Worst 5 Run-Blocking Offensive Lines

Photo: Imagn Images

Recently, we predicted the best run-blocking and pass-blocking offensive lines in the 2023 NFL. This week it's time to talk about the positional groups that have trouble, specifically the bottom five run-blocking groups. As always, check our full offensive line rankings for up-to-date grades.

1 - Washington Commanders

Starters with run-blocking grades:

LT Charles Leno: C+
LG *Saahdiq Charles: B
OC Nick Gates: B
RG Sam Cosmi: B
RT Andrew Wylie: C+

* = projected starter

The Commanders' offensive line has some good qualities. Charles Leno is a reliable vet at left tackle, not missing a start in two seasons. Former second-round pick Sam Cosmi plays much better at right guard than he did at tackle. There are new additions in center Nick Gates (NY Giants) and right tackle Andrew Wylie (Kansas City). Both arrived in free agency to settle what had been problem positions for the Washington offense.

But there's a lack of high-end talent in this group, especially in the rushing attack. All of these players listed are known to miss blocks. The real concern spot is at left guard, where currently there's an open competition between Saahdiq Charles, Chris Paul, and Mason Brooks (UDFA, Ole Miss). Charles (a former left tackle at LSU) should have the job running away, but he's been slowed by an ankle injury, leaving Paul, a former seventh-round pick, losing reps in practice to Brooks. The new offensive line coach is Travelle Wharton, a former player who is somewhat raw as a positional coach, still wearing the "Assistant" moniker. Best case, Charles gets healthy, and the two new starters settle into the lineup. But outside of other teams getting hurt, it's hard to imagine how this group rises in the rankings. There's just not a lot of upside.

2 - Tennessee Titans

Starters with run-blocking grades:

LT Andre Dillard: B
LG Peter Skoronski: B
OC Aaron Brewer: B
RG Daniel Brunskill: B
RT Chris Hubbard: C+

It's troubling to see a team like Tennessee, with an offense designed to go through the running game, and more specifically, Derrick Henry, clock in with such mediocre run-blocking grades. There's an obvious drop-off between last year's left tackle Taylor Lewan and Andre Dillard (free agent, Philadelphia). Lewan was the team enforcer, while Dillard is more of an athletic finesse player. Left guard Peter Skoronski (first-round, Northwestern) is a highly likable prospect, possibly the most pro-ready choice in the entire field. There is a scenario where Skoronski is a David Decastro type, instantly good; that wouldn't be too surprising. And at right guard, Daniel Brunskill has competence running the outside zone in San Francisco. The real trouble is at right tackle, where second-year starter Nicholas Petit-Frere has been suspended six games for violation of the league's gambling policy. This leaves Chris Hubbard (free agent, Cleveland) as the starting right tackle, and his game is similar to Dillard's, more of a swing pass protector than a people mover. With all this change, center Aaron Brewer is the lone holdover from last season slated to start Week 1 (and most of his experience came at guard). All of this change (four new starters, one position swap) adds up to a troublesome trend line for the Titans, who grade out 32nd in the overall rankings.

3 - New York Jets

Starters with run-blocking grades:

LT Duane Brown: C+
LG Laken Tomlinson: B
OC *Connor McGovern: C+
RG Alijah Vera-Tucker: B+
RT *Billy Turner: C+

* = projected starters

First, a disclaimer: if tackle Mekhi Becton and rookie center Joe Tippmann (second round, Wisconsin) find their way into the starting lineup, this becomes a much better run-blocking group. And even though both players have flashed in training camp and joint practices, the current depth chart, as it stands, excludes these young, high-upside players. Why? Well, Tippmann has been running with the third team. And Becton has been injured for the better part of two years. The team recently declined Becton's fifth-year option, and there are at least three beat writers predicting he's traded before the season starts.

But even more broadly, with star quarterback Aaron Rodgers coming into town, there can be no mistakes when it comes to audibles, hard counts, hot routes, and late blocking calls. In practice, the coaches have prioritized veterans like Billy Turner and Connor McGovern over the higher-upside youth. The guard positions of Laken Tomlinson and Alijah Vera-Tucker appear set, with AVT being the group's high-end talent. But at the other spots, the coaches are willing to trade the run blocking of Becton and Tippmann for the (hopefully) more reliable pass blocking of Turner and Duane Brown. Turner is being paid like a backup but has experience with both Rodgers and Nate Hackett. It should also be noted that we are several weeks into camp, and Brown (shoulder) is still on the PUP list. Brown is the oldest starting lineman in football, two years older than Jason Kelce. If the team announced he suddenly retired, it wouldn't be a surprise. Still, assuming Brown's ready for Week 1, the Jets will likely trot out a veteran lineup against Buffalo on Monday Night Football. But without Becton and Tippmann, they are more savvy pass protectors than stout maulers.