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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 3 of the 2021 season.
In terms of fantasy production, Week 2 featured several games that were expected to have high point totals, but just fell flat. For every matchup like Arizona/Tennessee, there was a game like Chicago/Cincinnati that left a lot of points on the board. Thankfully, everything has a purpose when it comes to fantasy football, so we got to see some positive trends and improvements from teams looking to avoid a slow start and have a chance at contention this season.
When looking at offensive line play, several significant injuries during last week could have a major impact on teams going forward. 10 different offensive linemen didn’t finish a game they started due to injury, with one (Taylor Lewan) getting injured pregame and getting replaced before the opening kickoff. There were also two linemen benched and one ejected in Week 2 (only time will tell the long-term impact of those moves).
The purpose of this article is to break down the different impactful offensive line performances (good or bad) to make a decision on which teams we should be targeting for starts, sits, or waiver wire pickups. While we are working with a limited sample size at this point in the season, a lot can be learned, especially considering offensive linemen rely on consistency to perform at their best. The data pulled for this article (from PFF.com) and general observations will hopefully help fantasy managers looking to make a run for their fantasy championships in 2021.
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Champs
Dallas Cowboys
Week 3 Opponent: Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas had a solid performance in Week 1 against a stellar defensive front-7 in Tampa Bay, but then turned around and blew expectations out of the water against a good Chargers defensive line. The return of Zack Martin solidified the right side of the line even with La’el Collins missing the game due to a suspension. Dallas’ offensive line had the highest combined run-blocking grade (79.2) and overall grade (75.5) of any unit in the NFL in Week 2. Despite that, there are still some hiccups worth monitoring. For the second consecutive week, Tyler Biadasz struggled in the passing game at center. Terence Steele, the backup right tackle for La’el Collins, had a tough matchup against Joey Bosa and Uchenna Nwosu and it reflected in his grade as a pass blocker (24.6 grade, three hurries, and three pressures).
In Week 3, Dallas has a big Monday night matchup against the Eagles with implications for the NFC East standings. While the Eagles haven’t allowed a rushing touchdown on the year, they are giving up 4.1 yards per carry and have allowed 16 receptions for 101 yards to running backs. The Eagles lost Brandon Graham to a season-ending injury in Week 2, leaving Josh Sweat and Ryan Kerrigan with more significant roles. The Cowboys offensive players are always going to be in fantasy lineups, but Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard should have a bit more value against a typically strong Eagles run game.
Washington Football Team
Week 3 Opponent: Buffalo Bills
One week after being manhandled by the Chargers defensive line (one sack, three hits, five hurries, nine pressures, and a Ryan Fitzpatrick injury), the Washington Football team's offensive line found its footing against a solid New York Giants defensive line. The Football team had four offensive linemen score above a 72 pass grade according to PFF, and three offensive linemen graded out above a 75 run grade. Most importantly, Washington allowed Taylor Heinicke to face just four hurries and four pressures during his first start of the year on a short week of practice.
Washington has a challenging matchup against Buffalo in Week 3, however, the Bills have faced one average (Pittsburgh, 16th overall offensive line grade) and one bad (Miami, 26th overall offensive line grade) through the first two weeks. This should be an excellent test of the Washington offensive line unit. A good showing here could move them into the conversation as a top-5 unit in the league this season.
San Francisco 49ers
Week 3 Opponent: Green Bay Packers
San Francisco’s offensive line had a strong Week 1 against Detroit, but considering the opponent, it was hard to take them too seriously. After a second strong performance in Week 2 against a better opponent, it is time to take notice. San Francisco may not have put up a ton of points against the Eagles, however, their offensive line had an excellent day. Every 49ers offensive lineman graded out with at least a 61.1 score according to PFF against a strong Eagles pass rush. Beyond that, every offensive lineman had at least a 63.3 run-blocking grade. In 34 pass plays, San Francisco allowed two hits, three hurries, and five pressures. Trent Williams led the way with an 82.5 pass block grade, a 91.9 run block grade, and a 92.2 overall grade thanks to nasty blocks like the one below.
San Francisco will have a nice challenge in Week 3 against a Packers defense that features Kenny Clark and Preston Smith in the run game. Whichever 49ers running backs are healthy enough to play should have good value. San Francisco also has the strong tackle play of Trent Williams and Mike McGlinchey to counteract the pass rush of Rashan Gary (especially since Za’Darius Smith is on the short-term IR and won’t play) to give Jimmy Garoppolo the time he needs to find his weapons downfield. George Kittle and Deebo Samuel remain must-starts until we see signs of life from Brandon Aiyuk.
Underrated Champ: Philadelphia Eagles
Week 3 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
Like the 49ers, the Eagles offensive line had a strong performance in Week 2 against a solid pass rush, despite the lack of points scored in the game. Outside of rookie Landon Dickerson (more on him in a bit), the Eagles had four offensive linemen finish with at least a 69.2 pass-blocking grade and three offensive linemen finish with at least a 78.3 run-blocking grade. Jordan Mailata, the rugby player turned left tackle, had his second consecutive week of leading the offensive line in overall grade and was the second-best left tackle in Week 2 according to PFF.
Unfortunately, it isn’t all good news for the Eagles. Brandon Brooks was lost for a significant amount of time due to a pectoral tear and Landon Dickerson struggled in his place. In fairness, it was Dickerson’s first game as a rookie and his first game since he tore his ACL during his last season at Alabama. With more repetitions and confidence, he should be just fine as he acclimates to the NFL. Jalen Hurts, Miles Sanders, and the Eagles' weapons have the green light against a Dallas defense that has struggled more against the run than the pass so far this season.
Chumps
Cincinnati Bengals
Week 3 Opponent: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bengals followed up a solid performance against a great Vikings defensive line with an absolute clunker against the Bears. Trey Hopkins was the only Bengal to score above a 60 pass-blocking grade. Only Hopkins and Riley Reiff had grades above a 50 run-blocking grade. That was a bad performance against a Chicago defensive front that was missing two of their better run-stuffing defensive linemen (Eddie Goldman and Mario Edwards Jr.). Additionally, the Bengals allowed two sacks, three hits, five hurries, and 10 pressures to the Bears, leaving Joe Burrow with little time to read the field and resulting in three interceptions.
Through two weeks, the Bengals are the 30th ranked offensive line in combined PFF grades. Things are about to get much worse with a matchup against the Steelers on the horizon. There is a chance Pittsburgh is without T.J. Watt this week thanks to a groin injury, but Cameron Heyward and Melvin Ingram III are still more than enough to cause questionable offensive line fits. Burrow may be better off left on the bench this week, and although you have to start Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tyler Boyd due to volume alone, expect worse than average performances until the Bengals can get right upfront.
Las Vegas Raiders
Week 3 Opponent: Miami Dolphins
The Raiders are the surprise of the league this season, beating Baltimore and Pittsburgh to start 2-0. To this point, their offensive line has (rightfully) struggled against strong pass rushes. In Week 2, Las Vegas allowed two hits, six hurries, and eight pressures despite T.J. Watt’s early groin injury knocking him out of the game. Kolton Miller (80.6 pass block grade), Andre James (75.2 pass block grade), and Jermaine Eluemunor (88.1 filling in for an injured Denzelle Good) performed well, but John Simpson and Brandon Parker (filling in for an injured Alex Leatherwood, who also struggled) couldn’t do much to stop the Steelers up front. Only Andre James (54.8) had a run-blocking grade above 40 in Week 2.
The Raiders offensive line may be down two starters and will be looking to find some traction against a Miami defense that blitzes early and often. Derek Carr has been doing great finding open receivers so far this year, but Miami employs one of the most talented secondaries in the league, which could give those blitzes time to get home against a makeshift offensive line in Week 3.
New York Giants
Week 3 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
The Giants offensive line hasn’t been done any favors in the first two weeks of the season, getting a matchup against outside linebackers Von Miller and Bradley Chubb in Week 1 followed up with the ridiculous Washington Football Team defensive line in Week 2. To this point, they have performed exactly as expected.
Through two weeks, the Giants rank 31st overall in average offensive line grade according to PFF’s grading system. Before Week 2, they put Shane Lemieux, their initial starting left guard, on injured reserve. 13 snaps into their second game, Nick Gates (his replacement) suffered a brutal ankle injury that will sideline him for the rest of the year. Only two offensive linemen scored above a 50 pass-blocking grade in Week 2.
Thankfully for the Giants, they get a reprieve against a Falcons defense that has generated just one sack, one quarterback hit, seven hurries, and nine pressures through two games. With Daniel Jones showing flashes and Saquon Barkley getting healthier (and more snaps) by the week, you can safely play your Giants offensive players in this Week 3 matchup. However, if the Giants struggle to contain an average defensive front, we may need to have a real conversation about their outlook on offense the rest of the season.
Overlooked Chump: Seattle Seahawks
Week 3 Opponent: Minnesota Vikings
It was easy to ignore Seattle’s average offensive line performance against Indianapolis in Week 1 thanks to Russell Wilson’s spectacular day throwing the ball. In reality, the absence of Ethan Pocic at center could be a bigger problem than it initially seemed. Kyle Fuller, the Seahawks backup center, struggled mightily in Week 2 (29.2 pass block grade, 36.4 overall grade) against a Titans defensive front that hasn’t been able to generate much pressure up the middle this year (just two pressures and four hurries against guards and centers in Week 1). Brandon Shell, the starting right tackle, was also injured during the game and his status is unknown heading into Week 3.
Seattle has the 30th ranked average for offensive lineman in PFF’s run-blocking grade this season, which could be problematic against a Vikings defensive line loaded with talent across the board. Seattle could struggle to move the ball (and buy time) for Russell Wilson in Week 3. None of these things should stop fantasy managers from starting Wilson, Chris Carson, DK Metcalf (who has his injury problems), and Tyler Lockett, but it is worth monitoring heading into a tough matchup.
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