Photo: Imagn Images

UPGRADES

Tampa Bay up 5

Early in last week's win over Indianapolis, left guard Aaron Stinnie was carted off with a knee injury. Nick Leverett (undrafted from Rice) saw his first NFL action in replacement. So why is this listed under upgrades? Because usual starting guard Ali Marpet returned to practice this week and is likely to start in the divisional contest against Atlanta. Marpet has been nursing an oblique injury (abdomen) but when healthy, he is one of the best guards in the game. Assuming Marpet can go, Tampa Bay carries a top-5 grade in the latest rankings.

Kansas City up 2

Kansas City had been starting Andrew Wylie at right tackle, who works hard but is more of a guard by nature. This week, the coaches have serious options. Opening day starter Lucas Niang (ribs) rejoined practice and in most NFL locker rooms, Niang starting this weekend against Denver would be an easy prediction. However, after the entire season on PUP rehabbing his knee, Kyle Long has finally returned to health. For those who need a reminder, the upside of Kyle Long is that he is the son of a Hall of Famer, an elite athlete, and a three-time Pro Bowler with Chicago. The downside is he's 32 years old and has not played since 2019. Either way, the right tackle situation in Kansas City gets options, and it's enough to nudge this group into the top spot in this week's rankings.

Buffalo up 3

Right tackle Spencer Brown has been activated off the COVID list, and he will start Monday Night Football at New England. Brown's return allows Daryl Williams to bump inside to right guard and most importantly, returns Cody Ford to the bench. Brown, a 6'9" rookie from Northern Iowa has started four games this season, in each of them, the Bills' offense has scored over 30 points, and in two of those games, over 40. Despite still being without Jon Feliciano (IR), Buffalo's offensive line is a solid group, lurking just outside the top-10 in the latest rankings.

Detroit up 8

Right guard Halapoulivaati Vaitai emerged from the league's concussion protocol this week. While Vaitai is far from a difference-maker, his return relegates Tommy Kraemer to the bench. It was a big spot for the undrafted rookie on Thanksgiving, and Kraemer predictably struggled. In other news, monitor the status of right tackle Penei Sewell this week. Sewell played 100% of snaps last week but was listed as a nonparticipant in practice this week due to illness. The model assumes he will recover by Sunday against Minnesota. But these illness designations can be hard to predict. The Lions' offensive line is 13th with Sewell and closer to 21st without him.

Atlanta up 3

Center Matt Hennessey split reps almost 1:1 with fourth-round rookie Drew Dalman from Stanford. Why is this an upgrade? The offense experienced better rushing with Dalman and the competition of the center rotation improved the play of Hennessey as well. This could be a rotation until the end of the year, but more likely, Dalman wins this job and doesn't look back. Either way, it's an improvement for the Falcons' offensive line who rank 17th just prior to a difficult home matchup against Tampa Bay.

Denver up 9

While left tackle Garett Bolles still has not cleared protocols as of press time, coach comments imply he will be practicing on Thursday and active for Week 13 against Kansas City. At right tackle, Bobby Massie has returned to practice in a limited fashion. Massie has been resting his ankle, and the rankings assume both starters play in this divisional rivalry matchup. Their return comes at a good time, as backup tackle Calvin Anderson suffered a knee injury during the win over Los Angles. Anderson is closer to week-to-week than day-to-day. In other news, Dalton Risner left that game with a back injury but coaches are optimistic he will play as well. Assuming an ideal starting lineup, Denver ranks 21st prior to facing a vulnerable Kansas City defense.

NY Jets up 3

Former Kansas City guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif has taken over for Greg Van Roten in the Jets' starting lineup. The authors of Footballguys are discouraged to use nicknames but "LDT" over "GVR" represents a small upgrade to pass protection and a larger upgrade to rushing. This group still misses left tackle Mekhi Becton, who could return to practice within the next few weeks. They are still a below-average group, but getting slightly better, 26th before facing Philadelphia.

Also, note Miami (+6) and NY Giants (+7) received lineup-based cohesion upgrades.

DOWNGRADES

Washington down 3

Center Wes Schweitzer was carted off during the Monday Night Football win over Seattle, leaving Keith Ismael to become the team's fourth center of the season. With usual second-string center Tyler Larsen still missing practice with a knee injury, Ismael will likely get a start at Las Vegas. In other news, right guard Brandon Scherff played 100% of snaps last week but has been limited in practice with a knee injury. Assuming Scherff is upright, this group is at least average, 16th in the current rankings.

Minnesota down 4

Left tackle Christian Darrisaw was forced from the loss against San Francisco with an ankle injury. Rashod Hill replaced Darrisaw for the final 31% of snaps. Darrisaw is not practicing this week, which means the team will likely have to turn to the veteran Hill again. Neither are amazing pass protectors but Darrisaw is a far better run blocker than Hill. The Vikings' offensive line checks in at 27th before facing an active Detroit defensive front.

Carolina down 3

This is a downgrade based on the leaky pass protection coming from the current starting guards of Michael Jordan and Trent Scott. This is not how the coaching staff drew up the lineup in the preseason, but the Panthers' line has declined all season. They look confused, which is probably the worst qualities for any offensive players to exhibit. Thankfully, the team is on a bye.

Cincinnati down 12

Right tackle Riley Reiff turned his ankle in the third quarter of the win over Pittsburgh, Isaiah Prince saw the final 40% of offensive snaps. Reiff did not practice this week and seems unlikely to be ready for the LA Chargers this weekend. Historically, Reiff is not a quick healer, and he is a key part of this offense. The drop-off between the starter and Isaiah Prince or Fred Johnson is immense. The Bengals' offensive line ranks 29th.

New Orleans down 19

The team has announced they will be without both starting tackles Terron Armstead (knee, shoulder - not in ranks) and RT Ryan Ramcyzk (knee - not in ranks) for Thursday Night Football. With Landon Young on the injured reserve, James Hurst and Jordan Mills will be the likely starters against Dallas. There's no sugar-coating this downgrade, as they don't really have the depth to lose both these starters and grade high. New Orleans grades 31st this week.

OTHER NEWS

ARZ - LG Justin Pugh (calf - not in ranks) is a game-time decision against Chicago. RG Max Garcia is officially starting RG per the team's depth chart, following the demotion of Josh Jones.

BAL - C Bradley Bozeman (shin laceration - in ranks), Patrick Mekari (ankle - in ranks) are not practicing. Both should be ready for Pittsburgh.

CLE - RT Jack Conklin rejoined the lineup last week against Baltimore, but tore his patellar tendon and was placed on season-ending IR after the game. As he was not in our ranks, this did not change their grade.

DAL - RT Terrence Steele has been placed on the COVID list. La'el Collins has cohesion at right tackle and is treated as another starting quality player. Hence, no change to their rank this week.

HOU - Lane Taylor started LG against NYJ. Tytus Howard has been playing LT with Laremy Tunsil still on IR (thumb - not in ranks). RG Justin McCray is likely out with a concussion this week, returning Max Scharping to the lineup.

IND - C Ryan Kelly (knee - in ranks) and LG Quenton Nelson (ankle - in ranks) are gutting through injuries down the stretch.

LAC - LG Matt Feiler (ankle - in ranks) was ruled out with an ankle injury prior to the loss at DEN. Senio Kelemete took his placed and allowed a ton of pressure. Feiler has returned to practice in a limited fashion and is included in the ranks.

PHI - C Jason Kelce left the game then returned. He didn't practice Wednesday but the reason was "not injury related." Kelce appears to be fine. Nate Herbig will be used at RG as Jack Driscoll was placed on IR. These players carry similar grades at guard.

PIT - G/C J.C. Hassenauer was placed on IR, leaving B.J. Finney to start at LG down the stretch.

SEA - C Kyle Fuller (ankle - not in ranks) has been replaced by Ethan Pocic. Several players are playing hurt: Gabe Jackson (knee - in ranks), Damien Lewis (elbow - in ranks), and Brandon Shell (shoulder - in ranks) are all risks to miss time in December.

FULL RANKINGS