ARIZONA CARDINALS
LT Jared Veldheer RG Jonathan Cooper
LG Mike Iupati RT Bobby Massie
Top reserves D.J. Humphries, Anthony Steen
Overview: This a group that should be much better in 2015 after showing some improvement in 2014. Arizona added Mike Iupati, who is one of the best run blockers in the league so that should help open up a running game that has struggled in recent years. D.J. Humphries may not be a starter right away but will provide some much needed talent up front and could play early on if needed. This offensive line will be at least in the top half of the league with the new additions and probably a top-10 unit which will hopefully be enough to keep Carson Palmer healthy. The offense should benefit greatly with the new pieces, particularly in the running game.
ATLANTA FALCONS
LT Jake Matthews RG Jon Asamoah
LG Chris Chester RT Ryan Schraeder
Top reserves Mike Person, James Stone
Overview: The 2015 season was not kind to the Falcons blockers. Jake Matthews was thought to be a sure thing but he really struggled in his rookie year. Matthews is a smart kid so he should get better this season, but he won’t be as dominant as the team hoped. They don’t have enough talent on the line to be top ranked but with these offensive weapons they only need to be mediocre to help the team have success. Kyle Shanahan takes over the Atlanta offense so if they get decent zone blocking, it will produce big results for Tevin Coleman.
BALTIMORE RAVENS
LT Eugene Monroe RG Marshal Yanda
LG Kelechi Osemele RT Rick Wagner
Top reserves James Hurst, John Urschel
Overview: What a difference a year makes for the Ravens. Gary Kubiak’s running game was masterful last season, but 2015’s offense will be more focused on the passing game. Expect some growing pains this year with the transition to the new scheme, but the line should be very solid if they remain healthy. Pass blocking will be key this year and that should hold up well. There are some unproven skill players in this offense so blocking is very important early on in the season.
BUFFALO BILLS
LT Cordy Glenn RG Richie Incognito
LG John Miller RT Seantrel Henderson
Top reserves Cyrus Kouandjio, Kraig Urbik
Overview: It was another rough season for Buffalo with injuries and inconsistent play dominating the headlines. Down several players, the Bills resorted to starting undrafted free agent Seantrel Henderson. The new coaching staff will feature a run based offense that will demand improvement from players like Cyrus Kouandjio. Richie Incognito is a complete head case who is actually a decent football player, but his erratic behavior renders him undependable at best. LeSean McCoy will get plenty of touches but it is going to be vastly different running behind one of the worst offensive lines after being behind one of the best in Philadelphia.
CAROLINA PANTHERS
LT Michael Oher RG Trai Turner
LG Andrew Norwell RT Mike Remmers
Top reserves Daryl Williams, Brian Folkerts
Overview: Considering the lack of talent in this unit it did quite well last season. Without much improvement in the offseason, it will be a great achievement for this group to finish as a top-15 offensive line. It is not promising that Michael Oher was brought in to play left tackle. Ryan Kalil does a nice job leading this group in the running game but only a super human QB could make up for some deficiencies of this offensive line. Cam Newton will make up for some of the pass blocking issues but he can’t take the beating he did last year.
CHICAGO BEARS
LT Jermon Bushrod RG Kyle Long
LG Matt Slauson RT Jordan Mills
Top reserves Hroniss Grasu, Charles Leno
Overview: The team improved the offensive line greatly last offseason with the additions of Jermon Bushrod and Kyle Long. In his second year, Long should be even better, and it’s possible that Chicago tries Long at tackle to see if that helps the team. It would also help if they could obtain an upgrade to Jordan Mills. The Bears should be serviceable up front once again but changes in scheme always threaten to trigger rough patches.
CINCINNATI BENGALS
LT Andrew Whitworth RG Kevin Zeitler
LG Clint Boling RT Andre Smith
C Russel Bodine
Top reserves Jake Fisher, Trey Hopkins, Cedric Ogbuehi
Overview: This is always one of the best performing groups every year, yet they largely remain unheralded. It wasn’t all perfect, as Andre Smith missed the last five games with an injury though his play had declined before the injury anyway. However, the Bengals used their first two draft picks on offensive lineman so there will be plenty of depth if there are any issues this year. The running lanes will be there for both Jeremy Hill and Giovanni Bernard and the line will give plenty of protection for Andy Dalton to prove he is not the problem.
CLEVELAND BROWNS
LT Joe Thomas RG John Greco
LG Joel Bitonio RT Mitchell Schwartz
Top reserves Cameron Erving, Eric Olsen
Overview: Last season the Browns managed to have a very bad offense even with a good offensive line. The loss of Alex Mack was big, as he missed the last 11 games, but this group still managed to hold their own. Cleveland should be much better assuming Mack is healthy once again but, if he’s not, first round pick Cameron Erving provides insurance. This is a solid unit, and it’s a shame when clueless coaching staff doesn’t know how to utilize their talents. If the offense struggles again, lay the blame on the coaching staff, not the o-line.
DENVER BRONCOS
LT Ryan Harris RG Louis Vasquez
LG Shelley Smith RT Chris Clark
Top reserves Ty Sambrailo, Andre Davis, Ben Garland
Overview: The off-season was not kind to Denver. Ryan Clady went down with a torn ACL, which could be a big problem. Second round pick Ty Sambrailo may get thrown into the fire earlier than expected. Peyton Manning’s play also declined late last season causing some concern. The offensive line will be serviceable enough for him to get the job done assuming Manning still has something left in the tank. Additionally, Gary Kubiak will bring his offense with him to Denver, so the running game should be in good hands.
DETROIT LIONS
LT Riley Reiff RG Larry Warford
LG Manny Ramirez RT LaAdrian Waddle
Top reserves Laken Tomlinson, Al Bond
Overview: Injuries were a problem last year for the Lions with a group that hoped to be Top 10. Riley Reiff did a solid job at left tackle but Matt Stafford was still sacked a career-high 45 times last season. Smartly, Detroit drafted four offensive lineman in hopes of improving across the board. Tomlinson has a good chance of starting at some point this season and while this is not an elite group, it should be decent enough. Pass protection will need to improve if this team is going to ever be an elite offense.
DALLAS COWBOYS
LT Tyron Smith RG Zack Martin
LG Ronald Leary RT Doug Free
Top reserves La’el Collins, Shane McDermott, Chaz Green
Overview: It is amazing how more teams don’t realize how important the offensive line is. Dallas has been building pieces the last few years and it paid off big-time last season. There really isn’t a weakness in this group and whomever takes over at running back for DeMarco Murray will be in for a big year. The Cowboys also got a complete steal in the draft this season in La’el Collins, whose draft stock plummeted due to an off-the-field issue beyond his control. Despite possessing first round talent, Collins went undrafted. The rich got richer in Dallas.
HOUSTON TEXANS
LT Duane Brown RG Brandon Brooks
LG Xavier Su’a-Filo RT Derek Newton
Top reserves Chad Slade, David Quessenberry
Overview: The Texans did a nice job upfront considering the system change and new coaching staff last season. Xavier Su’aFilo was a rookie that the Texans hoped would help strengthen this group but he struggled in his rookie season. The biggest surprise was the play of Derek Newton who got a contract extension in the off-season after overcoming injuries to become a solid player. Ben Jones moves over to center after Houston released Chris Myers due to an expensive contract. Offensive line play shouldn’t be the reason why this team struggles in 2015.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
LT Anthony Castonzo RG Todd Herremans
LG Donald Thomas RT Jack Mewhort
Top reserves Gosder Cherilus, Hugh Thornton
Overview: The Colts could be playing with fire. Their offensive line was respectable last season but lacks any real talent or difference makers. Management did not address the potential problem areas at all this off-season. They wasted a first round pick on a wide receiver instead of a much needed lineman. A great quarterback like Andrew Luck will always make up for some issues but it is always concerning when teams ignore the big guys up front.
GREEN BAY PACKERS
LT David Bakhtiari RG T.J. Lang
LG Josh Sitton RT Bryan Bulaga
Top reserves Lane Taylor, Don Barclay
Overview: The Packers believe in building their offensive line via the draft and have done a fantastic job in doing just that. This is a top-5 unit because they have learned the system and work extremely well together. The injuries last season allowed the backups to gain quality playing time only strengthening the unit. This is the type of team that will be consistent and deep almost every year due to their ability to draft quality NFL starters in the later rounds of the draft. Aaron Rodgers and Eddie Lacy should be in good hands once again.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
LT Luke Joeckel RG Brandon Linder
LG Zane Beadles RT Jermey Parnell
Top reserves A.J. Cann, Stefen Wisniewski
Overview: It was an unpredictable season for Jacksonville on the offensive line. Zane Beadles has fallen off dramatically and will need to improve to keep his job. Brandon Linder and Luke Bowanko were decent as rookies but the veterans will need to pick it up. Luke Joeckel was a first round pick who needs to get it together for this group to really improve. The Jaguars gave up 71 sacks last year but the run blocking was decent. Significant improvement at the tackle position, particularly in their pass blocking, has to happen for their young players to show they are trending upward.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
LT Eric Fisher RG Jeff Allen
LG Ben Grubbs RT Donald Stephenson
Top reserves Mitch Morse, Kelvin Palmer
Overview: We warned you last year that all of the losses on the line would be a problem for the Chiefs and it turned out to be a big issue. Previously a top-5 unit, they reversed course to nearly become a bottom five unit. Eric Fisher has to show improvement this year. Ben Grubbs was brought in via a trade with New Orleans and should be an instant upgrade. The bad news is their best player upfront, Rodney Hudson, left via free agency. It appears that there are still a bunch of holes to fill in and the Chiefs are going to have battles at center, right guard and right tackle. The upside of this group is middle of the pack at best.
MIAMI DOLPHINS
LT Branden Albert RG Billy Turner
LG Dallas Thomas RT Ja’Wuan James
Top reserves Mickey Baucus, Jamil Douglas
Overview: There was not a disaster at any position in football last year bigger than the Dolphins offensive line. In the first nine games, Branden Albert was awesome before being lost to injury which caused the wheels to fall off. The hazing issues off the field, and guys playing out of position on the field, killed this team. On the bright side, Albert is back which will stabilize everything. If the young guys like Billy Turner and Ja’Wuan James continue to improve, this unit could jump from worst in the league into the top-10.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
LT Nate Solder RG Ryan Wendell
LG Tre’ Jackson RT Sebastian Vollmer
Top reserves Shaquille Mason, Josh Kline
Overview: The offensive line was a complete disaster early in the season but did show improvement as the season wore on culminating in a Super Bowl victory. Pass protection was a problem throughout the year and will need to improve in 2015. The tackle spots are still in decent shape but the middle needs improvement. The trade of Logan Mankins and injury to Bryan Stork really hurt last year. A healthy Stork should help the interior and while this is not the dominant lines of the past, it has the pieces to compete and get the job done.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS
LT Terron Armstead RG Tim Lelito
LG Andrus Peat RT Zach Strief
Top reserves Sean Hickey, Jahri Evans
Overview: There were some interesting moves made by the Saints in the off-season. Jimmy Graham was traded for a draft pick and the very solid Max Unger, but they also traded Ben Grubbs, leaving a hole at guard. Terron Armstead showed some improvement at left tackle while Jahri Evans fell off in a big way. The run blocking was improved last year but New Orleans needs to find a way to protect Drew Brees, a great quarterback who makes a bunch of forced throws when pressured. The running game seems to be more of priority these days which hopefully takes some load off of the passing game.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS
LT Matt Kalil RG T.J. Clemmings
LG Brandon Fusco RT Phil Loadholt
Top reserves Tyrus Thompson, Bobby Vardaro
Overview: Whether it was injuries or just a bad year, Matt Kalil saw his play fall off the charts. Injuries to Brandon Fusco and Phil Loadholt contributed to the Vikings struggles as well. With two starters back healthy, this unit should be much better. It doesn’t hurt, of course, to have the best running back in the league, Adrian Peterson, returning this season to augment an improving quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater.
NEW YORK JETS
LT D’Brickashaw Ferguson RG James Carpenter
LG Willie Colon RT Breno Giacomini
Top reserves Brian Winters, Dakota Dozier, Oday Aboushi
Overview: Carpenter was a nice addition to a group that did a decent job last season. Nick Mangold is the glue of this unit and one of the best centers in the league. Can MAngold and Carpenter stay on the field and out of the doctor’s office? This could be one of the better run blocking teams in the league if that happens. Pass blocking is still a work in progress for this group. Upgrading the passing game with skill players was a priority in the offseason but protection issues unfortunately still exist.
OAKLAND RAIDERS
LT Donald Penn RG Khalif Barnes
LG Gabe Jackson RT Austin Howard
Top reserves Lamar Mady, Matt McCants
Overview: This was a much improved unit last season after Oakland made some upgrades. It still won’t be a dominant group but could do an adequate job. Austin Howard was signed from the Jets, which adds to the depth. They will once again do a solid job run blocking, but don’t expect anything spectacular. The pass protection is a work in progress and will have its growing pains with a young quarterback behind them.
NEW YORK GIANTS
LT Ereck Flowers RG Geoff Schwartz
LG John Jerry RT Justin Pugh
Top reserves Dallas Reynolds, Brandon Mosley
Overview: Ereck Flowers was a big pick for the Giants in the 1st round of the draft. He could really solidify a group that lacks a true staple. Flowers will need to be an impact player right away for this group to be in the top half of the league. Will Beatty, who was their best lineman last year, is out for at least half the season with a torn pec muscle. The rest of the crew is a bunch of mediocre veterans who don’t have much upside. Even with all the weapons at wide receiver, Eli Manning has been known to struggle if pressured, so the pass protection needs to hold up.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES
LT Jason Peters RG Allen Barbre
LG Josh Andrews RT Lane Johnson
Top reserves Kevin Graf, Andrew Gardner
Overview: This was once again one of the best offensive lines in the league when they finally got healthy after a rough start to the year. It was a rough start to the year with multiple guys going down to injury. Peters, Johnson and Kelce are some of the best in the league at their respective positions. Chip Kelly’s offense has benefitted greatly from such a special group. Assuming they stay healthy, this will once again be one of the best lines in the league.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS
LT Kelvin Beachum RG David DeCastro
LG Ramon Foster RT Marcus Gilbert
Top reserves Miles Dieffenbach, Chris Hubbard
Overview: Pittsburgh finally realized a few years ago that the offensive line needed to be upgraded. It paid big dividends last season with a monster year by Le’Veon Bell. It is very important that the Steelers have decent pass protection given Ben Roethlisberger’s tendency to hold the ball a little long. This unit should do well once again this year but there is not much depth behind the starters so it could be a big issue if they lose anyone to injury.
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS
LT King Dunlap RG Kenny Wiggins
LG Orlando Franklin RT D.J. Fluker
Top reserves Joe Barksdale, Trevor Robinson,
Overview: This has been one of the worst offensive lines in the league the last few seasons. The only serviceable player is King Dunlap, who does a nice job while his teammates crap the bed. Orlando Franklin will make the left side stronger but plenty of work is needed on the right side. Joe Barksdale is supposed to provide depth but could end up starting a good portion of games. The Franklin signing should be enough to get this group out of the bottom five but there is still plenty of holes to fill.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
LT Joe Staley RG Alex Boone
LG Brandon Thomas RT Erik Pears
Top reserves Trent Brown, Ian Silberman, Joe Looney
Overview: No team is likely to see a bigger drop in offensive line play than the 49ers. They lost Mike Iupati to Arizona and Anthony Davis unexpectedly retired at 25 years old. Staley is as good as it gets at LT so they at least have him to build around. There will be a change in the run blocking scheme this season as they transition to a zone blocking scheme. Alex Boone didn’t attend voluntary workouts so the core starters will get even less time together to learn a more complex system. There is enough talent to not completely bottom out this coming season but expect growing pains and a considerable drop off.
ST. LOUIS RAMS
LT Greg Robinson RG Barrett Jones
LG Rodger Saffold RT Brandon Washington
Top reserves Jamon Brown, Cody Wichmann,
Overview: Plenty of credit has to be given to the Rams who knew exactly want they wanted to do this off-season. St. Louis drafted running back Todd Gurley in the first round and then preceded to take four offensive lineman later in the draft. The Rams will be a power running team but it may take some time to get going. Rob Havenstein, out of Wisconsin, and Andrew Donnal, out of Iowa, could push for playing time early. They played in similar NFL type systems in colleges that are highly regarded in their ability to prepare lineman for the pro level. It won’t be an overnight transformation, as there was not much talent around before the draft, but the line will get better this season and in the future.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
LT Russell Okung RG J.R. Sweezy
LG Alvin Bailey RT Justin Britt
Top reserves Terry Poole, Mark Glowinski, Gary Gilliam
Overview: There are big time concerns for the Seattle offensive line. Max Unger and James Carpenter have moved on and there are no players remaining dependable enough to replace them. Russell Okung is the only proven guy left so the rest of the group really needs to put it together. Seattle has done a great job in the draft at other positions and they better hope it works out on the offensive line. Marshawn Lynch can only break so many tackles and Russell Wilson doesn’t have the size to take a regular pounding.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
LT Demar Dotson RG Patrick Omameh
LG Logan Mankins RT Kevin Pamphile
C Evan Dietrich-Smith
Top reserves Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet
Overview: There were plenty of problems with the Tampa Bay offensive line last season, though the Buccaneers did draft two lineman in the 2nd round of the draft this year. Ideally they wouldn’t play right away but will probably have to. Demar Dotson did a nice job last year and Logan Mankins will actually have an off-season to get accustomed to the offense this time around. The run blocking did a decent job but pass protection was a disaster, a problem often exposed when they frequently fell behind early in games. There are still some growing pains but things should be better this season.
WASHINGTON REDSKINS
LT Trent Williams RG Spencer Long
LG Shawn Lauvao RT Brandon Scherff C Kory Lichtensteiger
Top reserves Takoby Cofield, Tom Compton
Overview: Bill Callahan was brought in to transform the offensive line. He spent the previous three seasons rebuilding the Cowboys offensive line and did a fantastic job there. Brandon Scherff was taken 5th overall in the draft and he is a mauler. He could have some struggles in pass protection but he will immediately upgrade the run game. The pass protection was not bad last year and should still be decent with Trent Williams as the anchor. There should be an improvement this year in the running game, which is needed to take the pressure off of Robert Griffin III.
TENNESSEE TITANS
LT Taylor Lewan RG Chance Warmack
LG Andy Levitre RT Byron Stingily
Top reserves Quinton Spain, Jamon Meredith
Overview: Much like the rest of the Titans team, this unit struggled. There is talent with Taylor Lewan and Chance Warmack but neither has quite lived up to the expectations. Tennessee has made a big effort to improve the offensive line but it has backfired. It probably has more to do with coaching as this staff is one of the worst in the league. The pass protection has to improve and the good news is that at least they have an extremely mobile quarterback in Marcus Mariota. There is plenty of room to grow but you have to wonder whether it will happen with the current coaching staff in place.