Editor’s Note: Offensive line coaches are in parentheses.
TIER 1: Elite Offensive Lines
1. BUCS (Joe Gilbert)
LT Donovan Smith
LG Ali Marpet
C Ryan Jensen
RG Alex Cappa
RT Tristan Wirfs
The Bucs’ offensive line has been in the elite tier from start to finish this season thanks to being the healthiest line in the NFL with just one missed game between all five starters. The line has three Pro Bowlers on it this season for some much-deserved recognition with a high likelihood of having multiple All-Pro selections when those come out as well. Yes, it is true that they are helped by the unmatched discipline of QB Tom Brady in the pocket, but guys like Ali Marpet and Ryan Jensen were outstanding before Brady got there while Tristan Wirfs is a bonafide stud on tape due to his rare physical traits and how often he shuts down top-tier competition on an island in pass protection. Donovan Smith has been helped the most by Brady and is playing the best ball of his career due to being able to utilize his size and strength to play inside-out on rushers without having to protect the corner very often thanks to how quickly the ball is gone. This is a line with a ton of talent and continuity that are firing on all cylinders heading into the playoffs.
TIER 2: Very Good Offensive Lines
2. EAGLES (Jeff Stoutland)
LT Jordan Mailata
LG Landon Dickerson
C Jason Kelce
RG Nate Herbig
RT Lane Johnson
If this were a ranking of run-blocking units, the Eagles would be in the first tier, but they are still a very good collection of pass-protectors led by right tackle Lane Johnson and center Jason Kelce. Kelce acts as a force multiplier for the line and does a lot to assist each guard spot who are much better run- than pass-blockers. Left tackle Jordan Mailata can blot out the sun at 6’8”, 365 pounds and is a tough guy for rushers to work around even if his technique can still get away from him a few times a game. The line is led by an elite line coach in Jeff Stoutland and isn’t asked to pass protect very often relative to other teams, so they are consistently put in positions to accentuate their strengths. They just happen to have a couple of elite pass-protectors with a well-designed scheme that secures their spot in Tier 2.
3. COWBOYS (Joe Philbin)
LT Tyron Smith
LG Connor Williams
C Tyler Biadasz
RG Zack Martin
RT La’El Collins
The Cowboys have had their issues this season at left guard and center, but Tyler Biadasz has really settled in and become a solid starter over the second half of the year. Connor Williams is still the weak link of the group and can get burned in pass protection against very good or better competition, but he is easier to hide with Biadasz’s rise and inside of Tyron Smith. The right side of the unit is very strong led by superstar right guard Zack Martin and two very talented options at right tackle in La’El Collins and Terrence Steele. Collins has the job right now but the line is protected against injury in a way no other team in the playoffs can match with Steele on the bench.
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