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UPGRADES

Las Vegas up 15

This upgrade is based on the projected return of All-Pro right tackle Trent Brown to the lineup. Brown suffered a calf injury during Week 1 and has missed about a month. Brown returned to practice in a limited fashion this week and is officially questionable for this week's game against Kansas City. This usually wouldn't be enough for an upgrade, but reading between the lines on the comments from the coaching staff, this is a big game, and Brown better be ready. Sam Young started last week against Buffalo, allowing Denzelle Good to move to left guard, where Richie Incognito is still missing time with an Achilles' injury. The lineup is good without Brown but excellent if he plays to his form. This is an uncomfortable amount of faith to put into a traditionally unreliable player, but assume Brown gets his rear in gear and plays for this divisional rivalry.

Kansas City up 4

Right guard Andrew Wylie missed Week 3 with Appendicitis, requiring surgery. Mike Remmers started in his place. However, Wylie played 100% of snaps last week against New England on Monday Night Football and should be ready to go when the Chiefs host Las Vegas. The offense's rushing attack can be effective behind a power-side of Wylie and Mitchell Schwartz. With their lineup complete, the Chiefs' line re-joins the top of the latest ranks.

Philadelphia up 4

Left tackle Jason Peters went to injured reserve with a toe injury. So why is this an upgrade? The new-look lineup with Jordan Mailata performed extremely well during the team's upset win over San Francisco on Sunday Night Football. Mailata is a rare athlete with origins playing rugby in Australia. Left guard Nate Herbig has been bouncing defenders in the run game, and beat writers believe he could be a long-term replacement for Kelce. Such a move would make room for Isaac Seumalo, the only opening day starter under the age of 30. All is not perfect, as right guard Matt Pryor has his lapses, and right tackle Lane Johnson has been fighting through an ankle injury, splitting reps 60/40 with another rookie, Jack Driscoll. But still, the team has almost completely rebuilt their line in a quarter of a season. There's not much depth but on the surface, the franchise has done the impossible: reloaded at several positions while maintaining a top-ten grade in the rankings.

Atlanta up 6

Right tackle Kaleb McGary was able to start and play 100% of snaps against the Packers on Monday Night Football. The Falcons' offense didn't have a great night, but McGary's pass protection was stellar. Despite his flaws in the run game, he is a noticeable upgrade over Matt Gono, who got the start in Week 3 against Chicago. In other news, James Carpenter and Matt Hennessey split exactly 50 percent of snaps each during the game. The coaches were trying to spark something by putting in Hennessey, but the rookie gave up a sack immediately after entering. Despite the offensive struggles, this line grade far better than league average.

Jacksonville up 4

After missing two weeks with a knee injury, center Brandon Linder returned to practice in a limited fashion this week. It's a leap of faith but the model assumes Linder will be ready for this weekend's divisional game at Houston. Tyler Shatley has been decent in his place, but Linder is an underrated difference-maker. In other news, left tackle Cam Robinson left last week's game in the fourth quarter and has not practiced due to a knee injury. The model assumes Robinson will start this week but if not, Will Richardson would get the call.

Buffalo up 6

Despite being forced from the Week Three game against the Rams with a shoulder injury, left tackle Dion Dawkins recovered and played well during Week Four's win over Las Vegas. Dawkins was held out of last week's rankings, but clearly, we underestimated this young man, who grades as a Pro Bowl snub. Dawkins and new arrival Daryl Williams form excellent bookends and are a big part of the team's early success. There is less certainty inside, where the guard starters Cody Ford (groin) and Brian Winters (knee) are both questionable. But Quinton Spain can play either spot, and the team will get another starting quality player when Jon Felciano returns from PUP. In short, this is a solid line with the upside potential to be elite once the guard situation settles.

Carolina up 4

Left tackle Russell Okung (groin) was limited at practice and has missed the last two games. However, the model is taking a chance and assuming Okung will get healthy for the divisional game against Atlanta. Should Okung not be available Greg Little and Trent Scott would continue their split, roughly 3:1 in favor of Little. In other news left guard Dennis Daley has been practicing in full, and he could make his season debut in place of Chris Reed. Reed has been playing well but Daley has the youth and physical upside. This line still grades below average but their form is trending upward of late.

DOWNGRADES

Indianapolis down 10

Left tackle Anthony Castonzo injured his rib during the fourth quarter of last week's win at Chicago. LeRaven Clark played the final four snaps in his place. Castonzo has not been practicing this week and is questionable for the team's contest against Cleveland. A ten-year vet, Castonzo played all 16 games last season but has been known to miss a few each year with various injuries. Clark is a decent backup who has been in the system for a long time, but it's hard to replace to the experience of a player like Castonzo, especially when Myles Garrett is the matchup. Those with exposure to the Colts' offense should monitor Castonzo for gameday inactive status.

Houston down 6

After splitting reps at left guard the coaches finally benched second-year player Max Scharping in favor of veteran Senio Kelemete. Kelemete was less leaky in pass protection but this is still a disappointing outcome. It will be interesting to see if Scharping regains his job under a new regime. In other news, left tackle Laremy Tunsil is questionable with a shoulder injury and has been limited in practice. Tunsil is included in the rankings, but without him, this group could fall apart.

New England down 8

Right guard Shaq Mason missed last week's contest against Kansas City with a calf injury. Rookie sensation Michael Onwenu played well at the spot, which was his natural position at Michigan. The downgrade here isn't really at guard, but at center, where James Ferentz takes over for David Andrews. Andrews has missed two weeks with a thumb injury that required surgery and he is expected to miss a couple more. Joe Thuney had played center Week Three, but the Mason injury forced him back to guard. In other news, Jermaine Elumunor was scratched prior to last week's game with a migraine, giving was to Justin Herron. Elumunor is expected to start this week against Denver. This can be a good line, once they regain health.

Dallas down 9

The bottom appears to have finally fallen out in Dallas, as left tackle Tyron Smith's neck injury suffered a setback this week in practice. Smith is expected to miss this weekend's game against the New York Giants, leaving Brandon Knight at the left side and Terence Steele on the right side. The team signed Greg Senat in further depth but their tackle situation is bad. Center Joe Looney injured his knee last week against Cleveland, giving way to rookie Tyler Biadasz. The line should have at least three injury replacements this week, with only the guards the same since opening day.

OTHER NEWS

ARZ - Signed backup Justin Murray to a 2-year deal. Murray could be seen as a future RT. Justin Pugh exited last week with knee injury (max Garcia played 10 snaps) but Pugh is reportedly fine this week and practiced in full.

BAL - Left tackle Ronnie Stanley missed last week's game with a shoulder injury and was limited in practice this week. The lineup against CIN was Orlando Brown at left tackle and DJ Fluker at right tackle. Fluker could get another start this week as rookie right guard Tyre Phillips also injured his shoulder and could miss this week against WFT.

CIN - Left tackle Jonah Williams was limited in practice due to a shoulder injury but is expected to play. Within two weeks, Alex Redmond went from the practice squad to right guard starter. After last week's win over Jacksonville, expect Redmond to keep the job.

LAC - The right side of tackle Bryan Bulaga and Trai Turner has not practiced for multiple weeks. Practice reports for MNF are not out at press time, but they are held out of the model until they can prove their health.

MIA - Rookie left tackle Austin Jackson did not practice this week due to a foot injury. Julien Davenport would take his place at San Francisco.

NOR - Another MNF press situation. Right tackle Ryan Ramczyk left the win over Detroit in the third quarter with a concussion. Ethan Greenidge replaced him during the game but James Hurst returns from his four-game PED suspension this week. Ramczyk has an extra day to pass the test but if he can't, Hurst would likely make his Saints' debut.

NYG - For the second week in a row, right tackle Matt Peart is getting limited (15% or less) snaps for Cam Fleming.

NYJ - Mekhi Becton has a shoulder injury and will likely miss this weekend's home game against Arizona. George Fant will likely slide to his natural left tackle position while Chuma Edoga will start at right tackle. The Jets are on 10 days rest, a Becton sighting is possible.

FULL RANKINGS