Line of Fire: Ranking The NFL's Offensive Lines

One of the most overlooked aspects of football is the guys who fight in the trenches.  Savvy fantasy owners are also guilty of forgetting about this important part of the game.  Chris Johnson is a star, but his line was responsible for blowing open the holes he ran through on a weekly basis.  We rank all 32 teams, with analysis and commentary.

 

Baltimore Ravens:  The offensive line is led by second year tackle Michael Oher, as the group led the NFL is rushing TDs (22).  They blew open holes, as they were 5^th in rushing yards and 4^th in YPC.  They allowed 36 sacks, but the number should drop as Flacco gets more comfortable is the offense.

 

New Orleans Saints:  When a line has a QB who gets rid of the ball quickly, it makes them even better.  Jahri Evans is one of better guards in the NFL, as their YPC went up for 4.0 2008 to 4.5 in 2009.  Look for this group to be dominant again, with Brees and company having another big season.

 

Tennessee Titans:  Chris Johnson bought each one of his offensive lineman a Rolex, which was inscribed with ’CJ2K 2,006’ after his amazing season.  Jake Scott and Michael Roos haven’t missed a game in five years, but Kevin Mawae is no longer with the team.  The line only gave up 15 sacks last season, and will still be a top unit in 2010.

 

 

New York Jets:  The Jets led the league with 617 rushing attempts in 2009, as this group finished top ten in YPC, rushing TDs, and sacks allowed.  They lost veteran Alan Faneca in the off season, but they drafted Vladimir Ducasse in hopes in can replace the aging guard.

 

 

Atlanta Falcons:  The Falcons line is playing together for the third year in a row, and should rebound from a ‘down’ year in 2009.  Michael Turner is healthy and primed for a big season behind this group, which finished 2009 with a 4.2 YPC.  They only allowed 27 sacks last season, which was 8^th best in the NFL.

 

 

New England Patriots:  This ranking is pending an injury to Nick Kaczur and a holdout from Logan Mankins.  If Kaczur is out for 2010, and Mankins continues his holdout, it could be a long year for this group.  The Pats only allowed 18 sacks in 2009, and signed Alge Crumpler who will provide blocking equivalent to another lineman.

 

 

Carolina Panthers:  The Panthers had the second most rush attempts in the NFL, only trailing the Jets.  They were the fifth team in NFL history to roster two 1,000 yard rushers.  They have scored 48 rushing TDs in the last two seasons, which is 5 more that any team over that time span.

 

 

Miami Dolphins:  They tied the Ravens with 22 rushing TDs in 2009, as Jake Long is becoming an elite LT.  Jake Grove anchors the middle of the line which will help the guard spots, which should be manned by 3^rd rounder John Jerry and Richie Incognito.

 

 

Dallas Cowboys:  The Dallas offensive lines are maulers, as they were 2^nd in the NFL in offense in 2009 and 2^nd in YPC (4.8).  Doug Free takes over for Flozell “The Hotel” Adams, but disappointing tackle Alex Barron was also brought in to battle Free in training camp.  They should once again have one of the best units in the NFL.

 

 

Arizona Cardinals:  Alan Faneca joins his old coaching staff from Pittsburgh, and instantly brings an attitude to the line.  The Cardinals will look to transition to more of a running team in 2010, and Faneca, Deuce Lutui, and Lyle Sendlein should help that become a reality.

 

 

 

New York Giants:  The Giants have an aging group, as Chris Snee is the only member of the line that is under 30.  Their YPC carry went from 5.0 in 2008 to 4.1 2009.  The entire group returns, with young William Beatty coming in as more of a swing player.  If the line remains healthy, they should once again be a dominant group.

 

 

Cincinnati Bengals:  The Bengals became a rush heavy offense in 2009 and they rushed for over 2,000 yards as a team.  This was without getting much out of Andre Smith, who they spent a top 6 pick on in the 2009 draft.  They only allowed 29 sacks, after giving up 51 in 2008.  This group should only get better in 2010.

 

 

Cleveland Browns:  The line came on strong at the end of the year last season, after a dismal start.  Joe Thomas is the anchor, as he helped pave the way for the second most rush plays of over ten yards in the NFL.  This is an underrated group, which will provide big holes for the Browns’ RBs in 2010.

 

 

Minnesota Vikings:  The line was disappointing in 2009, despite the production of the offense.  Their YPC went down from 4.5 in 2008 to 4.1 in 2009.  That’s with AP running the ball!  They also allowed 34 sacks, and were one of the reasons the Saints killed Favre in the NFC Championship game.  Steve Hutchison is an elite guard in the NFL, but tackle Phil Loadholt needs to take the next step. 

 

 

San Francisco 49ers:  Mike Solari comes in to coach a line that added tackle Anthony Davis and guard Mike Iupati.  The line is built to run, but don’t be surprised if they let Alex Smith open it up with pass targets Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis running routes.

 

 

Indianapolis Colts:  Peyton Manning is one of the best QBs at finding the open receiver and delivering the ball.  The line only allowed 13 sacks last season, best in the NFL.  The rushing attack has either been last or next to last over the last two seasons.  A move to the more explosive Donald Brown could increase their rush yardage.

 

 

 

Denver Broncos:  The Broncos are trying to implement more of a power running game, as opposed to their zone blocking scheme.  Their big question mark is Clady, who is still recovering from a knee injury.  They have new starters at center and guard, which should help in their transition.

 

 

 

Jacksonville Jaguars:  The entire Jags line returns in 2010, with free agent addition Justin Smiley joining the mix.  Their tackles are entering their second season, and their maturity will be a key to the line’s success.

 

 

 

San Diego Chargers:  Kris Dielman and Nick Hardwick hold the middle of the line together, but Marcus McNeil’s holdout is cause for concern.  The Chargers signed aging veteran Tra Thomas, but he is far from a replacement for McNeil.  The Chargers had the lowest YPC in the NFL in 2009.

 

 

 

Houston Texans:  The Texans line excelled at pass blocking last season, as the only allowed 25 sacks.  Only four teams allowed fewer sacks.  Their running game was far below average.  They had the second lowest YPC in 2009, and only two teams rushed for fewer yards.

 

 

 

Green Bay Packers:  The Packers tied for the most amount of sacks allowed last season (51).  The team retained Mark Tauscher, Chad Clifton, and drafted Bryan Bulaga to shore up the line.  If everyone stays healthy, then they should be much improved in 2010. 

 

 

 

Kansas City Chiefs:  Branden Albert didn’t transition well to tackle last season, but another year at the position could prove his worth.  The line is an athletic group that helped Jamaal Charles gain 5.9 YPC in 2009.  They should get better in 2010.

 

 

 

Pittsburgh Steelers:  They lost Willie Colon, but have replaced him with run mauling tackle Flozell Adams.  Adams is good for plenty of false starts, but his is a devastating run blocker.  The Steelers drafted Maurice Pouncey in the first round, and regarded as the best center in the draft.  He should start a guard and help a line that gave up 50 sacks in 2009.  This group has promise, we will see if they can put it all together.

 

 

 

Chicago Bears:  The two biggest acquisitions for the line is offensive line coach Mike Tice, and TE Brandon Manamaleuna.  Orlando Pace was released in the off season, after a dismal 2009 campaign.  Tice will bring some swagger to a line that has struggled in recent years; we will see if he can have a strong influence in 2010.

 

 

 

Philadelphia Eagles:  Jason Peters had a sub par season, although he was voted to the Pro Bowl.  He earned the bid mostly on reputation.  Center Jamaal Jackson tore his ACL last season, and may not be ready for the start of the season.  He is the anchor of the line, so his health could be the key to the Eagles success.

 

 

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:  Last season, this young group was looking to make big strides.  Their veteran leader, Jeff Faine was injured and the group under-whelmed.  If they can stay healthy, this group will only get better in 2010.

 

 

 

Buffalo Bills:  The tackles are suspect, but their interior line is stronger than it appears on paper.  This is indicated by their YPC 4.4 last season, and their 16^th overall ranking for rush offense.

 

 

 

Oakland Raiders:  The Raiders only 7 rushing TDs last season, which was 5^th worst in the NFL.  They also gave up the third most sacks last season.  They should improve with a competent signal caller in the backfield. 

 

 

 

Seattle Seahawks:  The Seahawks made three big moves this off season to improve their line.  Hiring Alex Gibbs (zone blocking guru), drafting Russell Okung, and grabbing TE Chris Baker in free agency.  They should be a much improved group, based on these moves alone, and may move up the list.

 

 

 

Washington Redskins:  The Redskins offensive line was shuffled and re-shuffled last season.  They started 9 different starters with 5 different combinations.  Chris Samuels retired, but the Redskins drafted Trent Williams and traded for Jammal Brown.  The unit should be better, as it was one of the worst in the NFL in 2009.

 

 

 

Detroit Lions:  The Lions only gained 3.9 YC and gave up 43 sacks in 2009.  The young offense’s success hinges on the performance of this aging group. 

 

 

 

St. Louis Rams:  The Rams drafted Roger Saffold and grabbed Hank Fraley in free agency.  The group allowed 44 sacks in 2009, and will need to improve dramatically if Bradford is to be successful in 2010.

 

Tommy Rowan is the co-founder and writer for fantasyfanplay.com  

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