Every year the NFL Network does its top 100 countdown based on the previous season. However, that’s the past, and we want to look forward to the future. Four of our writers have put together a 14 part series, predicting our top 10 at each position. We’ve also included the most under and overrated at each position. Today, we continue the series with our top 10 offensive tackles.
10) Trent Brown, Las Vegas Raiders
Brown came into the NFL in 2015 as a player who had all the physical traits you wanted to see. He is a massive human being standing at 6 foot 8 inches and weighing in at 380 pounds! However, things never really panned out in San Francisco, so he found his way onto the New England Patriots squad in 2018 where he would play his best year of football protecting Tom Brady’s blindside. In 2019, Brown earned himself his first Pro Bowl at the right tackle spot for the Raiders and if he can stay healthy and continue to refine his technique, Brown could be a top-five tackle before it’s all said and done.
9) Laremy Tunsil, Houston Texans
When it comes to the best young tackles in the NFL, Tunsil should be near the top of everybody’s list. Tunsil, who is just 25 years old, was the bright spot for the Miami Dolphins after they selected him in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He did play left guard in his rookie season, but the Dolphins slid him to tackle in his sophomore campaign, and he hasn’t looked back since. Tunsil wins with great size and athletic ability, and his feet are some of the quickest in the league. Tunsil will be a cornerstone for Texans moving forward.
8) Ryan Ramczyk, New Orleans Saints
Our second tackle that is just 25 years old, is the right tackle for the Saints in Ramczyk who has been one of the more consistent tackles in the NFL. The Saints are the only team to have both of their starting tackles on this list and are easily my favorite offensive line to watch. Ramczyk was dominant in 2019 allowing zero sacks all season and was strong in the run game. What he lacks in physical attributes, he makes up for in smooth technique. Ramczyk will be a force for the Saints moving forward.
7) Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers
It feels criminal to have Williams this low on this list. When healthy, Williams is by far one of the best tackles in the NFL. He not only dominates his opponents physically, but his consistency is also definitely something to write home about. However, injuries have been an issue for Williams. He hasn’t played a full season of football since 2014, then missing the entire 2019 season. Again, this placement feels wrong, but if Williams has a dominant 2020 season, he can retain his position as a top-three tackle in the NFL.
6) Ronnie Stanley, Baltimore Ravens
Speaking of consistency, Stanley quietly had one of the most consistent 2019 seasons of all tackles. Stanley is another tackle that lacks the physical domination that you sometimes like to see, but his hand placement and footwork are something else, and it is clear he has spent a lot of time since being drafted in 2016 refining his craft. 2019 saw him earn both his first Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, and there should be plenty more where that came from in the years to come for Stanley.
5) Lane Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
Johnson entered the NFL as an incredible athlete out of Oklahoma, but was considered raw and needed to develop. Well, he did just that, and by his second or third season in the league, Johnson was considered one of the best right tackles in the game. Since then, Johnson has continued to refine his technique and used his naturally gifted athletic traits to dominate defensive lineman. If Johnson can stay healthy, which seems to be a common trend among linemen, he will most likely make his fourth straight Pro Bowl and continue to be a top-five offensive lineman.
4) Tyron Smith, Dallas Cowboys
Some will tell you that Smith is the best tackle in the league. The problem is he hasn’t been on the field. Smith hasn’t played a full season since 2015. Although injuries have hurt his case for best tackle, Smith is still a top-five tackle when it comes to dominating defensive lineman. He is one of the most talented linemen in the NFL, but his consistency has been down in recent seasons. Not to mention that his height and weight paired with his speed is off the charts. If Smith stays healthy in 2020, he could reclaim the title as the best tackle in the NFL.
3) Mitchell Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs
It’s time that right tackles got the love that they deserve. While most lists might include either Johnson or Schwartz in the top five, I’ve included both of them and put Schwartz here at three. While he is not as athletically gifted as others on this list, Schwartz has refined his craft to some of the highest levels that we see among offensive lineman today. Schwartz has played in all 128 potential regular-season games since entering the league in 2013, and his football IQ is through the roof. His lower body is strong, and his footwork is phenomenal. Going into 2020, Schwartz is easily the best right tackle and could make his case for being the best tackle in the league.
2) Terron Armstead, New Orleans Saints
Armstead is the second Saint to make the list, but unlike his teammate Ramczyk, Armstead was not a first-round pick. Instead, Armstead was taken in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft as has developed into one of the best tackles in the league. His natural athletic ability has allowed him to develop potentially the best feet in the league and his use of leverage and hand placement has gotten him the recognition he deserves. Armstead is still on the right side of 30 and should have many Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections soon.
1) David Bakhtiari, Green Bay Packers
Similar to Armstead, Bakhtiari was taken late in the 2013 NFL Draft. Also similar to Armstead, he was a great athlete that lacked size. However, since entering the league, Bakhtiari has proven the doubters wrong by building up his strength and is considered by many to be the most consistent tackle in all facets of the game. He has quick feet in pass protection, and his use of leverage and angles in the run game is top-notch. While he may not be the biggest or fastest, Bakhtiari is my number one tackle in the NFL.
Most Underrated – Dion Dawkins, Buffalo Bills
In just his third season in the NFL, Dawkins showed his potential in the passing game as well as in the running game. While some thought that he was a raw prospect, they also would tell you that he had the tools to be an above-average tackle in the NFL. Just three years in, Dawkins has already reached that stage. Dawkins will be a guy to watch in 2020 to see how he continues to develop and in the years beyond.
Most Overrated – Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans
There are several lists with Lewan as a top-10 tackle, however, I’m not sure I buy it. There are too many other young and up and coming tackles that seem to be on a similar playing field as Lewan. Keep in mind that I’m not saying he isn’t a top-15 or 20 tackle, which he is, I simply think that there are at least 12 tackles who are better. Injuries, suspensions, and penalties have all caused Lewan some issues in recent seasons.
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