Offensive line play can often be overlooked when evaluating NFL offenses, but this season, we’ve seen prime examples of just how much a bad line can impact even a reasonably good offense. Most attention is paid to the skill-position players during the offseason, but the offensive line is often the deciding factor in a team’s success or failure.
Evaluating an offensive line is tough because it’s a cohesive group of five players that needs to be anchored with quality options and then surrounded by solid ancillary pieces. Unlike other positions, one star player cannot make all the difference, and equally, one bad player doesn’t immediately sink a unit.
The best offensive lines in the NFL are often above average across all five positions and boast the depth to deal with inevitable injuries in the trenches.
Our new offensive line metric (OL+) combines pressure and sack rate stats with time-to-throw data to build a profile of an offensive line’s performance in various situations. We then sprinkle in ESPN’s pass block (PBWR) and run block win rate (RBWR) stats to give a comprehensive overview of these units’ performance.
In judging all 32 units, we’ll look at their season-long performance, the data over the last four weeks, and the general trends from these respective units week by week. However, we are well aware that football is not played on a spreadsheet, so we’ve also watched these units throughout the season to observe their performances.
We also know that OL play is arguably more subjective than any other position on the football field. Therefore, we appreciate that how we rank these teams may not be how others rank them.
We never shy away from comments about our rankings, but please keep them respectful. Remember that we don’t hate your team; we’re just calling it as we see it and the numbers tell it.
1) Denver Broncos
Regular-Season Grade: 99.5 (A+)
The Denver Broncos’ offensive line was one of the driving forces behind their success in 2024. Very little was expected of the offense this season. Normally, when an offense outperforms expectations, it’s either the quarterback playing exceptionally well or the offensive line.
Bo Nix has certainly performed well, ranking inside the top 20 of our QB+ rankings this season, but this OL’s brilliant performances helped make life easier. Their pressure rate (28.3%) and sack (4.0%) numbers were excellent across the board, despite Nix averaging the fifth-highest time to throw (3.03 seconds).
The Broncos finished top of ESPN’s PBWR and RBWR and had plenty of individual players inside the top 10 of their categories. Mike McGlinchey and Garett Bolles were both inside the top seven for OTs in PBWR. Meanwhile, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, and Ben Powers were all in the top five for PBWR on the interior, with Powers also atop the RBWR for iOL.
2) Baltimore Ravens
Regular-Season Grade: 92.1 (A-)
Over the course of the 2024 season, the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive line was very good at pass and run blocking. They finished in the top five across many categories, including overall sack rate (4.8%; fourth), PBWR (third), and RBWR (third). Their sack rate was sixth when facing the blitz (5.2%) and fifth when facing four or fewer rushers (4.6%).
There were some alarming numbers, such as averaging 0.9 running back yards before contact per rush (RBYBC/rush), which ranked 17th. However, Derrick Henry is a power back and is less likely to try to avoid contact as much as he will look to run through it, which negatively impacts that number.
From a pass-blocking perspective, the Ravens ranked 26th in overall pressure rate (38.1%), 22nd against the blitz (41.8%), and 28th when not facing the blitz (36.0%). Yet, Lamar Jackson had some of the highest times to throw in the league across all various categories, which exacerbates those pressure numbers. Jackson’s style also plays into the low sack rates, as he is very elusive both in and out of the pocket.
Bringing Ronnie Stanley back at left tackle is a huge boost to the Ravens for 2025. Replacing Stanley would have been tough and likely would have seen the Ravens fall through the rankings. They still to address depth across their line, but there is a lot to like here.
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Regular-Season Grade: 91.8 (A-)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive line was undeniably one of the most improved units in the NFL this season. Their pressure rate (24.4%) was the lowest in the NFL, with impressive numbers whether facing the blitz or not.
Additionally, the Buccaneers had the sixth-best RBYBC/rush of 1.01. They also ranked fifth and sixth, respectively, when it comes to PBWR and RBWR.
Two elements were key to Tampa Bay’s numbers. Firstly, no tackle graded better in pass protection than Tristan Wirfs in PBWR. Secondly, the offense was predicated on a quick time to throw (2.82), which took the strain off the line to block for longer stretches.
However, a 2.82 time to throw was outside the 10 quickest this season, so it’s not the sole reason for their success. The PBWR numbers demonstrate that when needed, this group was able to sustain blocks.
Bringing back Ben Bredeson sure ensures some consistency on this line as they transition offensive coordinators. It looks like the Buccaneers should have the same starting line as they had last year, meaning they should remain a top-10 offense at worst.
4) Buffalo Bills
Regular-Season Grade: 90.5 (A-)
The Buffalo Bills’ offensive line was superb across the board this season. They allowed a pressure rate of just 31.9% (eighth) and led the NFL in sack rate (2.6%). When facing the blitz, they allowed just a 30.1% pressure rate (second) and a 2.7% sack rate (second).
They were certainly helped by having a mobile QB who can move around the field, but they also ranked inside the top 12 in time to throw.
The ESPN PBWR metric shows how good the Bills’ line is at sustaining blocks. They ranked fourth in that metric, which, when combined with the pressure and sack rate stats, makes them arguably the NFL’s premier pass-blocking unit.
The run-game numbers were a bit mixed during the regular season. The Bills were inside the top five in RBYBC/rush (1.05), but they were just 17th in RBWR. However, their RBWR number is over 70%, so it’s far from being a disaster for this offense.
5) Detroit Lions
Regular-Season Grade: 85.6 (B)
After a wobble in the middle of the season, the Detroit Lions’ offensive line finished the season strongly, ranking sixth overall in the regular season. They were fourth over the last four weeks of the year, and that includes a D- performance against the Bills in Week 15. Finishing with a B- against a very good Minnesota Vikings defense was a huge credit to this group.
The Lions ranked 12th and 16th in PBWR and RBWR, respectively, and were 11th in pressure rate (32.6%). Yet, they’re second in RBYBC/rush (1.08). Detroit’s pass-blocking numbers are helped by the fact that Jared Goff is in the top 10 in time to throw (2.71).
Where the Lions’ pass blocking excelled was against the blitz. Goff was 10th in the NFL in time to throw against the blitz, but the line ranked seventh in pressure rate (37.1%) and fifth in sack rate (5.2%). Intriguingly, they actually had negative splits when not facing the blitz, ranking ninth in time to throw and 12th and 13th in pressure rate and sack rate, respectively.
Detroit’s concern this offseason should be that its struggles came against other playoff teams. They graded as a C against the Buccaneers, a C- against the Vikings, a C+ and a D+ against the Green Bay Packers, a C against the Houston Texans, and a D- against the Bills.
When the competition ramps up, Detroit’s line tends to struggle, but finishing well against the Vikings will have helped alleviate some of those concerns entering the offseason.
6) Arizona Cardinals
Regular-Season Grade: 84.3 (B)
The Arizona Cardinals’ strong performances in the last month saw them finish inside the top 10 in our NFL OL rankings. They sat first over the last four weeks, with back-to-back A- games and then a B and C+ performance to round out the year.
Even though their quarterback loves to hold the ball against the blitz (7th highest), the Cardinals’ pressure rate (39.2%, 11th) and sack rate (8.6%, 18th) were very respectable.
When facing just four or fewer rushers, Arizona’s line was excellent this year, ranking fifth in pressure rate (25.3%) and second in sack rate (3.9%). Additionally, they did well in opening up holes for the backs, ranking ninth in RBYBC/rush (1.00) while also sitting 11th in RBWR.
No one on this line individually stood out, so this was a real group effort and one that has been fairly consistent across the season. Arizona’s worst performances came before the Week 11 bye, but they did not post a grade below a C after that. That improvement coincided with the return of Jonah Williams, who was a key element up front since his November return.
The Cardinals made a couple of shrewd moves before free agency began, brining back Kelvin Beachum and Evan Brown. Brown should train his starting spot at guard, while Beachum’s return could mean either Paris Johnson Jr. or Beachum himself kick inside to play guard in order to replace Will Hernandez.
7) Washington Commanders
Regular-Season Grade: 83.5 (B)
On the season as a whole, the Commanders’ offensive line did a good job in pass protection, given just how long Jayden Daniels held the ball (3.01 seconds; seventh). Whether it’s in the face of the blitz or not, he was in the top 10 for both in time to throw (or be sacked).
Therefore, while the pressure numbers don’t look elite (34.4%), in the context of the time they are blocking, they’re respectable. That is reflected in a top-10 ranking in PBWR entering Week 18.
To make it even stronger, the Commanders used the 29th overall pick on Oregon OL Josh Conerly Jr.
In the run game, the Commanders’ RBs only averaged 0.89 YBC/rush, but ESPN ranks Washington’s line as the second-best in RBWR.
Adding Laremy Tunsil at left tackle only serves to boost the Washington offensive line. With Tunsil this unit should remain a top-10 unit in 2025 and could easily finish the year inside the top five.
8) Green Bay Packers
Regular-Season Grade: 82.7 (B-)
The Packers’ OL was very impressive in the face of the blitz, ranking eighth in pressure rate (37.2%), which was much better than their 18th-placed ranking when not facing the blitz (32.7%). Green Bay’s run blocking was somewhat concerning, as they ranked 14th in RBYBC/rush (0.92) and 23rd in RBWR. However, their run game generally performed well, hiding some of those concerns when you watch them play.
Some of Green Bay’s best performances this year came against playoff-bound teams, with C+ or better in five games against the Lions, Vikings, and Eagles. Unfortunately, they couldn’t play to that standard when they were called upon against the Eagles in the playoffs.
The addition of Aaron Banks is intriguing. Josh Myers’ potential departure left a gap at center, and Banks is a guard. Therefore, the expectation will be that either Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan will slide in at center with Banks taking one of the guard spots. Banks is not an upgrade on Myers, but he is not a significant downgrade either.
9) Minnesota Vikings
Regular-Season Grade: 82.1 (B-)
The Vikings’ offensive line was interesting this season. They struggled for a stretch in the middle of the year after losing Christian Darrisaw, but they stabilized and had been trending up heading into the playoffs.
The Vikings’ numbers against the blitz looked a little worrisome (54.3% pressure rate; last), with Sam Darnold holding the ball for nearly three seconds (2.93; second-highest in the NFL).
Minnesota’s OL was better relative to the league when not facing the blitz, ranking just outside the top 20 in pressure rate (34.1%). This is further contextualized by a second-overall ranking in PBWR, which shows this line was better than the raw pressure and sack rate numbers showed — they were just being asked to do it for longer than most teams.
In the run game, Minnesota ranked 12th in RBYBC/rush (0.96) and 15th in RBWR. These weren’t exceptional numbers, but they were more than good enough to complement what the rest of the team did in the regular season.
The Vikings have made a pair of excellent moves in free agency, adding Ryan Kelly to be their starting center and then signing Will Fries to replace Dalton Risner. Those two moves are a net positive compared to what they had on their offensive line last year. When you then add in that Christian Darrisaw should be back to start the year, this is a potential top-five offensive line in 2025.
The Vikings used the 24th pick in the 2025 Draft to take Ohio State Guard Donovan Jackson
10) Atlanta Falcons
Regular-Season Grade: 81.2 (B-)
Despite the changes in their passing offense in the final few weeks, the Falcons’ offensive line did an excellent job. Their overall numbers were pretty good on the surface — 5.4% sack rate (seventh) and 32% pressure rate (ninth) — but are certainly helped by the fact this offense is getting the ball out quickly (2.61-second time to throw) regardless of who has been at quarterback.
Atlanta’s pass-blocking numbers against the blitz were exceptional, ranking fifth in pressure rate (36.1%) and first in sack rate (2.1%). Yet, that is helped massively by its 2.27 time to throw, which leads the NFL.
Atlanta’s numbers were less impressive when opponents weren’t blitzing. It ranked 10th in pressure rate (30.6%) and 18th in sack rate (6.5%) despite ranking third-lowest in time to throw (2.72).
The Falcons’ run-blocking stats have quite a wide contrast. They rank first in the league in RBYBC/rush (1.17) but 20th in RBWR. Overall, that came out to a solid number inside the top half in regards to this unit’s run-blocking performance.
However, those yards-before-contact numbers are certainly boosted by having an elusive runner like Bijan Robinson, who can avoid contact altogether rather than just breaking tackles.
11) Philadelphia Eagles
Regular-Season Grade: 81.1 (B-)
This rank for the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line is a little unfair because it’s influenced by their poor Week 18 showing when they rested their starting OL. Still, the Chiefs and Bills both rested starters and didn’t slump through the rankings, so this also highlights the Eagles’ strength of depth concerns.
Philadelphia’s OL was all over the map in the final few weeks of the regular season. They ranked 27th over the final four weeks with D+ grades against the Commanders and Steelers. When you combine those two grades with an F against the Ravens, a C- against the Buccaneers, and a C against the Packers, there was certainly cause for concern.
When you look at the Eagles’ numbers, it’s hard to imagine them as a top-10 unit. Their 40.6% pressure rate was the worst in the NFL, and their 9.1% sack rate was the second-worst, but they had the second-longest time to throw at 3.17 seconds.
ESPN’s PBWR had the Eagles as the sixth-best offensive line, but its metric only considers blocking for the first 2.5 seconds, so it doesn’t paint the full picture.
Their run blocking was also good without being exceptional. Philadelphia’s OL clears the way for an average of 1.00 RBYBC/rush (eighth in the NFL) and was ranked ninth in RBWR.
In terms of individual accolades, Lane Johnson finished fifth in OT PBWR and RBWR, Jordan Mailata was 14th for pass blocking, and Cam Jurgens was 11th for iOL pass blocking. There’s no shortage of high-end talent, but their ranking doesn’t match their potential.
12) Kansas City Chiefs
Regular-Season Grade: 85.9 (B)
The Chiefs finished the season ranked fifth, which is interesting given that their performance on the field looked ugly at times in the second half of the year. The key to this ranking was a strong first half because the Chiefs ranked 30th over the final four weeks and did not grade above a C after scoring an A- against the Carolina Panthers in Week 12.
The issue was at left tackle because the other four positions up front have been excellent. The recent numbers emphasize just how important the blindside tackle is because, despite quality numbers for the other four players on the line, the overall mark is a concern. We also saw this issue derail their offense in the Super Bowl.
Kansas City’s line was anchored by one of the two premier trios in the NFL right now. Joe Thuney led the interior pass blockers in win rate, Creed Humphrey was sixth, and Trey Smith was inside the top 20 at times this year but fell out in the last few weeks. Thuney was so good that the Chiefs even moved him to LT to try and solve the issue out there late in the season.
In run blocking, Smith was inside the top 10 interior OL in terms of RBWR. Right tackle Jawaan Taylor had also been doing his part, ranking 17th in PBWR. Overall, the Chiefs ranked seventh in RBYBC/rush (1.01) and RBWR. That’s a great indication of just how good the interior — and the right side of the line, especially — were this year.
The overall pass-blocking numbers were largely pretty middling, except for ranking eighth in PBWR. KC’s numbers against the blitz are also good, ranking inside the top 10 for blitz (5.4%; seventh) and pressure rate (37.3%; ninth). However, they are helped by having the fourth-quickest time to throw (2.4 seconds).
There was mixed news for the Chiefs’ offensive line in the lead-up to free agency. Smith’s return via the franchise tag was positive, but the team traded Thuney to Chicago, severely weakening this team in terms of both his skills and his experience. That has dropped them a handful of spots in these rankings heading into free agency.
At the start of free agency, the Chiefs made an intriguing move by adding Jaylon Moore, who was with the San Francisco 49ers last season. Moore has never been a full-time starter and is, therefore, a huge risk. Left tackle remains a complete unknown for this team in 2025.
They hit the need during the draft, picking Ohio State tackle Josh Simmons with the 32nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
13) Los Angeles Rams
Regular-Season Grade: 80.7 (B-)
It was a topsy-turvy year for the entire Los Angeles Rams offense when it came to injuries, and the offensive line felt it as well. However, they trended in the right direction — ranking seventh over the final four weeks of the season — after getting healthier and near full strength.
That included not playing all their first-choice offensive linemen in Week 18 when they graded as a C+ against the Seahawks. They finished the year in the top four in quickest time to throw (2.66), which helped LA’s pass blocking.
But even in that context, they were a solid unit, with a pressure rate of 32.2% (10th) and a sack rate of 5.3% (fifth). The Rams’ numbers rank in the top half, whether facing the blitz or not.
Los Angeles also ranked third in the NFL in RBYBC/rush (1.09) and 12th in RBWR, which combined to make this a top-10 run-blocking offensive line.
14) Chicago Bears
Regular-Season Grade: 76.7 (C)
It was unfair that the Chicago Bears’ offensive woes were largely blamed on the offensive line. Sure, a 17th-placed ranking in the 2024 season was not good, but it’s not horrendous. They had some bad outings, as did most offensive lines, but that doesn’t mean they were the main reason for Caleb Williams’ struggles as a rookie.
The Bears’ OL was asked to block for the fourth-longest time of any unit last season (3.09 seconds). That contributed heavily to a 10.7% sack rate (last in the NFL) because their 35.4% pressure rate was 18th. We saw that replicated whether it’s against the blitz or not, suggesting it might be a general problem in Williams’ game.
Chicago also ranked 15th in PBWR, which is respectable. Similarly, the run-blocking numbers were fairly solid (0.91 RBYBC/rush, 15th), so it’s ambitious to blame the offensive line for this season’s collapse.
Intriguingly, this unit posted four games with a grade of B- or above, and three of its five wins came in those games. All three came before their bye week, though, and they only posted one game above a C+ after Week 7, when their schedule got significantly harder.
The additions of Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney give this unit a boost. They still have other needs to address on the line, but getting a player familiar with the system in Jackson and a player of the quality and experience of Thuney is a great start. Adding Drew Dalman at center only helped strengthen the line for 2025, but replacing Coleman Shelton with Dalman is somewhat of an even switch in terms of talent.
15) San Francisco 49ers
Regular-Season Grade: 80.2 (B-)
It was a tough end to the season for the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive line, and having Trent Williams out with an injury was a big reason why. Williams ranked second on the year in OT PBWR, with Jake Brendel being the only other 49ers OL getting listed on the individual leaderboards to end the year.
With Williams absent, San Francisco posted four individual game grades of D+ or below in seven games. That led to their fall outside the top 10, ranking 18th over the final four weeks, thanks in part to a strong finish against the Cardinals.
Unlike the Chiefs, San Francisco did not have the interior depth to play well while struggling at left tackle. With a 37.1% pressure rate, the 49ers’ pass-protection numbers looked bad on the surface, but their quarterbacks also hold the ball for over three seconds on average, ranking as the league’s sixth-highest rate.
The main positive in San Francisco’s numbers was run blocking, ranking fourth in RBYBC/rush (1.05). Yet, they ranked 24th in ESPN’s RBWR metric, which suggests their yards before contact numbers are as much about the backs’ style as the line’s performance. When you combine those metrics, they average out as an average run-blocking group.
16) Indianapolis Colts
Regular-Season Grade: 78.5 (C+)
The Indianapolis Colts’ OL is no longer the elite unit it once was. They still have good players, but they are not as loaded as they were a few years ago.
Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco are not as difficult to block for as some other quarterbacks (ranked around league average in time to throw). Plus, Richardson is incredibly tough to bring to the ground, which means Indy’s sack rate always looks better than it should.
The blitz is a real concern for Indianapolis’ offense, having allowed a 52.2% pressure rate (31st). Some of that is because their QBs tended to hold the ball longer than most when facing the blitz compared to facing three or four pass rushers. Yet, Richardson was also a big reason that the 51.9% pressure rate has only turned into a 6.1% sack rate (11th).
When you separate sack and pressure rate numbers by quarterback, Richardson has a higher pressure rate (37.7%) than Flacco (29.0%) but a lower sack rate (5.2% vs. 6.7%). That perfectly encapsulates their play style, with Richardson holding the ball for 2.96 seconds on average and Flacco at just 2.64. Richardson, though, is significantly more elusive.
The Colts ranked 16th in RBYBC/rush (0.91) but are fourth in RBWR. That tells a very good story about Jonathan Taylor’s style as a running back who seems to welcome contact with his ability to break through tackles. It also means this line averages out right around a top-10 unit in run blocking.
17) Dallas Cowboys
Regular-Season Grade: 78.0 (C+)
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line was somewhat forgotten at times with all the other chaos going on. That is also a product of them essentially just being a league-average unit. Long gone are the days when this unit was a consistent top-five group, and with Zack Martin potentially departing this offseason, things could shift further.
The Cowboys moved to fix the offensive line in the 2025 NFL Draft, using the 12th overall pick on Alabama guard Tyler Booker. It’s the second straight year and third time in four drafts the Cowboys used their first round pick on an offensive lineman.
Dallas ranks third in the NFL in pressure rate (27.6%) but is a unit helped by a quick-release passing game. That may have been introduced out of necessity, with PBWR ranking them 24th, suggesting that the Cowboys’ offensive line can struggle to sustain blocks for longer reps.
Dallas’ run game has struggled this season, and with mixed outputs so far, the OL metrics may indicate why. The Cowboys rank 18th in RBYBC/rush (0.87) and fifth in RBWR. Those numbers would place a significant portion of the blame for the failing run game on the lack of explosiveness from their two backs and a struggle to avoid contact rather than trying to break it.
18) Los Angeles Chargers
Regular-Season Grade: 74.2 (C)
The Los Angeles Chargers offensive line dealt with some injuries, but they had a solid tackle base in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. Slater finished the regular season in the top 10 for run blocking, while Alt was fourth in pass blocking.
Los Angeles is certainly set nicely as a franchise in regards to its OL bookends. The biggest concern for its offensive line was always that they had not graded over a C against any playoff-bound team this year. Their best outcome was a C against the Ravens in Week 12, with four games graded as D+ or below and two graded as C-. In total, they had seven regular-season games graded as D+ or worse.
Los Angeles’ sack rate of 7.9% ranked 22nd, while its pressure rate allowed (33.1%) ranked 12th. Justin Herbert was in the upper third of quarterbacks for holding the ball, but the Chargers need to improve their line before the 2025 season significantly.
The run game was also an issue, with a 27th-ranked RBYBC/rush (0.71). However, they were 13th in RBWR, suggesting some of those struggles fall on the running backs.
19) Carolina Panthers
Regular-Season Grade: 72.0 (C-)
It was a transitional year for the Panthers’ offense, but the offensive line wasn’t one of the bigger problems for them in the grand scheme of their roster. A 19th-placed ranking is not that impressive (and ESPN’s PBWR had them ranked 30th), but it’s all relative to poor performance elsewhere on the team.
In terms of the situational and pressure stats, this unit was fine but below average. Carolina was 19th in pressure rate (35.6%), with perfectly adequate stats whether facing the blitz (41.2%, 18th) or facing just four or fewer rushers (33.2%, 19th).
The run-game numbers were also solid, with a 10th-placed ranking in RBWR and 0.93 RBYBC/rush (13th). On an individual basis, Robert Hunt graded out as the second-best iOL in RBWR. He appears to be a strong addition from last offseason and could well prove to be the centerpiece of the line going forward.
The Panthers finished with mixed performances, having their worst game of the year in Week 17 (F) and their best in Week 18 (A+). That regular-season finale was graded as the best single-game performance from any team all season (99.3), sending Carolina into the offseason on a high note.
20) Cleveland Browns
Regular-Season Grade: 71.4 (C-)
The Cleveland Browns’ offensive line dealt with a lot of change, and a lack of continuity rarely creates consistency. The biggest concerns for this unit were a 36.0% pressure rate (21st) and a 9.1% sack rate (30th). That comes despite the team ranking in the middle of the pack in time to throw (2.85 seconds).
A big part of that is Cleveland’s struggles when opponents don’t blitz. The Browns ranked 24th in pressure rate in that scenario (34.9%) and 27th in sack rate (8.0%). They were also vulnerable to sacks against the blitz, ranking last (12.7%), although that was less about giving up regular pressure and more about individual plays.
Intriguingly, the Browns were 10th in ESPN PBWR, which seems high given their pressure and time-to-throw statistics. The run-blocking statistics diverged during the second half of the season, with Cleveland ranking 14th in RBWR and 24th in RBYPC/rush (0.77).
Some of the OL issues could be solved if the Browns can find some consistency behind them at quarterback. Still, they may also need to look at upgrading in a couple of areas to improve the group as a whole.
Jack Conklin was 19th in OT PBWR and third in RBWR, with Wyatt Teller ninth in iOL RBWR. Those should remain core pieces of the unit, complemented by offseason acquisitions.
The addition of Cornelius Lucas at left tackle should not be underrated. He is a player that flew under the radar in free agency this year, but he has been improving in recent seasons and should be a more than adequate replacement for Jedrick Wills, if not an improvement.
21) Tennessee Titans
Regular-Season Grade: 60.3 (D-)
Some of the early-season tape for this Tennessee Titans’ offensive line was really poor. Things got somewhat better as the season wore on, but this is still far from a league-average unit. That’s concerning, given the level of resources that have been plowed into Tennessee’s offensive line.
Peter Skoronski has been a silver lining, but the overall run blocking has been pretty bad. Tennessee averaged just 0.67 RBYBC/rush (29th) and sits 21st in RBWR.
On the pass-blocking front, Tennessee finished 23rd in pressures allowed (36.6%) despite getting the ball out quickly. Their numbers against four or fewer rushers are particularly concerning. Despite the eighth-quickest time to throw (2.78 seconds), the Titans ranked 26th in pressure rate (35.2%) and 30th in sack rate (8.5%).
Both Dillon Radunz and Daniel Brunskill are free agents, which means we could see an overhaul of over half the line in 2025. Tennessee needs to change something because putting this line in front of a different young quarterback is not just miraculously going to lead to different results.
Adding Dan Moore Jr. at left tackle is a move that will likely be underrated by a lot of people, but it is a fantastic addition. Moore has had his struggles against top-tier pass rushers like Myles Garrett and Trey Hendrickson but is very good against the remainder of the pass rushers he has faced. His addition also allows JC Latham to go back to right tackle, where he should feel much more comfortable.
Adding Kevin Zeitler to this line only enhances it further. He allowed just a 3.2% pressure rate last season and has played 15+ games in 10 straight seasons. This group now has experience and talent and will provide whoever plays quarterback behind them with the stability required to prove themselves.
22) Jacksonville Jaguars
Regular-Season Grade: 69.9 (D+)
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line adapted quite impressively this year. Losing your left tackle to a mid-season trade and then enduring regular quarterback changes can be tough. Nevertheless, Jacksonville’s pass-blocking numbers were fairly good.
The Jaguars ranked second in pressure rate allowed (27.5%) but were helped by the tendency toward a quick-release passing game (2.68-second time to throw; fifth-quickest). Jacksonville’s 20th-ranked PBWR tells you a lot about how this line performed when asked to block for any significant length of time.
The run game was certainly an issue, with just 0.74 RBYBC/rush (25th) and a 23rd-placed ranking in RBWR. Those aren’t lethal numbers for a ground game, but the run blocking is the lesser part of this OL’s skill set.
The Jaguars have been very active in free agency so far, adding Robert Hainsey, Chuma Edoga, and Patrick Mekari. That should help boost their offensive line play, but none of them are enough to see them climb in these rankings. They are a solid trio, but none of them give this line a feel of significant improvement.
23) Las Vegas Raiders
Regular-Season Grade: 69.4 (D+)
The numbers speak for themselves with the Las Vegas Raiders. Their pressure rate of 35.8% ranked 20th and is not mitigated by a high time to throw (ninth-quickest).
The Raiders particularly struggled against the blitz, with a 46.6% pressure rate (28th). Yet, they were a more solid group when just having to handle four or fewer pass rushers (31.6%, 13th).
The run game was poor, ranking 22nd in RBWR and 21st in RBYBC/rush (0.85). The running backs the offensive line had to work with didn’t help, either. Largely, though, the unit struggled to open up holes for the ground game to take advantage of.
The Raiders looked a little better over the final month of the season, ranking eighth in the last four weeks. It will be interesting to see whether they look to improve this group in the offseason or if they believe another year with the same front five will continue the upward trend we saw starting in December.
24) New Orleans Saints
Regular-Season Grade: 68.0 (D+)
Injuries decimated the New Orleans Saints offensive line at times this year, and it showed repeatedly. Every time you looked up, it felt like New Orleans was changing something up front, making continuity impossible. Trevor Penning and Taliese Fuaga played most snaps, but only Cesar Ruiz played more than 60% of the interior snaps.
The Saints made a huge move to change that in the 2025 draft, choosing Texas OL Kelvin Banks. It’s the second straight year the Saints have gone OL in first round after taking Taliese Fuaga last season.
The Saints ranked 29th over the last four weeks of the season, with no single week grading out better than a C. They went 0-4 in that stretch, but that’s not all on the line. The offense was made up of rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler and a group of largely third-choice skill-position players.
Given the circumstances of their season, New Orleans’ stats are acceptable. It’s hard to be much more effusive in praising the unit than that, but credit is due for not completely crumbling.
The Saints ranked 22nd in pressure rate (36.2%) and RBYBC/rush (0.82) and 29th in PBWR. Again, with all they’ve dealt with injury-wise, it’s a surprise they weren’t worse.
Getting Erik McCoy back healthy will help, and with Shane Lemieux and Lucas Patrick potentially heading to free agency, there are opportunities to improve this group in the offseason.
25) Pittsburgh Steelers
Regular-Season Grade: 66.5 (D)
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ OL struggled this season with pass blocking, evidenced by a 38.6% pressure rate allowed in the regular season (29th in the NFL). The unit struggled regardless of whether it was facing the blitz (9.8% sack rate, 22nd) or just four or fewer defenders (38.1% pressure rate, 31st; 8.7% sack rate, 31st). This despite the offense having the ninth-longest time to throw this season.
The run game was also an issue. The Steelers averaged just 0.70 RBYPC/rush (28th) in the regular season, which made it hard to achieve any consistency on the ground. They were 18th in RBWR, but that still results in a well-below-average rushing group.
Individually, Isaac Seumalo, Zach Frazier, and Dan Moore Jr. all ranked well in various categories this year. The other two spots were an issue, though, largely due to injuries.
26) New York Jets
Regular-Season Grade: 64.0 (D)
The New York Jets had an interesting season. The offensive line started with a couple of really poor performances, but after Week 6, they didn’t have a game graded below a C-, with three games graded as a B-. Over the last four weeks, they finished 14th, showing they were continuing to trend up as the season progressed.
To help the offensive line, the Jets took Missouri OL Armand Membou. It’s the 4th offensive lineman they’ve drafted in first round since 2020, the most by any team.
The Jets’ pressure rate was very good (28.0%; fifth), but they were helped by Aaron Rodgers’ propensity to get the ball out of his hands quickly. When asked to block for longer, they struggled, as demonstrated by a PBWR that ranked 23rd on the year.
New York is another unit that struggled with the run game. The RBs averaged just 0.78 YBC/rush (23rd), with an RBWR that is actually worse (29th). Intriguingly, Tyron Smith ended the year with the best RBWR of any tackle before his injury, demonstrating just how bad the rest of the line must have been to finish toward the bottom of the leaderboard.
Smith and Morgan Moses are both free agents this season, so it will be interesting to see what the Jets do.
27) Miami Dolphins
Regular-Season Grade: 62.7 (D-)
The Miami Dolphins’ offensive line didn’t have a great 2024, with things falling off the rails in the second half of the season.
It was a really weird stretch for the Dolphins in the later weeks. They had an F grade in Week 13 and followed that up with a D+ in Week 14. Miami then put together an A- performance in Week 16 before dropping back to an F in Weeks 17 and 18.
A pressure rate allowed of just 27.9% (fourth) seems good, but given that Miami was the quickest team to release the ball, that negates many of the positive aspects of those pressure rate stats. Run blocking was also a problem, ranking 26th in both RBYBC/rush (0.73) and RBWR.
Terron Armstead retired and the interior likely needs a complete rebuild, with Robert Jones and Liam Eichenberg both free agents this offseason. The Dolphins took their first step toward fixing it by trading up in the 2nd round to grab Arizona guard Jonah Savaiinaea.
Jonah Savaiinaea checks a lot of boxes as an early-round offensive line target. He has great size and natural leverage at 6’4″, 324 pounds, with 34″ arms. He’s an elite athlete with a documented 4.95 40-yard dash and 1.72 10-yard split — numbers that are reaffirmed by his energized athleticism and blocking range on tape.
And on top of it all, he has extensive experience at both guard and tackle, and can play both in a pinch.
The Dolphins have to put some resources into this OL this offseason because it will be hard to compete for a division title, let alone a Super Bowl run, ranking in the bottom 10 in this category.
Adding James Daniels to play guard was a very shrewd move and should stabilize the interior next to Aaron Brewer. The intriguing part for the Dolphins will be how they address left tackle. If Terron Armstead commits to returning, they will move a handful of spots up the rankings based on adding Daniels. However, until they solve the left tackle spot, this move for Daniels is a net negative for them.
28) New York Giants
Regular-Season Grade: 62.5 (D-)
The New York Giants seem to have had as many of these disastrous seasons as any other NFL team. Their offensive line was a big part of the problem in 2024, and it’s been an issue for a few seasons now.
New York’s pressure rate overall this season was 28th (38.4%), even though their quarterbacks don’t hold the ball that long (2.76 time to throw). The pressure numbers are ugly, whether against the blitz or not, and their sack rate suggests that their quarterbacks might actually have been making things look better when escaping pressure and making plays.
The run game wasn’t too bad (0.87 RBYBC/rush; 20th), but the Giants found themselves in such huge holes that they had to throw often to try and keep up, mitigating their run game success.
It seems like we’ve been saying for a year that the Giants need to improve their offensive line. They’ve tried, but it hasn’t worked to this point.
For that reason, it’s a surprise that both Joe Schoen and Brian Daboll will be back again in 2025. While QB play is important, OL improvement is where this pair should be judged next season as much as anything.
29) Cincinnati Bengals
Regular-Season Grade: 60.2 (D-)
Joe Burrow didn’t have much support in 2024, whether from his defense or his offensive line. It seems crazy to think that this line looked terrible, and yet Burrow might have actually been mitigating this group’s damage by getting the ball out early when he could (2.71-second time to throw).
The Cincinnati Bengals’ 32nd-placed PBWR ranking matches their 30th-placed RBWR ranking pretty closely. Most of their other metrics don’t shape up too badly (15th in overall pressure rate and 19th in sack rate), but they’ve been vulnerable to the blitz.
Despite Burrow ranking ninth in time to throw against the blitz, Cincinnati is 19th in pressure rate (41.3%) and 25th in sack rate (10.3%).
This offseason takes us back to 2021 when the debate was whether they should invest in Ja’Marr Chase with the fifth pick in the NFL Draft or Penei Sewell. Once again, the debate will be where they prioritize resources, offensive line or wide receiver.
All of Cincinnati’s starting offensive linemen from this year were set to be under contract in 2025, so they could just roll it back. However, they cut Alex Cappa, who struggled considerably last season.
30) New England Patriots
Regular-Season Grade: 46.6 (F)
The New England Patriots went for the immediate need at offensive line, taking LSU OT Will Campbell with the 4th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The last offensive lineman the Patriots took in the first round was Cole Strange in 2022.
The Patriots’ offensive line always looked like it could be an issue in 2024. It lacked enough solid veterans or high-upside young players to be a unit that can help elevate a team that is arguably the weakest in the league at WR and RB.
The line was likely a big part of the reason the Patriots chose to go with Jacoby Brissett to open the season. Yet, Drake Maye came in and made light of the line at times with his elusive work within the pocket and getting out into the open field.
New England ranked last in RBWR and second from last in PBWR. They were 31st in pressure rate (39.5%) and 29th in sack rate (9.0%) despite being just 12th in time to throw (2.91 seconds).
The Patriots’ OL struggled regardless of the number of pass rushers being sent their way and wasn’t much better at opening holes in the run game (0.58 RBYBC/rush; 32nd).
The Patriots started their offensive line reboot with Morgan Moses, who is expected to man left tackle. They have some more spots to address and likely will add some more offensive line players in free agency after focusing heavily on their defense in the early stages of free agency.
31) Seattle Seahawks
Regular-Season Grade: 57.7 (F)
It’s incredible to think how close the Seattle Seahawks came to the playoffs, given the level of play they got from their offensive line.
This line is likely a big part of the reason why Ryan Grubb was fired after just one year. Charles Cross was the biggest positive, but the overall group was a big negative for this offense.
On the season, Seattle allowed a 39.4% pressure rate (30th) and an 8.3% sack rate (24th). They struggled whether opponents blitzed or not, and their numbers all around leave much to be desired following plenty of investment in the line in recent years.
The run blocking wasn’t any better; in fact, it was largely worse.
Seattle ranked third-from-last in RBYBC/rush (0.66) and 28th in RBWR. Based on these numbers, it’s not a huge surprise that they struggled to sustain a playoff push week over week consistently and were ultimately eliminated in Week 17.
Seattle made an immediate move to fix the offensive line by drafting North Dakota State star Grey Zabel with the 18th overall pick. It marks only the 2nd time in the last ten years that the Seahawks used their first round pick on an offensive lineman, last doing so in 2022 with Charles Cross.
The Seahawks need to get more consistency in 2025. Only Cross and Laken Tomlinson played more than 60% of the snaps among offensive linemen in 2024, with the latter set to be a free agent.
The other three positions have been a bit of a rotating door, which may explain some of the struggles. Still, the Seahawks are far from the only team to have seen changes, so that cannot be used to excuse their play completely.
32) Houston Texans
Regular-Season Grade: 55.6 (F)
It wasn’t a great season for the Houston Texans’ offense, and the OL’s play is a big reason why. There weren’t any truly disastrous games, but Houston had seven games graded as a D+ or worse and 11 with a C- or worse.
It’s hard to perform well consistently on offense with that level of line play.
C.J. Stroud’s propensity to hold the ball for a long time didn’t help (3.00-second time to throw), but a 10.7% sack rate in the face of the blitz (27th) cannot be excused on that, given he ranks 17th in time to throw against the blitz. Houston allows a 35.2% pressure rate (25th) against four or fewer pass rushers, but that is likely heavily related to Stroud holding the ball (28th in time to throw).
This line also struggled with the run game. They ranked 31st in RBYBC/rush (0.58) and RBWR. That makes some of Joe Mixon’s performances this season even more impressive than they first looked.
Trading Laremy Tunsil to the Commanders only serves to hurt this line further. The Texans now need to make improvements right across the line, starting with adding a left tackle they can trust to protect Stroud’s blindside. Without significant investment, this could be the worst line in the NFL. The Texans then traded Kenyon Green to the Philadelphia Eagles, leaving their line looking incredibly short.
The arrival of Ed Ingram is an improvement on some of those losses, but this line is at least a left tackle away from getting off the bottom of this list, if not more.
The Texans, after trading out of the first round and taking WR Jayden Higgins at pick 34, finally take a lineman at pick 48, trading up to get Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery.
Ersery is a highly experienced player who started for three full seasons at left tackle for the Gophers. He played in a zone-running scheme and was a highly productive player throughout his time. At 6’6″, 331 pounds, with a 1.75 10-yard split and a 9’3″ broad jump, Ersery’s combination of size and on-attack explosiveness is a sight to behold.
He’s one of the most dynamic zone blockers in the class; he’ll reach his landmarks with efficiency, and drive through defenders with overbearing physicality. Ersery’s size can be a double-edged sword, however. He plays tall, without elite knee bend, and his non-elite length causes him to lurch and sacrifice balance on extensions.