Talented, dominant offensive linemen are hard to come by at the NFL level, so teams will always be on the lookout for those who shine against their competition, whether that be in the preseason or otherwise. Here are our top-15 highest-graded offensive linemen (who have played a minimum of 50 snaps) so far this preseason.
[Editor's Note: All of PFF's player grades and advanced statistics are finalized and made available to ELITE subscribers before 5 pm ET on the Monday following each weekend's slate of games during the season. Sign up today to gain access!]
1. C Brett Jones, Minnesota Vikings — 92.0
Simply put, Jones has been a step above the rest so far this preseason. He's earned an 84.0 pass-blocking grade and hasn't allowed a single pressure on any of his 59 pass-blocking snaps, while his 91.0 run-blocking grade and his 31.3 impact run-block percentage both rank first among qualifying centers. In three games, Jones has earned the second-highest preseason grade ever recorded by a center, and he trails only Philadelphia center David Moak (92.8, 2014).
2. C Lucas Patrick, Green Bay Packers — 82.4
The Packers center has earned a 79.7 grade as both a run-blocker and a pass-blocker. He's allowed just two hurries from 69 pass-blocking snaps, and he currently ranks second to Jones in impact run-block percentage (26.5%) among centers.
3. T Rick Wagner, Detroit Lions — 81.6
Its a tie for third between teammates. Lions right tackle Rick Wagner has earned a 72.0 pass-blocking grade, having kept a clean slate from his 30 pass-blocking snaps. As good as he's been in pass protection, he's truly shined in the running game: His 85.0 run-blocking grade ranks third among qualifying tackles this preseason, and his 23.8 impact run-block percentage ranks fourth.
3. T Taylor Decker, Detroit Lions — 81.6
Wagner's left-sided counterpart has been excellent in pass protection this preseason. He's allowed zero pressures from 30 pass-blocking snaps, and his 85.2 pass-blocking grade ranks second among offensive tackles this preseason.
5. G Larry Warford, New Orleans Saints — 79.9
Warford is the highest-graded offensive guard through three weeks of preseason action. His pass-blocking grade of 67.9 isn't anything to write home about, but his 78.2 run-blocking grade and 20.8 impact run-block percentage rank third and sixth, respectively, among offensive guards.
6. G Joe Haeg, Indianapolis Colts — 79.0
The Colts guard has performed well in both facets of play through three weeks and currently ranks 18th among guards in pass-blocking grade (78.5) and seventh among guards in run-blocking grade (74.8).
7. C Chris Reed, Miami Dolphins — 78.6
Reed's overall grade of 78.6 ranks third among centers this preseason. He's shined in the running game, earning the position's second-highest run-blocking grade (79.8) and the position's third-best impact run-block percentage (23.0%).
8. T Kenny Wiggins, Detroit Lions — 77.8
Another Lions tackle makes the cut. Wiggins has played 77 snaps so far this preseason, and he has been particularly impressive in pass protection: He's not allowed a single sack, hit or hurry on 44 pass-blocking snaps, and he's only “lost” one pass-blocking assignment.
9. G Matt Feiler, Pittsburgh Steelers — 77.5
The Steelers' trusty guard is coming off a strong season in Pittsburgh, and he looks like he's going to carry his 2018 form into the new league year. He's been outstanding in pass protection so far, allowing zero pressures across 46 pass-blocking snaps — his 88.9 pass-blocking grade ranks fourth among 108 qualifying offensive guards so far this preseason.
10. G Wyatt Teller, Buffalo Bills — 77.5
The sophomore guard has been impressive so far this preseason, and his play has no doubt added another difficult decision to his coaching staff's pile. Teller's work in pass protection has been solid enough through weeks — he's not allowed a single sack, hit or hurry across 64 pass-blocking snaps — but his work as a run-blocker has been excellent: He currently ranks fourth among qualifying offensive guards in both run-blocking grade (75.9) and impact run-block percentage (22.4%).
11. C Ryan Bates, Buffalo Bills — 77.3
Bates is the fourth-highest graded center so far this preseason and has played well in both facets of the game. He's not allowed a single quarterback pressure on his 54 pass-blocking snaps, and his 75.7 run-blocking grade ranks fourth among players at the position.
12. T Mike Remmers, New York Giants — 77.0
Remmers is coming off a fairly forgettable 2018 season in New York, so the Giants' coaching staff will hope that his preseason performance is a sign of things to come. He's allowed just one hurry on his 32 pass-blocking snaps so far, and his pressure rate of 3.2% is good for ninth among qualifying offensive tackles — a far cry from his 6.0% mark last year.
13. G Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Philadelphia Eagles — 76.9
The Eagles' versatile offensive lineman has played all 87 of his snaps at right guard so far this preseason, just one year after he saw all of his snaps split between left (231 snaps) and right tackle (98 snaps). Through three games, Big V is yet to allow a quarterback pressure, and he's only “lost” one of his 57 pass-blocking snaps.
14. T Greg Senat, Baltimore Ravens — 76.4
A former sixth-round pick out of Wagner, Greg Senat didn't really wow in preseason last year, but he showed great promise in his lone preseason outing this year. Senat played 52 snaps at left tackle in the Week 1 contest, with another five coming from the right side; he didn't allow a single pressure, he suffered just one “loss,” and he also recorded a mightily impressive 77.9 run-blocking grade that ranked second among all offensive tackles in Week 1.
15. T Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills — 76.3
The Bills' left tackle has graded above 74.0 as both a run-blocker (74.2) and as a pass-blocker (74.9), making him one of only five offensive tackles to achieve that feat so far this preseason. He's allowed just one hurry across 37 pass-blocking snaps, and his 14.8 impact run-block percentage ranks 15th among qualifying offensive tackles.
Read more about the outstanding performers through three weeks of the preseason: Grading all 32 first-round picks｜Top-15 pass-rushers｜Top-15 rookie quarterbacks ｜Top-15 pass-catchers｜Top-15 offensive linemen｜Top-15 defensive backs｜Top-25 rookies
© 2024 PFF - all rights reserved.