With the draft right around the corner, teams are going to be looking to change their future for the better. While offensive linemen won’t get the shine many skill players get, they are crucial in keeping the playmakers safe and being able to execute when needed. We are past the majority of the big free agency signings so now teams will have a chance to draft their protectors for the future. Time to take look at where each offensive line in the NFL stands headed into the NFL draft here in a few weeks.
1. Philadelphia Eagles
Even with the departure of All-Pro Jason Peters, the Eagles are in good hands upfront. Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson, and Jason Kelce all have multiple All-Pro and Pro-Bowl appearances as well as big-game experience. Andre Dillard was drafted in the first round a year ago and will fill the shoes of Peters. If they go OL in the draft it will more than likely be prepping for the future.
2. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have maybe the best offensive linemen in all of football in Quentin Nelson and have a reliable cast of no name offensive linemen surrounding him. Anthony Castonzo has been one of the best tackles in football for the past several seasons. They will be tasked with keeping an aging Phillip Rivers upright.
3. Baltimore Ravens
With the retirement of Hall of Fame caliber guard Marshall Yanda the Ravens could look to go interior protector early in the draft but they are still in good hands with two good young tackles in Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown Jr. For Baltimore to find success they will need to be able to run the ball.
4. New Orleans Saints
The Saints are very solid across the board. Resigning Andrus Peat was a big move to keep the chemistry of their line solidified. Terron Armstead and Ryan Ramczyk were both 2019 All-Pro’s and did a good job to help one of the league’s most potent offenses.
5. Green Bay Packers
The Packers found good chemistry up front this past season and it helped them to a 13-3 record. According to PFF it took pass rushers an average of 2.66 sceonds to get a pressure which ranks them the best in the NFL in that metric.
6. Dallas Cowboys
The surprise retirement of center Travis Fredrick and an aging Tryon Smith could have the Cowboys going offensive line early in the draft. They will return La’el Collins and Zach Martin on the right side which is still better than most teams can muster.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
The addition of Stefan Wisniewski will make an already veteran crew even more experienced. However, don’t be surprised if the Steelers look to the draft for the future of their offensive line.
8. Tennesee Titans
The Titans are a team built around pounding the rock, so with the departure of RT Jack Conklin the Titans could look to reload in the up coming draft.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers quietly put together a good 2019 campaign up front. With Tom Brady now in town, protection will be key. With veteran Ryan Jensen at the center position Tampa should be solid again in 2020.
10. San Francisco 49ers
An aging Joe Staley could lead to a developmental pick at the tackle spot but other than that the Niners will be locked and loaded to play their brand of smash mouth football once more.
11. New England Patriots
Bringing back Joe Thuney should help a no name crew. Much is up in the air in Foxboro with the departure of Tom Brady but the Patriots should be solid up front.
12. Oakland Raiders
The interior of the Raiders offensive line is solid but they could address the tackle position in the draft. It will help them to run the ball with Josh Jacobs, and don’t be surprised if they use a pick on a premium pass rusher.
13. Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota’s offense was sparked in 2019 due to improved play up front and they will look for more of the same in 2020.
14. New York Giants
The Giants will need to invest in the tackle position this draft but they have pieces in place to have a top tier offensive line in the near future.
15. Kansas City Chiefs
Maybe one of the weakest offensive lines to win a Super Bowl in recent memory, the Chiefs have two very good tackles in Mich Schwartz and Eric Fisher but the guard position is up in the air. Austin Reiter is not bad in the middle but the center position could also be bolstered through the draft.
16. Detroit Lions
The departure of Graham Glasgow will be big and they will need to find help to replace him on the inside.
17. Houston Texans
Laremy Tunsil was a big addition to the Houston offensive line but inconsistency plagued their play. It will be very important to keep Deshaun Watson healthy this upcoming season.
18. Washington Redskins
The Redskins franchise tagged Brandon Scherff, but bookend tackle Trent Williams future is uncertain following his dispute with the front office over medical issues.
19. Buffalo Bills
2020 should be a big year for growth up front with the Bills. Look for major improvement from Cody Ford and also look for Buffalo to draft some interior depth.
20. Carolina Panthers
The rebuild is on in Carolina and look for new head coach Matt Rhule to make some much needed moves up front to help bolster his line and keep star Christian McCaffrey healthy.
21. Denver Broncos
Garett Bolles has struggled at LT and it might be time for a change in the mile-high city. Keeping Drew Lock healthy will be key for this franchise moving forward.
22. Cleveland Browns
Signing RT Jack Conklin should do wonders for a position of need on the team. I expect them to draft a LT early. It could be a Tristan Wirfs, Mekhi Becton, or Jedrick Wills.
23. Chicago Bears
The retirement of Kyle Long muddies the water for what Chicago could go after in the draft but there is a need at not only guard but also an upgrade at tackle.
24. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have a good center in Alex Mack and a good LT in Jake Matthews but they need help at the guard position.
25. New York Jets
The entire Jets offensive line could use an upgrade. I expect them to be heavy in the tackle market for the draft but a day two interior player is also in the realm of possibility.
26. Arizona Cardinals
Arizona has a strong foundation but they will need to continue to improve up front to help keep the development of Kyler Murray on pace.
27. Jacksonville Jaguars
Cam Robinson and A.J. Cann have been good for the past couple of seasons but improvement is still needed. I think they are a top candidate for a day two interior player.
28. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins could look to take the QB of their future in the first round but they will also need to invest via draft in a premier LT (or RT) to help them turn their franchise around. They have the draft capital to do it.
29. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams will have to take linemen at some point in the draft. My guess is they go with the best guard possible.
30. Cincinnati Bengals
If the Bengals are to draft Joe Burrow number one overall they should try to trade back up and get a tackle. If not then Burrow might take some big shots in year one.
31. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks offensive line was putrid in 2019. Russell Wilson was on the run most of the season and the team struggled to establish the ground game. Their line must be addressed in this draft.
32. Los Angeles Chargers
With no QB set in stone, the Chargers also haven’t shown much of a plan for what to do at LT. The addition of an aging Bryan Bulaga should help some but they still need to work on the entire left side of their line.
