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Often forgotten about when playing fantasy football, an elite offensive line can boost the play of weekly lineup staples. They can also create a brick wall.
For fantasy football, run blocking is more important than pass protection. While sacks can stall drives, quarterbacks don't lose points (at least in standard-scoring leagues) when taken down behind the line of scrimmage. Running backs can't earn points if holes don't develop.
When deciding between two similarly ranked players, projecting the play of their respective offensive lines can be the tiebreaker.
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The Top Five Fantasy Football Offensive Lines
1. Detroit Lions
Projected starting five: LT Taylor Decker, LG Graham Glasgow, C Frank Ragnow, RG Kevin Zeitler, RT Penei Sewell
The Detroit Lions skill players may be the safest bets in fantasy football and that's in large part to their offensive line. The unit recorded the second-highest run-blocking grade, according to Pro Football Focus. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery both averaged at least 2.5 rushing yards before contact. They also kept Jared Goff on his feet at one of the best rates in the NFL.
Four starters return from a season ago: Decker, Glasgow, Ragnow, and Sewell, PFF's highest-graded offensive lineman. Jonah Jackson departed for Los Angeles in free agency, but Detroit picked up reliable veteran guard Kevin Zeitler. Glasgow will shift to left guard to allow Zeitler to plug in seamlessly on the right side.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Projected starting five: LT Jordan Mailata, LG Landon Dickerson, C Cam Jurgens, RG Tyler Steen, RT Lane Johnson
Widely regarded as the best offensive line in football, the Eagles slip from the top spot with the retirement of future Hall of Famer Jason Kelce. Besides the notable name recognition, Kelce was the anchor of the Tush Push, propelling Jalen Hurts to a 15-rushing touchdown season. It's a big loss.
2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens, who started 11 games at right guard last season, will move to the middle. Three other starters from a year ago in Mailata, Dickerson, and Johnson remain. The newbie projects to be right guard Tyler Steen, who played 71 snaps in his rookie season to mixed results. This will be the best offensive line Saquon Barkley has played behind in his NFL career.
3. Indianapolis Colts
Projected starting five: LT Bernhard Raimann, LG Quenton Nelson, C Ryan Kelly, RG Will Fries, RT Braden Smith
Continuity along an offensive line is nearly as important as talent. All five starters for the Colts return from 2023. Raimann and Smith both graded inside PFF's top seven among offensive tackles. Nelson and Kelly have been staples in Indianapolis for the last six seasons.
The unit is slightly better in the running game than pass protection. That meshes with the Colts' offensive philosophy, guided by the legs of Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson. The two fantasy football stars will have ample running lanes as long as they stay healthy.
4. Cleveland Browns
Projected starting five: LT Jedrick Wills, LT Joel Bitonio, C Ethan Pocic, RG Wyatt Teller, RT Jack Conklin
2023 was a tumultuous season for the Browns offensive line. Right tackle Jack Conklin was lost for the season in Week 1. The season ended for left tackle Jedrick Wills in Week 9. They both opened camp on the PUP list. The third tackle, Dawand Jones, also finished the year on the injury report. Bitonio, Pocic, and Teller also missed time throughout the season.
When the group is healthy, they prove they are one of the best. That was, however, under OL coach Bill Callahan, who followed his son Brian to Tennessee.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Projected starting five: LT Rashawn Slater, LG Zion Johnson, C Bradley Bozeman, RG Trey Pipkins III, RT Joe Alt
The two young tackles could be the best duo in the league in short order. Rashawn Slater immediately looked like one of the great tackles in the league during his rookie year and has continued his strong play throughout his three professional seasons. Jim Harbaugh and Co. selected Joe Alt to man the other side of the line with the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Nice debut from Alt in Week 1 of preseason, showing excellent body control in the run game + handling speed off of the edge well. A little late with his hands against speed to power on clip 3, but handling those situations is a learning process for most young OTs. pic.twitter.com/JD3FVt3ITS
— Brandon Thorn (@BrandonThornNFL) August 11, 2024
The interior of the line is solid, but not spectacular. Bradley Bozeman is replacing the now-retired Corey Linsley. He's been a full-time starter in Baltimore and Carolina since his rookie year. Zion Johnson is a former first-round pick. The team is hopeful he will take a step forward in 2024.
For a team that is projected to lean heavily on the running game, the new regime made sure to revamp the big boys up front. The talent of the skill players may hold the offense back, but the offensive line should not.
The Bottom Five Fantasy Football Offensive Lines
28. Miami Dolphins
Projected starting five: LT Terron Armstead, LG Isaiah Wynn, C Aaron Brewer, RG Robert Jones, RT Austin Jackson
Tua Tagovailoa was the QB5 through nine weeks in 2023. From Week 14 through the end of the regular season, that number slipped to 12.8 points per game, good for QB21. While Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle did miss time in that stretch, we could also point to the offensive line as a reason for his struggles.
Center Connor Williams tore his ACL on that "Monday Night Football" matchup with Tennessee in Week 14, joining guards Robert Hunt and Isaiah Wynn plus tackle Terron Armstead on the sideline. Williams and Hunt aren't on the roster in 2024. Wynn is currently on the PUP list. Armstead debated retiring in the offseason. Injuries have taken a toll on the former Pro Bowl tackle, who has missed at least four games in each of the last three seasons. Aaron Brewer, at least, should be a good fit in Mike McDaniel's quick-strike offensive scheme.
29. New England Patriots
Projected starting five: LT Chukwuma Okorafor, LG Sidy Sow, C David Andrews, RG Mike Onwenu, RT Caedan Wallace
Unsettled is the best way to describe the Patriots offensive line. Left guard Cole Strange (knee) isn't expected to be ready for Week 1. Mike Onwenu, who ended the season playing right tackle, is being moved back inside. Sidy Sow could flip from right guard to left guard. Chukwuma Okorafor played right tackle for the Steelers and fell out of favor with the coaching staff midway through last season. He's now tasked with playing left tackle, a position he's barely played in six professional seasons.
Third-round pick Caedan Wallace is the favorite to man the right tackle position. At least the Patriots still roster David Andrews, a holdover from the dynasty teams that now seem like a distant memory.
30. Seattle Seahawks
Projected starting five: LT Charles Cross, LG Laken Tomlinson, C Connor Williams, RG Anthony Bradford, RT Abraham Lucas
The Seahawks are spending pennies on their group up front. Cross, Bradford, and Lucas are playing on their rookie deals. Tomlinson was acquired for cheap after being cut by the Jets. Williams is on a one-year contract as he's not a full year removed from an ACL tear.
Continuing the injury conversation, it's no guarantee that Williams or Lucas are ready to begin the season. The latter is on the PUP list as he works his way back from a knee ailment. It cost the former third-round pick several games in 2023. His tackle counterpart, Cross, also missed a chunk of the year. When the duo was active, they didn't improve on their rookie campaigns, when it looked like Seattle found both of its tackles of the future.
31. Washington Commanders
Projected starting five: LT Cornelius Lucas, LG Nick Allegretti, C Tyler Biadasz, RG Sam Cosmi, RT Andrew Wylie
For the first time in a long time, there's optimism surrounding the Washington offense. Reigning Heisman Trophy winner and second overall pick Jayden Daniels is a late-round darling in fantasy drafts. The offensive line might hold him back.
In my opinion, the Commanders offensive line is one of the biggest question marks going into this new season.
It's so important to protect a rookie quarterback, allow him to feel comfortable.
Biadasz, Cosmi and Lucas doing some reps today. pic.twitter.com/EIgKS4O9vE
— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 13, 2024
To be fair, the Washington front office did identify the group as a problem that needed addressing. Allegretti and Biadasz were brought in during the offseason. Allegretti was not a starter for his previous team (Kansas City). Neither was Lucas, a member of the Commanders last season. Third-round rookie Brandon Coleman could quickly take over at left tackle.
32. New Orleans Saints
Projected starting five: LT Taliese Fuaga, LG Nick Saldiveri or Lucas Patrick, C Erik McCoy, RG Cesar Ruiz, RT Trevor Penning
Investing draft capital into the offensive line doesn't always work out. Three projected starters (Fuaga, Ruiz, and Penning) are former first-round picks. A fourth, Ryan Ramczyk, is out for the season with an injury. Ruiz has stayed in the starting lineup despite his struggles. Penning was benched last season and will be thrust back into action because of Ramczyk's injury. Fuaga, a first-round pick in this most recent draft, could be a good player, but he played right tackle in college.
Erik McCoy has been great in the middle. There could be a battle for the starting left guard spot. Nick Saldiveri may have the inside track, but he played just 14 snaps at right guard as a rookie.
Saints skill players (Chris Olave, specifically) are some of the more polarizing fantasy football prospects this season. If there are doubts about the offensive line, it may be smart to shy away.
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