Top 5 Run-Blocking Offensive Lines

Photo: Imagn Images

Feel free to check out our comprehensive offensive line rankings. You don't normally get breakdowns to that level.

In that vein, over the next few weeks, we'll have a series breaking down the best and worst run-blocking and pass-blocking lines.

That series starts today with the top five run-blocking units.

1 - Philadelphia Eagles

Starters with run-blocking grades:

LT Jordan Mailata: A-
LG Landon Dickerson: A
OC Jason Kelce: A+
RG Cam Jurgens*: B
RT Lane Johnson: A+

* = Projected

The best lines make their job look easy. And what was easier than the 2022 Philadelphia QB-sneak push play? Threatened to be outlawed for its effectiveness, the Eagles' throwback sneak play, a.k.a. the "tush push", was darn near unstoppable last season. As it remains legal, look for other teams to try their luck with it. But not every team has the luxury of running behind 370+ pound left tackle Jordan Mailata and 330+ pound left guard Landon Dickerson. That power on the left side is unrivaled, and, in fact, the Eagles have the 2nd heaviest line in the league. Add in the flawless play of Lane Johnson at right tackle and another year of center Jason Kelce's dangerous pull blocks, and it's easy to see how the Eagles' offensive line ended up so high in the rankings. This is also a top pass-blocking group, third by that metric.

The only uncertainty is at right guard, where there's an open competition between Jack Driscoll, Cam Jurgens, Sua Opeta, and Alabama rookie Tyler Steen. If the Birds had to play one game for all the marbles, the decision would lean toward Driscoll, who has started 16 games over the past few seasons. And the signing of Dennis Kelly allows for that possibility. But if Driscoll stays swing tackle, last year's second-round pick Jurgens will face off against this year's third-round pick Tyler Steen. The team sees Jurgens at center long-term, but he is getting the first-team reps in training camp. Behind him lurks Steen, who is connected to offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland through the Alabama pipeline. Sua Opeta is a powerful player but a long shot for starting reps. Whoever wins the battle, this group has excellent depth.

2 - Cleveland Browns

Starters with run-blocking grades:

LT Jedrick Wills: B
LG Joel Bitonio: A+
OC Ethan Pocic: B
RG Wyatt Teller: A+
RT Jack Conklin: A

Part of being a top run-blocking line is having the mentality that the offense will take these rushing yards, come what may. The Browns' offensive line has this attitude. They return all five starters from last season for perfect cohesion. Line coach Bill Callahan is one of the best line coaches in the game. And simply put, this group mashes. The starters have three impact players: Joel Bitonio at left guard, right guard Wyatt Teller and right tackle Jack Conklin. Few other teams boast that level of push in the run game. At center, Ethan Pocic established himself as a starter last year and could be a cheap long-term solution. The weak spot (run blocking-wise) is at left tackle, where Jedrick Wills does only an average job. The team still picked up Wills' fifth-year option, as being an average left tackle has real value in the NFL (See Donovan Smith signing with Kansas City, below).

As usual, injuries make the difference in these rankings on a week-to-week basis. While Bitonio has been an ironman, both Teller and Conklin missed a few games last season. Conklin is two years removed from a significant knee injury, yet the team rewarded him with another extension in the offseason. In many ways, Conklin is the key to this group. The guards will most likely do their thing, but a healthy Conklin gives this group elite potential. Callahan will have plenty of clay to mold for depth, as James Hudson, Nick Harris, Colby Gossett, Luke Wypler, Michael Dunn, Dawand Jones, and Drew Forbes are all floating around the roster. Hudson has started about a season's worth of games in place of Conklin, while Forbes and Dunn were used as blocking backs in short-yardage packages in 2022. As a bonus, Callahan is always working to develop talent from out of nowhere, like Hunter Thedford. Having this pipeline assures the Browns will have a high floor in the rankings, should anything happen to the starters.