NFL Analysis
8/2/24
9 min read
2024 Preseason NFL Offensive Line Rankings: Which Team Tops The List?
I know how this works. Everybody loves rankings until their team is ranked lower than they think they should be.
I broke down all 32 offensive lines into five different categories to give you a better sense of where I believe each team stacks up. Tiers are always better in terms of analysis than straight rankings.
Individual talent of the starting five is a critical factor, of course, but continuity, chemistry, and depth were also heavily weighed. Every evaluator has an inherent bias, and mine is towards offensive linemen who play with a nasty edge, constantly trying to finish plays and physically punishing the defense. I truly believe that has an impact on not only the rest of the offense but the entire team.
While I look at several stats, there are so many different factors involved, including the play caller, offensive scheme, and quarterback, that this can’t simply be a mathematical exercise.
It should be noted that things can and often do change during a season. Some players get better, some players get worse, and unfortunately, many get injured, just like any other position.
Click on each offensive lineman's picture for critical stats from their 2023 season.
2024 Preseason OL Rankings
Elite Tier
Only one team made the top tier this year. Elite offensive lines have no major question marks and have at least a few difference-makers. Only the Lions check those boxes for me this year.
1. Detroit Lions 
Critical question or takeaway: The Detroit Lions did a nice job replacing Jonah Jackson at guard with veteran Kevin Zeitler. They have high-end players at center, both tackle spots, and made a solid signing at guard.
Above Average Tier
Above-average lines can be elite but typically have one question: whether that is a position that is still up in the air or the health of a key component or two.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Critical question or takeaway: The Philadelphia Eagles have three elite players in Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson, and Jordan Mailata. Cam Jurgens should be above average in his first year starting in place of Jason Kelce, but right guard is a question mark.
3. Cleveland Browns
Critical question or takeaway: Dawand Jones played well enough in place of an injured Jack Conklin at right tackle last year, so the Cleveland Browns are covered at that spot regardless. However, left tackle Jedrick Wills needs to elevate his performance to that of the guys around him.
4. Atlanta Falcons
Critical question or takeaway: The Atlanta Falcons’ offensive line is young, hungry, and back for another big year together as one of the few lines to return all five starters.
5. Indianapolis Colts
Critical question or takeaway: The Indianapolis Colts are also returning their starting five and were helped tremendously by new coach Shane Steichen’s scheme last season. They also got improvement from youngsters Will Fries and Bernhard Raimann.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Critical question or takeaway: The Kansas City Chiefs have the league's best interior trio led by personal favorite Trey Smith, who is one of the NFL's best finishers. Now, they need someone to step up and take the left tackle spot plus RT Jawaan Taylor to play close to his contract.
7. New York Jets
Critical question or takeaway: It feels like New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas finally has his line where he wants it with the additions of veteran tackles Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses backstopped by rookie first-round pick Olu Fashanu.
Average Tier
Average offensive lines are really just that: average.
They aren’t typically a big reason why your team will win the game, but they won't be a major factor in a loss as well. Usually, they will have three guys that I feel really good about, but a couple of question marks that hold them back in my rankings for now.
8. Green Bay Packers
Critical question or takeaway: The Green Bay Packers lost Jon Runyan in free agency but have drafted well in recent years and added to their offensive line room with first-round pick Jordan Morgan.
9. Minnesota Vikings
Critical question or takeaway: For at least the third straight year the Minnesota Vikings have one of the NFL's best pairs of tackles but won't play to nearly that same level inside.
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Critical question or takeaway: The Pittsburgh Steelers sent a message to the league when they drafted tackle Troy Fautanu and center Zach Frazier with their first two picks. They aren’t just good players; they are tone-setters who will bring a physical edge back to the Steel City.
11. Chicago Bears
Critical question or takeaway: As long as the Chicago Bears get solid play at center and continued improvement from their young tackles, they could finish the season as an above-average group.
12. Los Angeles Rams
Critical question or takeaway: The Los Angeles Rams played better than expected last year up front and doubled down by signing guard Jonah Jackson in free agency from Detroit.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
Critical question or takeaway: Jim Harbaugh’s love for and belief in his big guys, combined with the addition of mammoth tackle Joe Alt, makes the Los Angeles Chargers another team that could move up by season’s end.
14. Buffalo Bills
Critical question or takeaway: The Buffalo Bills are doing a little shuffling up front, with guard Connor McGovern sliding to center to take Mitch Morse's place. He’s not the same athlete as Morse but is stouter, which is what Buffalo is looking for.
15. Denver Broncos
Critical question or takeaway: The Denver Broncos smartly rewarded the man-mover that is Quinn Meinerz, and their tackles are solid, but center remains a major question mark.
16. Cincinnati Bengals
Critical question or takeaway: The Cincinnati Bengals replaced Jonah Williams with veteran Trent Brown at right tackle but need last year’s addition, Orlando Brown, to play better than he did in 2023.
17. Houston Texans
Critical question or takeaway: The Houston Texans line could be very good if their young guys like Kenyon Green and Juice Scruggs take a step this year.
18. Baltimore Ravens
Critical question or takeaway: The Baltimore Ravens lost both starting guards and their starting right tackle, so we will find out quickly if their recent draft choices are up for the challenge of replacing the departed vets.
19. Dallas Cowboys
Critical question or takeaway: It has been a long time since the Dallas Cowboys weren’t at least in the above-average category. Frankly, the best pair of guards in the NFL isn’t enough to overcome the major question marks at center and left tackle.
20. San Francisco 49ers
Critical question or takeaway: The San Francisco 49ers are such a great example of the importance of scheme. Trent Williams is elite, but the rest of the guys are just guys.
21. Las Vegas Raiders
Critical question or takeaway: Kolton Miller and Andre James will hold down their spots for the Las Vegas Raiders, but the other positions remain a work in progress.
22. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Critical question or takeaway: I love the addition of rookie Graham Barton to a Tampa Bay Buccaneers line that needed a boost in the middle after recent retirements of stalwarts like Ryan Jensen and Ali Marpet.
Below Average Tier
Below-average offensive lines typically have more questions than answers in my mind at this point but have the potential to be an average or even above-average line if those questions are answered affirmatively.
23. Miami Dolphins
Critical question or takeaway: LT Terron Armstead told me on the Ross Tucker Football Podcast that this is the best he’s felt in years. That’s great news for a Miami Dolphins team that desperately needs him to play all 17 games this season.
24. Jacksonville Jaguars
Critical question or takeaway: The Jacksonville Jaguars have invested way too much into this offensive line to have them play the way they did last season. Perhaps Mitch Morse’ veteran presence at center can have a calming effect.
25. Carolina Panthers
Critical question or takeaway: Just because the Carolina Panthers spent a lot of money on Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis at guard doesn’t necessarily mean they fixed their disappointing group from last year.
26. Tennessee Titans
Critical question or takeaway: Just adding Bill Callahan as line coach automatically gives the Tennessee Titans a big boost. First-round pick JC Latham should also be an upgrade.
27. Washington Commanders
Critical question or takeaway: The Washington Commanders hope their interior free agent additions can be enough to make this a competent group.
28. Arizona Cardinals
Critical question or takeaway: The Arizona Cardinals could be pretty good at center and both tackles, but it is hard to imagine them being much more than that as a unit with their current starting guards.
Poor Group Tier
Poor offensive lines raise many questions, which is a scary proposition for a position group that might be second only to the quarterback in terms of importance to overall team success. They might be fine, but I wouldn’t count on it.
29. New England Patriots
Critical question or takeaway: The New England Patriots have two guys competing for their left tackle position who have never played left tackle before. That’s a new one.
30. Seattle Seahawks
Critical question or takeaway: Speaking of new ones, not one but both the Seattle Seahawks tackles took a step back last year after playing at a pretty high level as rookies.
31. New Orleans Saints
Critical question or takeaway: Ryan Ramczyk being out for the season is just a killer for the New Orleans Saints, who will have to pin their hopes on former first-round pick Trevor Penning.
32. New York Giants
Critical question or takeaway: The New York Giants are trying to fix the offensive line that general manager Joe Schoen panned on Hard Knocks. The additions of Runyan and Eluemenor should help, but what about the incumbents?
