Line play heavily influences fantasy production. A dominant run-blocking line can turn an undrafted free agent into a 1,600-yard rusher, or resurrect a declining back's career. A unit that can't protect will often get its quarterback hurt or ruin a team's season. We saw that last year in St. Louis, and to some extent in Carolina, Chicago, and Baltimore.
Taking statistics, scheme, experience, and depth into consideration, I've ranked the league's offensive lines in order from 1-32. Note that in-season injuries are the biggest variable when ranking offensive lines. That's why having experienced or promising depth behind a starting five can matter so much.
Listed below the teams are Gregg Rosenthal's o-line rankings from the last two seasons. And with training camp only
two weeks away, it's getting to be time to pick up Rotoworld's
Online Draft Guide.
1. Patriots
2006: 8
2007: 9Throwing out their Super Bowl performance -- we'll credit Steve Spagnuolo's fire-zone blitzes for that, rather blame line coach Dante Scarnecchia or the Pats' talent -- this
Logan Mankins,
Stephen Neal, and
Matt Light-led unit was unrivaled in 2007. All five starters return from a group that allowed only 21 sacks despite attempting the fifth most passes in the NFL. Reserves
Wesley Britt, Ryan O'Callaghan,
Oliver Ross, and
Russ Hochstein all possess starting experience and position versatility.
2. Colts
2006: 10
2007: 1The Colts can manufacture linemen and GM Bill Polian drafts for scheme fit. Losing a starter (e.g.
Jake Scott this offseason) is rarely a problem.
Tony Ugoh didn't miss a beat on
Peyton Manning's blind side after
Tarik Glenn's surprise retirement last year, and is an upgrade athletically. After C
Jeff Saturday retires, 2008 second-rounder
Mike Pollak will probably replace him. All the members can pass block. Indianapolis hasn't yielded over 25 sacks in a season since 2001.
3. Browns
2006: 19
2007: 29The additions of
Joe Thomas and
Eric Steinbach were a godsend to Cleveland's offense last season. Both play with a mean streak and are mobile pass protectors.
Kevin Shaffer proved a better fit at right tackle after manning the blind side in 2006, and RG
Ryan Tucker and C
Hank Fraley are solid starters. The Browns are exceptionally deep with G/C
Rex Hadnot signed to push Tucker. Whoever finishes as Cleveland's quarterback should have a nice, clean jersey in Week 17.
4. Cowboys
2006: 17
2007: 22Dallas' powerful starting five boasts a massive tackle-guard combo of LT
Flozell Adams (6'7/340) and RG Leonard Davis (6'6/354). Jerry Jones invested two high draft picks on projects
James Marten and
Doug Free last April, and either could replace contract-year RT
Marc Colombo in 2009. This group supports
Marion Barber's no-nonsense running style and protects
Tony Romo more than adequately.
5. Vikings
2006: 9
2007: 8Minnesota might've topped this list if not for LT
Bryant McKinnie's legal woes. McKinnie is unlikely to be available for more than 12 games this season and would be replaced by squatty guard
Artis Hicks. It's still a top-five unit due to the dominant inside work of C
Matt Birk, LG
Steve Hutchinson, and rising RG
Anthony Herrera. After Herrera was installed as a starter in Week 6 last year, the Vikings averaged 175 rushing yards per game despite
Adrian Peterson's injury. Young RT
Ryan Cook, a college center, is still developing. Tested veteran
Marcus Johnson provides depth behind him.
6. Jaguars
2006: 20
2007: 5Another group of maulers, Jacksonville's line consistently wins the battle at the point and boasts sound depth.
Khalif Barnes isn't the ideal blind-side protector and has had off-field issues before, but RT
Tony Pashos and LG
Vince Manuwai are 320+ pound run-blocking specialists. G
Uche Nwaneri and backup LT
Richard Collier are promising prospects. The Jags' yards-per-carry average was second in the league in 2006 and tied for third in 2007, thanks in no small part to these trench warriors.
7. Eagles
2006: 12
2007: 3The Eagles surrendered too many sacks in 2007 as LG
Todd Herremans and LT
William Thomas played hurt. Thomas may be on his last legs, but this remains one of the NFL's most talented, deep lines. C
Jamaal Jackson, RG
Shawn Andrews, and top backup
Max Jean-Gilles are beasts inside. RT
Jon Runyan is a vicious run blocker. Philadelphia ranked second in the league in yards per rush last year.
8. Chargers
2006: 11
2007: 2San Diego would be higher if not for C
Nick Hardwick's foot injury (Hardwick could miss the first quarter of the season). LT
Marcus McNeill does a first-rate job protecting
Philip Rivers, while Hardwick,
Mike Goff, and
Kris Dielman are mainstays inside. RT
Jeromey Clary, a potential liability, is probably better cut out to play guard.
9. Giants
2006: 14
2007: 15There were doubts about
David Diehl's ability to play left tackle in 2007, but he held up and was rewarded with a $31 million extension in May. Steady guards
Rich Seubert and
Chris Snee are also signed long term. RT
Kareem McKenzie is a 6'6/330-pound bruiser. The Jints have experienced reserves in
Grey Ruegamer and
Kevin Boothe, and are still high on the potential of OT
Guy Whimper. It's a power blocking unit designed to clear lanes for a deep stable of backs.
10. Titans
2006: 24
2007: 14Tennessee made sure intimidating tackles
Michael Roos and
David Stewart would be around for the long haul this offseason, extending both through 2013.
Leroy Harris has been developed to replace retired G
Benji Olson. C
Kevin Mawae is the line's heart and soul and
Jake Scott comes from Indianapolis to replace
Jacob Bell. The run-first Titans pound the rock behind this group.
11. Jets
2006: 29
2007: 19The Jets paid the price for mishandling
Pete Kendall's situation last summer, but should have one of the AFC's top units again with LG
Alan Faneca added between youngsters D'Brickashaw Ferguson and
Nick Mangold. Though he may struggle in protection, RT
Damien Woody should be an upgrade over
Anthony Clement in the ground game. The additions bode well for
Thomas Jones.
12. Buccaneers
2006: 26
2007: 16Road-grading guards
Arron Sears and
Davin Joseph, both top-35 picks the last two offseasons, are this group's strength and support
Earnest Graham, master of the four-yard gain. New C
Jeff Faine also helps. LT
Donald Penn was up and down as a first-year starter in 2007, but will benefit from the adversity.
13. Seahawks
2006: 1
2007: 10Once almost indisputably the league's best, the Seahawks' line has taken a step back since losing
Steve Hutchinson. Young C
Chris Spencer has battled injuries and RT
Sean Locklear has been a shade inconsistent. Still, LT
Walter Jones remains a legitimate All Pro and Seattle gets fine all-around line play even if
Shaun Alexander's statistics didn't support it.
14. Panthers
2006: 13
2007: 21When it rains it pours, and we saw how bad it can get last year in Carolina. The Panthers' lost multiple quarterbacks and starting LT
Travelle Wharton to injury. With mauling first-round tackle
Jeff Otah on board, John Fox should get back to his rock-pounding ways and feed
Jonathan Stewart religiously.
Line play heavily influences fantasy production. A dominant run-blocking line can turn an undrafted free agent into a 1,600-yard rusher, or resurrect a declining back's career. A unit that can't protect will often get its quarterback hurt or ruin a team's season. We saw that last year in St. Louis, and to some extent in Carolina, Chicago, and Baltimore.
Taking statistics, scheme, experience, and depth into consideration, I've ranked the league's offensive lines in order from 1-32. Note that in-season injuries are the biggest variable when ranking offensive lines. That's why having experienced or promising depth behind a starting five can matter so much.
Listed below the teams are Gregg Rosenthal's o-line rankings from the last two seasons. And with training camp only
two weeks away, it's getting to be time to pick up Rotoworld's
Online Draft Guide.
1. Patriots
2006: 8
2007: 9Throwing out their Super Bowl performance -- we'll credit Steve Spagnuolo's fire-zone blitzes for that, rather blame line coach Dante Scarnecchia or the Pats' talent -- this
Logan Mankins,
Stephen Neal, and
Matt Light-led unit was unrivaled in 2007. All five starters return from a group that allowed only 21 sacks despite attempting the fifth most passes in the NFL. Reserves
Wesley Britt, Ryan O'Callaghan,
Oliver Ross, and
Russ Hochstein all possess starting experience and position versatility.
2. Colts
2006: 10
2007: 1The Colts can manufacture linemen and GM Bill Polian drafts for scheme fit. Losing a starter (e.g.
Jake Scott this offseason) is rarely a problem.
Tony Ugoh didn't miss a beat on
Peyton Manning's blind side after
Tarik Glenn's surprise retirement last year, and is an upgrade athletically. After C
Jeff Saturday retires, 2008 second-rounder
Mike Pollak will probably replace him. All the members can pass block. Indianapolis hasn't yielded over 25 sacks in a season since 2001.
3. Browns
2006: 19
2007: 29The additions of
Joe Thomas and
Eric Steinbach were a godsend to Cleveland's offense last season. Both play with a mean streak and are mobile pass protectors.
Kevin Shaffer proved a better fit at right tackle after manning the blind side in 2006, and RG
Ryan Tucker and C
Hank Fraley are solid starters. The Browns are exceptionally deep with G/C
Rex Hadnot signed to push Tucker. Whoever finishes as Cleveland's quarterback should have a nice, clean jersey in Week 17.
4. Cowboys
2006: 17
2007: 22Dallas' powerful starting five boasts a massive tackle-guard combo of LT
Flozell Adams (6'7/340) and RG Leonard Davis (6'6/354). Jerry Jones invested two high draft picks on projects
James Marten and
Doug Free last April, and either could replace contract-year RT
Marc Colombo in 2009. This group supports
Marion Barber's no-nonsense running style and protects
Tony Romo more than adequately.
5. Vikings
2006: 9
2007: 8Minnesota might've topped this list if not for LT
Bryant McKinnie's legal woes. McKinnie is unlikely to be available for more than 12 games this season and would be replaced by squatty guard
Artis Hicks. It's still a top-five unit due to the dominant inside work of C
Matt Birk, LG
Steve Hutchinson, and rising RG
Anthony Herrera. After Herrera was installed as a starter in Week 6 last year, the Vikings averaged 175 rushing yards per game despite
Adrian Peterson's injury. Young RT
Ryan Cook, a college center, is still developing. Tested veteran
Marcus Johnson provides depth behind him.
6. Jaguars
2006: 20
2007: 5Another group of maulers, Jacksonville's line consistently wins the battle at the point and boasts sound depth.
Khalif Barnes isn't the ideal blind-side protector and has had off-field issues before, but RT
Tony Pashos and LG
Vince Manuwai are 320+ pound run-blocking specialists. G
Uche Nwaneri and backup LT
Richard Collier are promising prospects. The Jags' yards-per-carry average was second in the league in 2006 and tied for third in 2007, thanks in no small part to these trench warriors.
7. Eagles
2006: 12
2007: 3The Eagles surrendered too many sacks in 2007 as LG
Todd Herremans and LT
William Thomas played hurt. Thomas may be on his last legs, but this remains one of the NFL's most talented, deep lines. C
Jamaal Jackson, RG
Shawn Andrews, and top backup
Max Jean-Gilles are beasts inside. RT
Jon Runyan is a vicious run blocker. Philadelphia ranked second in the league in yards per rush last year.
8. Chargers
2006: 11
2007: 2San Diego would be higher if not for C
Nick Hardwick's foot injury (Hardwick could miss the first quarter of the season). LT
Marcus McNeill does a first-rate job protecting
Philip Rivers, while Hardwick,
Mike Goff, and
Kris Dielman are mainstays inside. RT
Jeromey Clary, a potential liability, is probably better cut out to play guard.
9. Giants
2006: 14
2007: 15There were doubts about
David Diehl's ability to play left tackle in 2007, but he held up and was rewarded with a $31 million extension in May. Steady guards
Rich Seubert and
Chris Snee are also signed long term. RT
Kareem McKenzie is a 6'6/330-pound bruiser. The Jints have experienced reserves in
Grey Ruegamer and
Kevin Boothe, and are still high on the potential of OT
Guy Whimper. It's a power blocking unit designed to clear lanes for a deep stable of backs.
10. Titans
2006: 24
2007: 14Tennessee made sure intimidating tackles
Michael Roos and
David Stewart would be around for the long haul this offseason, extending both through 2013.
Leroy Harris has been developed to replace retired G
Benji Olson. C
Kevin Mawae is the line's heart and soul and
Jake Scott comes from Indianapolis to replace
Jacob Bell. The run-first Titans pound the rock behind this group.
11. Jets
2006: 29
2007: 19The Jets paid the price for mishandling
Pete Kendall's situation last summer, but should have one of the AFC's top units again with LG
Alan Faneca added between youngsters D'Brickashaw Ferguson and
Nick Mangold. Though he may struggle in protection, RT
Damien Woody should be an upgrade over
Anthony Clement in the ground game. The additions bode well for
Thomas Jones.
12. Buccaneers
2006: 26
2007: 16Road-grading guards
Arron Sears and
Davin Joseph, both top-35 picks the last two offseasons, are this group's strength and support
Earnest Graham, master of the four-yard gain. New C
Jeff Faine also helps. LT
Donald Penn was up and down as a first-year starter in 2007, but will benefit from the adversity.
13. Seahawks
2006: 1
2007: 10Once almost indisputably the league's best, the Seahawks' line has taken a step back since losing
Steve Hutchinson. Young C
Chris Spencer has battled injuries and RT
Sean Locklear has been a shade inconsistent. Still, LT
Walter Jones remains a legitimate All Pro and Seattle gets fine all-around line play even if
Shaun Alexander's statistics didn't support it.
14. Panthers
2006: 13
2007: 21When it rains it pours, and we saw how bad it can get last year in Carolina. The Panthers' lost multiple quarterbacks and starting LT
Travelle Wharton to injury. With mauling first-round tackle
Jeff Otah on board, John Fox should get back to his rock-pounding ways and feed
Jonathan Stewart religiously.
15. Broncos
2006: 3
2007: 6 Denver's zone-blocking system is a plus, but uncertainty at center (
Tom Nalen, 36, is recovering from knee surgery) and competition at right tackle leaves room for concern. While first-round LT
Ryan Clady should succeed immediately, we can't reasonably put the Broncos higher than this.
16. Packers
2006: 27
2007:16The Packers haven't found great depth behind technically sound OTs
Mark Tauscher and
Chad Clifton, but they impressively blend power and zone blocking and have a promising interior line with at least four starting-capable guards.
Aaron Rodgers wouldn't have an obvious excuse if he failed as a starter.
17. Bengals
2006: 4
2007: 4It's easy to like the nucleus of LG
Andrew Whitworth, G/T
Stacy Andrews, and rookie
Anthony Collins, but left tackle
Levi Jones' health has become a serious question mark. There are also issues at center, and RG
Bobbie Williams and RT
Willie Anderson are aging. This line is great in pass pro and can power block with anyone if it jells, but
Rudi Johnson's performance has sagged badly the past two seasons.
18. Redskins
2006: 5
2007: 7The Redskins have quality starters, but their depth is questionable and knocks Washington down in our rankings. Two members (RT
Jon Jansen and RG
Randy Thomas) are coming off serious injuries. But if they're healthy, this can be a potent run-blocking wall for
Clinton Portis.
19. Steelers
2006: 6
2007: 13Pittsburgh's line gets somewhat unfairly criticized for yielding sacks because no QB hangs in the pocket (often with success) like
Ben Roethlisberger.
Rashard Mendenhall's addition should make the group look better because he'll likely be a better inside runner than
Willie Parker and will pick up the blitz.
20. Bills
2006: 18
2007: 22LT
Jason Peters is quietly threatening a holdout, but when he's on Buffalo opens holes and is above average in protection. RT
Langston Walker and LG
Derrick Dockery are monster maulers.
21. Saints
2006: 28
2007: 11This finesse line showed its true colors last season, particularly on the ground. It's really a middle-of-the-pack group, but still talented (LT
Jammal Brown, G
Jahri Evans) with developmental depth (T
Jermon Bushrod, G
Andy Alleman). Sean Payton throws more than anyone, even Mike Martz, which helps
Drew Brees' numbers but can leave the linemen out to dry. Though Brees keeps defenders off him with a quick release, he's hurried as much as any QB.
22. Cardinals
2006: 26
2007: 27Arizona threw a ton in 2007 and this group protected well. But the Cardinals ranked 30th in yards-per-carry average.
23. Texans
2006: 31
2007: 31This group couldn't keep
Matt Schaub healthy in 2007. Position coach Alex Gibbs' addition will help the ground attack, but Houston will likely start a rookie left tackle this year and the protection could be up and down again.
24. Bears
2006: 15
2007: 12The Bears' line got old all at once in 2007, but should rebound some with
John Tait moving to his natural right tackle position and first-rounder
Chris Williams installed on the blind side. Still, Chicago's run blocking could remain inconsistent.
25. 49ers
2006: 32
2007: 17San Francisco's line has potential, but C
Eric Heitmann, G
David Baas, and RT
Jonas Jennings are coming off injuries. Martz's offense is pass heavy, so they need to get healthy and keep their heads on a swivel.
26. Rams
2006: 20
2007: 18This unit was decimated by injuries last season. Though they possess plenty of talent, there are too many "ifs" for the Rams' line to be considered average.
27. Ravens
2006: 28
2007: 30The middle of Baltimore's line is a strength, but replacing
Jonathan Ogden with raw second-year man
Jared Gaither may not bode well for the Ravens' quarterback.
28. Dolphins
2006: 30
2007: 21Miami's line has major power potential, but there are concerns about LT
Jake Long's athleticism and the interior play.
29. Raiders
2006: 23
2007: 32Oakland has an excellent position coach in Tom Cable, but LT
Kwame Harris was a turnstile in San Francisco and
JaMarcus Russell could be on his back quite a bit in his first year starting.
30. Lions
2006: 25
2007: 24Perhaps the Lions have been unfairly downgraded here due to outrageous sack totals under Martz, but this group isn't any good until proven otherwise.
31. Chiefs
2006: 4
2007: 25Athletic first-round pick
Branden Albert helps, but this is unlikely to be a successful line this season with multiple unproven starters.
32. Falcons
2006: 7
2007: 23New LT
Sam Baker has T-Rex arms and RT
Tyson Clabo isn't a power player. Atlanta's quarterback could be a sitting duck in 2008 and
Michael Turner threatens to disappoint.