Now through Week 8 of the 2019 NFL season, we at PFF have put together our offensive line rankings using our advanced statistics and grades. In this update to PFF's offensive line rankings, we discuss every team's most notable performers in the trenches.
1. Indianapolis Colts
Two of the NFL’s 10 highest-graded offensive linemen through Week 8 play for the Colts. Second-year Notre Dame product Quenton Nelson ranks second at his position and third among all qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade at 87.5. And offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo isn’t too far behind, as he ranks fourth at his position and seventh overall at 83.1. Nelson and Castonzo, along with Braden Smith and his 72.2 overall grade, lead the charge along the top offensive line in the NFL.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles guard Brandon Brooks might be superhuman. After tearing his Achilles in January 2019, Brooks’ status for all of 2019 – let alone Week 1 – was in doubt. Yet, the 30-year-old veteran has managed to bounce back better than ever, earning an NFL-high 90.8 overall grade across 534 offensive snaps to start his eighth year in the league. He’s on pace for a career year and has been the NFL’s best offensive lineman regardless of position. Brooks’ dominance has also overshadowed that of Jason Peters and Lane Johnson; both tackles rank inside the top-15 among all qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade.
3. New Orleans Saints
Ryan Ramczyk has been other-worldly to start his third NFL season. The former Wisconsin Badger ranks second among qualifying offensive tackles and fourth among all offensive linemen in overall grade at 85.0. He also ranks inside the top-10 at his position in pass-blocking grade (78.8) and run-blocking grade (88.7). Opposite Ramczyk, Terron Armstead ranks 10th in overall grade (80.7) and 11th in pass-blocking grade (84.2) among all qualifying offensive linemen.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Zack Martin and Tyron Smith have both been fantastic to start the season, but La’el Collins is simply not getting enough love for his efforts so far this season. Collins has earned an 89.1 overall grade and 91.0 pass-blocking grade across 380 offensive snaps through Week 8, well on his way to a career year. In addition to Collins’ drastic improvement, Martin and Smith both rank inside the top-20 among qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade.
5. Baltimore Ravens
Ronnie Stanley and Marshal Yanda are the stars of the show in Baltimore. Stanley leads all qualifying offensive linemen in pass-blocking grade (90.4) and has allowed just four pressures across 274 pass-blocking snaps on the year. Yanda has also been impressive in pass protection with just six pressures allowed and an 81.1 pass-blocking grade. The veteran guard ranks 15th among all qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade (76.6), as well.
6. San Francisco 49ers
Suffering injuries to Mike McGlinchey and Joe Staley early in the season, San Francisco has leaned on two youngsters at both tackle positions in Justin Skule and Daniel Brunskill. And the duo has done nothing but impressed in starting roles. Brunskill, a San Diego State alumnus, originally signed by the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 2017, ranks 18th among offensive linemen with 200 or more offensive snaps through Week 8 in overall grade (75.6). Skule isn’t too far behind, either, as he ranks 20th among the same group of qualifiers and leads the team in run-blocking grade (71.1).
7. Green Bay Packers
Right tackle Bryan Bulaga and rookie guard Elgton Jenkins both turned in strong starts to the 2019 NFL season in Weeks 1-8. Earning 70.0-plus grades as a run-blocker and pass-blocker, Bulaga ranks inside the top-15 among all qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade (75.5). Jenkins ranks second among rookie offensive linemen with 200 or more offensive snaps played in overall grade at 69.4. He also ranks third in run-blocking grade (74.1) among the same group of qualifiers.
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
None of the Bucs’ offensive linemen have stood out significantly to start the season, but the team’s lowest-graded offensive lineman, Alex Cappa, is far from the worst weakest link in football right now. Cappa has earned a 59.5 overall grade in Weeks 1-8. Among every team’s lowest-graded offensive linemen with 200 or more snaps played, Cappa ranks second in overall grade behind Packers guard Billy Turner (61.5). Ali Marpet, the Bucs’ highest-graded offensive lineman, has earned a 72.0 overall grade and a 72.7 pass-blocking grade so far this season.
9. New England Patriots
The Patriots are one of 11 NFL teams with four starting offensive linemen ranked inside the top-60 in run-blocking grade through Week 8. Ted Karras and Joe Thuney have both starred along the Pats’ offensive line, earning strong run-blocking grades on the interior. Thuney is the team’s highest-graded offensive linemen with his 73.6 overall grade, 82.8 pass-blocking grade and 64.6 pass-blocking grade.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Matt Feiler has been a pleasant surprise for Pittsburgh to start this season. He finished Week 8 ranked inside the top-10 among all at his position in overall grade (82.5) and earned strong marks as a run-blocker (78.5) and pass-blocker (79.0). Veteran guard David DeCastro has also starred in pass protection, earning an 87.6 pass-blocking grade through the first eight weeks.
11. Minnesota Vikings
Both of the Vikings’ offensive tackles, Brian O’Neill and Riley Reiff, have earned top-35 overall grades in Weeks 1-8. With 72.0-plus run-blocking and pass-blocking grades, O’Neill ranks tied for 23rd among all qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade (72.6). Coming off a standout performance against the Washington Redskins in Week 8, Reiff has earned a 77.0 pass-blocking grade and the 33rd-ranked overall grade (71.5) among the same group of qualifiers.
12. Detroit Lions
Graham Glasgow and Frank Ragnow lead the Lions in overall grade at 73.8 and 71.2, respectively, though Week 8. Both interior offensive linemen have been road graders in the ground game, earning high marks as run-blockers that rank inside the top-15 among all qualifying offensive linemen.
13. Carolina Panthers
Taylor Moton has easily been the Panthers’ top offensive lineman through Week 8, as he currently ranks inside the top-15 in pass-blocking grade (82.0) among all qualifying offensive linemen, allowing just six total pressures across 286 pass-blocking snaps in the process.
14. Tennessee Titans
The Titans are the only team with five offensive linemen who have earned pass-blocking grades above 70.0 and played at least 200 offensive snaps through Week 8. The depth Tennessee has at tackle also can’t be understated. Dennis Kelly filled in admirably with Taylor Lewan missing the first four games while serving a suspension and Jack Conklin battling injury in Week 7. Kelly earned a 76.5 pass-blocking grade across 186 pass-blocking snaps as the team’s swing tackle to start the year. Guards Ben Jones and Rodger Saffold have both held their own in pass protection, as well, with Jones leading the team in pass-blocking grade (79.8).
15. Washington Redskins
Even without Trent Williams, the Redskins’ front-five hasn’t been among the worst offensive lines in football. Guard Brandon Scherff ranks inside the top-10 among all qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade (80.9) and run-blocking grade (80.9). Center Chase Roullier has also played above expectation with his 72.6 overall grade and 71.4 run-blocking grade through Week 8.
16. Oakland Raiders
The addition of Richie Incognito and Trent Brown has paid dividends for the Raiders’ offensive line. Incognito has earned a 76.4 overall grade, 85.3 pass-blocking grade and 75.0 run-blocking grade across 316 offensive snaps in 2019. And while Brown hasn’t quite had the same level of success, he has earned a 76.7 pass-blocking grade and allowed just six pressures on the year.
17. New York Giants
Guards Kevin Zeitler and Will Hernandez have both earned 70.0-plus pass-blocking grades through Week 8, but it’s been the play of the Giants’ offensive tackles that drags them down the ranks. Nate Solder and Mike Remmers have both underwhelmed in pass protection, as the duo has allowed 58 combined pressures through eight weeks.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
While Eric Fisher battles injuries, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz has been lights out for Kansas City. Schwartz ranks fifth among all qualifying offensive linemen in overall grade at 84.7. He also has an 80.0-plus run-blocking and pass-blocking grades through Week 8. Dragging the Chiefs down this list are center Austin Reiter and guard Laurent Duvernay-Tardif. Both interior offensive linemen have earned sub-60.0 overall grades in Weeks 1-8.
19. Houston Texans
The addition of Laremy Tunsil has had a huge impact on the Texans’ offensive line. The 25-year-old left tackle enters Week 9 ranks inside the top-20 in overall grade (75.7) and, more importantly, second in pass-blocking grade (89.9) among all qualifying offensive linemen. Rookie Tyrus Howard was also a bright spot for the team before going down with injury, earning 75.0-plus pass-blocking grades in three consecutive games (Weeks 4-6). Fellow rookie Max Scharping has been much more of a liability, earning just a 56.0 overall grade across 427 offensive snaps.
20. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo’s new-look offensive line has not been great to start the 2019 season. While Dion Dawkins leads the team with his 72.5 overall grade and 76.5 pass-blocking grade, his teammates in the trenches have all underwhelmed. Rookie Oklahoma product Cody Ford has been the team’s weakest link at right tackle thus far, as he’s earned just a 52.8 overall grade and a 48.7 pass-blocking grade through eight weeks. His best position may be guard in the NFL.
21. Denver Broncos
The fact that Garrett Bolles is the Broncos’ is the team’s highest-graded offensive lineman with 200 or more snaps played this year is telling. The former first-rounder has underwhelmed to start his career yet still currently leads the team in overall grade (70.3) entering Week 9. Veteran guard Ron Leary was thought to be a potential strength for the unit prior to the start of the season, but he has drastically underperformed, earning just a 50.2 overall grade and 47.3 run-blocking grade through Week 8. A bright spot for Denver has been rookie Dalton Risner, but even he has had some bad outings.
22. Cleveland Browns
Joel Bitonio is one of the best guards in football, and he’s shown that through the first eight weeks of the season. He leads the team and ranks 12th among all qualifying offensive linemen with his 80.0 overall grade across 446 offensive snaps. The problem is Bitonio is the only Browns lineman playing at a high level right now. Chris Hubbard and Eric Kush have both earned sub-50.0 overall grades in Weeks 1-8.
23. Arizona Cardinals
Veteran guard J.R. Sweezy has been a pleasant surprise for Arizona, but he and his 71.0 overall grade aren’t enough to drag Arizona inside the top-half of this list. D.J. Humphries and Justin Murray, the Cardinals’ two starting offensive tackles, have both struggled significantly as run-blockers, and center A.Q. Shipley owns a team-low 52.5 overall grade through Week 8.
24. Atlanta Falcons
James Carpenter and Kaleb McGary have allowed 41 total pressures as a duo this season, earning sub-60.0 pass-blocking grades in the process. Jake Matthews leads the team in overall grade despite earning just a 68.5 overall grade through Week 8. There are few bright spots to call on for this offensive line.
25. Seattle Seahawks
Seattle is so fortunate to have Russell Wilson under center. Germain Ifedi ranks dead last among all qualifying offensive linemen in pressure percentage allowed at 11.64%. George Fant, who has been Duane Brown’s replacement in recent weeks, ranks just four spots above Ifedi, as he’s allowed pressure on a whopping 11.02% of his 131 pass-blocking snaps. Brown’s impending return from injury keeps Seattle from the true depths of this list.
26. New York Jets
The Jets’ trio of tackles that have all seen at least 200 offensive snaps this season – Chuma Edoga, Kelvin Beachum and Brandon Shell – each rank inside the bottom-20 in pressure percentage allowed through Week 8. Only two offensive tackles have allowed pressure at a higher rate than the rookie Edoga (11.27%) so far this season.
27. Chicago Bears
Cody Whitehair and James Daniels are the only two Bears offensive linemen with 200 or more offensive snaps played and overall grades above 60.0 through Week 8. Veteran Kyle Long has been abysmal in pass protection when healthy, allowing pressure at the second-highest rate (9.33%) among qualifying guards. Tackles Bobby Massie and Charles Leno Jr. have both been liabilities in pass protection and as run-blockers, as well.
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
Rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew really must know some form of magic because he’s made something out of nothing taking snaps behind the Jags’ makeshift offensive line all year long. While guards Andrew Norwell and Brandon Linder have earned admirable marks in pass protection, the same can’t be said for Cam Robinson, A.J. Cann and Will Richardson Jr. All three offensive linemen have played more than 200 offensive snaps in Weeks 1-8 but have managed pass-blocking grades below 48.0.
29. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers’ highest-graded offensive lineman, veteran guard Michael Schofield III, has earned just a 63.9 overall grade across 509 offensive snaps this season. Trent Scott and Sam Tevi have been disastrous in pass protection, as has center Mike Pouncey. Scott enters Week 9 ranked inside the bottom-six in pressure percentage allowed at 10.46%. Los Angeles is fortunate they’re getting Russell Okung back from injury, but he won’t solve all of their problems in the trenches.
30. Cincinnati Bengals
Losing first-round rookie Jonah Williams to a season-ending injury before the season even began turned what was going to be a below-average offensive line into a bad one in Cincinnati. While center Trey Hopkins has been a bit of a bright spot at times, a combination of Andre Smith, Bobby Hart and rookie Michael Jordan have really cost this team a chance at throwing or running the ball effectively. Smith, Hart and Jordan all own sub-60.0 overall grades entering Week 9.
31. Los Angeles Rams
After owning one of the better offensive lines in football in 2018, the Rams have regressed significantly through the first eight weeks of the season. Formerly dominant offensive tackles Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein each own overall grades under 70.0 entering Week 9, and the team’s interior offensive linemen have truly underwhelmed. Only two centers have allowed pressure at a higher rate than Brian Allen so far this season.
32. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins’ highest-graded offensive linemen, Jesse Davis, would be the lowest-graded offensive lineman on the Packers. And Davis’ grade dropped to a new low after TJ Watt buried him a handful of times on Monday Night Football. Evan Boehm, J’Marcus Webb and Michael Deiter have all struggled, earning grades below 50.0 heading into Week 9. There’s little to no hope of improvement for Miami in the trenches this season.
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