Offensive Line Rankings
It is our duty as fantasy football owners striving to gain every advantage possible to finally wake up and realize the value of NFL offensive lines and the role they play in the success or failure of an NFL offense.
All too often we as fantasy owners take a simplistic approach to fantasy football, meaning we just look at the final numbers (or the end result) instead of analyzing the process (the reason why players put up the numbers they do). Offensive lines are one variable that have an effect on a skill position player's performance over the course of a full season.
There is an old saying that NFL offenses are built from the inside out. That saying is true in large part. Without a strong offensive line, quarterbacks are more prone to negative passing plays such as sacks and interceptions; and running backs find their jobs much tougher when they are hit in the backfield on a consistent basis. All good teams' offenses get their heartbeat from their offensive line. Control the line of scrimmage and you control your opponent.
That leads us to our next question. How can we accurately determine how effective an offensive line is? While there is no perfect way, the two biggest stats that an offensive line directly play a role with in most cases over a full season are yards per carry and sacks allowed. While there is no stat to quantify these variables, chemistry, talent, injuries and past performance are also weighed heavily in these rankings.
We also take a look at some of the key offseason moves (additions and losses) via free agency and the NFL Draft that have impacted these offensive line rankings. We will know more about how each offensive line group is going to look as we get into training camp and the pre-season, which is when these rankings will be updated with commentary.
|
2011 Rank |
Team |
2011 YPC |
2011 Rank |
2011 Sacks Allowed |
2011 Rank |
|
1 |
New England |
4.0
|
T-21
|
32 | T-9
|
|
2 |
Green Bay |
3.9
|
T-26
|
41
|
T-21
|
|
3 |
Tennessee |
3.8
|
T-29
|
24
|
T-2
|
|
4 |
Houston |
4.5
|
T-7
|
32
|
T-12
|
|
5 |
Carolina |
5.4 |
1 |
35
|
T-15
|
|
6 |
Kansas City |
3.9
|
T-26
|
34
|
14
|
|
7 |
Baltimore |
4.3
|
T-12 | 33
|
T-12
|
|
8 |
Tampa Bay |
4.2
|
T-15
|
32
|
T-9
|
|
9 |
Cincinnatti |
3.9
|
T-26
|
25
|
T-4
|
|
10 |
Philadelphia |
5.1 |
3 |
32
|
T-9
|
|
11 |
New Orleans |
4.9 |
T-4 |
24 | T-2
|
|
12 |
New York Giants | 3.5
|
32
|
28
|
7
|
|
13 |
Pittsburgh | 4.4
|
T-9
|
42
|
T-23
|
|
14 |
Cleveland | 3.7
|
31
|
39
|
T-18
|
|
15 |
Detroit | 4.3
|
T-12
|
36
|
17
|
|
16 |
Denver | 4.8
|
6
|
42 | T-23
|
|
17 |
New York Jets | 3.8
|
T-29
|
40
|
20
|
|
18 |
Dallas | 4.4
|
T-9
|
39
|
T-18
|
|
19 |
San Francisco | 4.1
|
T-19
|
44
|
T-25
|
|
20 |
Buffalo |
4.9 |
T-4 |
23
|
1
|
|
21 |
Miami | 4.2
|
T-15
|
52
|
30
|
|
22 |
Atlanta | 4.0
|
T-21
|
26
|
6
|
|
23 |
Minnesota |
5.2 |
2 |
49
|
T-27
|
|
24 |
Jacksonville | 4.0
|
T-21
|
44
|
T-25
|
|
25 |
San Diego | 4.3
|
T-12
|
30
|
8
|
|
26 |
Washington | 4.0
|
T-21
|
41
|
T-21
|
|
27 |
Seattle | 4.0
|
T-21
|
50
|
29
|
|
28 |
Oakland | 4.5
|
T-7
|
25
|
T-4
|
|
29 |
Chicago | 4.4
|
T-9
|
49
|
T-27
|
|
30 |
Arizona | 4.2
|
T-15
|
54
|
31
|
|
31 |
St. Louis | 4.1
|
T-19
|
55 | 32
|
|
32 |
Indianapolis | 4.2
|
T-15
|
35
|
T-15
|
#1 New England Patriots
Key Additions: C Dan Connolly (Re-signed), C Dan Koppen (Re-signed),
Key Loss: G Brian Waters (Did Not Report), T Matt Light (Retired)
#2 Green Bay Packers
Key Addition: C Jeff Saturday (Free Agent)
Key Losses: T Chad Clifton (Released), C Scott Wells (Free Agent)
#3 Tennessee Titans
Key Additions: G Steve Hutchinson (Free Agent), G Jake Scott (Re-signed), G Kyle DeVan (Free Agent)
Key Losses: None
#4 Houston Texans
Key Addition: C Chris Myers (Re-signed)
Key Losses: T Eric Winston (Free Agent), G Mike Briesel (Free Agent), FB Lawrence Vickers (Free Agent)
#5 Carolina Panthers
Key Additions: G Mike Pollak (Free Agent), G Amini Silatolu (NFL Draft)
Key Losses: G Geoff Schwartz (Free Agent) G Travelle Wharton (Free Agent)
#6 Kansas City
Key Additions: T Eric Winston (Free Agent)
Key Losses: C Casey Wiegmann (Free Agent), FB Le'Ron McClain (Free Agent)
#7 Baltimore Ravens
Key Additions: C Matt Birk (Re-signed), G Bobbie Williams (Free Agent)
Key Losses: G Ben Grubbs (Free Agent), C Andre Gurode (Free Agent)
#8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Key Addition: G Carl Nicks (Free Agent)
Key Losses: None
#9 Cincinnati Bengals
Key Addition: G Travelle Wharton (Free Agent)
Key Losses: G Bobbie Williams (Free Agent), G Nate Livings (Free Agent), G Mike McGlynn (Free Agent)
#10 Philadelphia Eagles
Key Additions: G Demetrius Bell (Free Agent), G Evan Mathis (Re-signed)
Key Loss: T Jason Peters (Injury)
