces James. Also of concern is right guard Ron Leary, who has been limited with a quad issue in practice this week. Expect Leary to play but the depth in Denver is being tested.
CINCINNATI DOWN 2 SLOTS
Left tackle Cordy Glenn missed week one with a concussion and he has not practiced this week. Expect Andre Smith to get at least another start. With all the injuries, changes and retirements, this retread Bengals' lineup is not the absolute worst in the league, but they might be the least inspiring.
OTHER NEWS
- AZ - RT Marcus Gilbert to IR (knee) - Justin Murray to start.
- BAL - LG Bradley Bozeman won the job over Patrick Mekari and Ben Powers
- DAL - RG Zack Martin limited in practice with back issues (Martin and all players below are still included in the rankings).
- DET - LT Taylor Decker limited in practice with back issues.
- GB - LT David Bakhtiari limited in practice with back issues.
- JAX - LT Cam Robinson excited game (knee) but limited in practice.
- PIT - C Maurkice Pouncey excited game (ankle) and did not practice.
FULL RANKINGS
Another reminder: the offensive line rankings have been included in the positional rankings page, for the most up-to-date rankings, select at the bottom of drop-down here: FBG Rankings.
The articles will continue but for mid-week changes in between articles, remember to also check the rankings page.
|
Rank
|
Team
|
Old
|
Diff
|
Score
|
Overall Grade
|
Run Grade
|
Pass Grade
|
Cohesion
|
Notes
|
|
1
|
New Orleans
|
1
|
0
|
35.63
|
A+
|
A+
|
A+
|
4
|
|
|
2
|
Philadelphia
|
2
|
0
|
35.15
|
A+
|
A+
|
A+
|
5
|
|
|
3
|
Dallas
|
3
|
0
|
33.68
|
A+
|
A+
|
A
|
5
|
|
|
4
|
Pittsburgh
|
4
|
0
|
33.58
|
A+
|
A+
|
A
|
4.5
|
C Maurkice Pouncey ankle (still in ranks but B.J. Finney to replace if needed).
|
|
5
|
Green Bay
|
5
|
0
|
32.83
|
A
|
A+
|
A-
|
5
|
|
|
6
|
Kansas City
|
6
|
0
|
32.78
|
A
|
A-
|
A+
|
4
|
|
|
7
|
Indianapolis
|
7
|
0
|
32.3
|
A
|
A+
|
A-
|
5
|
|
|
8
|
Chicago
|
8
|
0
|
32.18
|
A
|
A+
|
A-
|
5
|
|
|
9
|
Carolina
|
10
|
1
|
31.28
|
A-
|
A
|
B+
|
4.5
|
|
|
10
|
Seattle
|
11
|
1
|
31.03
|
B+
|
A-
|
B
|
4
|
LG Mike Iupati (calf & foot) missed week 1 (Ethan Pocic) but likely to return Week 2.
|
|
11
|
Cleveland
|
12
|
1
|
30.68
|
B+
|
B
|
A-
|
4.5
|
|
|
12
|
Minnesota
|
24
|
12
|
30.65
|
B+
|
A-
|
B
|
5
|
Cohesion upgrade but monitor LG Pat Elflein\'s knee (Dakota Dozier).
|
|
13
|
Atlanta
|
9
|
-4
|
30.55
|
B
|
B+
|
B-
|
3
|
RG Chris Lindstrom (foot) to IR (Jamon Brown to replace)
|
|
14
|
Detroit
|
13
|
-1
|
30.55
|
B
|
B
|
B
|
5
|
|
|
15
|
Baltimore
|
14
|
-1
|
30.53
|
B
|
B+
|
B-
|
4.5
|
|
|
16
|
Houston
|
20
|
4
|
30.43
|
B
|
B-
|
B+
|
5
|
Veterans LG Senio Kelemete and RG Zach Fulton in lineup (not rookies Tytus Howard and Max Scharping).
|
|
17
|
San Francisco
|
15
|
-2
|
30.4
|
B
|
B-
|
B+
|
4.5
|
|
|
18
|
Washington
|
16
|
-2
|
30.31
|
B-
|
B
|
C+
|
4
|
LT Trent Williams holding out (NOT IN RANKS). Donald Penn starting.
|
|
19
|
Jacksonville
|
17
|
-2
|
30.3
|
B-
|
B
|
C+
|
4.5
|
LT Cam Robinson (knee) limited in practice (Will Richardson to replace if needed).
|
|
20
|
LA Chargers
|
18
|
-2
|
30.3
|
B-
|
B
|
C+
|
4.5
|
LT Russell Okung (blood clots) still on NFI list (Trent Scott).
|
|
21
|
LA Rams
|
26
|
5
|
30.15
|
C+
|
B-
|
C
|
4
|
Cohesion upgrade - new starters played well @ CAR.
|
|
22
|
NY Giants
|
23
|
1
|
30.15
|
C+
|
C+
|
C+
|
5
|
Cohesion upgrade - running game was outstanding - but monitor RG Kevin Zeitler\'s status.
|
|
23
|
Oakland
|
27
|
4
|
30.13
|
C+
|
B-
|
C
|
4
|
LG Richie Incognito suspended, RG Gabe Jackson MCL sprain (Jon Cooper & Jordan Devey).
|
|
24
|
Tampa Bay
|
25
|
1
|
29.55
|
C
|
C+
|
C-
|
4.5
|
|
|
25
|
Tennessee
|
28
|
3
|
29.55
|
C
|
C
|
C
|
4.5
|
RG Jamil Douglas replaced Kevin Pamphile (knee). LT Taylor Lewan suspended 3 games (NOT IN RANKS).
|
|
26
|
NY Jets
|
19
|
-7
|
29.4
|
C
|
C+
|
C-
|
4
|
|
|
27
|
New England
|
21
|
-6
|
29
|
C-
|
C
|
C-
|
4
|
RT Marcus Cannon shoulder injury (NOT IN RANKS - Joe Thuney, Marshall Newhouse).
|
|
28
|
Buffalo
|
31
|
3
|
28.83
|
C-
|
C
|
C-
|
4
|
Cohesion upgrade - Jon Feliciano to RG (not rookie Cody Ford).
|
|
29
|
Denver
|
22
|
-7
|
28.75
|
C-
|
C
|
D+
|
4
|
RT Ja\'Wuan James knee multi-week injury (Elijah Wilkinson).
|
|
30
|
Arizona
|
30
|
0
|
27.4
|
C-
|
C-
|
C-
|
3
|
RT Marcus Gilbert to IR (Justin Murray).
|
|
31
|
Cincinnati
|
29
|
-2
|
26.93
|
D
|
C-
|
D-
|
3
|
|
|
32
|
Miami
|
32
|
0
|
26.78
|
D-
|
D-
|
D-
|
3
|
|
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.
