With some downtime before training camp, we will be ranking each positional group in the AFC West entering the 2019 season to gear you up for the upcoming campaign.
Two days ago, we ranked the tight ends. Today, we rank the six best offensive linemen in the division.
No. 6, G Gabe Jackson, Raiders
For the past three seasons, Jackson has been manning the right guard spot. He has been both good in pass protection and in the running game where he wins with his brute strength to bully defenders off the line of scrimmage.
His best season came in 2015 and two years later, it earned him a five-year, $56 million contract extension prior to the 2017 season.
Jackson, had a bit of a down season, appearing in only 12 games in 2018. It was pretty still hard to believe he played in so many, as he suffered a partial pectoral tear in Week 1, and later in the year, he broke his elbow.
Now healthy, Jackson will look to be noticed as one of the best at his position and make his first Pro Bowl appearance in 2019.
No. 5, OT Eric Fisher, Chiefs
The former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2013 made his first career Pro Bowl this past season.
Throughout his career, Fisher earned the “bust” label by many. But the truth is, Fisher has decent throughout his career and had a great 2018 season, allowing only two sacks and paving the way in the running game for former Chiefs running back Kareem Hunt.
The former Central Michigan product is quite the athlete at the position. At age 28, you have to imagine that he’s only going to keep getting better.
No. 4, C Mike Pouncey, Chargers
The Chargers needed an upgrade to the center position heading into the 2018 season. They addressed that by signing Pouncey for two years, $15 million.
Pouncey’s presence helped the offense immensely by giving quarterback Philip Rivers more time to throw the ball and creating holes for running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler.
In 2018, the Chargers averaged 117.06 rush yards per game and 4.69 yards per carry and that’s largely due to the addition of Pouncey. Because of his efforts, he made his fourth Pro Bowl appearance.
No. 3, OT Trent Brown, Raiders
Brown became the highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history this offseason after posting one of his best seasons yet in 2018 with the Patriots.
After manning the left tackle spot, Brown is transitioning back to the right side which is where he started out with when he played for the 49ers earlier on in his career. The switch should help him out immensely since that’s where he showed more promise playing.
He’s definitely an improvement for the previous options that Oakland had in Brandon Parker and Donald Penn. Brown should help pave the way for rookie running back Josh Jacobs, using his 6-foot-8 and 365 pound frame.
No. 2, C Rodney Hudson, Raiders
When the Raiders signed Hudson, they made him the highest paid center in NFL history and that decision has worked in the team’s favor as he’s consistently been rated the best pass-blocking center in the NFL by Pro Football Focus.
Hudson has made a couple of Pro Bowls during his career, but surprisingly he was named an alternate in 2018. At age 30, he should have a good five or six years left in the tank to keep quarterback Derek Carr clean in the pocket.
No. 1, OT Mitchell Schwartz, Chiefs
The Chiefs signed Schwartz to a one-year extension worth $11.255 million, making him the second-highest paid right tackle after his outstanding 2018 season.
Pro Football Focus named Schwartz as the NFL’s best offensive lineman last season after he allowed just 23 pressures on 687 drop-backs and was one of only three tackles to rank in their top-10 for both run and pass blocking.
Schwartz, who has kept himself healthy throughout his career, has never missed an NFL snap with his streak now at 7,000-plus entering his eighth season.
