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Eagle's Offensive Line Ranked No. 1; Steeler's Ranked No. 3

anacreon3

Well-Known Member
Gold Member
According to this article, Eagles ranked No. 1 NFL OL...

https://www.thescore.com/news/1553270

Below are the write-ups for the top 10. Those ranked 11-32 are also linked in the article.

10. Washington Redskins
POS. STARTER
LT Trent Williams
LG Shawn Lauvao
C Chase Roullier
RG Brandon Scherff
RT Morgan Moses
Depth: T.J. Clemmings, Geron Christian, Ty Nsekhe, Tony Bergstrom


  • Few offensive lines have experienced the injury devastation that destroyed the Redskins' unit in 2017. It can't be that bad again, can it? Unfortunately, the season isn't even here and Washington has already lost guard Arie Kouandjio for the year to a quadriceps tear.
  • If the rest of the line stays healthy and doesn't suffer an injury while this is being written, the Redskins will have a formidable group. Williams and Scherff are stars and Moses is a solid right tackle.
  • Losing Spencer Long and his versatility during free agency stung. But Washington's O-line has the talent and continuity to help ease new quarterback Alex Smith's transition, while also giving running backs Derrius Guice and Chris Thompson room to maneuver.
9. Los Angeles Rams
POS. STARTER
LT Andrew Whitworth
LG Rodger Saffold
C John Sullivan
RG Jamon Brown
RT Rob Havenstein
Depth: Cornelius Lucas, Joseph Noteboom, Brian Allen, Austin Blythe, Jamil Demby

  • This might be too high for a Rams group that overachieved in 2017 and will soon be dealing with the decline of 36-year-old left tackle Andrew Whitworth. However, it's tough to knock a key part of an offense that made such a swift one-year turnaround in Sean McVay's first season as head coach.
  • Todd Gurley owes a lot to his line after he slogged through 2016 in a predictable offense, running behind uninspired blockers. That was certainly not the case last year, and in 2018 the two-time Pro Bowler's success on the ground should continue.
  • Hopefully, Noteboom and Allen, the Rams' middle-round picks in April, can help provide much-needed depth. Noteboom could even be Whitworth's eventual replacement.
8. Jacksonville Jaguars
POS. STARTER
LT Cam Robinson
LG Andrew Norwell
C Brandon Linder
RG A.J. Cann
RT Jermey Parnell
Depth: Brandon Thomas, Will Richardson, Josh Wells, Chris Reed

  • We mentioned what a crushing blow Norwell's departure was from the Panthers' offensive line. There's a flip side to that coin, and it comes on a Jaguars team that was very close to knocking off the Patriots in the AFC Championship.
  • Jacksonville committed to running the ball in 2017 after upgrades to its line and a high pick used on running back Leonard Fournette. The results were excellent for the Jags and fantasy owners alike. Now, the team has doubled down by signing Norwell, one the best overall linemen in the league. Fournette owners should rejoice.
  • Will that addition help the Jaguars' passing attack? Yes, but no one is getting excited about owning Blake Bortles, not even Shad Khan.
7. Tennessee Titans
POS. STARTER
LT Taylor Lewan
LG Quinton Spain
C Ben Jones
RG Josh Kline
RT Jack Conklin
Depth: Xavier Su'a-Filo, Kevin Pamphile, John Theus, Tyler Marz

  • The Titans are a good test case for how you can gain an edge on fantasy owners who didn't prepare. A new coaching staff that can potentially unlock Marcus Mariota's talents is enticing, especially with the weapons in Tennessee. But remember, right tackle Jack Conklin tore his ACL in the playoffs. That makes it unlikely he'll be fully recovered when the season begins, which has to be taken into account when analyzing any of the Titans' playmakers.
  • Tennessee's line has a decent interior and two young star tackles. Lewan can sometimes let his emotions get the best of him, but when he's not bull-rushing opponents after the play, the two-time Pro Bowler is performing at a high level. Conklin may even be better than Lewan, so his presence is key.
  • Debating the value of running backs Dion Lewis and Derrick Henry is fun in the offseason. However, there's a strong possibility both backs end up being RB2s in 2018, with Lewis getting an edge in touches and Henry seeing more action around the goal line. Regardless of the roles the two are given, their production should be boosted by a strong offensive line.
6. Oakland Raiders
POS. STARTER
LT Donald Penn
LG Kelechi Osemele
C Rodney Hudson
RG Gabe Jackson
RT Kolton Miller
Depth: Brandon Parker, Vadal Alexander, Jon Feliciano, Breno Giacomini

  • Coming off a disappointing campaign - we're looking at you Penn, Osemele, and Hudson - the Raiders' offensive line will be out to prove they're still among the best in the league.
  • Oakland selected Miller in the first round and will need to harness his athleticism while molding him into a starting NFL tackle as soon as possible. He'll be given every chance to start on the right side, assuming Penn is healthy.
  • Once the team unleashed him, Marshawn Lynch had an impressive second half in 2017. As long as he's on the same page with the new coaching staff, Beast Mode should pick up where he left off behind this line.
5. Atlanta Falcons
POS. STARTER
LT Jake Matthews
LG Andy Levitre
C Alex Mack
RG Brandon Fusco
RT Ryan Schraeder
Depth: Ty Sambrailo, Ben Garland, Austin Pasztor, Wes Schweitzer, Sean Harlow

  • Since the arrival of Alex Mack in 2016, the Falcons have been regulars in the top-10 of our offensive-line rankings.
  • It's a pleasure to watch this group go to work, and with Fusco joining the interior corps, the Falcons may have patched the lone hole in the unit.
  • It's not surprising to see someone with Matthews' pedigree dedicate himself to his craft. But it's still refreshing to hear him discuss his offseason plan to learn everyone's assignments on the line. The 26-year-old clearly hasn't reached his ceiling.
4. New Orleans Saints
POS. STARTER
LT Terron Armstead
LG Andrus Peat
C Max Unger
RG Larry Warford
RT Ryan Ramczyk
Depth: Jermon Bushrod, Rick Leonard, Michael Ola, Josh LeRibeus

  • Depth isn't a strong suit for the Saints, so staying off the trainer's table will be crucial if they're going to repeat their performance from a year ago.
  • Ramczyk appeared to be a luxury pick when he was selected at the end of the first round in 2017. But he was quickly thrust into the starting lineup and emerged as a skilled right tackle. Combined with Armstead, he helps give the Saints one of the top tackle tandems in the league.
  • Drew Brees still has plenty left in his arm, though the Saints are wisely asking less of him. Instead, they're choosing to lean on their offensive line, an outstanding backfield, and an improving young defense. Make no mistake, Brees will still be there when needed.
3. Pittsburgh Steelers
POS. STARTER
LT Alejandro Villanueva
LG Ramon Foster
C Maurkice Pouncey
RG David DeCastro
RT Marcus Gilbert
Depth: Chukwuma Okorafor, Bryce Harris, B.J. Finney, Parker Collins

  • We could simply put the word "continuity" here and it would explain all you need to know about the Steelers' offensive line. This is a group that has gone to war together, and while there are several quality parts, the sum is greater.
  • DeCastro is a force on the inside and deserves to be recognized for his elite play. Next time Le'Veon Bell is pausing to wait for a lane to open, take a look around him and locate DeCastro. He'll be the one clearing the way.
  • Depth is a bit of a concern with this group, but few teams are above that worry.
2. Dallas Cowboys
POS. STARTER
LT Tyron Smith
LG Connor Williams
C Travis Frederick
RG Zack Martin
RT La'el Collins
Depth: Chaz Green, Cameron Fleming, Joe Looney, Marcus Martin

  • The Cowboys have three elite starters who are the heart of their offensive line. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott get the headlines, but Smith, Frederick, and Zack Martin are the source of their success.
  • If there's any hope for the Cowboys' unproven receiving corps, it lies with the time this line will give Prescott to look downfield and seek an open pass-catcher. According to Pro Football Focus, Frederick and Martin allowed just one sack in 2017.
  • Smith has missed three games each of the last two campaigns due to injury, and when he's out the line's upside is capped. The veteran told the team's website in April he's taking his offseason conditioning more seriously, hoping to stay off the sidelines.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
POS. STARTER
LT Jason Peters
LG Stefen Wisniewski
C Jason Kelce
RG Brandon Brooks
RT Lane Johnson

Depth: Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Chance Warmack, Isaac Seumalo, Matt Pryor

  • By now you should have noticed most of the league's best offensive lines come from successful teams, or maybe it's the other way around. The defending Super Bowl champions wouldn't have come close to that feat without the hard work of their line.
  • The Eagles overcoming Peters' season-ending injury midway through 2017 is a testament to the talent they have across the line and their depth. Peters is expected to be healthy for 2018, but he's also 36 years old. A return to his previous form can't be written in stone.
  • The Eagles will need to rely on this group to keep franchise quarterback Carson Wentz upright and healthy as he battles his way back from a torn ACL. Luckily, they have the top line in the game watching over him.
 
I just hope our guards study David de Castro and Wiz, both put on clinics every week !
 
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