Offensive line play can often be overlooked when evaluating NFL offenses. Yet, last season, we saw prime examples of 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. We’ve used a combination of our offensive line metric (PFSN OL+), offseason upgrades, and actually watched the games from the 2024 season, to rank the 32 units from worst to first ahead of the 2025 campaign.
PFSN 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.
32) Houston Texans
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 55.6 (F)
Lat year wasn’t a banner year for the Houston Texans’ offense, and offensive line 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 allowed a 35.2% pressure rate (25th) against four or fewer pass rushers, but that is likely related to Stroud holding the ball (28th in time to throw).
The Houston 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 last season even more impressive than they first looked.
Trading Laremy Tunsil and Kenyon Green only serves to hurt this line further. The Texans needed to make improvements right across the line, starting with adding a trustworthy left tackle to protect Stroud’s blindside. The arrival of Ed Ingram mitigates some of those losses, as does the selection of former Minnesota Golden Gopher offensive Aireontae Ersey in the 2025 NFL Draft.
31) Seattle Seahawks
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 57.7 (F)
It’s remarkable to consider how tantalizingly close the Seattle Seahawks came to postseason contention, particularly when examining the subpar performance they received from their offensive line.
The struggles of this unit were undoubtedly a significant factor in Ryan Grubb’s dismissal following his inaugural season as offensive coordinator. While Charles Cross emerged as the lone bright spot, the collective performance of the group proved detrimental to the team’s offensive capabilities.
Throughout last season, Seattle surrendered a 39.4% pressure rate (30th) and an 8.3% sack rate (24th). The unit faltered regardless of whether opposing defenses sent additional pass rushers or played it conservatively, with their overall metrics falling well short of expectations despite considerable organizational investment in the line over recent years.
Their ground game protection proved even more problematic.
Seattle finished third-from-last in RBYBC/rush (0.66) and 28th in RBWR. Given these concerning statistics, their inability to maintain momentum during crucial stretches of the playoff race and their eventual elimination in Week 17 becomes far more understandable.
The Seahawks responded decisively to address their offensive line deficiencies by selecting North Dakota State standout Grey Zabel with the 18th overall pick. This selection represents just the second time in the past decade that Seattle has invested their first-round selection in an offensive lineman.
Moving forward into 2025, the Seahawks must establish greater stability along their front five.
Only Cross and Laken Tomlinson logged more than 60% of offensive line snaps in 2024, with Tomlinson facing an uncertain future as a pending free agent.
The constant shuffling at the remaining three positions created a revolving door effect that likely contributed to their struggles. However, while Seattle wasn’t alone in dealing with lineup changes, this factor alone cannot fully absolve their disappointing performance.
30) New England Patriots
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 could help elevate a team that was arguably the weakest in the league at wide receiver and running back.
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. Yet, there is plenty of work still do if the line is to improve enough to return them to being a legitimate NFL contender.
29) Cincinnati Bengals
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 didn’t shape up too badly (15th in overall pressure rate and 19th in sack rate), but they were vulnerable to the blitz.
Despite Burrow ranking ninth in time to throw against the blitz, Cincinnati finished the year 19th in pressure rate (41.3%) and 25th in sack rate (10.3%), leaving little doubt about offseason requirements, but rekindling the “Ja’Marr Chase” debate.
Ultimately, the Bengals didn’t make any splashy free agency additions, choosing to focus on the offensive line on Day 2 and Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. The selection of Georgia Bulldogs guard Dylan Fairchild and versatile Miami Hurricanes lineman Jalen Rivers added an element of competition for 2025.
28) New York Giants
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 62.5 (D-)
The New York Giants have endured their share of disappointing campaigns, and last season was no exception.
The struggles of their offensive line played a central role in the team’s difficulties, continuing a trend that has persisted for several years. Last season, the Giants’ offensive line allowed a pressure rate of 38.4%, ranking 28th in the league.
This poor performance occurred despite quarterbacks releasing the ball relatively quickly, averaging a 2.76-second time to throw. The pressure statistics were troubling regardless of whether defenses blitzed, and the sack rate data suggests that the Giants’ quarterbacks might have masked some of the line’s deficiencies with their ability to escape pressure and improvise.
On the ground, the Giants’ offensive line fared somewhat better, but still not enough to compensate for their pass-blocking struggles. The team ranked 20th in running back yards before contact per rush (0.87), but frequent deficits forced New York to abandon the run game early and rely heavily on the pass, which limited the impact of any ground game success.
Calls for the Giants to upgrade their offensive line have been persistent for more than a year. While the organization has made attempts to address the issue, significant progress remains elusive.
Given the offensive line’s ongoing struggles, it is somewhat surprising that both General Manager Joe Schoen and Head Coach Brian Daboll have retained their positions heading into 2025. While quarterback performance is always critical, the Giants’ ability to rebuild and improve their offensive line will be just as crucial in determining the team’s fortunes next season.
27) Miami Dolphins
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 regressing 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.
The retirement of Terron Armstead means former Houston Cougar Patrick Paul will likely need to step up at left tackle in 2025, while the Dolphins began to address other offensive line woes in free agency. James Daniels stabilizes the interior and Larry Borom is a one-year depth piece with experience across the line.
The franchise then targeted former Arizona Wildcat Jonah Savaiinaea in the 2025 NFL Draft, another addition who has experience at multiple spots.
Savaiinaea checks a lot of boxes as an early-round offensive line prospect. 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.
26) New York Jets
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 64.0 (D)
The New York Jets had an interesting 2024 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 final four weeks, they finished 14th, showing they were continuing to trend up as the season progressed.
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.
To help mitigate some offseason offensive line departures, the Jets selected Missouri Tigers offensive tackle Armand Membou in the 2025 NFL Draft. It’s the fourth offensive lineman they’ve drafted in the first round since 2020, the most by any team.
25) Pittsburgh Steelers
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 66.5 (D)
The Pittsburgh Steelers’ OL struggled last 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 in 2024.
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. The Steelers made little offseason additions, signing Max Scharping and adding Minnesota-Duluth guard Aiden Williams as an undrafted free agent.
24) New Orleans Saints
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 68.0 (D+)
Injuries decimated the New Orleans Saints offensive line at times last 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 Longhorns offensive lineman Kelvin Banks. It’s the second straight year the Saints have addressed the line in first round after taking Taliese Fuaga last season.
The Saints ranked 29th over the last four weeks of the 2024 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 dealt with injury-wise, it’s a surprise they weren’t worse.
23) Las Vegas Raiders
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 69.4 (D+)
The performance of the Las Vegas Raiders’ offensive line last season was best captured by the numbers themselves. The unit finished 20th in pressure rate allowed at 35.8%, a figure that was not offset by a quick passing attack, as the Raiders’ quarterbacks held the ball for the ninth-shortest average time to throw.
When facing additional pass rushers, the Raiders’ struggles became even more pronounced, surrendering a 46.6% pressure rate that ranked 28th in the league. However, the group fared better when opponents sent four or fewer rushers, posting a pressure rate of 31.6% that ranked 13th overall.
The ground game also failed to impress, as the Raiders ranked 22nd in run block win rate (RBWR) and 21st in running back yards before contact per rush (RBYBC/rush) at 0.85. While the running backs themselves did not provide much support, the offensive line’s inability to consistently open lanes for the run game was a major factor in the team’s struggles.
There were some encouraging signs late in the year, as the Raiders’ offensive line improved over the final month, ranking eighth among all teams in the last four weeks of the season. They also added Alex Cappa in free agency before drafting Caleb Rogers and Charles Grant in the 2025 NFL Draft.
22) Jacksonville Jaguars
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 69.9 (D+)
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ offensive line adapted quite impressively during the 2024 season. 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 were very active in free agency, adding Robert Hainsey, Chuma Edoga, Patrick Mekari, and Fred Johnson. When the 2025 NFL Draft rolled around, they added versatility and experience with West Virginia Mountaineers standout Wyatt Milum and Jonah Monheim out of USC.
21) Tennessee Titans
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 it was 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 was 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%).
The Titans used the early part of the offseason to add Dan Moore Jr. to play left tackle and Kevin Zeitler, the latter allowing just a 3.2% pressure rate during the 2024 campaign. They also selected Sacramento State guard Jackson Slater in the fifth-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
20) Cleveland Browns
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 71.4 (C-)
The Cleveland Browns’ offensive line faced significant instability throughout last season, as frequent changes in personnel disrupted any sense of continuity—a factor that rarely leads to consistent performance. Despite ranking in the middle of the league in average time to throw (2.85 seconds), the unit allowed a 36.0% pressure rate (21st) and a 9.1% sack rate (30th), which highlighted persistent issues in protection.
These struggles were especially pronounced when opponents opted not to blitz. In those situations, the Browns ranked 24th in pressure rate allowed (34.9%) and 27th in sack rate (8.0%). The line was also notably vulnerable to sacks when defenses did bring extra rushers, finishing last in the league with a 12.7% sack rate.
Interestingly, this sack vulnerability appeared to stem more from isolated breakdowns on individual plays rather than a consistent inability to handle pressure.
Despite these challenges, the Browns finished 10th in ESPN’s pass block win rate (PBWR), a ranking that seems at odds with their pressure and time-to-throw statistics. The run-blocking metrics told a mixed story: Cleveland ranked 14th in run block win rate (RBWR) and 24th in running back yards per carry before contact (RBYPC/rush) at 0.77, reflecting inconsistency in opening lanes for their backs.
Some of the offensive line’s issues could be mitigated if the Browns find more stability at quarterback. However, further upgrades along the line may also be necessary to address lingering weaknesses.
Individually, Jack Conklin stood out, ranking 19th in offensive tackle pass block win rate and third in run block win rate, while Wyatt Teller finished ninth among interior offensive linemen in run block win rate. Both players remain foundational pieces for the unit, and their contributions will be complemented by offseason additions.
The acquisition of Cornelius Lucas at left tackle should not be overlooked. A relatively under-the-radar signing in free agency last year, Lucas has demonstrated steady improvement in recent seasons and is expected to be at least an adequate replacement for Jedrick Wills—if not an upgrade. They also added former Chicago Bears guard Teven Jenkins to provide some depth.
19) Carolina Panthers
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 72.0 (C-)
2024 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 — and the 2025 season — on a high note.
18) Los Angeles Chargers
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 74.2 (C)
The Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line dealt with some injuries last fall, 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.
17) Dallas Cowboys
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 78.0 (C+)
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line was somewhat forgotten at times with all the other chaos going on during the 2024 season. 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 departing this offseason, things could shift further.
Dallas ranked third in the NFL in pressure rate (27.6%), but was 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 struggled to sustain blocks for longer reps.
Dallas’ run game has struggled last season and advanced OL metrics may indicate why. The Cowboys ranked 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.
The Cowboys moved to fix the offensive line this offseason, bringing in Robert Jones, Saahdiq Charles, and Hakeem Adeniji in free agency.
Then, 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. They double-dipped in the draft, taking highly-rated Oregon tackle Ajani Cornelius in the sixth round.
16) Indianapolis Colts
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 were 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 was 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 had 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 fourth in RBWR. That tells a perfect 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.
15) San Francisco 49ers
2024 PFSN OL+ 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.
14) Chicago Bears
2024 PFSN OL+ 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, Joe Thuney, and Drew Dalman give this unit a boost in free agency, paving the way for the selections of Ozzy Trapilo (Boston College Eagles) and Luke Newman (Michigan State Spartans) in the 2025 NFL Draft.
13) Los Angeles Rams
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 80.7 (B-)
Last season was marked by significant turbulence for the Los Angeles Rams offense, largely due to a high number of injuries that affected nearly every position group, including the offensive line. Despite these challenges, the unit managed to regain its footing as key players returned to health, culminating in a strong finish—ranking seventh among all NFL offensive lines over the final four weeks of the season.
Even in Week 18, when not all of the Rams’ preferred starters were available, the offensive line still earned a C+ grade against the Seattle Seahawks. The group’s ability to get the ball out quickly was a notable strength, as Los Angeles finished among the top four teams in the league with an average time to throw of just 2.66 seconds, a factor that significantly aided their pass protection.
Despite the instability, the Rams’ offensive line remained a reliable presence. They posted a pressure rate of 32.2% (10th in the NFL) and a sack rate of 5.3% (5th in the NFL), both of which ranked in the upper half of the league regardless of whether defenses blitzed or not.
In the running game, the Rams’ offensive line was also a standout performer. They ranked third in the NFL in running back yards before contact per rush (1.09) and 12th in run block win rate (RBWR), combining to form one of the league’s top-10 run-blocking units last season.
This consistency and effectiveness in both pass protection and run blocking underscored the resilience and adaptability of the Rams’ offensive line throughout a challenging year.
12) Kansas City Chiefs
2024 PFSN OL+ 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).
The Chiefs made some intriguing moves on the offensive line this offseason, trading Thuney to Chicago, snagging former San Francisco 49ers lineman Jaylon Moore, before grabbing Ohio State Buckeyes standout Josh Simmons with the 32nd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.
11) Philadelphia Eagles
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 at the end of the 2024 regular season.
Philadelphia’s OL was all over the map at the back end of the year. 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 from last year, 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.
10) Atlanta Falcons
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 81.2 (B-)
Despite significant changes in their passing attack over the final stretch of last season, the Atlanta Falcons’ offensive line performed at a consistently high level.
On the surface, the unit’s overall statistics were strong, highlighted by a 5.4% sack rate (ranked seventh in the NFL) and a 32% pressure rate (ninth), but these numbers were undoubtedly aided by the offense’s quick passing game, which averaged a 2.61-second time to throw regardless of who was under center.
When facing the blitz, the Falcons’ pass protection was particularly impressive. They finished fifth in pressure rate allowed (36.1%) and led the league with a 2.1% sack rate. This standout performance was largely driven by the offense’s ability to get the ball out even faster against extra rushers, posting an NFL-best 2.27-second average time to throw in those situations.
By contrast, Atlanta’s numbers were less dominant when opponents chose not to blitz. The Falcons ranked 10th in pressure rate allowed (30.6%) and 18th in sack rate (6.5%), even though they still ranked third-lowest in time to throw (2.72 seconds) in these scenarios.
The run-blocking statistics told a more nuanced story. The Falcons led the league in running back yards before contact per rush (1.17), but were only 20th in run block win rate (RBWR). Together, these metrics indicate a respectable but not dominant run-blocking performance overall, placing the unit comfortably within the top half of the NFL.
It’s important to note that the Falcons’ impressive yards-before-contact figures were likely influenced by the presence of an elusive running back like Bijan Robinson, whose ability to avoid initial contact altogether contributed significantly to those numbers.
9) Minnesota Vikings
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 82.1 (B-)
The Vikings’ offensive line was interesting last 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 made some 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’s Donovan Jackson, a long-term starter across the Buckeyes’ offensive line who stepped up to play tackle for the national championship-winning program.
8) Green Bay Packers
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 last 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.
As a result, the franchise addressed the offensive line at multiple points in the offseason. The free agency acquisition of left guard Aaron Banks suggests that Elgton Jenkins will switch to the pivot while Sean Rhyan, Jordan Morgan, and 2025 NFL Draft selection Anthony Belton battle it out for the right guard spot. The Packers used a seventh round pick of John Williams out of Cincinnati.
7) Washington Commanders
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 83.5 (B)
Despite the demands placed on them by Jayden Daniels’ tendency to hold the ball, the Commanders’ offensive line performed admirably in pass protection last season.
Daniels averaged a time to throw of 3.01 seconds (seventh-highest in the league), and whether facing blitzes or standard rushes, he ranked among the top 10 quarterbacks for time to throw or be sacked.
Given the extended time the line was required to sustain their blocks, a pressure rate of 34.4% is not elite, but it is certainly respectable. This effectiveness is further validated by the Commanders’ top-10 ranking in pass block win rate (PBWR) heading into Week 18.
In the run game, Commanders running backs averaged just 0.89 yards before contact per rush, but ESPN ranked Washington’s offensive line as the second-best in the league in run block win rate (RBWR).
The acquisition of Laremy Tunsil at left tackle only enhances the Commanders’ offensive line, while Washington used the 29th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft on Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr., adding a promising young talent to their roster.
With Tunsil anchoring this unit, Washington projects to remain a top-10 group in 2025 and could realistically finish among the top five by season’s end.
6) Arizona Cardinals
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 84.3 (B)
The Arizona Cardinals’ strong performances in the last month saw them finish inside the top 10 in our 2024 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 last 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.
The epitome of a good offensive line, there were no real standouts, just a solid, consistent unit. That said, their worst performances came before the return of Jonah Williams, shining at least a small spotlight on his importance to a unit that will return Evan Brown and Kelvin Beachum.
They added three players in the draft cycle, including sixth-round pick Hayden Conner and UDFAs Josh Fryar and Valentin Senn.
5) Detroit Lions
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 85.6 (B)
After struggling through a rough patch in the middle of last season, the Detroit Lions’ offensive line bounced back impressively to finish among the league’s best, ranking sixth overall for the regular season and surging to fourth over the final four weeks.
Even with a disappointing D- showing against the Bills in Week 15, the group earned praise for its B- performance against a strong Minnesota Vikings defense to close out the year.
The Lions ranked 12th in pass block win rate and 16th in run block win rate, and their 11th-place pressure rate (32.6%) was complemented by ranking second in running back yards before contact per rush (1.08).
Jared Goff’s presence as a top-10 quarterback in time to throw (2.71 seconds) certainly helped the line’s pass protection numbers. The Lions’ pass blocking was especially effective against the blitz, where Goff ranked 10th in time to throw while the line ranked seventh in pressure rate (37.1%) and fifth in sack rate (5.2%).
However, the group’s performance dipped in standard pass protection, ranking ninth in time to throw and 12th and 13th in pressure rate and sack rate, respectively, when not facing extra rushers.
A lingering concern is that the offensive line often struggled against playoff-caliber opponents, posting a C against the Buccaneers, a C- against the Vikings, a C+ and a D+ in two matchups with the Packers, a C against the Texans, and a D- against the Bills.
While the Lions’ line tends to face challenges when the competition ramps up, finishing strong against the Vikings helped ease some of those worries as the team headed into an offseason where they bolstered the line with former Georgia interior behemoth Tate Ratledge and versatile LSU Tiger, Miles Frazier.
4) Buffalo Bills
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 90.5 (A-)
The Buffalo Bills’ offensive line stood out as one of the NFL’s most effective units last season.
Across the board, their performance was impressive. They allowed a pressure rate of just 31.9% (eighth in the league) and led the NFL with a sack rate of only 2.6%. When facing blitzes, the line was particularly stout, permitting a 30.1% pressure rate (second-best) and a 2.7% sack rate (also second-best).
While the Bills benefited from having a mobile quarterback who could evade pressure, the offensive line also ranked inside the top 12 in time to throw, demonstrating their ability to sustain blocks and give their passer time in the pocket.
The ESPN pass block win rate (PBWR) metric further highlights the strength of Buffalo’s front five. The Bills ranked fourth in this category, and when combined with their outstanding pressure and sack rate statistics, they established themselves as arguably the NFL’s premier pass-protection unit last season.
In the run game, the results were somewhat mixed. The Bills finished inside the top five for running back yards before contact per rush (1.05), but were just 17th in run block win rate (RBWR).
Still, their RBWR remained above 70%, indicating that, while not dominant, the run blocking was far from a liability for the offense.
3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2024 PFSN OL+ Grade: 91.8 (A-)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offensive line was undeniably one of the most improved units in the NFL last season. Their pressure rate (24.4%) was the lowest in the NFL, with impressive numbers whether facing the blitz or not. Additionally, they 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 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.
2) Baltimore Ravens
2024 PFSN OL+ 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 him would have been tough and likely would have seen the Ravens fall through the rankings. With depth a concern, the franchise added Emery Jones (LSU), Carson Vinson (Alabama A&M), and Garrett Dellinger (LSU).
1) Denver Broncos
2024 PFSN OL+ 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.
The best news? All of the starting five return for 2025, providing an unparalleled level of consistency among the 32 NFL teams.