Speed at the skill positions is all the rage in the NFL and it’s a huge factor in staying competitive in an always-evolving game. However, no matter how fast the athletes outside get, it never hurts to have a dominant offensive line.
Here are the top 10 units in the league going into 2020.
10. Cleveland Browns
Last season, Cleveland’s front line was respectable enough. They offered adequate protection for Baker Mayfield and helped Nick Chubb become one of the game’s elite runners. As a team, they allowed 41 sacks and averaged 118.8 rushing yards per game. This offseason they got two huge additions at offensive tackle by signing Jack Conklin and drafting Jedrick Wills. According to Pro Football Focus, this is the most improved offensive line in the NFL this year.
9. Tennessee Titans
Tennessee rode their mean offensive line to a cinderella run in the 2019 playoffs. While Derrick Henry and the rushing attack got most of the attention (they averaged the third-most rushing yards per game), the Titans were also brilliant in pass protection. Football Outsiders says they had an adjusted sack rate of just 4.9%, which was the fourth-lowest in the league. Losing Jack Conklin is going to hurt, though.
8. Green Bay Packers
Green Bay had the fifth-lowest adjusted sack rate in the NFL last season. Considering how long Aaron Rodgers hangs onto the ball, that’s pretty remarkable. They had one of the best offensive tackle combinations in the league with David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga, but they lost Bulaga to the Chargers in free agency. Wisconsin’s own Rick Wagner should be a solid replacement at right tackle, though and the rest of their starters are returning.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have always been the best role model in the league when it comes to continuity, which is critical for offensive line success. This year, they are returning all five starters. Their run game was pretty mediocre in 2019, but pass protection is more important and they thrived in this area. Last season, they had the third-highest pass blocking grade in the NFL and allowed just two sacks per game.
6. San Francisco 49ers
The Niners already had one of the best offensive lines in football. They averaged the second-most rushing yards per game (144.1) and had the eighth-lowest adjusted sack rate (6%). Now, they’ve gone and added the best left tackle in the sport by trading for Trent Williams, a seven-time Pro Bowler who should be fresh after sitting out the 2019 season. Getting an upgrade over the retiring Joe Staley is a steal.
5. Indianapolis Colts
It’s a shame the Colts couldn’t field an offensive line like this while Andrew Luck was still around. Last year, they only gave up two sacks per game and had one of the most efficient rushing attacks in the NFL (133.1 yards). Don’t expect them to slow down any time soon, either. Indianapolis is returning all five starters in 2020, which should help Philip Rivers get settled.
4. Dallas Cowboys
Dallas has had an elite offensive line unit for a long time, as Jerry Jones has been willing to invest in this group continually. Last year was no exception, as they allowed the second-lowest adjusted sack rate (4.3%) in the NFL. They were also maulers in the run game, averaging 134.6 rushing yards – fifth most in the league. The retirement of center Travis Frederick is undoubtedly going to hit this group hard. However, they added Tyler Biadasz in the draft which takes some of the sting out.
3. New Orleans Saints
The Saints might just have the best pass blocking line in the NFL right now. They definitely have the best 1-2 punch at OT with Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk. Last season, they allowed the lowest adjusted sack rate at just 3.7%. The only change from 2019 is they released Larry Warford and got an upgrade by picking up Cesar Ruiz, the top interior lineman in the 2020 draft class. The rich get richer.
2. Baltimore Ravens
New Orleans has the pass-blocking title, but Baltimore blows everybody out of the water in the run game. In 2019, the Ravens averaged a ridiculous 206 rushing yards per game – 62 more than any other team. They also had the third-lowest adjusted sack rate in the league (4.7%). They would have ranked No. 1 on this list if not for the retirement of All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda, who is irreplaceable.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
From top to bottom, nobody has done a better job of constructing their offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, all five of the Eagles’ starters graded out in the top 10 at their respective positions last year. They’ll face a challenge with long-time left tackle Jason Peters leaving, but Andre Dillard should be ready to step in. They also added Jack Driscoll and Prince Tega Wanogho in the draft. This group should keep rolling in 2020.
