How long is a cricket match? Match duration, facts and all the details
CricketWho has the best offensive line in the NFL and why is it the best?
An offensive line in the NFL is a group of players in five offence positions, including the centre, left guard, right guard, left tackle, and right tackle. This article dives into the best-performing offensive lines in the NFL, whose functions range from blocking to opening running lanes. Discover who has the best offensive line in the NFL currently and in the past.
The best thought-out offensive line schemes and plays are responsible for protecting the quarterback while creating open creases. Scroll down to find out which teams have the best offensive lines in the league.
What is the offensive line, and what do they do?
Players in the offensive line are positioned on the line of scrimmage at the start of a play or down. Regarded as the most gruelling positions on the field, the five players are responsible for blocking opposing defences, protecting the ball carrier and quarterback, opening running lanes, and preventing sacks while defending the quarterback.
Why is the offensive line so important?
The defensive line's task is to counter the opposing team's run and rush the quarterback. The opposing team's success lies in the offensive line's ability to counter this defence.
What are the offensive line positions?
What is the lineup for the offensive line in football? All players on the offensive line are called offensive linemen. The football centre is positioned in the middle of the offensive line with the left and right guards on either side and the right and left tackes on each far end.
The centre, who is lined in the neutral zone opposite the nose tackle, is tasked with snapping the football to the quarterback. Positioned to the left and right of the centre are the guards, whose primary role is to block the defensive tackles and clear a path for the ball carrier.
On the farthest end of the line of scrimmage are the right and left tackles, positioned directly opposite the defensive end players. They protect the quarterback's blind side while blocking the team's running and passing plays.
Rules of American football: Understanding the rules and requirements of NFL
NFLWho has the best offensive line in the NFL in 2023?
Sports Brief has used the latest verified analysis of NFL teams, including the PFF power rankings of the best offensive lines entering the 2023 football season. The Buffalo Bills, who have had the best offensive line in NFL history, do not appear among the top 20 teams. Scroll down for the latest comprehensive list of the top 20 teams with the best offensive line in pro football.
20. Miami Dolphins
Since 2016, the Dolphins have drafted nine linemen, two of whom have become starters. Although at the start of the season, 16 linemen entered into Training Camp, here is a list of the unit's starting proposed lineup.
LT | Terron Armstead |
LG | Liam Eichenberg |
C | Connor Williams |
RG | Robert Hunt |
RT | Isaiah Wynn |
19. Las Vegas Raiders
Although the Raiders ranked nine spots lower than their 2022 position, they entered the 2023 season in the 19th, according to Pro Football Focus. The team's inside trio (Dylan Parham, Andre James and Alex Bars) scored an average PFF grade of 56.7.
Basketball positions explained: Key positions in basketball and their roles
NBALT | Kolton Miller |
LG | Dylan Parham |
C | Andre James |
RG | Alex Bars |
RT | Jermaine Eluemunor |
18. San Francisco 49ers
Out of all the 32 offensive lines in the NFL, the 49ers ranked 18, down 11 positions from the previous season. Have a look at the proposed San Francisco 49ers starting lineup for the 2023 regular season.
LT | Trent Williams |
LG | Aaron Banks |
C | Jake Brendel |
RG | Spencer Burford |
RT | Colton McKivitz |
17. Cincinnati Bengals
Does Cincinnati Bengals have a good offensive line? Not only do the Bengals occupy one of the top positions on PFF rankings, one of their best offensive linesmen, Orlando Brown Jr., is the best left tackle in the NFL currently with a 74.4 PFF pass-blocking. The team that held the best offensive lineman in NFL history, Anthony Munoz, also appears third on the AFC North list after Baltimore Ravens and the Cleveland Browns.
What is a touchback in football? Definition, meaning and explanation
FootballLT | Orlando Brown Jr. |
LG | Cordell Volson |
C | Ted Karras |
RG | Alex Cappa |
RT | Jonah Williams |
16. Carolina Panthers
How good is the Carolina Panthers offence? In 2022, Carolina ranked last in the league in total offence scoring 260 yards per game, and 28th in scoring with 17.2 points per game with 90.3 rushing yards per game. Entering the 2023 season, the club climbed up from 31st place to 16th position.
LT | Ikem Ekwonu |
LG | Brady Christensen |
C | Bradley Bozeman |
RG | Austin Corbett |
RT | Taylor Moton |
15. Minnesota Vikings
According to the Pro Football Network, the team has one of the best offensive tackle groups in the NFL, with right and left tackles Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw, who have proved to be the best Vikings linemen. Here is a list of offensive players proposed to be in the Minnesota Vikings' 2023 depth chart.
Who are the 15 best defensive tackles in the NFL in 2024?
NFLLT | Christian Darrisaw |
LG | Ezra Cleveland |
C | Garrett Bradbury |
RG | Ed Ingram |
RT | Brian O'Neill |
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are down about 10 places from the 2022 PFF rankings. However, the team is expected to take a chance on one of the best right tackles in the league, Wirfs, following the exit of some of its best performers, Jensen, Cappa and Marpet retiring.
LT | Tristan Wirfs |
LG | Matt Feiler |
C | Ryan Jensen |
RG | Cody Mauch |
RT | Luke Goedeke |
13. New England Patriots
Where does the Patriots' offensive line rank? In the 2022 rankings, the Patriots were placed among the top ten tier 1 teams. The team, fans, and other stakeholders hope for a similar end-of-season ranking with the proposed lineup below.
LT | Trent Brown |
LG | Cole Strange |
C | David Andrews |
RG | Mike Onwenu |
RT | Riley Reiff |
12. Pittsburgh Steelers
The 2022 end-season PFF ranking of the Steelers' offensive performance disappointed fans, particularly in the pass-blocking efficiency and run-blocking unit ranking. However, their pre-season position in 2023 shows promise.
What does a center do in basketball? Understanding the role of the big man
NBALT | Broderick Jones |
LG | Isaac Seumalo |
C | Mason Cole |
RG | James Daniels |
RT | Chukwuma Okorafor |
11. Denver Broncos
How good are the Denver Broncos? The 2022 PFF rankings appraised the Broncos as the sixth-best O-line in the AFC. The team got a similar top placement by ESPN’s Seth Walder, who slotted the team as the fourth-best O-line with a predicted top 10 pass-blocking and run-blocking rank for the 2022 regular season.
LT | Garett Bolles |
LG | Ben Powers |
C | Lloyd Cushenberry III |
RG | Quinn Meinerz |
RT | Mike McGlinchey |
10. Indianapolis Colts
Do the Colts have the best O-line? Although the Colts were highly ranked going into the 2022 regular season, the players recorded a problematic performance. Although the team is highly compensated, with salaries ranging between $50 million and $80 million, the number of QB sacks increased from 21 to 60 sacks between 2020 and 2022, with the highest number of sacks let in occurring in 2022 (60).
How many players in an NFL team: The different positions in American Football explained
NFLLT | Bernhard Raimann |
LG | Quenton Nelson |
C | Ryan Kelly |
RT | Braden Smith |
RG | Will Fries |
9. Los Angeles Chargers
Do the Los Angeles Chargers have the best offence of all time? While the team's O-line is ranked among the top 10 in the league, its performance is expected to climb higher. After analysing the team's offence in training, The Atlantic's Daniel Popper said,
This is the best offensive line group the Chargers have built since 2019. It has three capable tackles. While teams struggle to find two. The quality of the depth begins there."
LT | Jamaree Salyer |
LG | - |
C | Corey Linsley |
RG | Zion Johnson |
RT | Trey Pipkins III |
8. Green Bay Packers
According to the BR, the Packers have the most underrated and best-performing offensive lines in the NFL. The Mile High Club's analysis of the linesmen's pass-block proficiency range between 99.17% and 96.30%, with centre Myers scoring the highest PBP with 599 pass-blocking snaps.
Which are the most important positions in football and why are they considered crucial positions?
FootballLT | David Bakhtiari |
LG | Elgton Jenkins |
C | Josh Myers |
RG | Jon Runyan |
RT | Zach Tom |
7. Atlanta Falcons
What is the PFF offensive line rank for the Falcons? Ahead of the 2022 regular season, the Falcons were placed at position 28. Of the five linemen, Matthews, Wilkinson, Hennessy, Gossett, and Edoga playing in 2022, Matthews is expected to remain in the 2023 lineup.
LT | Jake Matthews |
LG | - |
C | Drew Dalman |
RG | Chris Lindstrom |
RT | Kaleb McGary |
6. Dallas Cowboys
Does Dallas have a good offensive line? The Cowboys' quarterback got sacked 104 times between 2020 and 2022, with the fewest sacks let in occurring in 2022 (27). However, they won almost similar sacks against opposing defences, with 117 sacks between the 2020 and 2022 seasons.
LT | Tyron Smith |
LG | Tyler Smith |
C | Tyler Biadasz |
RG | Zack Martin |
RT | Terence Steele |
What is the hardest position in football and why is it considered the most difficult position to play?
NFL5. Detroit Lions
Where does the Detroit Lions' offence rank? At the start of the 2022 regular season, PFF ranked the squad third out of all 32 NFL teams. Entering the 2023 season, the squad is ranked fifth and remains a high contender with top-tier players such as two-time Pro Bowler Frank Ragnow.
LT | Taylor Decker |
LG | Jonah Jackson |
C | Frank Ragnow |
RG | Halapoulivaati Vaitai |
RT | Penei Sewell |
4. Baltimore Ravens
From the 17th position in the 2022 PFF analysis, the Ravens climbed 13 positions to the fourth place of NFL teams with the best offensive lines. The team's O-line scored 90 points in the third position on the 2023 Sharp Football Analysis.
LT | Ronnie Stanley |
LG | Ben Cleveland |
C | Tyler Linderbaum |
RG | Kevin Zeitler |
RT | Morgan Moses |
3. Kansas City Chiefs
Tier one football club, Kansas City Chiefs, runs a multiple offence scheme. However, as the PFF ranked the team's offence among the high-floor squads in position 9, ESPN predicted the team's O-line would top the NFL with a number 1 pass blocking and number 5 run blocking ranks for the 2022 regular season. Heading into the 2023 season, the Kansas City Chiefs are expected to win their fourth Super Bowl, while the PFF ranked it third.
What is a nose tackle in American football and what is their role?
NFLLT | Donovan Smith |
LG | Joe Thuney |
C | Creed Humphrey |
RG | Trey Smith |
RT | Jawaan Taylor |
2. Cleveland Browns
Heading into the 2023 regular season, the Browns are expected to perform excellently with the offensive lineup drafted. Rated as the second NFL team with the best offensive line, a place down from 2022's performance prediction.
LT | Jedrick Wills |
LG | Joel Bitonio |
C | Ethan Pocic |
RG | Wyatt Teller |
RT | Jack Conklin |
1. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles lead the way in having the best offence in the NFL in 2023 with no changes from their 2022 rankings. Although they scored 15.0% against Kansas City Chiefs' 25.2% Defense-adjusted Value Over Average (DVOA) rating, the squad is expected to outperform all other NFL teams.
LT | Jordan Mailata |
LG | Landon Dickerson |
C | Jason Kelce |
RG | Cam Jurgens |
RT | Lane Johnson |
As the backbone of any team, O-line allows the quarterback and the running back to victory. Each gridiron team needs to draft and play the best offensive line in the NFL.
Volleyball positions explained: A guide to volleyball positions and specializations
VolleyballREAD ALSO: Who is the best offensive lineman to ever play American football?
Sports Brief recently published an article rating the best lineman ever to play American football. The players who protected Hall of Fame QBs created running holes for legendary running backs, and stood down opposing defences were undeniably the backbone of their teams. Click on the link above to learn more about the best O-linemen ever.