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Dan Fornek evaluates the best and worst offensive lines in the NFL to provide insight to fantasy football managers ahead of Week 8 of the 2021 season.
Week 7 was an absolute onslaught of bye weeks, but thankfully it has passed and we once again have 15 games of football. Despite the lack of total games, there were plenty of good and bad performances across the NFL, especially in the trenches. There were some truly excellent performances on the offensive line across the NFL. Unfortunately, several teams continued to struggle as we continue to get a clear picture of the contenders and pretenders this season.
Thankfully, Week 7 didn’t provide a ton of injuries across offensive lines in the NFL. The most significant losses were left guard Andrus Peat in New Orleans (likely a season-ending injury) and Kendall Lamm, the Titans backup left tackle. There were also a few big names that missed this week including Falcons’ right tackle Kaleb McGary and 49ers left tackle Trent Williams. Several teams got significant offensive linemen back into their lineup, including the Indianapolis Colts (Quenton Nelson), the New Orleans Saints (Terron Armstead), and the New England Patriots (Isaiah Wynn and Shaq Mason).
Week 8 is on the horizon and we luckily have just two teams on bye. One of the teams, the Las Vegas Raiders, has struggled as a unit but showed progress in Week 7. The other team, the Baltimore Ravens, has been consistently strong throughout the season despite numerous injuries. The season is nearly halfway done, so we are working with a great sample size of offensive line performances at this point in the season. Use this article to see which offensive lines are performing well or poorly to make determinations for your fantasy lineups in Week 8. As always, all offensive line grades are provided from PFF.
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Champs
Champ of the Week: New England Patriots
The Patriots’ offensive line had their way with the Jets' defensive front in Week 8. New England finished the game with an average pass-blocking grade of 70.8, a run-blocking grade of 82.2, and an overall average blocking grade of 80, the highest combined score of any offensive line unit in any game this season. All five of New England’s offensive linemen had at least a 75-run blocking grade and a 73 overall grade. On the day, the Patriots gave up just one quarterback hit, four pressures, and five hurries to a struggling Jets defense. Their dominating effort allowed rookie Mac Jones to throw for over 300 yards and two touchdowns and allowed New England’s backfield to turn 32 carries into 148 yards and four rushing touchdowns on the day. The offensive line clicked with the return of Shaq Mason and still has room to improve if Trent Brown returns and kicks Michael Onwenu back to his original starting spot at left guard.
The Patriots' offensive line will look to continue their success on the ground against a Chargers defense that allows 24.3 fantasy points per game to running backs, the third most of any team this season. Los Angeles has been a run-funnel defense this season, and teams have done their best to take advantage. The Chargers have given up 794 rushing yards (the third most) and eight rushing touchdowns (second-most) on the season despite having their bye in Week 7.
Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders’ offensive line has rightfully been bashed in this article throughout the first six weeks of the season. Heading into their matchup against the Eagles, the Raiders were 32nd in their combined average run blocking and overall grades to start the season according to PFF. All signs pointed to an absolute mismatch against the Eagles' powerful defensive line. However, the Raiders’ line pulled together in Week 7 and had their best game of the season.
There were still some struggles against the Eagles. The Raiders allowed three quarterback hits, eight hurries, and 11 pressures. Alex Leatherwood continued to struggle in the passing game, receiving an 8.1 pass-blocking grade from PFF thanks to surrendering one hit, three hurries, and four pressures. Both Leatherwood and right tackle Brandon Parker failed to score a 60 overall blocking grade. However, Kolton Miller (86.8 overall grade), John Simpson (76.8 overall grade), and Andre James (77 overall grade) did enough to push the Raiders to an overall average grade of 70 this week.
The Raiders have their bye week in Week 8, but it would seem they have found their offensive line configuration going forward. If Leatherwood and Parker can improve their play, then the Raiders’ offensive weapons become even more enticing in fantasy moving forward.
Underrated Champ: Detroit Lions
The Lions continue on their march for the number one pick in the 2022 NFL draft, losing their seventh consecutive game to start the season. However, their offensive line is starting to gel and the results are showing. Detroit had a tough task in Week 7 against Aaron Donald and the Rams impressive front seven and for the most part, delivered. The Lions didn’t allow a sack against Los Angeles, although they did give up one quarterback hit, seven hurries, and eight pressures. Only two offensive linemen (left tackle Penei Sewell and Evan Brown) graded above a 60 pass-blocking grade according to PFF. However, four offensive linemen graded out with at least a 68 in run blocking and a 70 in overall blocking grades. When all was said and done, Detroit was able to generate 285 passing yards and 137 rushing yards against one of the more formidable defenses in the NFL.
The Lions will have another tough test against the Eagles' defensive line. Philadelphia is coming off a game where they were stymied against the Raiders offensive line, so they could come into this game motivated. Regardless, the Lions' offensive line is starting to come together, making D’Andre Swift, Jamaal Williams, and T.J. Hockenson solid fantasy plays in Week 8.
Chumps
Chump of the Week: Miami Dolphins
Miami’s offensive line continues to suffer growing pains, struggling to put together a complete performance. On the positive side, Miami got a strong performance from left tackle Liam Eichenberg. The Notre Dame product finished Week 7 with a 74.6 pass-blocking grade, a 67.1 run-blocking grade, and a 63.1 overall blocking grade according to PFF. Eichenberg, Austin Reiter, and Jesse Davis all finished with at least a 63 overall blocking grade. Unfortunately, the Dolphins struggled to get any traction at the guard position. Both Austin Jackson and Robert Hunt graded out below a 60 in pass blocking and a 53 in both run blocking and overall blocking grades. Miami currently ranks as the 30th in the NFL in combined average pass blocking grades and 31st in combined overall blocking grades according to PFF.
Miami will have their hands full next week against the Buffalo Bills. Buffalo has allowed the fewest fantasy points per game to quarterbacks (11) and wide receivers (14.2) during the 2021 season. They also rank top five against running backs (13.8) and sixth against tight ends (5.1) in terms of points per game on the season. Mike Gesicki is a fine fantasy play due to the lack of tight end options and his volume, but all other Dolphins’ fantasy options can be benched this week.
Houston Texans
Houston’s offensive line did well in terms of blocking statistics against Arizona, but it didn’t amount to much. The Texans allowed just one quarterback hit, three hurries, and four pressures against a Cardinals’ pass rush missing Chandler Jones. All five of Houston’s offensive linemen failed to grade above a 63 in terms of their overall blocking according to PFF. The interior of the offensive line struggled in the pass game. The combination of Tytus Howard, Justin Britt, Justin McCray, and Max Scharping combined to average a 43.7 pass-blocking grade. Left tackle Geron Christian Sr. and right tackle Charlie Heck did well as pass blockers but combined to average a 39 as run blockers. All in all, it turned into another week where the Texans failed to punch the ball in the end zone.
Houston will need to pray the offensive line can come together in Week 8 with the Rams on deck. Tyrod Taylor may be back this week and his mobility will certainly be an asset behind a porous offensive line. Be wary of starting any Houston player (realistically the only startable player is Brandin Cooks anyways) against a Rams defensive line that will be able to generate a load of pressure on the interior.
Overlooked Chump: Green Bay Packers
The Packers had a convincing win against the Washington Football Team in Week 7, but it was thanks to a strong performance in the red zone by their defense more than anything else. Aaron Rodgers also had a stellar game passing (274 yards and three touchdowns), but it was despite his offensive line. Only Elgton Jenkins (84.3) finished the game with a pass-blocking grade above a 60 in Week 7. In total, Green Bay allowed three sacks, five hurries, and eight pressures against a Washington defensive line that has generated inconsistent pressure throughout the season. The Packers weren’t especially impressive in the run game either. No Packer scored above a 70 run-blocking grade according to PFF. Center Lucas Patrick and right guard Royce Newman were especially brutal, combining to average a 39.3 in the run game.
Things aren’t going to get easier for Green Bay in Week 8. They face the undefeated Cardinals on a short week’s rest in Week 8. Additionally, the Cardinals will get Chandler Jones back from the COVID list to generate pressure with J.J. Watt. Finally, Green Bay will likely be missing Davante Adams and Allen Lazard thanks to their issues with the COVID protocol. Aaron Jones is a must-start in all formats because of his potential workload, but it is difficult to fathom starting Aaron Rodgers with his two primary receiving weapons missing the game on Thursday.
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