While the 2021 NFL season is still a few months away, it’s never too early to look ahead. Fan bases will argue day and night about who has the better team. Instead of debating the entire roster, why not debate positions. In the fifth part of a 12 part series, I will rank each team’s offensive line position. These rankings are a culmination of what the player has done over the entirety of their career, how they performed last season, and projecting how they will play this upcoming season.
Be sure to check out all of Moran’s NFL Positional Rankings.
1. Cleveland Browns
Jedrick Wills, Joel Bitonio, J.C. Tretter, Wyatt Teller, and Jack Conklin make for the best offensive line in the NFL heading into 2021. Bitonio is going into his eighth season with the Browns. Teller was arguably the best right guard in football a year ago. Teller has to be a top contract extension candidate for the Browns. Tretter and Conklin were two excellent recent free-agent additions. Last year, the Browns selected Wills in the first round. Wills has athleticism and traits to be great. These five are the best unit in football. In 2021, expect them to set the tone for the Browns offense.
2. New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ bookend tackle duo of Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk is probably the best in football. Andrus Peat has been an excellent player for the Saints. Peat is going into his seventh season with the team. Erik McCoy has had a very good start to his NFL career in his first two seasons. 2020 first-round pick Cesar Ruiz should have great expectations heading into his second season. Ruiz is very talented and should help this offensive line. These five are a great group. In 2021, they will help the Saints in a big way.
[pickup_prop id=”7183″]
3. Green Bay Packers
David Bakhtiari is one of the top left tackles in football. Bakhtiari will continue to lead this offensive line. Third-year player Elgton Jenkins has had an incredible start to his young career. Jenkins has provided the Packers with special versatility up front. Billy Turner was a solid free-agent addition in 2019. As an undrafted free agent in 2016, Lucas Patrick has carved out a very respectable career. Patrick is going into his sixth year with the Packers. In the second round of the draft, the Packers selected Josh Myers. Myers should start at the center spot right away. These five make for a top-tier unit in the NFL.
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Super Bowl champions head into the year with a talented offensive line. 2020 first-round pick Tristan Wirfs had a special rookie season. Wirfs should continue to dominate. Ali Marpet has been one of the better interior offensive linemen in football for a while. You could make the argument that Ryan Jensen is the best center in football. Donovan Smith had a very good 2020 at left tackle. This offseason, Smith was rewarded with a contract extension. Alex Cappa is a solid right guard. This group is a productive one.
5. Detroit Lions
The Lions enter 2021 with a fascinating offensive line. In the draft, Penei Sewell fell to the Lions’ pick at seventh overall. Sewell is a Hall of Fame type of prospect. He should dominate right away, and he turns 21 in October. Frank Ragnow is in the conversation with Jensen as the best center in football. Ragnow was recently rewarded with a long-term contract. Taylor Decker and Jonah Jackson are rock solid for the left side of this offensive line. Decker and Jackson are two talented football players. This season, expect Halapoulivaati Vaitai to play at right guard. These five could be a very impactful group.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
This offseason, the Chiefs did an unreal job of attacking a dire need, their offensive line. To start, in free agency, they added the best offensive linemen on the market. The Chiefs signed Joe Thuney. Thuney is one of the best left guards in football. Then, right before the draft, the team made another big move, trading for Orlando Brown. Brown will play left tackle full-time now. Adding Thuney and Brown to the left side of the line will be monumental. In the draft, the Chiefs selected talented prospect Creed Humphrey in the second round. The Chiefs also added interior offensive linemen Austin Blythe. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif will be returning after helping on the front lines during COVID-19. Second-year tackle Lucas Niang will be back for the Chiefs as well.
7. Indianapolis Colts
Quenton Nelson is the best-left guard in the NFL. In his first three seasons, Nelson has been special for the Colts. In 2021, Nelson will continue to anchor the Colts’ offensive line. Ryan Kelly is one of the better centers in football. The Colts also have one of the better right tackles in the league, Braden Smith. Mark Glowinski is a solid right guard. After the draft, left tackle was a need for the Colts following the retirement of Anthony Castonzo. This led to the team signing Eric Fisher. This group will be a very good one.
8. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles still have a solid offensive line. Going from center to right tackle with Jason Kelce, Brandon Brooks, and Lane Johnson is as good as it gets in football. Entering year three, Andre Dillard has to start putting it all together. Dillard, a former first-round draft pick, has the talent and athletic ability to be a good player. Isaac Seumalo is a very good starting left guard. Jordan Mailata seems to have a strong chance of starting at left tackle. It will be interesting to see how he plays.
9. New England Patriots
Heading into 2021, the Patriots have a good offensive line. Isaiah Wynn is a young, talented player. This offseason, Wynn had his fifth-year option picked up by the Patriots. As a 2020 sixth-round draft pick, Michael Onwenu had a great rookie season. Expect Onwenu to get even better. Shaq Mason is one of the better right guards in the NFL. During the offseason, the Patriots brought back Trent Brown in a trade. During free agency, center David Andrews re-signed with the Patriots on a four-year contract.
10. Buffalo Bills
The Bills did a terrific job of keeping their stout offensive line from a year ago together this offseason. Dion Dawkins is one of the best left tackles in football. Dawkins is a special athlete. Before free agency, the Bills re-signed both Daryl Williams and Jon Feliciano. Last year, Williams was a bargain of a signing by general manager Brandon Beane. It was smart to keep him. Feliciano is a very solid interior player. The team re-worked the contract of center Mitch Morse. The Bills will also be getting their second-round draft pick in 2019, Cody Ford back healthy. Unlike last year, if this group is healthy, they will be better in the running game. Overall, these are five talented players.
11. Denver Broncos
Garett Bolles deserves a ton of credit for turning his career around. Going into 2021, he is one of the better left tackles in the NFL. A year ago, the Broncos made a big free agency signing in Graham Glasgow. Entering his third year, expect Dalton Risner to continue to improve. In the third round of the draft, the Broncos added exciting prospect Quinn Meinerz. Meinerz might be competing with last year’s third-round pick, Lloyd Cushenberry, for the starting center position. The Broncos recently signed Bobby Massie. Massie will have the chance to start at right tackle.
12. Los Angeles Chargers
General manager Tom Telesco did a tremendous job of improving this unit for Justin Herbert. The Chargers selected Rashawn Slater in the first round of the draft. Slater is an exciting prospect with great potential. In free agency, the Chargers made a big acquisition signing center, Corey Linsley. The Chargers also acquired Matt Feiler through free agency. Last year, Bryan Bulaga was added to the team as a free agent. Oday Aboushi was an under-the-radar signing in free agency. This group should be much better than it was last season.
13. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys still have a very respectable offensive line. Zack Martin is likely the best right guard in the NFL. Tyron Smith, despite many injuries, is still an outstanding football player. La’el Collins is a very good right tackle. Entering a contract year, expect Connor Williams to play his best. He has the talent. Tyler Biadasz will have a chance to help the interior of this offensive line in his second season.
14. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have a talented offensive line. Taylor Lewan is a good left tackle. The interior of this line is really good with Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, and Nate Davis. In the second round of the draft, the Titans selected Dillon Radunz. Radunz is an exciting prospect with potential. In free agency, the Titans also added tackle Kendall Lamm. In 2021, this group should be a very good one.
15. Washington Football Team
Washington assigned the franchise tag to right guard Brandon Scherff for the second year in a row. At the end of the 2020 season, center Chase Roullier was extended by Washington. This offseason, the team added three starters to the unit. Ereck Flowers was brought back by the team through a trade. Expect Flowers to bounce back and play as he did for Washington in 2019. In the second round of the draft, talented prospect Samuel Cosmi was selected. After the draft, Charles Leno was signed by Washington. These five are capable of doing a good job.
16. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are going into 2021 with a talented offensive line. Brandon Linder is one of the better centers in football. Cam Robinson is coming off the best year of his career. This offseason, he was franchise tagged. Andrew Norwell should do a good job at left guard. On the right side, A.J. Cann and Jawaan Taylor have the potential to be something good.
17. Baltimore Ravens
Ronnie Stanley is a top-tier left tackle in football. Stanley being back healthy will make a great difference. In 2021, he will lead this offensive line. The Ravens added Kevin Zeitler and Alejandro Villanueva this offseason. They will likely start on the right side of the offensive line. On the interior of the offensive line, it seems like it will be Patrick Mekari and Bradley Bozeman starting at left guard and center.
18. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams head into 2021 with a steady group. Future Hall of Famer Andrew Whitworth will be back at left tackle. Whitworth will likely continue his great play. Rob Havenstein is a solid right tackle who has been with the team for a while now. David Edwards and Austin Corbett are two solid players for the Rams on the interior of their offensive line. Bobby Evans and Joseph Noteboom are probably vying for a starting spot at guard.
19. San Francisco 49ers
Trent Williams was re-signed by the 49ers this offseason. Williams had a great 2020 season. The 49ers gave right tackle Mike McGlinchey a vote of confidence this offseason when they picked up his fifth-year option. Laken Tomlinson has been a solid left guard for the 49ers. The 49ers signed Alex Mack in free agency. In the second round of the draft, the 49ers selected Aaron Banks. This group should be good enough.
20. Arizona Cardinals
D.J. Humphries has become a very good left tackle for the Cardinals. This offseason, the Cardinals made a big trade acquiring star center Rodney Hudson. Hudson will help improve this unit. The team re-signed Kelvin Beachum after a solid season. Justin Pugh and Brian Winters are two guards who have been in the league for a long time. This season, they will have to be reliable.
21. New York Jets
Mekhi Becton had a strong rookie season for the Jets. His size and athletic ability make him special. In the first round of the draft, the Jets traded up and selected Alijah Vera-Tucker. Vera-Tucker is an exciting prospect. In college, he had great success as a pass blocker. Vera-Tucker also suits the Jets running scheme well. Expect a healthy Connor McGovern to be much better this season. Last season, George Fant had a good year at right tackle. The west coast scheme fits McGovern and Fant well. Greg Van Roten had a good finish to last season at right guard.
22. Minnesota Vikings
Recently, the Vikings have invested lots of premium draft picks into their offensive line. Over the last four drafts, they have added Christian Darrisaw, Ezra Cleveland, Garrett Bradbury, Wyatt Davis, and Brian O’Neill, all in the first three rounds. This group has the potential to be good. This season, expect O’Neill to be a very good right tackle. Cleveland and Bradbury are two talented athletes who should continue to progress. In the draft this year, the Vikings added Darrisaw and Davis. Both can make an impact right away.
23. Carolina Panthers
Before free agency, the Panthers placed the franchise tag on right tackle Taylor Moton. In 2021, expect Moton to continue his great level of play. At center, Matt Paradis is a very solid player. Early in the third round of the draft, the Panthers selected intriguing prospect Brady Christensen. Pat Elflein was added in free agency and should start at one guard position. Late in the draft, the Panthers selected Deonte Brown. As a rookie, Brown could win a starting position.
24. New York Giants
As his rookie season went on, Andrew Thomas improved. Nick Gates is a solid center. Nate Solder will be back this season. He should start at right tackle. Guard Will Hernandez is entering a pivotal season. Second-year player Shane Lemieux has the chance to make an impact on the interior of this line. Matt Peart, a third-round selection from a year ago, provides solid depth as a swing tackle.
25. Atlanta Falcons
Jake Matthews is still a solid left tackle. Two 2019 first-round picks, Chris Lindstrom and Kaleb McGary, should likely start on the right side of the offensive line. In his second year, Matt Hennessy should take over at center. In this year’s draft, the Falcons selected two offensive linemen, one in the third and another in the fourth round. Jalen Mayfield and Drew Dalman will have an opportunity to make an impact as rookies.
26. Houston Texans
Laremy Tunsil is one of the better left tackles in the NFL. On the right side of the line, Tytus Howard should start at tackle. Marcus Cannon was a solid acquisition and should be a starter for the Texans along the offensive line. Guard Max Scharping has had a good start to his career. Lane Taylor was signed in free agency and could start at one interior position upfront.
27. Las Vegas Raiders
Kolton Miller has developed into one of the best left tackles in football. The rest of this line enters the season with some new players. In the first round of the draft, Alex Leatherwood was selected by the Raiders. Leatherwood should be a solid player right away. For the interior, the three starters should be Richie Incognito, Andre James, and Denzelle Good. For the Raiders offense to remain a good one, this group will have to be adequate.
28. Miami Dolphins
Austin Jackson, Solomon Kindley, and Robert Hunt all enter their second years together. The Dolphins will need them all to play well. In free agency, Matt Skura was signed by the Dolphins. Skura will start at center. At right tackle, it should be the rookie Liam Eichenberg. Eichenberg is a prospect with the chance to be good. Jesse Davis provides solid depth to this young group.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers head into 2021 with some unknowns up front offensively. Coming off an injury, Zach Banner will likely start at left tackle. On the other side, Chukwuma Okorafor will be starting at tackle. The three interior starters should be Kevin Dotson, Kendrick Green, and David DeCastro. DeCastro has had a successful career. Dotson had a good rookie year. In the third round of the draft, the Steelers selected Green. He is an exciting prospect.
30. Cincinnati Bengals
Riley Reiff was a much-needed addition to the Bengals’ offensive line. In the second round of the draft, the team selected Jackson Carman. Trey Hopkins and Jonah Williams have been with the Bengals for some time now. They will both be very crucial this season as the Bengals need this unit to play better. Trey Hill was a sixth-round selection of the Bengals this year. Hill could have a chance to play.
31. Seattle Seahawks
Long-time great Duane Brown will be the leader for this unit at left tackle this season. In the offseason, the Seahawks made a good trade, acquiring guard Gabe Jackson. At left guard and center, Damien Lewis and Ethan Pocic will start. Brandon Shell and rookie Stone Forsythe will have a chance to compete for the starting right tackle position. It will be interesting to see how this group executes.
32. Chicago Bears
In the second round of the draft, the Bears selected tackle Teven Jenkins. Jenkins is an exciting prospect. The rest of this line has something to prove. James Daniels and Cody Whitehair are both entering important seasons in their careers. Germain Ifedi and Elijah Wilkinson look to be starting on the right side of the line. This group does not look the part, and it will be interesting to see if they can exceed expectations.
Check us out on our socials:
Twitter: @PTSTNews and @TalkPrimeTime
Facebook Page: Prime Time Sports Talk
Join our Facebook Group: Prime Time Sports Talk
Instagram: @ptsportstalk
Follow Ryan Moran on Twitter @_Ryan_Moran_
Main Image Credit:
Embed from Getty Images
