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UPGRADES

New England up 8

Right tackle Trent Brown played only one series against Miami in the season opener before being forced out with a calf injury. Brown missed last week's dominant win over the New York Jets and in his place, Yasir Durant and Justin Herron split reps, both struggling in pass protection. Brown returned to practice in a limited fashion this week, and while this player has been a "gameday-active-gamble" over the course of his career, Brown appears likely to start this weekend at home against a struggling New Orleans defensive front. Brown's condition was described more as day-to-day when it first happened and had last week been a playoff game, he probably would have gutted it out. Having Brown available this week earns this Patriots' line a top-10 grade in the latest rankings.

Indianapolis up 2

Free-agent acquisition Eric Fisher saw his first game action last week, and played 73% of snaps in the loss to the LA Rams. Having Fisher in the lineup is a huge boost but the good feelings are tempered by the situation at right tackle, where Braden Smith (foot and thumb) missed last week's contest and is not practicing this week. Julien Davenport, who had been subbing in for Fisher, swapped sides to replace Smith. The foot sprain appears to be more serious than the thumb injury and could be another couple of weeks for this key starter. The rankings reflect an upgrade for Fisher, but assuming Smith is still unavailable, the Colts' line ranks sixth this week. When Smith returns to health, this line has top-5 potential.

Baltimore up 4

The tackle situation has been dicey of late, with Ronnie Stanley still not practicing due to an ankle injury. This has forced Alejandro Villanueva to swap sides, and Patrick Mekari to play right tackle. The tackles have done just enough to survive but this upgrade is mainly due to the play at left guard, where the coaches gave Ben Powers and Ben Cleveland roughly split snaps in the Sunday Night win over Kansas City. The impressive part was Ben Cleveland's run blocking, as the 360-pound player was just tossing bodies around at the end of the game. The coaches have always wanted the rookie Cleveland to win this job, and an interior trio of him, Bradley Bozeman, and Kevin Zeitler have the potential to upgrade the Ravens' running attack. Look for the snap count to skew in favor of the rookie when the Ravens visit a vulnerable Detroit defensive front in Week 3.

DOWNGRADES

Philadelphia down 7

Right guard Brandon Brooks was forced from last week's home loss to San Francisco with a partially torn pectoral muscle. The team turned to rookie Landon Dickerson to play the remainder of the game's 33 offensive snaps. Brooks was placed on injured reserve this week, and while he could come back later in the year, Brooks' time in Philadelphia could be at an end. The team has also Nate Herbig waiting in the wings, but Dickerson has the physical upside. Dickerson has the physical upside of a right tackle prospect, but his experience lends him more toward center or guard. The Eagles' line is still grading within the top-10 and even without Brooks, they have a favorable matchup this Monday Night against a battered Dallas Cowboys defensive front.

LA Chargers down 8

Veteran right tackle Bryan Bulaga was placed on injured reserve prior to last week's game with a back injury. Storm Norton played all the offensive snaps in the close loss against Dallas, but Norton, a former XFL player, is more of a natural left tackle. The team also re-signed Michael Schofield, a veteran who started 38 games for the Chargers from 2017-2019 after spending a year in Carolina. The new-look line has been playing well at the other positions, but Bulaga's loss represents a setback for their overall cohesion score. The Chargers go on the road this week to face a vulnerable Kansas City defensive front, but their offensive line ranking has fallen to the bottom of the rankings.

NY Giants down 1

The coaching staff shuffled the lineup prior to the close loss against Washington last Thursday Night: They started Billy Price at center and moved Nick Gates to left guard. During the game, Gates suffered an ugly leg break (tib-fib) and Ben Bredeson replaced him, playing 80% of the snaps. While Bredeson is an interesting run-blocking prospect acquired from Baltimore, the lack of Gates' veteran experience hurts their overall grade. With Shane Lemieux already on IR with a knee injury, reporters have witnessed Matt Peart working at guard in practice. Another option is Matt Skura at center and moving Price to left guard. All of this shuffling is not ideal for line grades, but at least the Giants' have a choice matchup, this week at home against Atlanta.

OTHER NEWS

ARZ - RT Kelvin Beachum (ribs) played about half the snaps (48%) against Tennessee, and Justin Murray finished the game. Beachum and Justin Pugh (shoulder) did not practice this week, but both are included in this week's ranks.

CAR - LG Pat Elflein hurt his hamstring last week and Dennis Daley played the remainder of the snaps against New Orleans. Right guard John Miller returned to the lineup and Brady Christensen is lurking. It all ended up being a small upgrade in the rankings. Still this Carolina line needs to do a better job in pass protection before it rises further.

CIN - RG Xavier Su'a-Filo played 100% of snaps against Chicago last week but has not been practicing due to a knee injury. The Bengals have rookie Jackson Carman set to make his first start but there is no change to the ranks either way.

CHI - LT Larry Borom went to IR last week with an ankle injury. Jason Peters had one of those turn back the clock days against Cincinnati last week, and he remains the starter.

CLE - LT Jedrick Wills has been gutting out an ankle injury. He played 70% of snaps before Blake Hance replaced him against Houston. The usual backup tackle Chris Hubbard injured his triceps and is considered week-to-week.

DEN - RG Netane Muti replaced Graham Glasgow last week and noticeably struggled in pass protection. Glasgow was diagnosed with an irregular heartbeat and his return date is unclear.

GBP - LG Lucas Patrick (concussion) missed MNF, and Jon Runyan played extremely well in his place. In "other-other" news, LT Elgton Jenkins missed practice with an ankle but he is still in the ranks. If Jenkins were not able to play, the team would probably move right tackle Billy Turner to left tackle and start veteran Dennis Kelly at right tackle.

JAX - Brandon Linder (back) has not been practicing but he played 100% of snaps last week against Denver and is included in the ranks. RG AJ Cann (hamstring) missed the final 20 snaps against Denver. Ben Bartch replaced him, and coaches probably hope that Bartch takes the next step to becoming a starter sooner rather than later.

KCC - C Austin Blythe (abdomen) and RG Trey Smith (wrist) were both limited in practice this week, but remain in the ranks.

LVR - RT Alex Leatherwood was forced from the win over Pittsburgh last week with a back injury but has been a full participant in this week's practices. Brandon Parker is a capable swing option and can step in for Leatherwood as needed.

MIA - RT Jesse Davis missed time at the end of last week's blowout loss to Buffalo with a knee injury. Davis has been limited in practice but still included in the ranks. Rumors are swirling about another offensive line shuffle in Miami, this time involving Robert Hunt, Solomon Kindley and Liam Eichenberg. This unit has talent but they can't seem to find a consistent lineup.

MIN - First-round rookie Christian Darrisaw rejoined the team in practice this week, limited by a groin injury he suffered in college. While Darrisaw could be a surprise start this weekend at home against Seattle, the team could also give him a couple of weeks to work himself into shape.

NO - RG Calvin Throckmorton played 89% of snaps last week (James Hurst took 10 snaps) but the young player did fine. Throckmorton did not allow a sack, hurry, or pressure in 28 pass-protection opportunities. Throckmorton will continue to start while Erik McCoy misses time.

PIT - RG Trai Turner was ejected for an altercation with a ref, but no suspension is likely. BJ Finney played the last 11 snaps.

SEA - RT Brandon Shell is uncertain this week with an ankle injury suffered last week against Tennessee. His MRI came back negative but the fact that he had one means he might not be available this week. Shell is in the rankings for now but Jamarco Jones could get the start this week.

TEN - LG Aaron Brewer played the majority of the snaps for Rodger Saffold, who was forced from the game with a shoulder injury. LT Taylor Lewan has been a full participant this week after missing last week with a knee injury. Both Lewan and Saffold are included in this week's rankings.

FULL RANKINGS