UPGRADES
Cincinnati up 2 slots.
Left tackle Cordy Glenn was finally cleared for practice, almost 3 months after a concussion suffered during Preseason week two. While it is not clear if Glenn will get all the snaps this weekend against Jacksonville, John Jerry has been surprisingly decent in two spot starts. Behind a left side of Jerry and guard Billy Price (who won a starting job away from rookie Michael Jordan), the Bengals' offense has made tough yards. It sounds crazy to even ask, but could John Jerry's mediocre guard career be re-invented as a swing tackle? At right guard, coaching favorite Alex Redmond came on last week in place of John Miller, who suffered a groin injury and is doubtful this week. Redmond played well against Baltimore and he has the physical upside to be the best player on this line. Make no mistake, this Bengals' line still carries a low-tier grade, but after a rough start to the season, there have been recent signs of life.
Washington up 8 slots.
This upgrade is more of a book-keeping note. Donald Penn was held out of last week's rankings with a hamstring injury. Penn did, in fact, get healthy enough in time to play during Washington's 1-point win in Miami. While there are rumors of Trent Williams being traded out of the conference, this line is at least a solid mid-tier option with Penn in the lineup.
DOWNGRADES
Philadelphia down 2 slots.
Left tackle Jason Peters exited last week's loss at Minnesota with a knee injury. Peters is doubtful for this week against Dallas, and first-round rookie Andre Dillard from Washington State will likely get the start. Dillard played 46 offensive snaps (72%) last week against Minnesota and had a mixed day; Dillard started poorly but settled into the job as the game continued. The Eagles' offensive line has more depth than most, and they are still a top-tier option without Peters.
Chicago down 3 slots.
Right guard Kyle Long has been placed on the injured reserve list with a hip injury. Long has had chronic problems with this joint and is eyeing a 2020 return. Long had not been playing well and many are eager to see what converted defensive lineman Rashad Coward can do in his place. Coward is known for his edge and toughness but the team also has Ted Larsen and Alex Bars as alternatives. The Bears' line remains a top-tier option without Long, but the depth is being tested.
Los Angeles (N) down 4 slots.
Left guard Joe Noteboom left last week's game against San Francisco with a knee injury. After the contest, the team announced Noteboom had torn his ACL/MCL and will be placed on injured reserve. Jamil Demby took Noteboom's place but he has been extremely shaky when given live reps. The team is creating competition, moving David Edwards, a sixth-round rookie tackle from Wisconsin inside, and trading a fifth-round pick to Cleveland for Austin Corbett, a former second-round pick from Nevada widely regarded among Browns' fans as a bust. Without an obvious solution at left guard, the Rams' current grade approaches the low-tier.
Houston down 2 slots.
The Texans' offensive line has been playing well and would be due for a performance-based upgrade. However, rookie right tackle Tytus Howard suffered a knee sprain and will likely be inactive for the next 4-6 weeks. With Seantrel Henderson back on the NFI reserve list, Roderick Johnson, a second-year player from Florida State, will get his second start of the season. In addition, the team also called journeyman Chris Clark back to the fold and swiped Dan Skinner off the Patriots' practice squad. The trade on the left side for Laremy Tunsil is paying dividends but it will be interesting to see how the right side holds up this weekend at Indianapolis.
Miami down 2 slots.
Center Daniel Kilgore has a knee injury and will likely be inactive this weekend against a tough Bills defensive front. While Kilgore is not any kind of All-Pro, he calls the blocking and is a team captain. It is not entirely clear what will happen without Kilgore. The obvious move is to start Chris Reed and allow Evan Boehm to make the blocking calls from guard. The team could also slide Boehm to center and give Shaq Calhoun another run at guard. Either way, this is a low-tier line.
OTHER NEWS
- AZ - C Max Garcia returned to practice but remains on PUP. The team has several weeks to make a decision.
- BUF - G/T Cody Ford recovered from his concussion during the bye week and is likely to play vs. MIA.
- CAR - RG Trai Turner gets another week for his ankle to heal. The team is on a bye week.
- DAL - LT Tyron Smith and RT La'el Collins did not practice on Wednesday. The ranks (again) assume they will play but without these players, the Boys' line grades 10th.
- DET - RT Rick Wagner has a knee injury but is likely to play vs. MIN.
- MIN - LT Riley Reiff did not practice Wednesday with an ankle injury. Reiff is still in the rankings. The health of RG Josh Kline is also in doubt. This Vikings' line is due for an upgrade if they can stay healthy.
- OAK - RT Trent Brown injured his calf during the bye week. RG Gabe Jackson is still limited in practice. Brown is included in the ranks, Jackson is not.
- NYJ - LT Kelvin Beachum exited last week vs. DAL with an ankle sprain and is considered week to week. Brandon Shell to replace (Beachum not in ranks). LG Kelechi Osemele is rumored to require surgery for his shoulder injury but the coaching staff has not confirmed this and he has not been placed on the injured reserve list. Alex Lewis played well in his place.
- SEA - Left tackle Duane Brown has a biceps injury and is week to week. George Fant would start for many other teams and the grades remain flat. RG DJ Fluker remains unlikely to play with a hamstring injury (Jamarco Jones replaces him). Another guard Phil Haynes is still on PUP list, but he is practicing and the team has several weeks to make a decision on his roster status.
- TEN - RT Jack Conklin tweaked his ankle and did not practice on Wednesday. Dennis Kelly could get the start in his place. While Conklin should be much better on paper, these players grade out almost equally at the moment.
FULL RANKINGS
|
Rank
|
Team
|
Old
|
Diff
|
Score
|
Overall Grade
|
Run Grade
|
Pass Grade
|
Cohesion
|
Notes
|
|
1
|
New Orleans
|
1
|
0
|
36.63
|
A++
|
A++
|
A+
|
5
|
|
|
2
|
Dallas
|
3
|
1
|
34.43
|
A+
|
A+
|
A
|
5
|
Monitor LT Tyron Smith ankle injury (Cameron Fleming), RT La\'el Collins knee sprain (Brandon Knight). Both are included in ranks.
|
|
3
|
Pittsburgh
|
4
|
1
|
34.08
|
A+
|
A+
|
A
|
5
|
|
|
4
|
Philadelphia
|
2
|
-2
|
33.65
|
A
|
A
|
A
|
4
|
LT Jason Peters doubtful with a knee injury (Andre Dillard).
|
|
5
|
Indianapolis
|
5
|
0
|
32.3
|
A
|
A+
|
A-
|
5
|
|
|
6
|
Tennessee
|
7
|
1
|
32.05
|
A
|
A+
|
A-
|
5
|
Monitor RT Jack Conklin\'s ankle (still in ranks, Dennis Kelly would replace, if needed)
|
|
7
|
Baltimore
|
8
|
1
|
31.93
|
A
|
A+
|
A-
|
5
|
|
|
8
|
Green Bay
|
9
|
1
|
31.68
|
A
|
A+
|
A-
|
4
|
|
|
9
|
Chicago
|
6
|
-3
|
31.18
|
A-
|
A
|
B+
|
4.5
|
RG Kyle Long to IR with hip injury (Rashad Coward)
|
|
10
|
Seattle
|
10
|
0
|
30.78
|
A-
|
A
|
B+
|
4
|
RG D.J. Fluker likely out with hamstring injury (Jamarco Jones playing well in his place).
|
|
11
|
Oakland
|
11
|
0
|
30.63
|
A-
|
A
|
B
|
4
|
RT Trent Brown \"calf\" injury (Still in ranks, Brandon Parker would replace if needed). RG Gabe Jackson nearing return from knee injury (BYE WEEK).
|
|
12
|
Atlanta
|
12
|
0
|
30.55
|
B+
|
A-
|
B
|
3
|
|
|
13
|
Detroit
|
13
|
0
|
30.55
|
B+
|
B+
|
B+
|
5
|
|
|
14
|
Kansas City
|
14
|
0
|
30.53
|
B+
|
B
|
A-
|
3.5
|
LT Eric Fisher out with a groin injury (Cam Erving). LG Andrew Wylie out with an ankle inury (Stefen Wisniewski).
|
|
15
|
Jacksonville
|
15
|
0
|
30.43
|
B+
|
A-
|
B
|
4.5
|
|
|
16
|
Washington
|
24
|
8
|
30.31
|
B
|
B
|
B
|
4
|
LT Donald Penn played through hamstring injury, LT Trent Williams still holding out.
|
|
17
|
Carolina
|
16
|
-1
|
30.28
|
B
|
B+
|
B-
|
4.5
|
RG Trai Turner nearing a return from ankle injury (Dennis Daley playing well, BYE WEEK).
|
|
18
|
Cleveland
|
17
|
-1
|
30.18
|
B-
|
B
|
C+
|
4
|
|
|
19
|
NY Giants
|
18
|
-1
|
30.15
|
B-
|
B-
|
B-
|
5
|
|
|
20
|
Buffalo
|
20
|
0
|
30.08
|
B-
|
B
|
C+
|
5
|
|
|
21
|
Denver
|
21
|
0
|
29.75
|
C+
|
B-
|
C
|
4.5
|
|
|
22
|
Minnesota
|
23
|
1
|
29.53
|
C+
|
B-
|
C
|
4
|
RG Josh Kline likely out with a foot injury (Dakota Dozier would replace).
|
|
23
|
LA Rams
|
19
|
-4
|
29.4
|
C+
|
C+
|
C+
|
3.5
|
LG Joe Noteboom placed on IR with ACL/MCL injury (Jamil Demby, possibly David Edwards to replace).
|
|
24
|
Houston
|
22
|
-2
|
29.18
|
C
|
C+
|
C-
|
4
|
RT Tytus Howard out 4-6 weeks with a knee strain (Roderick Johnson).
|
|
25
|
LA Chargers
|
25
|
0
|
29.18
|
C
|
C+
|
C-
|
4.5
|
|
|
26
|
San Francisco
|
26
|
0
|
28.78
|
C-
|
C
|
D+
|
4
|
LT Joe Staley out with leg injury (Justin Skule). RT Mike McGlinchey out with knee injury (Daniel Brunskill).
|
|
27
|
Arizona
|
27
|
0
|
28.65
|
C-
|
C-
|
C-
|
4
|
|
|
28
|
NY Jets
|
28
|
0
|
28.53
|
C-
|
C
|
D+
|
4
|
LG Kelechi Osemele out with shoulder injury (Alex Lewis). LT Kelvin Beachum out (Brandon Shell).
|
|
29
|
New England
|
30
|
1
|
28.25
|
C-
|
D+
|
C
|
4
|
|
|
30
|
Cincinnati
|
32
|
2
|
27.93
|
D+
|
C-
|
D
|
4
|
RG Alex Redmond gets a start over John Miller.
|
|
31
|
Miami
|
29
|
-2
|
27.9
|
D+
|
D+
|
D+
|
4
|
C Daniel Kilgore likely out with knee injury (Chris Reed or Evan Boehm)
|
|
32
|
Tampa Bay
|
31
|
-1
|
27.8
|
D+
|
C-
|
D
|
3
|
RG Alex Cappa out fractured arm (Earl Watford), RT Demar Dotson likely out hamstring (Josh Wells), BYE WEEK.
|
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.
