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UPGRADES

Kansas City up 13

As this group enters Week 4, they have had three games together. The team's win-loss record may not match expectations but as they gain familiarity with each other, the play of the offensive line has improved. Keep in mind, this line debuted five new starters. The left side of Orlando Brown and Joe Thuney arrived from different systems and the rookies in center Creed Humphrey and right guard Trey Smith. The only holdover in the system, Lucas Niang, opted out of the 2020 season. The group has a choice matchup this week as Kansas City travels to face a beleaguered Philadelphia defensive front.

Washington up 7

When injuries strike league-wide (as they have done this week), sometimes teams move up the rankings by simply not getting hurt. There was one bit of injury news, as right guard Brandon Scherff hit a sideline retaining wall chasing down an interception. Wes Schweitzer played 4 snaps in his place, and Scherff re-entered the game after the half. But still, Scherff is an All-Pro and Schweitzer is a starting-caliber depth piece, which speaks to the quality of this group. Sam Cosmi has settled down at right tackle and this is a classic case of a solid line being let down by other positions within the offense. Jacksonville (ranked 5th this week) is a similar story. Assuming Scherff plays, this Washington line grades 10th heading into a choice matchup against Atlanta.

Green Bay up 3

Left tackle Elgton Jenkins missed Sunday Night Football against San Francisco with an ankle injury, and he is not practicing this week. So why is Green Bay in the upgrade column? Because third-string left tackle Yosh Nijman replaced Jenkins and shut down Nick Bosa on national television. The coaching and scouting staff have built an enviable pipeline of depth and interchangeable pieces in Green Bay. Even without David Bakhtiari and Elgton Jenkins, they rank 11th this week before hosting a Pittsburgh defensive front potentially missing T.J. Watt (groin). Beyond the near-term, as their stars return to health this line has top-3 potential down the stretch.

DOWNGRADES

New Orleans down 6

Left tackle Terron Armstead exited the New England win with an elbow injury early in the contest. Beat writers believe Armstead's recovery to be measured in weeks, not days. James Hurst played most of the game, 89% of snaps, and will likely get the start when the Saints hold their delayed home opener against the NY Giants. Despite the downgrade, this is still a good group with a choice matchup this week. Even without their left tackle and center Erik McCoy (calf), New Orleans still grades 9th in the latest rankings.

Arizona down 7

Right tackle Kelvin Beachum suffered a rib injury in Week 1, tried to gut it out in Week 2, and missed Week 3. Justin Murray has been playing in his place, but he is dealing with a back injury of his own. At guard, Justin Pugh injured his back last week on the kick-six field goal return in Jacksonville just before half. Sean Harlow and Max Garcia combined to take his place. With Joshua Miles on IR and Brian Winters waived, the injuries are starting to mount in Arizona, who have an extremely tough matchup this week, traveling to face their division rival LA Rams.

Philadelphia down 4

One week after putting right guard Brandon Brooks on IR with a pectoral injury, left guard Isaac Seumalo was placed on the IR with a leg injury, and will likely miss the entire season. Nate Herbig replaced Seumalo in the game and will likely start this week against Kansas City. At left tackle, Jordan Mailata has been dealing with a knee injury. Andre Dillard started against Dallas and actually played well, despite the final score. This team has decent depth options but with three starters likely out, Philadelphia falls to 13th in the latest grades.

New England down 8

Right tackle Trent Brown has missed two games with a calf strain he suffered in the season opener. Justin Herron has taken his place, for the most part, playing 93% of snaps in the home loss to New Orleans. Trent Brown is a game-changing type of athlete but he is questionable for this week's Sunday Night home game against Tampa Bay and not included in the ranks. Tampa Bay has a loaded defensive front, and without Brown, this will be a difficult matchup for the 15th ranked line.

Seattle down 4

Right tackle Brandon Shell missed the road loss to Minnesota last week with an ankle injury, and he has not been practicing this week. Based on their record with and without him, Shell is a key member of the Seahawks' offense. Jamarco Jones and Jake Curhan split reps in the game against Minnesota, but neither provide the blocking of Shell. Assuming their right tackle misses another week, whoever is in the game will have a difficult assignment on the road against a stout 49ers' defensive front. Seattle ranks 17th.

Indianapolis down 13

Left guard Quenton Nelson has not been practicing with ankle and knee injuries. Coaches have called Nelson unlikely to play his week. Chris Reed replaced Nelson in the loss against Tennessee and will likely get the call this week against an underrated Dolphins defensive front. The importance of Nelson, one of the top linemen in all of football, cannot be overstated. Making matters worse, right tackle Braden Smith missed the game with foot and thumb injuries and is also not practicing. Julien Davenport and Matt Pryor split reps 3:1 in Smith's place. Indianapolis falls to 19th in the latest rankings.

Miami down 8

Just prior to the overtime loss against Las Vegas, there was another lineup shuffle in Miami: Jesse Davis moved from right tackle to left guard and Liam Eichenberg moved to right tackle. This allowed the coaches to bench Solomon Kindley. Davis is a veteran who can play almost any position but the second-round rookie Eichenberg struggled badly against Las Vegas. Eichenberg was playing his third position in three games, which is a tough assignment for any professional. It feels like this Miami line could be decent if coaches find the right lineup, but it's not clear they've done that yet. Miami checks in at 23rd in this week's grades before facing a desperate Indianapolis defensive front.

Denver down 5

Both guards could miss this week's game against Baltimore. Right guard Graham Glasgow, who had been missing time with an irregular heartbeat, was forced from the win over the NY Jets with a knee injury. Dalton Risner, who has not missed a game in his young career yet, twisted his ankle last week and neither starter is practicing. Netane Muti replaced Glasgow and Quinn Meinerz replaced Risner. The starters are officially questionable but they are not included in this week's rankings, dropping the team grade to 29th.

OTHER NEWS

BAL - LT Ronnie Stanley continues to rehab his ankle, without surgery. Alejandro Villanueva has been gutting through a knee injury while starting in Stanley's place.
At left guard, Ben Powers and Ben Cleveland continue to split reps about 50/50.

CAR - RG John Miller played 93% of snaps vs Houston last Thursday and appears to be in full health. Dennis Daley has the left guard job while Pat Elflein is on IR.

CIN - RG Xavier Sua-Filo is doubtful for Thursday Night Football against Jacksonville with a knee injury. Jackson Carman started in his place against Pittsburgh and played well. Carman should start the rest of the season.

CLE - LT Jedrick Wills has been gutting through an ankle injury, and Blake Hance gets about ten to twenty snaps every game in relief of Wills. If Christopher Hubbard (triceps) can return to health, Wills might get some time off to recover.

LVR - The team moved LG Richie Incognito (calf) to IR after missing the first three games of the season. John Simpson has been stepping up in his place.

MIN - Rookie LT Christian Darrisaw was a full participant in practice, and could see time this week against Myles Garrett and the Cleveland Browns. Rashod Hill has been starting in Darrisaw's place, and it will be interesting to see if he can hold off the rookie.

NYG - LG Ben Bradeson played 100% of snaps last week against Atlanta but he could miss time this week with a hand injury. Assuming the lineup changes, it will be the Giants' fourth starting left guard in four games.

PIT - RT Chuk Okorafor is in the league's concussion protocol and did not practice this week. Joe Haeg took 40% of the snaps last week and will likely get the start. In other-other news, center J.C. Hassenauer played a few snaps for Kendrick Green last week. Green is not listed on this week's injury report.

FULL RANKINGS