Every few weeks I check in on the NFL's 32 offensive lines, updating them based on injuries or suspensions to key starters (or benchings) or revising grades for players who are performing at a level above or below what was expected. I plug in the new names or grades and see how the rankings shake out.
Since the last update, there have been a number of changes. Arizona left tackle Jared Veldheer is out for the season. The Vikings have been gutted by injuries. Eagles tackle Lane Johnson was officially suspended. So was Washington tackle Trent Williams (although his is only 4 games; Johnson was 10). Houston lost Derek Newton to a devastating knee (both knees) injury.
Some lines have been better than anticipated, or they've worked out the way those teams hoped. Tennessee is one such example. Atlanta has come together nicely. Obviously.
Having a good or bad offensive line isn't everything, but it's telling that running games that have really struggled -- Minnesota, Los Angeles, Detroit -- have not only lost running backs, but have poor lines. Jacksonville, too. Some of the offenses that have underperformed, like Seattle and the Giants, are also fronted by poor lines.
On our Facebook page, you can see a colorful table where we grade each starter on each line. If a player is only out for a short period of time (2-3 weeks) he's still listed as the starter.
If you think I'm way off on a certain line, feel free to comment.
| OFFENSIVE LINE RANKINGS | |
|---|---|
| Rk | Team |
| 1. | Dallas |
| 2. | Oakland |
| 3. | Atlanta |
| 4. | Cincinnati |
| 5. | Pittsburgh |
| 6. | Miami |
| 7. | Green Bay |
| 8. | Tennessee |
| 9. | Carolina |
| 10. | Buffalo |
| 11. | New England |
| 12. | Baltimore |
| 13. | Cleveland |
| 14. | NY Jets |
| 15. | Philadelphia |
| 16. | San Diego |
| 17. | New Orleans |
| 18. | Houston |
| 19. | Kansas City |
| 20. | Denver |
| 21. | Chicago |
| 22. | San Francisco |
| 23. | Washington |
| 24. | Jacksonville |
| 25. | Arizona |
| 26. | Tampa Bay |
| 27. | NY Giants |
| 28. | Minnesota |
| 29. | Indianapolis |
| 30. | Detroit |
| 31. | Seattle |
| 32. | Los Angeles |
--Andy Richardson