With an entire offseason under our belts, the draft, minicamps and OTA's, you might wonder: "where do all the team's offensive lines rank?" Well, I'm glad you asked.
1. Cleveland
2014 rank: 1st. Difference from final 2013 rank: +6.
Overall: A+ Run: A+ Pass: A
Returning all five starters at all of the same positions, with two of those starters considered current All-Pro’s, the perpetually underrated Browns are our top ranked offensive line this preseason. Left tackle Joe Thomas continues to be the best left tackle in football; with his seven pro bowls (so far), he is constructing a Hall of Fame caliber career. While not quite as dominant as Thomas, center Alex Mack is a key part of the offensive line and the franchise dodged a bullet when they matched his offer from Jacksonville. Mack would have been very hard to replace. Right guard John Greco turns in very solid performances week to week. On the whole, the closest thing to a weak spot is the left guard position, where oft-injured Jason Pinkston will likely face immediate competition, both from free agent veteran Paul McQuistan, and from second round rookie Joel Bitonio. Bitonio is a versatile athlete who can challenge both Pinkston and even right tackle Mitchell Schwartz for playing time. We are projecting Bitonio to crack the starting lineup by Week 1, but it's not definate. The good news about left guard is that whoever plays it, will be between two of the best in the game, and that has to make the job easier. By selecting Bitonio and signing McQuistan, the Browns have reloaded from the loss of Shawn Lauvao to free agency. At the right tackle spot, Mitchell Schwartz is highly thought of by the coaching staff, and is still young enough to improve his game significantly. In other depth, tackle Reid Fragel is actually a decent player (converted tight end) and could factor in as a swing tackle (or more) due to his athletic gifts. Garrett Gilkey was effective in spot start duty last season, and even more interestingly, seems to be the NFL’s version of Ron Swanson. Overall, the Browns line is often overlooked, but their elite talent, depth and consistency make them the current top dogs going into the preseason.
2. Philadelphia
2014 rank: 2nd. Difference from final 2013 rank: +8.
Overall: A+ Run: A+ Pass: A
The Eagles begin the season as one of the top ranked lines in all of football. Nominally, they return all five starters at all five positions, which is great for cohesion. However they will be without one starter for several weeks (more on that below). Two of their five starters made the most recent All-Pro team, a statement which no other line in the conference can currently boast. At left tackle, Jason Peters has fully regained his form, after missing all of 2012 with a torn Achilles. During the second half of last season, Peters was unstoppable in run blocking and a dancing bear in pass protection. Next to him, left guard Evan Mathis is also coming off an outstanding season, especially in run blocking. These two players together create an almost automatic pathway for tailback LeSean McCoy. Center Jason Kelce made headlines this offseason for supporting the team’s release of Desean Jackson. But Kelce is good for more than just quotes, as he has rounded into one of the better centers in the league. Kelce is underrated nationally but local fans are aware of his value to the team. If the line has a weak spot it could be right guard Todd Herremans. A converted tackle, Herremans can sometimes play high and lose leverage. Still he is a solid player, and the team probably doesn’t need to replace him right away. Right tackle Lane Johnson had an excellent rookie season and he has exhibited the athleticism to possibly move over and replace Peters, down the road. Unfortuntely, Johnson is reportedly facing a four game ban for violation of the league's substance abuse policy. Had this not been the case, the Eagles would have graded out as the league's best line, and they could still grab that title by Week 5 of the regular season. In terms of depth, Allen Barbre is likely the first player off the bench at every position but center and he should be a capable starter while Johnson serves his suspension. The coaching staff seems to really trust this player. Julian Vanderwelde and David Molk will likely battle for the backup center position, and there will be a similar competition between Dennis Kelly, Matt Tobin, and Michael Bamiro for backup tackle. Overall this is an excellent line, with tons of experience. They are dominant in the run and are a strength of the football team.
3. San Francisco
2014 rank: 3rd. Difference from final 2013 rank: -2.
Overall: A Run: A Pass: A
Despite a change at the center position, the Niners still boast one of the league’s best offensive lines. Last year’s starter Jonathan Goodwin was allowed to test the free agent market and the battle in San Francisco will be between veteran Daniel Kilgore and third round pick Marcus Martin. Kilgore has experience at the center position in college, and he has played a significant amount over the years in jumbo packages. The team recently signed Kilgore to a three year extension, so even if he doesn’t win this job, he still will be in the team’s plans. As for Martin, he is a talented player who started at guard as a 17 year old freshman. The question with Martin is the same as most rookies, can he learn enough of the complex play book to be reliable when the season starts? While it is certainly possible, I don’t feel comfortable predicting Martin as a starter from day one. Either way this is one preseason battle to watch. As for the rest of the line, it is mostly good news. Left tackle Joe Staley performed at an All-Pro level again, and is one of the league’s best blind side protectors. Left guard Mike Iupati had a tremendous year before getting hurt in the NFC Championship game. Iupati should be full go by week one but his rehab is another story to watch closely. At right guard, Alex Boone was considered a steady performer last season, and right tackle Anthony Davis had a very good (borderline Pro Bowl) year. The players other than Kilgore have all started together for over two seasons, which is a rare case of cohesion in this league. In terms of depth, Adam Snyder remains the first off the bench at every position, but could face competition at swing tackle from Jonathan Martin, who was recently traded from the Dolphins. Joe Looney is a versatile backup and Al Netter was recently re-added to the roster. Overall this line is very good but sits just below that top ranking. Should they sort out their uncertainty at the center spot, this group can once again claim the top spot.
4. St. Louis
2014 rank: 4th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +2.
Overall: A Run: A- Pass: A
The Rams’ offensive line currently grades out among the league’s best units. Among the key issues for this line is the health of former All-Pro left tackle Jake Long. Long tore his ACL and MCL toward the end of last season, and his rehab is a situation to be watched closely. If he’s healthy, Long is among the league’s most dominant left tackles. If he isn’t healthy, the Rams have many options to replace him. First on that list is probably right guard Rodger Saffold. Saffold signed an enormous deal with the Raiders this offseason, who failed his physical (probably not a real injury but rather regret about the price paid). Saffold returned to the Rams on a more moderate deal. Saffold is a mauler who has played well at guard, but should the need arise, could swing back to the left side. Joe Barksdale, currently the right tackle starter, is a hugely underrated player, who could also swing back to the left side in an emergency. First round selection Greg Robinson played left tackle at Auburn, but is more likely to start his career at left guard, which was his position as a prep. Robinson is a ridiculously talented prospect physically, but extremely raw in pass protection. It could take multiple seasons before this player can be trusted to be an island against top pass rushers. At center, Scott Wells is another player who is great when healthy, but like Long, finished the year on the injured reserve. Wells is likely to be full go for week one, after rehabbing his broken leg. Overall this is a very talented group of starters, and the depth picture is also interesting. Former fourth round pick Barrett Jones can back up at guard and center, but Tim Barnes is more likely to be the first on the field should Wells get injured again. Former Pro Bowl guard Davin Joseph recently signed with a team on a “show me” deal that is unlikely to see him challenge for a starting position. Still, if Long gets hurt or suffers a setback, he could step in for Saffold at that right guard spot. Brandon Washington appears to be on the way out, as Greg Robinson is going to get his starting position and it’s questionable if the team still has him in their plans. Other depth names at tackle include Mike Person, Mitchell Van Dyk and Demetrius Rainey. Person is a seasoned player but the other two names are recent late round picks and could be candidates for the practice squad. Overall this line has a lot of talent, and can be the best line in the league, should Long and Wells return healthy and Robinson acclimates to the pro game.
5. Chicago
2014 rank: 6th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +5.
Overall: A Run: A Pass: A-
The Bears return all five starters at all five positions, and as a bonus, all five started the entire season. Not many teams can make those statements and this is all great news for the line’s cohesion score. The Bears’ line played very well last season, and the extra experience together will only help their performance in 2014. At left tackle, Jermon Bushrod is playing at a Pro Bowl level, despite not making the exhibition last season. The Bears rewarded Matt Slauson’s consistent play with a new deal after last season, and he should man the position in the seasons to come. There was some concern that solid thirty-four year old center Roberto Garza would test the waters of free agency, but the team signed him to a one year deal just prior to the opening of the market in March. The Bears also added veteran Brian de la Puente behind Garza, and at five years younger, could be considering him as Garza’s replacement in future seasons. The revamped right side played excellently last season, and the Bears have high hopes for second year players Kyle Long and Jordan Mills as they become seasoned veterans. In terms of depth, Eben Britton seems like the first man off the bench at most positions. Britton has starting experience and, while certainly not perfect, can be a capable swing tackle. The Bears have to make a decision on talented guard James Brown, as his contract is up after the season and there’s no clear path for him to start. The Bears took a flyer on former basketball player Charles Leno in the seventh round, and this athletic prospect is one to keep in mind in the seasons to come as a potential replacement for Britton. Overall this is one the league’s better lines and as the young players on the right side improve, the Bears’ line could potentially crack the top three in the offensive line rankings.
6. Minnesota
2014 rank: 6th. Difference from final 2013 rank: -1.
Overall: A Run: A Pass: A-
The Vikings return all five starters at all five positions and are currently ranked as one of the top units in the league. The line is led by left tackle Matt Kalil, who made the Pro Bowl as a rookie in 2012. Kalil experienced somewhat of a rough year last season, and it was revealed in the offseason that Kalil had been fighting through a shoulder injury. Kalil has had surgery in the offseason and is expected to be full strength for the start of the season. At center, John Sullivan is a hugely underrated starter, well known for his cerebral leadership in the middle. Sullivan has consistently graded out among the elite at that position and the Vikings have no worries there. At right guard, Brandon Fusco has a sound grip on the starting job. Fusco is known as a solid player who produces, but he can be prone to occasional bouts of inconstancy. Phil Loadholt took a lot of criticism for signing what was at the time the highest paid right tackle contract in the league. However in the years since that signing, Loadholt has cut down on penalties and actually lived up to that contract. It’s not a crazy statement to call him one of the best right tackles in the entire league. So these are the four positions that are easy to pencil in, which leaves Charlie Johnson at left guard. Johnson is often below average and will face competition from free agent Vlad Ducasse, Jeff Baca, and fifth round rookie David Yankey. Yankey was a highly touted prospect out of Stanford who was once considered an easy first round pick. Yankey fell in the draft due to poor performance in workouts. But the coaching staff is high on Yankey and he could seriously challenge Johnson for this job. Ducasse is also a player to watch at this position, as he (surprisingly) started at left guard last season and is still developing. In terms of depth, Mike Remmers is the likely swing tackle, but he will compete with Joe Berger and undrafted rookie Antonio Richardson out of Tennessee. Richardson was another highly touted prospect, but he fell due to injury concerns in his knee. If Richardson is healthy, he could very feasibly make this roster as a backup. Overall this is one of the better lines in the league, and they could actually improve in the rankings, if they get better production out of the left guard position.
7. Cincinnati
2014 rank: 7th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +5.
Overall: A- Run: A- Pass: A
The Bengals offensive line lost two players from last season, starting center Kyle Cook and swing tackle Anthony Collins. So why did their ranking improve? The short answer is that Collins wasn’t a starter and Cook was putrid. In this center starved league, Cook is still a free agent, and that fact tells the story of his value. Trevor Robinson played well in 2012 but fought through a pectoral injury in 2013 and the team gave the job back to Cook. Currently healthy, Robinson is a better player than Cook and this should be a slight upgrade. The contest for the center position will be competitive, as veteran Mike Pollak, second year man T.J. Johnson and fourth round rookie Russell Bodine will also be in the mix. The team especially is high on Bodine, who put up a beastly fourty-two reps of bench press at the combine. The team traded up for Bodine in the draft and he reportedly has the endorsement of renowned offensive line coach Paul Alexander. Bodine will likely backup at first, but it’s not unthinkable that he starts for the Bengals over Robinson. This is one training camp battle to watch. As for the rest of the line, Andrew Whitworth continues to do a very good job at left tackle, but has struggled with injuries recently. If the veteran can stay healthy, he and Clint Boling make a formidable duo on that left side. Boling is returning from an ACL tear but should be good to go for the opener.The right side of Kevin Zeitler and Andre Smith continues to be good but not great. In terms of depth, Marshall Newhouse will be the swing tackle, and the team hopes he doesn’t have to actually play. Tanner Hawkinson received limited snaps as a rookie but still could be a potential challenger to that swing tackle position in the near future. The team is reportedly high on this player and letting Collins walk is an endorsement of sorts. Overall this line is among the better units in the league and should remain in the top tier if they remain healthy. This line can improve in the rankings with better play out of the center position.
8. Denver
2014 rank: 8th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +16.
Overall: A- Run: A- Pass: A-
Getting Ryan Clady back from injury should be huge for the Broncos offensive line. Having missed most of 2013 with a Lis Franc injury, Clady appears to be on track to start the season at 100% health, and reclaim his title as the best lineman on the Broncos. Next to Clady will be Orlando Franklin, shifting over from right tackle to replace Zane Beadles, who departed for Jacksonville in free agency. While a good tackle, Franklin could be excellent on the inside, as he is known as a dominator at the point of attack. Taking Franklin’s right tackle position should be Chris Clark. Clark stepped in admirably for Clady throughout last year’s campaign and should be a strong contributor as a right tackle starter. Clark will face competition from Michael Schofield, the team’s third round pick out of Michigan. Schofield is a natural right tackle and should be the first player off the bench. The left guard position is manned by Louis Vasquez, coming off his first All-Pro honors. Vasquez has made a name for himself as one of the best interior linemen in the league and the Broncos believe they can rely upon that high level of play going forward. It’s not all sunshine and roses however as the center position is still manned by Manny Ramirez. Many will remember Ramirez in the Super Bowl, snapping the first play from scrimmage over the head of Peyton Manning. While he actually is a decent player most of the time, Ramirez is not a natural center and that fact was made apparent at the worst possible time for the Broncos. The team seems to be aware they have a problem, as they have signed solid veteran backup Will Montgomery and drafted Matt Paradis out of Boise State in the sixth round. Montgomery could beat Ramirez out this season, but even if he doesn’t it’s a positive development that the team has options. In terms of other depth, Winston Justice continues to linger on the roster and could be one of the tackle backups. He will have to battle it out with Vinson Painter, who the team is reportedly favoring for a backup position. Ryan Miller is an interesting possibility as a backup guard. Ramon Harewood is a relatively well known player but seems to be a longshot to make this roster. Despite the uncertainty at center, overall this line is among the league’s better units, and as Clady plays his way back into the lineup, they have the potential to crack the top five of the offensive line rankings.
9. Seattle
2014 rank: 9th. Difference from final 2013 rank: -5.
Overall: A- Run: A- Pass: B+
offensive line still grades out as one of the better units in the entire league. Michael Bowie is the likely starter at right tackle after Breno Giacomini departed via free agency. Bowie is no stranger to the lineup as Giacomini battled injuries last year and Bowie started eight games in his place. The coaching staff has faith in Bowie but still drafted competition, as second round pick Justin Britt will likely also see reps at the right tackle spot during preseason. On the other side, left tackle Russell Okung is rehabbing after offseason foot surgery, but is likely to be full go by week one. Okung made his second Pro Bowl last year, but could not attend as he was participating in the Super Bowl. Okung is a supremely talented player but has never made it through a complete sixteen game season. While Okung is recovering, Alvin Bailey has manned the position during organized team activities. Bailey is likely to be the swing tackle when the season starts. At left guard, the team has high hopes for former first round pick James Carpenter, who is reportedly in the best shape of his career this spring. Center Max Unger is another player who made but could not attend the Pro Bowl last year. Unger continues to be one of the league’s better centers. Lemanuel Jeanpierre should be the backup behind Unger, and he’s reliable as a spot starter. At right guard, J.R. Sweezy is a gritty player who the coaching staff favors. Sweezy is a former defensive lineman who started most of last season and played relatively well. Overall this line should be a dominant unit, especially if they can keep Okung healthy.
10. Tennessee
2014 rank: 10th. Difference from final 2013 rank: -7.
Overall: A- Run: A- Pass: B+
The selection of Taylor Lewan really makes it tough to project the starters on the Titans' offensive line. Lewan is an extremely talented natural left tackle, but veteran Michael Roos has been the team's best starter for a long time. Generally when a team drafts a left tackle high in the draft when they already have a proven starter, they move him to the right side. However, the Titans also gave Michael Oher over $9 million guaranteed in free agency to be their starting right tackle this year. This suggests that Lewan will sit for a season before replacing Roos when he leaves in free agency (which could be as early as next year). The guard positions are in really good shape as Andy Levitre continues his domination at the left guard spot and former first rounder Chance Warmack is a people mover at right guard. Overall the Titans might just have the best "guard combo" in the conference. One position where the Titans are not necessarily set is at center. Brian Schwenke was a fourth round choice of the previous regime. He didn't enter last season as a starter and when he played he was very unimpressive. The Titans don't have great depth upfront and they need to sort out exactly what they want to do with their starting lineup. Another move or two could come before/during training camp. Overall this line grades out as among the league's best units, and could rise in the rankings with better play out of the center and right tackle positions.
11. New York (AFC)
2014 rank:11th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +3.
Overall: B+ Run: A- Pass: B-
After returning four of five starters from last season, the Jets’ offensive line grade out as a mid-tier unit. The only change to the lineup is at right tackle where Breno Giacomini takes over from departed veteran Austin Howard. These players are similar (Breno is one year older and has a more checkered injury history) but both are good (not great) players. On the other side, left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson actually graded out as the team’s best lineman last season, which is not what most Jets fans would report. In general this line is often a victim of poor quarterback play (holding the ball too long, breaking the pocket) and in specific, no one suffered more from that than Ferguson. He’s a solid player and has been for many seasons. Next to him, left guard Brian Winters was somewhat of a disaster for most of his rookie season. Winters played better in the season finale against Miami but the team drafted Dakota Dozier in the fourth round to provide competition. Some believe Dozier’s best spot is at left guard so this is a possible battle to watch during preseason. At center, Nick Mangold made his fifth Pro Bowl, but like Ferguson, suffers from a bout of under appreciation in the New York media market. Few centers in the entire league play as well as this player, and he is the lynch pin of the offense, if not the entire team (looking it up, Mangold has started 126 out of 128 possible games since he was drafted, and the Jets lost the only two games he missed in 2011). Right guard Willie Colon ruptured a bicep in the last game of the season but is expected to be full go by week one. Colon is an effective run blocker but is prone to penalties and injuries. In terms of depth, the Jets will likely carry ten offensive linemen, but there are few solid options among the backups at this time. Caleb Schlauderaff is the only backup with significant starting experience, and he should battle with Dalton Freeman for the backup center position. The staff is reportedly high on Freeman, and he could win that job. Oday Aboushi is probably the first player off the bench at every other position and he has been getting reps at right guard this offseason while Colon heals. The team hopes William Campbell (a converted college DT) and Ben Ijalana step up their games but it’s not a certainty. Ijalana has had two ACL tears since being drafted in the second round several seasons ago. Overall this line is decent with the upside to be very good, should they get better play out of their left guard position.
12. New Orleans
2014 rank: 12th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +4.
Overall: B Run: B- Pass: B+
The Saints grade out as a mid-tier unit in our rankings, which is pretty much where they finished last season. They are a solid unit with some top level talent at the guard positions. At the guard spots, the Saints boast two highly successful players in left guard Ben Grubbs and right guard Jahri Evans (both starters in last year’s Pro Bowl). Evans is probably the better of the two but both are excellent. The Saints are counting on breakout seasons for young players at other spots. One of the guys the team is counting on to take a step forward is left tackle Terron Armstead. Armstead took over the job in the final four games of last season, and seemed to improve with experience. He is known as a rare athlete and the Saints hope he can parlay those gifts into an elite NFL career. If Armstead does become a Pro Bowl type of player, the Saints grade out easily in the top five. Another young player to watch is second year center Tim Lelito. Originally undrafted out of Grand Valley state, Lelito made two starts at guard last season and is in the mix to win the center position vacated by Brian De La Puente. While the Saints did sign undrafted rookie Matt Armstrong (also out of Grand Valley), the Saints apparently didn't like what they saw in OTA's and signed a familiar veteran to compete with Lelito in Jonathan Goodwin. It's been a couple seasons since Goodwin was last with the Saints but the veteran should be a safe bet to win this center job again. The team still hopes that Lelito can be the center of the future, if he cannot be the center of the present. At right tackle Zach Strief is looked at as a veteran stabilizing presence, with tons of experience and the team hopes he can both man the position and tutor Armstead. Strief is good but not great and the team could look to upgrade his spot in the future. The swing tackle job is currently an open competition between Ty Nsekhe and Marcel Jones, both of which could have starting potential at right tackle. Tavon Rooks is a player to watch as coaches reportedly like his athleticism and Mike Golic Jr. is in the mix to make this roster as well. Senio Kelemete is another vet could also make this team as a versatile backup. Overall this line has some great players, and the addition of Goodwin should stabilize the unit. However the talent level at the right tackle position is holding back the ranking.
13. New England
2014 rank:13th. Difference from final 2013 rank: -4
Overall: B Run: B- Pass: B+
The Patriots line grades out as a mid-tier unit, which is down from where it ranked in previous years. It’s currently a mixed bag across the front for the Patriots, some good, some bad. Starting with the good news, left tackle Nate Solder has evolved into a steady pass protector over the last few seasons and the Patriots have recently picked up his option for a fifth year. Solder isn’t perfect and can be beat but in general he’s one of the better left tackles around. Left guard Logan Mankins is a bit of a flash point for Pats fans. On paper, he’s the line’s best player (by far), the captain of the team, and coming off of another All-Pro season (the fifth of his career). However some observers complain about his mistakes, and point to his salary as an expectation for better play. One particular stat that is troubling is that Brady led the league in sacks recorded in less than 2.5 seconds. Mankins isn’t totally to blame for this; the entire interior is on notice. It will be interesting to see if the Patriots sign him to another extension, as he is currently carrying a cap number over ten million dollars a year. For now we are still grading him out as an elite player. At center, Ryan Wendell was average at best, sometimes looking downright bad. The same can be said of left guard Dan Connolly, who is also considered overpaid at over four million per season. These players will face immediate competition from rookies: Bryan Stork was drafted in the third round to push Wendell and Jon Halapio was drafted in the sixth round to push Connolly. Stork seems the best bet to win a starting job early, but we will still project Wendell as the starter (for now). At right tackle, Sebastian Vollmer returns from a broken right leg that placed him on injured reserve half way through last season. When healthy, Vollmer can be counted among the better right tackles in the game. Vollmer seems like a solid bet to start but he will also face competition. Last year’s utility man Marcus Cannon (who also saw time at right guard last season before getting injured) could challenge for either Connolly or Vollmer’s starting spot and fourth round selection Cameron Fleming is also in the mix for the swing tackle role. Fleming was a productive right tackle at Stanford and fits the Patriots’ profile of cerebral linemen. Overall this line is currently ranked just outside the top units but could climb up the rankings with better consistency from their interior positions.
14. Carolina
2014 rank: 14th. Difference from final 2013 rank: -6.
Overall: B Run: B+ Pass: B-
The Panthers’ preseason ranking is negatively impacted by the retirement of three-time Pro Bowler Jordan Gross. Gross ,who was actually a selection for last year’s Hawaiian exhibition, was a steadying force on this line and it’s not exactly clear how the depth chart will appear prior to week one. The coaching staff likely has a vision for how it should shake out, but currently there are several jobs up for grabs at this line. Restricted free agent Byron Bell, a capable starter at right tackle, is a possibility to take the left tackle job. Bell is a massive human being at 6'5" 340 but there are some concerns if he has the functional quickness to make the switch. Other competition for the job includes Nate Chandler (a former defensive lineman) and Garry Williams. For the purposes of this ranking, we will keep Bell on the right side and give the job to Chandler, although it should be noted they split reps during OTA's. One interesting player coming back from injured reserve is third year player Amini Silatolu, slated to start at left guard. Silatolu is a powerful player who could be a force in the running game. Rookie third round selection Trai Turner from LSU is a player to watch. Turner had outstanding workouts and one would think his transition to the pros should be easier than other, less blessed athletes. However, Garry Williams appears to have this job for the time being, while Turner acclimates to the pro game. Another player to watch is Edmund Kugbila. Kugbila was drafted to be a guard but has college experience at tackle from his sophomore season at Valdosta State and could compete at several spots. Kugbila missed all of last season with a left knee injury.It’s not all uncertainty, as Ryan Kalil returns as a starting center coming off an All-Pro campaign in 2013. Kalil is the bedrock of this line and his talent and leadership prevents this unit from being ranked lower than mid table. Overall this line has a lot of questions right now but should the starting jobs settle and the line gel together, this unit certainly has the talent to rise up in the rankings.
15. Dallas
2014 rank: 15th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +4
Overall: B Run: B+ Pass: B-
Coming off his first All-Pro season, left tackle Tyron Smith has fully lived up to his high draft status and is the cornerstone of the Cowboys' offensive line. The Cowboys have added to their line with first round selection Zack Martin out of Notre Dame. While it is theoretically possible that Martin could get reps at right tackle (some scouts believe he can also play center), Martin actually is more likely to unseat one of the current guards for the week one starting lineup. I am picking right guard Mackenzy Bernadeau to lose his job for the purposes of this preseason ranking but it could just as easily be Ronald Leary. Neither of these players are above average starters and Martin would be an instant upgrade over both. While not an amazing athlete, the appeal of Martin is he’s super solid and can start at any position right away. Second year center Travis Frederick is coming off an encouraging rookie campaign, where he seized a starting job and never looked back. Frederick has the look of a player who will man the position for many seasons to come. Right tackle Doug Free bounced back from a seriously terrible 2012 campaign to be among the league’s better right tackles (believe it or not). It bears watching to see if Free can maintain his 2013 form or if he will lapse back into bad habits. In terms of depth, Jermey Parnell and Darrion Weems are interesting names who could face competition from the bevy of undrafted free agents brought in after the draft. South Carolina guard Ronald Patrick is an example of one to watch. Overall, this line has taken serious strides forward and has risen in the rankings to the point where they aren't that far away from the top lines in the league. This line can get better if Doug Free keeps his recent form and they find more consistency at the guard spot that isn’t taken by Zack Martin.
16. Pittsburgh
2014 rank: 16th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +13.
Overall: B Run: B Pass: B
The Steelers’ line grade out as a mid-tier unit, which is a huge upgrade from where they finished last season. The biggest reason for this upgrade is the return of Pro Bowl center Maurkice Pouncey, who missed most of last season with a torn ACL and MCL. Pouncey is reportedly on target in his rehabilitation and is the team really can use his leadership on the field. . Right guard David Decastro is the probably the next best player, as he played at a high level last season. Decastro is a dominant run blocker that didn’t make the Pro Bowl, but this was an obvious snub. At the other guard spot, Ramon Foster is a versatile player who is mostly solid. Foster could face competition from fifth round pick Wesley Johnson out of Vanderbilt. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum won the job from former second round pick Mike Adams about a quarter of the way through last season and could compete with Adams again this preseason. Adams could also compete with Marcus Gilbert at right tackle, where Adams is more a natural fit. Neither tackle starter is a special player, but both are decent and should hold off the competition. Guy Whimper is a new addition and could make the team as a depth player, along with last year’s backup center Cody Wallace. One other addition that needs to be mentioned is new offensive line coach Mike Munshak. Munchak, who was the Titans’ head coach last year, is a Hall-of-Fame offensive lineman who should provide top level instruction to this unit. Overall the Steelers line is a solid group; with upside to improve should the tackles improve and Pouncey regains his pre-injury form.
17. Baltimore
2014 rank: 17th. Difference from final 2013 rank: None.
Overall: B Run: B+ Pass: B-
The Ravens, solidly in the middle of the offensive line pack, have two major lineup changes from last year’s starters. At center, Jeremy Zuttah provides a much needed veteran presence over Gino Gradkowski, who struggled as a rookie. Zuttah was traded for a 2015 fifth round pick, and while he’s not an elite center, he’s solid enough. There’s little doubt Zuttah will be atop the center depth chart as the season opens. At right tackle there is much more uncertainty. After the team signed Will Rackley, one possiblity is that left guard Kelechi Osemele could give that guard spot to Rackley and move over to right tackle. Osemele suffered a season ending back injury that required surgery but his rehab reportedly went well. Osemele has played the right tackle position before and can be a good player with upside to be great, if healthy. Second year tackle Rick Wagner and journeyman Jah Reid are also in the mix for the position. Currently Wagner is penciled in as the starter but if he struggles, a change could be made before the season starts. Another player to keep an eye on is undrafted rookie James Hurst out of North Carolina. Hurst was viewed as a possible top 100 pick before breaking his leg in the bowl game. Hurst has impressive film against top pick Jadeveon Clowney and there are reasons to be optimistic that he could be the rare undrafted tackle find. Still it’s hard to project this player as a starter without seeing him play, and could be a player for the future. The Ravens could also make a deal or find a veteran tackle somewhere along the way, as they did with left tackle Eugene Monroe last season. Monroe continues to play at a high level and right guard Marshal Yanda plays at an elite level. Both of these players are not concerns for the coaching staff. Fifth round rookie John Urschel from Penn State is unlikely to challenge for a starter position but he has versatility and could get an opportunity if Zuttah falters or if injuries strike at the guard spots. Overall this is a solid line, with upside to crack the top 10 if the right tackle position stabilizes and Osemele can recapture his form from two seasons ago.
18. Washington
2014 rank: 18th. Difference from final 2013 rank: -5.
Overall: B- Run: B+ Pass: C
Washington's offensive line is currently ranked about middle of the pack. The good news is that the team still has an elite player in left tackle Trent Williams, who is coming off his second consecutive Pro Bowl selection. Williams is known as one the league’s best pass protectors and should man this position for many years to come. Next to him, the team signed Shawn Lauvao from the Cleveland Browns to play left guard. Lauvao is known as a grinder and not in the usual zone blocking form that this team usually prefers. Still he is a solid (sometimes very good) player who will make this unit better. Kory Lichtensteiger has vacated his left guard position for Lauvao and has moved to center, where many in the league believe he can play his best football. Lichtensteiger is an extremely strong player at the point of attack and should continue to play with an edge at his new position. However center is a different position than guard and he will have added responsibilities with various shotgun snaps (pistol formation is featured heavily in this offense) and making the blocking calls. Right guard is a competition at this point with veteran addition Chris Chester likely battling with third round rookie Spencer Long. It is tough to predict but the veteran seems likely to keep the job, at least for the start of the season. At right tackle, incumbent Tyler Polumbus is going to face a ton of competition, with the third round pick of Morgan Moses and the sixth round pick of Tom Compton. Either of these players would likely be an upgrade over Polumbus, who has been inconsistent as a starter. The Redskins have several other interesting depth names, for example Maurice Hurt, Josh LeRibeus, Adam Gettis and Mike McGlynn. Obviously some of these guys won’t make the cut and it will be interesting to see who the coaching staff favors this preseason. Whoever is cut could go and contribute for another squad. Overall this line is going through some transition, and if the new starters can settle in, and some of the rookies step up, they have the potential to be very good going forward.
19. Green Bay
2014 rank: 19th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +4.
Overall: B- Run: B Pass: C+
The cornerstone of the Packers’ offensive line is All-Pro left guard Josh Sitton. Sitton led the charge for a revamped Packers running attack that saw serious improvement as the 2013 season progressed. Sitton is the Packers’ best lineman and one of the best in the entire league. Next to Sitton, second year man David Bakhtiari was a pleasant surprise last season, holding on to the left tackle job after Bryan Bulaga went down with injury. Bakhtiari lacks ideal measurables but plays with surprising agility; he is likely to keep this job for the immediate future. Bulaga will likely move to the right side, to battle with Don Barclay for the starting right tackle position. Bulaga should win that battle, and there are some who say his rugged skillset is better suited for the right tackle position. At right guard, T.J. Lang settled down after switching from the left side prior to last season. Lang also contributed at center, when injuries became an issue there. Lang’s versatility is a huge plus and there’s a small chance he could see that center spot again. If there is any uncertainty with this line, it is at the center position where last year’s starter Evan Dietrich-Smith has departed for free agency. J.C. Tretter, a former fifth round pick out of Cornell seems likely to win this position, but he will be pushed by this year’s fifth round pick, Corey Linsley out of Ohio State. May the best fifth round pick win. Barklay appears to be entrenched as the swing tackle and is a serviceable starter at multiple spots, should the need arise. The oft-injured Derek Sherrod hopes to make this team in the same role, and he should be on his last chance after missing most of the last two seasons with injury. Overall this line is a mid tier unit, not bad, not great, that can rise in the rankings should the center and right tackle situations resolve and the line settles into a more predictable pattern.
20. San Diego
2014 rank: 20th. Difference from final 2013 rank: +5.
Overall: C+ Run: C+ Pass: C+
The Chargers’ offensive line grades out as a slightly below average unit going into preseason. They have a bunch of solid players but none of them can be considered elite. The line’s best player is likely right tackle D.J. Fluker. During an eventful rookie season Fluker had more than his share of pancake blocks and even stepped in at left tackle after King Dunlap got injured. Going into his second year, Fluker is right there on the borderline between good and special player. With Dunlap back in the lineup, Fluker will be able to play his natural right tackle position and focus on taking the next step in his progression. On the other side, Dunlap is a good (but not great) vet who relies on his bulk in most situations. At 6’9” Dunlap is literally a tough man to get around. At left guard, Chad Rinehart is a solid but upgradable player, and the Chargers hope they have found that upgrade in tough guy third round pick Chris Watt out of Notre Dame. Watt is known as a smashmouth player who loves to mix it up in the run game. At the other guard position, a similar dynamic is in place between solid (but not great) starter Jeromey Clary and second year man Johnnie Troutman. Troutman appears to have the early lead on the job in offseason activities. In short, the Chargers have options at the guard position, and will be hoping that the young guys step up this preseason. Finally, Nick Hardwick returns for his eleventh season with the Chargers, after briefly considering retirement in the offseason. While Hardwick is a great many seasons away from his 2006 Pro Bowl honors, he is still a pretty good center and if the young guys start, his veteran leadership will be priceless. In terms of depth, Michael Harris and Willie Smith should duke it out for the swing tackle role, and it’s basically a pick-em at this time. Overall the Chargers line has some interesting youth at the guard position and if these players can crack the starting lineup, their ranking can improve greatly.
21. Detroit
2014 rank: 21st. Difference from final 2013 rank: -1.
Overall: C+ Run: C+ Pass: C+
The Lions’ offensive line returns all five starters at all the same positions at the end of last season. This is great news for their cohesion score. Unfortunately the overall ranking (as a slightly below average unit) is held back by the lack of elite talent. The closest thing the Lions have to elite is probably second year right guard Larry Warford. Widely considered a Pro Bowl snub in 2013, Warford had an outstanding rookie season when he did not allow a single sack. Warford looks to build on his success in year two. LaAdrian Waddle is another interesting story, as he came out of nowhere hold down the starting position after Corey Hilliard and Jason Fox (now with the Dolphins) each left the lineup due to injury. Waddle is expected to win the job outright over Hilliard, who will likely be the swing tackle off the bench. On the left side, Reilly Reiff was praised for his toughness last season, as he gutted out several injuries without leaving the lineup. Reiff is not the greatest left tackle in the league but he’s serviceable, and at times can be very good. At left guard, Rob Sims continues to do an underrated job, and the same can be said of center Dominic Raiola. Now in his thirteenth year, the Lions recognize that the end is near for Raiola, and have planned for the future by drafting Travis Swanson out of Arkansas in the third round. Swanson is unlikely to see playing time this season and is purely a backup player with an eye on the future. Another interesting name is undrafted free agent Cornelius Lucas. Lucas was given $20,000 to sign, which is a giant sum by undrafted free agent standards. Lucas is expected to compete with J.B. Shugarts for the fourth tackle role. Overall this line has the potential to improve in the rankings, should the right side build on their successful rookie seasons.
22. Houston
2014 rank: 20th. Difference from final 2013 rank: -2.
Overall: C+ Run: B- Pass: C
The Texans’ line was considered an elite unit as recently as last season. However their level of play slipped in 2013, for various reasons. There were several injuries and setbacks that saw the line grade out more as a mid-tier unit as we enter this season. The Texans’ elite talent, left tackle Duane Brown, had an up and down season where he battled turf toe and personal foul penalties. Brown eventually got it together and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate. The team looks for Brown to recapture his All-Pro form from two seasons ago. Chris Myers, the team’s other top level line talent, remains one of the better zone blocking centers in the league, although not quite as dominant as in previous seasons. It’s possible that wear and tear is having an effect, as Myers will be entering his 10th season. In related news, the team allowed long time left guard Wade Smith to run out his contract. Smith had been playing at a Pro Bowl level recently, but given his age, his departure was not unexpected. The team will look to second round pick Xavier S’ua-Filo from UCLA to compete with former Georgia Bulldog Ben Jones to win that position. I am picking S’ua-Filo to win the job and Jones, a former college center, will backup the interior line positions. While both of these players are young and talented, the loss of Smith is an impact to the line’s cohesion. At right guard, Brandon Brooks is a work in progress. Brooks is capable in the run game but can be exploited in pass protection. The team might be losing patience with right tackle Derek Newton, who is similarly inconsistent. The coaching staff is reportedly high on Brennan Williams who spent last season on injured reserve. Williams could push Newton in preseason and should steal the job outright sooner or later. Williams might have taken the job last year, had he not been injured. A small bit of news David Quessenberry, who was also being groomed for a right tackle position, was recently diagnosed with lymphoma and is expected to miss the entire 2014 season. Overall this line is one in transition, but can climb back up to the top of the rankings should the left guard, right guard and right tackle positions improve.
23. Arizona
2014 rank: 23rd. Difference from final 2013 rank: +4.
Overall: C+ Run: B- Pass: C
