Offensive Line Rankings
While it’s not the main driver of fantasy production, the offensive line is something worth taking a deeper look at as you try to gain any advantage you can over others in your league. No matter who it is, it’s far more difficult for an RB to gain yards with zero blocking and nearly impossible for a QB to throw if they’re on their back. You shouldn’t draw up your draft strategy based on the projected strength or weakness of the offensive line but it is helpful information as you approach your drafts. Let’s look at the overall o-line rankings heading into the season while highlighting the best and worst options. But remember that these rankings are fluid and could change the closer we get to the season.
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Best Offensive Lines
Detroit Lions
Depending on who you talk to, you might see the Philadelphia Eagles listed as No. 1. But I’m giving the slight edge to the Detroit Lions, who, when healthy, was arguably the best offensive line in the league last season. This unit, led by RT Penei Sewell, was incredibly effective and will return four of five starters. Last season, Sewell was the highest-graded lineman, and Frank Ragnow led all centers. This group helped RB Jahmyr Gibbs finish tied for first in yards before contact per attempt (2.6) among 36 running backs with 150+ carries. Returning offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will give the Lions’ run game a boost. Ragnow does come with health concerns, but with elite options at three of their five offensive line spots, they should still have a major impact and continue to provide an opportunity for QB Jared Goff, Gibbs, and RB David Montgomery to produce.
Philadelphia Eagles
Over the last couple of years, the Eagles offensive line has been one of the best in the NFL, showing dominance at both pass and run blocking. But following the retirement of future Hall of Fame center Jason Kelce there are now questions surrounding how good this group can be in 2024. The good thing is that the Eagles’ front five remain one of the best groups in the NFL. The loss of Kelce will certainly be felt, but the Eagles did prepare for this reality by selecting C Cam Jurgens in Round 2 of the 2022 NFL Draft (51st overall.) But Jurgens has played only 45 NFL snaps at center, and will now be replaced at right guard by Tyler Sheen, who has only played 71 offensive snaps since entering the league. It may take some time for them to find their chemistry as a unit but when they do they should be toward the top of the league.
Kansas City Chiefs
When football fans think of the Kansas City Chiefs, their high-powered offense comes to mind. What often gets overlooked is an offensive line whose interior line has been as dominant as any in the NFL. C Creed Humphrey, RG Trey Smith, and LG Joe Thuney provide elite protection for QB Patrick Mahomes which helped Mahomes rank sixth in time-to-throw last year. The other linemen are a bit of a question mark. OT Donovan Smith is now a free agent, and RT Jawaan Taylor struggled during his Kansas City debut. However, perhaps the most interesting storyline coming into 2024 for this unit is the battle at LT, where Wanya Morris (in his second year) will compete with rookie Kingsley Saumataia. Still, even with some uncertainty surrounding them, this should be one of the better overall offensive lines.
Worst Offensive Lines
New Orleans Saints
Once considered an elite unit, the offensive line of the New Orleans Saints is now full of question marks. Adding someone like rookie LT Taliese Fuaga should help. Fuaga brings a lot of power and is a good pass-blocker, but he is a rookie and after playing RT at Oregon State is looking at a transition to LT. RT Ryan Ramcyzk was set to be a starter for the Saints but still has a knee injury that could prevent him from playing this season. Nick Saldiveri is the projected starter at LG, but he only saw 18 snaps last year as a rookie. LT Olisaemeka Udoh is a depth piece at best, and not a very good one. And 2022 first-round pick Trevor Penning who could be pushed into a starting role if Ramcyzk can’t go is switching from left tackle to right tackle after being ineffective at the former. Needless to say with all the questions surrounding this unit they don’t inspire a ton of confidence.
New England Patriots
The Patriots offensive line was not a particularly strong unit in 2023 and remains unsettled while it tries to adapt to new offensive coordinator Alex Van Pelt and (eventually) new rookie signal caller Drake Maye. LT Chukwuma Okorafor will be playing his first season with the Patriots after being benched by the Steelers mid-season last year. LG Cole Strange is rehabbing a torn patellar tendon. Michael Onwenu is currently penciled in at RT but may be asked to move inside to give 2024 Round 3 pick Caedan Wallace some reps. But Onwenu just re-signed with the Patriots on a three-year, $57 million contract and if he does stay on the right side, he and second-year RG Sidy Sow could form a solid foundation. Still, there are enough concerns to expect this unit to be toward the bottom of the league in 2024.
Washington Commanders
Rookie QB Jayden Daniels is coming into the league with lofty expectations and a lot of excitement surrounding his skillset. But if there’s one primary reason for caution, it would be the Commanders’ offensive line. After cutting arguably their best offensive lineman in LT Charles Leno Jr., the Commanders are left with more questions than answers. 33-year-old journeyman Cornelius Lucas looks to be on track to start which is a concern since he’s never been a full-season LT. The Commanders did add LG Nick Allegretti and C Tyler Biadasz in free agency, but they’re not difference-makers. LG Nick Allegretti and C Tyler Biadasz are solid, not great, and there is still a hole to be filled at left tackle, a major concern with a rookie under center. The Commanders are a work in progress. But don’t expect too much of that progress to happen in 2024.
2024 Offensive Line Rankings
- Detroit Lions
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Cleveland Browns
- Indianapolis Colts
- Atlanta Falcons
- Green Bay Packers
- Houston Texans
- Los Angeles Rams
- Chicago Bears
- Minnesota Vikings
- New York Jets
- Los Angeles Chargers
- Cincinnati Bengals
- San Francisco 49ers
- Baltimore Ravens
- Dallas Cowboys
- Buffalo Bills
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Denver Broncos
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Miami Dolphins
- Arizona Cardinals
- Tennessee Titans
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Seattle Seahawks
- Carolina Panthers
- New York Giants
- Las Vegas Raiders
- New Orleans Saints
- New England Patriots
- Washington Commanders
Conclusion
As I mentioned, these rankings are not set in stone. But as things stand currently this is a good road map to use. Offensive line isn’t the biggest indicator of fantasy success but when you find yourself choosing between two equally talented players it could be something worth keeping in mind.
