Analysis

11/2/23

20 min read

2023 NFL Midseason Offensive Line Rankings

By Maxx Forde

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Man, where did the time go? It feels like the season started a few weeks ago, but we’re already halfway through. With a solid sample of film out there to adjust our preseason expectations, this is the perfect time to go through and rank all 32 offensive lines in the NFL.

Below, you’ll find those rankings with notes that helped slot each team where they are. Key injuries take into account players who are currently on IR because it is assumed all other injuries reported will see the player return soon. 

2023 Midseason Offensive Line Rankings

1. Philadelphia Eagles

Key Injuries: G Cam Jurgens

The pages on the calendar keep turning, but the soul behind the Philadelphia Eagles’ offensive line is timeless. Long-time veterans Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson have set the tone for this physical, athletic bunch capable of bullying you inside a phone booth, beating you to a spot and walling you off to create a seam for the ball carrier. The Eagles can beat teams in multiple ways; they know it, and on the off-chance you don’t know it by the end of the game, they’ll make you feel it tomorrow.

Their success in short-yardage situations highlights their physicality. They’ve been so unstoppable there is talk of changing the rulebook. Yet, when other teams try to imitate it, it isn’t as effective.

Writing about the Eagles' offensive line without mentioning Jordan Mailata feels wrong. He’s become a premier player at the premier offensive line position in only his fifth year of playing the sport. His ceiling seems uncapped, and he seems certain to carry the mantle of the group identity set by Kelce and Johnson whenever they hang it up.

All told, they’ve got talent and grit and have put their stamp on many of the Eagles' wins this season.

2. Detroit Lions

Key Injuries: T Matt Nelson

When Dan Campbell came to Detroit, he talked about building a team that would bite the kneecaps. While many laughed at the time, it’s Campbell who is having the last laugh as his Detroit Lions have embodied this sentiment, perhaps no position group more so than the offensive line.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise. Campbell put his money where his mouth was, investing the first three picks of his tenure in the trenches, with the first of those picks, Penei Sewell, becoming a captain this year.

This personality is important because it’s something that shows up on the film. You see the violence. You see guys looking for work when their responsibility is handled. You see guys looking to put opponents in the dirt and keep Jared Goff out of it.

This offensive line has helped this offense go from the league's bottom quarter to an offense that trails just Miami in yards per game.

3. Cleveland Browns

Key Injuries: T Jack Conklin, G Michael Dunn

The Cleveland Browns are an elite unit with continuity that performs at a high level. It doesn’t matter who you line up on the defense in front of them or in the backfield behind them; this unit competes at a high level.

In particular, their ability to get to the second level and consistently make blocks in space pops on film. Losing mainstay and All-Pro RT Jack Conklin for the season hurt, but fourth-round rookie Dawand Jones is a dancing bear who has fit in seamlessly with this group.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Key Injuries: None

The Baltimore Ravens boast the type of unit that will leave you black and blue. They don’t want to go around you; they want to go through you. As such, they do a good job of resetting the line of scrimmage. They’ve also proven they can do this with a next-man-up mentality.

They’ve seen strong play from backup linemen when missing key cogs in former All-Pro LT Ronnie Stanley and C Tyler Linderbaum. Quality depth cannot be understated over a 17-plus game season, as an offensive line is only as strong as its weakest link.

In addition, the Ravens' offensive line maximizes one of Lamar Jackson’s special traits; his ability to extend a play. We often talk about the stress that puts on a defense, but the same can be said about the stress this puts on the offensive line.

The longer the play goes on, the longer they have to maintain blocks against players who can see how the play is unfolding while they have their backs turned. Their ability to finish the play allows Jackson to be Jackson, which allows the Ravens to be at their best.

 5. Kansas City Chiefs

Key Injuries: T Prince Tega Wanogho

With franchise signal-caller Patrick Mahomes in tow, the obvious thing is protecting him. Despite switching out both offensive tackles this offseason, the Kansas City Chiefs do a good job of that.

You see them identify blitzes and pass off twists at a high level, allowing their two-time MVP quarterback to pick apart a secondary with fewer defenders. Andy Reid also loves to reach into his bag of screens frequently, and this group has been good at slipping out, getting in front and making those crucial blocks downfield.  

 6. Dallas Cowboys

Key Injuries: None

The Dallas Cowboys have invested highly in the offensive line for a long time, and it’s paid off. They’ve consistently had a top-tier unit for the better part of the past 15 years. They can still take over a game and are an imposing sight for many of the league's defenses.

Once they get hands-on, they hem you up, making it difficult for defenders to get off of the blocks and make plays. That said, whether due to age or health, it is weird to see a multiple All-Pro in Tyron Smith occasionally get beat by the same type of speed to power rushes he has stonewalled with regularity for so long.

This is a bit of a nitpick, but when separating some of the better units in the league, it makes the difference.

 7. Los Angeles Chargers

Key Injuries: C Corey Linsley

The Los Angeles Chargers' front has been solid after getting Rashawn Slater back from injury following a lost 2022 season. The silver lining in that absence was Jamaree Salyer got plenty of valuable experience at left tackle last year. 

Given the pass-centric nature of the Chargers’ offense, it's not a surprise these five have been superb in pass protection. Across the board, they’ve got good feet, and their eyes are usually in the right place. The biggest knock we have on them is it’s not in their DNA to put together those drives where they just impose their will and break a defense.

They’ll do their job and create seams for ball carriers, but don’t expect to see them moving the line of scrimmage in their favor in any meaningful way consistently. 

 8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Injuries: C Ryan Jensen

Turn on the film and the first thing you notice is how comfortable Baker Mayfield looks in the pocket. That's probably a big part of the reason for the career resurgence he’s having. Across the board, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers mirror their man incredibly well, and even on full overload blitzes, don’t look phased.

There’s room to improve in the running game, but they play with high effort and have their moments there, too. 

 9. Indianapolis Colts

Key Injuries: None

The Indianapolis Colts were a bit down on the offensive front last year despite having talented players. The line is particularly strong in the run game, walling off lanes for their runners to get through.

Though not an elite group, the Colts are back on the right trajectory and, given their youth relative to many of the top teams, they still have room to grow.

 10. Miami Dolphins

Key Injuries: T Terron Armstead, G Isaiah Wynn

Everybody marvels when Tyreek Hill gets behind the secondary for a seemingly effortless touchdown. Still, you can’t take those shots without time for the route to develop — time provided by the Miami Dolphins' offensive line.

Their line has done its job in an offense heavily predicated on timing, but it holds up on those deep throws. The Dolphins also have a more physical demeanor than in years past. It's not to the point where we expect them to push around the game’s elite defensive fronts, but they won’t get run over, either. 

 11. San Francisco 49ers

Key Injuries: None

Aside from having probably the biggest bully in the NFL in Trent Williams, you don’t see a lot of bad intentions from the San Francisco 49ers. The 49ers execute the famed Kyle Shanahan zone scheme successfully because the line moves decently and gets in the way, sealing seams for elite skill position players.

Of course, it’s not uncommon to see Williams get multiple defenders blocked on a given play. In pass protection, the line can get in front of its man well but occasionally get caught with its hips completely turned on a twist, making it difficult to recover. 

 12. Cincinnati Bengals

Key Injuries: None

The Cincinnati Bengals do a good job on the things that come with time spent together. Specifically, they pass off stunts well and get hip to hip on their combo blocks, creating movements down the field.

What is most concerning is their ability to handle a good power rush. While the line has done a good job keeping Joe Burrow from getting sacked, you often see him moved off of his spot by one or more of his offensive linemen being bull rushed.

 13. Buffalo Bills

Key Injuries: G Germain Ifedi

The Buffalo Bills are more dynamic in the run game than they were in the past, and it’s because they get a hat on a hat. The line pulls well and engages with its assignment, but it's not the most punishing line.

From a protection standpoint, the Bills have done a good job keeping Josh Allen clean, but the concern is with the guard away from the turn, left in 1-on-1 situations (particularly the LG). A strong defensive interior can exploit that. 

 14. Atlanta Falcons

Key Injuries: None

The Atlanta Falcons' offensive line has experience and continuity and is good at zone blocking. The Falcons do a better job in pass protection than the numbers show, as the quarterback sometimes steps into pressure or pats the ball a bit longer than expected at the professional level. 

 15. Houston Texans

Key Injuries: G Kendrick Green, C Juice Scruggs

Based on the roster moves they made this offseason and the potential development of some young talent, the Houston Texans were a team with an opportunity for a massive turnaround on the offensive front, and they’ve delivered on that. 

The depth is battle-tested. There have been times this year when they were missing four expected starters, and the guys they’ve settled on at this point in the year are playing well. The Texans have the talent to go man-on-man successfully in pass protection, though twists do catch them off guard. They keep their feet running on contact but don’t quite get those clear rushing lanes you’d like. 

 16. Seattle Seahawks

Key Injuries: T Abraham Lucas

After a breakout campaign for a pair of rookie offensive tackles in 2022, both were injured early in the season, forcing the Seattle Seahawks to use heavier personnel groupings to supplement their offensive line.

Though RT Abraham Lucas is out, they’ve been getting healthier, leading to some improvement. We particularly like the way they block with bad intentions, looking to finish blocks whenever possible. If and when they get Lucas back, it’d be huge for a line already playing well. 

17. New York Jets

Key Injuries: T Alijah Vera-Tucker, T Duane Brown

It’s no secret this season didn’t start as planned in New York, but the big boys up front are giving the New York Jets a chance in most of the games.

The Jets are likely leaning on the run a bit more than intended at the outset of the season, but that plays into the physical brand of football they want to play, especially down a few of their Week 1 starters.

 18. Minnesota Vikings

Key Injuries: T Olisaemeka Udoh

Christian Darrisaw is one of the game’s top-tier players, but outside of the consistency he provides, a lot is in flux in Minnesota. Kirk Cousins is out, Joshua Dobbs is in (with Jaren Hall filling in until Dobbs picks up the offense) and Ezra Cleveland was traded to Jacksonville, providing an opportunity for Dalton Risner.

We got a bit of a sneak peek of Risner with Cleveland inactive for his last two games with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings have protected well, but that was with a veteran quarterback who stood tall in the pocket and got the ball out on time. It will be interesting to see if that changes with a more mobile quarterback, who might look to extend plays. 

 19. Green Bay Packers

Key Injuries: T David Bakhtiari

The Green Bay Packers' offensive line doesn’t do anything great, but it does most things well. It's more of a throwback group with big lumbering guys that you won’t mistake for being the fleetest of foot.

However, when they connect, you feel it. The Packers take advantage of the weaker defensive groups in the league but won't beat better teams. 

 20. Jacksonville Jaguars

Key Injuries: None

Adding Cleveland at the deadline can shake this ranking up a bit. He’ll get the bye week to get acquainted with the new playbook and prepare to play. To date, the Jacksonville Jaguars have struggled to set the point of attack in the run game, and on several plays, you see at least one offensive lineman being pushed into the backfield.

The Jaguars have an adequate front that does enough, but there’s nothing to point to as their calling card.

21. New Orleans Saints

Key Injuries: G Trai Turner

The New Orleans Saints started the season with high expectations up front and early on it looked brutal. It felt like every time he dropped back to pass, the quarterback was running for his life.

Yet, the Saints have stayed the course, and they've turned it around a bit. They’re playing fast, physically and together. You don’t see any hesitation in their movements. If the Saints keep on this trajectory, they could be in the league's top half by season's end. 

22. Denver Broncos

Key Injuries: None

Sean Payton was big on having quality guards in New Orleans, winning the Super Bowl with a quality tandem of Jahri Evans and Carl Nicks. While the two he has with the Denver Broncos are not on that level, we do like the nastiness they bring.

You would like to see that translate more on combo blocks and have them climb to the next level rather than peel off for a defender that’s already moving downhill. Aside from that, QB Russell Wilson gets moved off his spot more than you’d like. Those improv plays you knew would end in a completion two or three years ago are falling incomplete. 

 23. Arizona Cardinals

Key Injuries: G Elijah Wilkinson

Not much was expected in the desert this season, but the Arizona Cardinals are a pleasant surprise. This is still relative to expectation. It's not to say they are near the top tier, far from it.

But what you consistently see show up on the screen is a high-effort group. While that effort isn't yielding many wins this year, it puts the culture they are building on full display. That culture will yield wins in years to come.

 24. Tennessee Titans

Key Injuries: None

The Tennessee Titans have been shaking up the lineup recently, which seems to pay dividends. We like the chemistry they seem to have. The Titans are working combo blocks well and sitting the defensive lineman all the way in the linebacker’s lap.

Still, there needs to be more consistency in pass protection. However, there are definitely snaps that make you think it could be all coming together. 

 25. Carolina Panthers

Key Injuries: Brady Christensen

The most concerning thing when watching this line is the frequency with which it gets beat between the left guard and left tackle in pass protection.

When on an island, Ikem Ekwonu gets beat far too much. If you’re going to get beat, you want to at least make them work over the top, as it’s a longer path to the quarterback. Far too frequently, he thinks he’s passing off the rusher to the left guard, only for the help to be late in.

We generally like how the interior three work together, led by C Bradley Bozeman, but overall, the chemistry isn’t there; it feels like five fingers instead of one fist. 

 26. Chicago Bears

Key Injuries: T Braxton Jones, Dan Feeney

The Chicago Bears are definitely a better run-blocking team than a pass-blocking team. You can see the stress a good speed rush puts on their protection. Their strength in the run game match up well with what they want to do on offense, but it doesn’t quite align with the game scripts they find themselves in. 

 27. Pittsburgh Steelers

Key Injuries: None

Adding Isaac Seumalo has brought steadier guard play than last year, but the Pittsburgh Steelers are not a cohesive unit. They are adequate in pass protection but don’t generate much in the way of run blocking. Nothing pops off the screen with this group. 

28. New England Patriots

Key Injuries: T Riley Reiff, T Calvin Anderson, T Vederian Lowe

The New England Patriots aren’t getting much movement in the run game. More often than not, they're getting knocked into the backfield instead of resetting the line of scrimmage downfield.

In pass protection, the Patriots move the pocket a lot to help them out a bit. You still see glimpses of high-level play, but it is nowhere near on a consistent enough basis to rely on it. 

  29. Washington Commanders

Key Injuries: G Saahdiq Charles

When it comes to the Washington Commanders, the bottom line is Sam Howell has found himself on his back far too often. The Commanders have the physicality to run the ball. In positive gamescripts, they’ve leaned on that.

But in the modern NFL, if you keep letting your quarterback get hit the way Howell has this year, you will break him physically or mentally.

 30. Los Angeles Rams

Key Injuries: None

Too often, the Los Angeles Rams have players who don’t touch a soul on a play. They’ll try to get out for the screen, and when the ball gets ahead of them, they slow down rather than looking for defenders in pursuit.

In pass protection, they’re waiting for a defense who was showing, but when the defender drops, the Rams don’t find work. Players get beat sometimes, and that’s OK. The defenders get paid, too. However, too often, it doesn’t seem like the Rams give themselves a chance. 

 31. Las Vegas Raiders

Key Injuries: None

The Las Vegas Raiders’ interior has looked leaky as of late. The line looks like a bit of a turnstile, with their shoulders parallel with the sideline. This has resulted in a few occasions where the quarterback had happy feet, anticipating pressure before it was there.

Most of last year’s group that played much better is back, so there is some hope this slump is more related to the internal drama, and the clean slate they’re starting with this week will alleviate those issues.

32. New York Giants

Key Injuries: T Joshua Ezeudu, T Matt Peart, G Shane Lemieux

To be honest, we don’t know what’s going on with the New York Giants' offensive line. Coming into the season, we thought it would be somewhere in the middle of the pack with some potential to move up if some players took a step forward.

While injuries throughout the season haven’t helped, they run too hot and cold. The cold end of that is bad enough to lose games single-handedly.

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Maxx Forde

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Maxx Forde is a former CFL and FBS defensive lineman, playing for the BC Lions 2015-2018 after a standout career at the University of Idaho 2010-2014 where he was a two-year team captain and three-time Coaches Award winner.