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)
#11 New Orleans Saints
Key Addition: G Ben Grubbs (Free Agent)
Key Losses: Carl Nicks (Free Agent), T Alex Barron (Free Agent)
#12 New York Giants
Key Addition: T Sean Locklear (Free Agent)
Key Loss: T Kareem McKenzie (Free Agent)
#13 Pittsburgh Steelers
Key Additions: G David DeCastro (NFL Draft), G Ramon Foster (Re-signed), T Mike Adams (NFL Draft)
Key Losses: G Chris Kemoeatu (Free Agent), T Max Starks (Free Agent)
#14 Cleveland Browns
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
#15 Detroit Lions
Key Additions: T Reilly Reiff (NFL Draft), T Jeff Backus (Re-signed)
Key Loss: G Leonard Davis (Free Agent)
#16 Denver Broncos
Key Additions: None
Key Loss: G Russ Hochstein (Free Agent)
#17 New York Jets
Key Additions: T Ray Willis (Free Agent), G Stephon Heyer (Free Agent)
Key Loss: G Robert Turner (Free Agent)
#18 Dallas Cowboys
Key Addition: G Nate Livings (Free Agent)
Key Loss: G Kyle Kosier (Released)
#19 San Francisco 49ers
Key Additions: None
Key Loss: T Chilo Rachal (Free Agent)
#20 Buffalo Bills
Key Addition: T Cordy Glenn (NFL Draft)
Key Loss: T Demetrius Bell (Free Agent)
#21 Miami Dolphins
Key Additions: G Artis Hicks (Free Agent), T Jonathan Martin (NFL Draft)
Key Loss: G Vernon Carey (Free Agent)
#22 Atlanta Falcons
Key Additions: C Todd McClure (Re-signed), C Peter Konz (NFL Draft)
Key Losses: None
#23 Minnesota Vikings
Key Additions: T Matt Kalil (NFL Draft), G Geoff Schwartz (Free Agent)
Key Losses: G Steve Hutchinson (Free Agent), G Anthony Herrera (Free Agent)
#24 Jacksonville Jaguars
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
#25 San Diego Chargers
Key Additions: T Jared Gaither (Re-signed), FB LeRon McClain (Free Agent)
Key Losses: T Marcus McNeil (Injury), G Kris Dielman (Retired)
#26 Washington Redskins
Key Additions: None
Key Losses: None
#27 Seattle Seahawks
Key Additions: T Alex Barron (Free Agent), G Deuce Lutui (Free Agent)
Key Loss: G Robert Gallery (Free Agent)
#28 Oakland Raiders
Key Additions: G Mike Brisiel (Free Agent), T Khalif Barnes (Re-signed), G Cooper Carlisle (Re-signed)
Key Loss: G Stephon Heyer (Free Agent), C Samson Satele (Free Agent)
#29 Chicago Bears
Key Addition: G Chilo Rachal (Free Agent)
Key Loss: T Frank Omiyale (Free Agent)
#30 Arizona Cardinals
Key Addition: T Bobby Massie (NFL Draft)
Key Loss: G Floyd Womack (Free Agent)
#31 St. Louis Rams
Key Additions: C Scott Wells (Free Agent), G Robert Turner (Free Agent)
Key Losses: None
#32 Indianapolis Colts
Key Additions: C Samson Satele (Free Agent), G Mike McGlynn (Free Agent)
Key Losses: C Jeff Saturday (Free Agent), G Ryan Diem (Free Agent)