NFL Offensive Line Rankings 2023 Spot fantasy football sleepers busts by knowing the best offensive lines

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NFL Offensive Line Rankings 2023 Spot fantasy football sleepers busts by knowing the best offensive lines

Everyone knows that fantasy football is all about skill position players. There's nothing fantasy owners love more than watching Patrick Mahomes fire a 35-yard dime to Travis Kelce or seeing Christian McCaffrey knife through a defense for a 50-yard touchdown.MORE: These are the big plays upon which fantasy superstars are born, but they don't do it alone. Often, they get a lot of help from theiroffensive lines. As such, knowing the best offensive line rankings for 2023 can go a long way toward helping you find fantasy sleepers and avoid busts.Yes, the big uglies don't get much attention. But the best NFL teams and top offenses tend to have the best blocking. Why? Because it allows more time for downfield pa ses, which boosts the ceilings of quarterbacks and deep-threat receivers. The impact on the running game is even greater, as having good blockers allows RBs to get farther downfield before being contacted.That phenomenon is what has helped Nick Chubb and Tony Pollard rise higher than they otherwise would have in preseason fantasy RB rankings. It's also why many will advocate for drafting rookies Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs earlier than the consensus.DOMINATE YOUR DRAFT: Fantasy football owners will also have to weigh whether Derrick Henry is worth an investment at his current price point, given he is running behind an unproven offensive line. The same can be said of last season's rushing leader, Josh Jacobs.As always, offensive line rankings aren't the be-all, end-all for spotting fantasy sleepers and busts. There are plenty of other factors, namely talent, that influence how skill players will fare. That said, knowledge of offensive lines is a useful tool for uncovering fantasy.Without further ado, let's kick off our 2023 offensive line rankings, starting with a No. 1 unit that will surprise very few football fans.2023 PPR RANKINGS: | | | | | | | | 1. Philadelphia EaglesLT Jordan MailataLG Landon DickersonC Jason KelceRG Cam JurgensRT Lane JohnsonThe Eagles have long had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and that shouldn't change in 2023. They are returning four starters from a blocking unit that helped lead the team to a Super Bowl appearance, and 2022 second-round pick Cam Jurgens figures to slide in at right guard to replace the departed Isaac Seumalo.Jurgens' performance will be important for the Eagles, but the team has some other depth options with which to replace him if he struggles. That includes rookie third-round pick Tyler Steen and veteran tackle Jack Driscoll. Kelce and Johnson remain among the best at their respective positions, so Philadelphia figures to once again be a strong blocking unit, especially in the running game.Last season, Jalen Hurts ranked fifth among quarterbacks in yards before contact per run (3.8), and Miles Sanders ranked fourth among running backs with a mark of 3.2. Hurts will stand to benefit from this blocking on designed runs, while D'Andre Swift and Rashaad Penny figure to reap the rewards that belonged to Sanders last season.2. Cleveland BrownsLT Jedrick WillsLG Joel BitonioC Ethan PocicRG Wyatt TellerRT Jack ConklinThe Browns were No. 1 in our 2022 offensive line rankings, and a case could be made for them atop this list as well. Bitonio and Teller are arguably the best guard tandem in the NFL, while center Ethan Pocic had a breakout year to tie everything together after the team parted with JC Tretter.What's keeping the Browns out of the top spot? Well, their tackle duo of Jedrick Wills and Jack Conklin combined to commit 21 penalties last season, with Wills allowing six sacks. Both need to cut down on the infractions in 2023 to ensure that Cleveland isn't too far behind the chains. Fortunately, both have the talent needed to do that.That Cleveland is returning all five starters will be great for continuity, especially in the running game. Nick Chubb logged 830 rushing yards before contact last season, good for fourth-best in the NFL, so his line will give him a chance to be the No. 1 overall fantasy running back (at least in standard leagues). He certainly deserves a cheat sheet upgrade given the succe s of his blocking unit and the departure of Kareem Hunt.2023 STANDARD RANKINGS: | | | | | | | | 3. Detroit LionsLT Taylor DeckerLG Jonah JacksonC Frank RagnowRG Halapoulivaati VaitaiRT Penei SewellThe Lions are shaping up to be a contender in the NFC (no, we're not kidding), and one of the reasons they are looking good is their offensive line. Detroit has a great tackle tandem, headlined by the burgeoning star Sewell and one of the toughest centers in the league in Frank Ragnow, who once played through a fractured throat.Detroit used a lot of players at guard last year, but if Jonah Jackson and Halapoulivaati Vaitai can stay healthy, that looks like a forceful five-manunit. If not, the team still has savvy veteran Graham Glasgow and 2020 fourth-round pick Logan Stenberg available in reserve to plug holes as needed.Either way, Detroit's line has a lot of talent and should keep Jared Goff clean again after allowing the second-fewest sacks last season (23). They should also open plenty of running lanes for Gibbs and David Montgomery, and each has star potential given that career backup Jamaal Williams finished 10th among running backs in yards before contact last season.4. Dallas CowboysLT Tyron SmithLG Tyler SmithC Tyler BiadaszRG Zack MartinRT Terence SteeleThe Cowboys' offensive line has been rock-solid in recent years and figures to be great again in 2023. But Zack Martin is holding out as he seeks a new contract, and if that lingers toward the start of the regular season, Dallas will be downgraded a bit.That said, if Martin does play, the team's five-man starting unit will be among the best in football. Tyler Smith looked excellent as a rookie, playing both tackle and guard, so the prospect of pairing him with Tyron Smith for a full season should excite Dak Prescott. The only weakne s with the unit could arise if the elder Smith's health becomes an i sue again, as Dallas doesn't have as much depth as it once did on the line.Still, the Cowboys' line is plenty talented enough to provide Prescott with a clean pocket and Tony Pollard with ample running lanes. Pollard averaged 5.2 yards per carry last season and, with more strong blocking, that mark will have a chance to remain high. Meanwhile, Prescott will continue to be a productive QB1 if Dallas can continue to surrender just about 1.5 sacks per game, tied for the fourth-fewest in the league last season.5. Atlanta FalconsLT Jake MatthewsLG Matthew BergeronC Drew DalmanRG Chris LindstromRT Kaleb McGaryThe Falcons were the second-most run-heavy team in the NFL last season with good reason. They have an elite run-blocking offensive line, headlined by All-Pro second-team guard Chris Lindstrom and long-time stalwart tackle Jake Matthews. That should give Robinson a chance to find succe s in 2023.Keeping McGary was a huge achievement for the Falcons, as the ma sive 2019 first-round pick has developed into a high-end right tackle: He posted a91.6 run-blocking grade last season, per Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, Lindstrom posted NFL Cleveland Browns Jersey a league-best mark of 93.1, also per PFF, so that duo should help open up plenty of lanes for the rookie Robinson.Atlanta's line has a few question marks, though. It's unclear if the team will find succe s in enough obvious pa sing situations, or whether Bergeron can be an upgrade at left guard right away. Still, this unit is full of ferocious road graders who perfectly fit what Arthur Smith wants to do in 2023.6. Kansas City ChiefsLT Donovan SmithLG Joe ThuneyC Creed HumphreyRG Trey SmithRT Jawaan TaylorThe Chiefs are once again making some key changes at offensive tackle. They signed Jawaan Taylor to replace Andrew Wylie and Donovan Smith to replace Orlando Brown Jr., with the former providing an upgrade and the latter being a downgrade. That said, both new tackles have plenty of starting experience, so that should give the Chiefs a chance to sport one of the NFL's best offensive lines in 2023.Kansas City has arguably the best interior offensive line in the NFL. Joe Thuney is an iron man, Creed Humphrey was PFF's top-graded center for 2022 and Smith is a monstrous blocker who has star potential if he can cut down on his six penalties from last season. That unit will provide Patrick Mahomes with plenty of protection and allow him to avoid being sacked from the interior often.The Chiefs' strong line is a big boost to Mahomes, who will have plenty of time to make plays from the pocket while also being able to use his mobility to make plays outside of it. Fans certainly won't see him under a ton of pre sure like he was in Super Bowl 55 against the Buccaneers, so that will be a boost for his fantasy outlook.Isiah Pacheco, who finished 10th in average yards before contact last season with a mark of 3.2, will also benefit from this arrangement. The only thing that will hold him back is Andy Reid's committee-back approach in a pa s-heavy offense.2023 FANTASY SLEEPERS | | | | | 7. Baltimore RavensLT Ronnie StanleyLG Ben ClevelandC Tyler LinderbaumRG Kevin ZeitlerRT Morgan MosesIt seems like the Ravens have a strong offensive line every year, and this season is no exception. The unit is not without question, as it lost star left guard Ben Powers to free agency and left tackle Ronnie Stanley hasn't been able to stay healthy, but the right side of the line looks strong.When Stanley is on the field, he's one of the league's best offensive tackles and will allow Lamar Jackson extra time and space within which to make plays. With the experienced Patrick Mekari and young, mammoth Daniel Faalele behind Stanley, the Ravens have better insurance than they have po se sed in recent years behind the oft-injured star.So, the Ravens look prepared to have a top-10 line. However, if Stanley goes down again, they will likely drop into the ranks of the average. That could ultimately have an impact on the rating of Jackson, JK Dobbins, and the team's other running backs, so keep a close eye on Stanley ahead of the season.8. Cincinnati BengalsLT Orlando Brown Jr.LG Cordell VolsonC Ted KarrasRG Alex CappaRT Jonah WilliamsThe Bengals have slowly but surely turned their offensive line from a weakne s in JC Tretter Jersey Super Bowl 56 to a strength ahead of 2023. The team succe sfully improved its interior offensive line during the '22 offseason and landed a big fish in Brown to lock down its previously problematic left tackle spot.Jonah Williams surrendered a league-high 12 sacks on the left side last year while La'el Collins had trouble staying healthy on the right side. Brown is an upgrade over Williams, as he allowed just four sacks last year, and will allow the Alabama product to kick over to the right side where his skill set may be more useful.With Collins in reserve, their tackle depth is sounder than it was in '22.The Bengals should allow le s pre sure with Brown on the right side either way, so that will be good news for Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins. Why? Because Burrow will have more time to find them on downfield shot plays. The team's run blocking is still just middling though, so Joe Mixon doesn't receive much of an advantage despite the left tackle upgrade.9. Green Bay PackersLT David BakhtiariLG Elgton JenkinsC JoshMyersRG Jon RunyanRT Zach TomThe big question for the Packers' offensive line is whether it can find sustained succe s with Jordan Love replacing Aaron Rodgers. The Packers allowed him an average pocket time of 2.4 seconds per play last year, good for 19th in the NFL.Rodgers found succe s despite this below-average mark. If Love holds the ball longer, the numbers for the Packers' line could decrease.Still, there is reason for optimism in Green Bay. Bakhtiari's health remains a question mark, but he and Jenkins would create a formidable left side of the line if both are healthy. Tom found succe s at left tackle last year, posting a respectable 78.1 pa s-blocking grade in place of Bakhtiari.All told, though, the succe s of this line in the pa sing game is going to be more predicated on Love's pocket presence than anything else. Either way, the team should retain its succe s in the running game, as Aaron Jones ranked 13th in the league in average yards before contact (3.0). That will make him a nice early fantasy pick, especially with a potential increase in volume after Rodgers' departure.2023 AUCTION VALUES (Standard PPR): | | | | | | 10. Denver BroncosLT Garett BollesLG Ben PowersC Lloyd Cushenberry IIIRG Quinn MeinerzRT Mike McGlincheyThe Broncos' offensive line was a problem last season. The team spent the resources needed to upgrade it during the offseason, as Powers and McGlinchey were signed to fill what had been long-term problem spots at left guard and right tackle.Powers was an excellent all-around blocker for the Ravens last year, so he should be a plug-and-play upgrade. Meanwhile, McGlinchey committed 10 penalties and allowed six sacks last season, so some may be concerned about his fit. Still, he is a great run blocker and is significantly better than the half-measures the Broncos have used at the position over the last handful of seasons.Add in Bolles' return from an injury, and the Broncos' line suddenly looks solid. That should give the unit a chance to cut down on the 162 pre sures (second most in the NFL) it allowed of Ru sell Wilson last season. That could mean a stock up for Wilson, while the addition of Powers and McGlinchey will give Javonte WIlliams and Samaje Perine wider running lanes with which to generate yardage.11. Indianapolis ColtsLT Bernhard RaimannLG Quenton NelsonC Ryan KellyRG Will FriesRT Braden SmithThe Colts' offensive line was a ma sive disappointment last season, as the unit simply didn't play well enough in front of Matt Ryan to elevate the team into postseason contention. Every blocker seemed to have a down year, and there were questions abound about the team's left tackle position.Raimann, a second-year player, remains a question mark, but he improved as his rookie year went on. If he can continue to take steps forward, the Colts' line won't have too many weakne ses provided that Kelly can bounce back after a below-average two-year stretch at the center position.Jonathan Taylor averaged just 2.5 yards before contact last season, but that number should improve with the mobile Anthony Richardson playing alongside him. As such, the Indy offensive line should primarily focus on cutting down on the 60 sacks they allowed last season, second worst in the league behind the Broncos. If they can do that, they can turn Taylor (or whoever is playing RB) and Richardson into solid value picks.12. Minnesota VikingsLT Christian DarrisawLG Ezra ClevelandC Garrett BradburyRG Ed IngramRT Brian O'NeillIf the Broncos and Colts are wild cards to improve, the Vikings should be a relatively safe pick as an above-average starting line. They are returning all five starters from last season and have a strong, athletic tackle tandem in Darrisaw and O'Neill.Darrisaw was PFF's second-rated offensive tackle behind only Trent Williams last season while O'Neill checked in at eighth overall. The duo still allowed a combined 11 sacks of Kirk Cousins, but as Darrisaw improves, that number should drop. Their ability to block well in space will be appreciated by Alexander Mattison.The Vikings' interior line isn't as strong as their tackle tandem. Bradbury has had an up-and-down career while Ingram had his share of i sues as a rookie. Still, this unit should continue to mesh and cut down on the league-high 166 pre sures Cousins was under last season. That will allow him to be a nice value pick in fantasy once again.2023 POSITION TIERS DRAFT STRATEGY: | | | | 13. Los Angeles ChargersLT Rashawn SlaterLG Jamaree SalyerC Corey LinsleyRG Zion JohnsonRT Trey PipkinsThe Chargers' offensive line was without Slater for most of last season after he suffered a torn biceps in Week 3 against the Jaguars. He is set to return to action, and that should give the team a ma sive boost considering that Slater is one of the best left tackles in the league.The rest of the line will largely remain intact, though Salyer the replacement for Slater at tackle will kick inside to guard. This unit looks particularly good on that left side, including stalwart center Linsley, while Johnson, a 2022 first-round pick, should improve in his second full season at right guard.Los Angeles' line is good enough that it shouldn't negatively impact either Justin Herbert or Austin Ekeler. It created a respectable 2.6 yards before contact per run last year while allowing Herbert the sixth-most pocket time in the league at 2.5 seconds per pa s. So, the Chargers' offensive players should still be great fantasy pickups and have the potential to be even better if their young blockers continue to improve.14. New York JetsLT Duane BrownLG Laken TomlinsonC Joe TippmannRG Alijah Vera-TuckerRT Mekhi BectonAnalysts have varying levels of confidence in the Jets' offensive line, and it is largely related to the health of their top tackles. The 37-year-old Brown is on the PUP list to start camp, and Becton has been limited to just one game in the past two seasons.Still, despite those questions, the Jets have a strong interior line, headlined by Alijah Vera-Tucker, and got an upgrade at center (Tippmann) in the 2023 NFL Draft. So, if their tackles can stay healthy or if either Max Mitchell or Billy Turner can hold up in reserve this unit looks like a good one.The Jets will also be helped by Rodgers' quicker release and ability to navigate the pocket. That should allow them to cut down on the 42 sacks they surrendered last season while giving Garrett Wilson more opportunities to make catches.15. New Orleans SaintsLT Trevor PenningLG Andrus PeatC Erik McCoyRG Cesar RuizRT Ryan RamczykThe Saints still have strong play at center and right tackle, but Ruiz hasn't panned out the way they had hoped after making him a first-round pick. Penning still has plenty of upside as a first-round pick from 2022, but he only played 66 snaps as a rookie because of injuries.New Orleans has some experienced depth on its roster in James Hurts and Max Garcia, so the team should be able to withstand injuries. That's good news considering that Peat has had injury i sues during his career in addition to Peat.All told, the Saints' line looks OK, but it shouldn't have an overly positive impact on their running game. Derek Carr might actually struggle a bit more with the average of just 2.3 seconds of pocket time compared to the 2.6 he got from his Raiders blockers last season.FANTASY DRAFT STRATEGY: | | | | 16. Houston TexansLT Laremy TunsilLG Kenyon GreenC Juice ScruggsRG Shaq MasonRT Tytus HowardThe Texans' offensive line was once the laughingstock of the NFL, but they have improved it in recent years. Tunsil and the recently extended Howard make a strong tackle tandem and while the interior wasn't good in 2022, they made some upgrades to it in '23 to ensure C.J. Stroud will be well protected.Green struggled as a rookie in '22, but he was a first-round pick and should improve going into his second season. Elsewhere, Mason has long been a solid starter, so he should be a good starter for the team, even if he is at the back end of his career. The main question is whether Scruggs, who was widely regarded as a reach in the second round of the '23 NFL Draft, will be able to lock down the center job out of the chute.The Texans line certainly has upside and they should keep Stroud clean on the outside, at the very least. That said, if their young, interior blockers don't pan out, the rookie quarterback could be under a lot of pre sure up the middle, which would be le s than ideal. They will be similarly neutral on Dameon Pierce, who averaged just 2.0 yards before contact per carry last season.17. San Francisco 49ersLT Trent WilliamsLG Aaron BanksC Jake BrendelRG Spencer BurfordRT Colton McKivitzThe good news for the 49ers: Williams was PFF's top-graded offensive lineman during the 2022 NFL season and remains the best blocker in the NFL. The bad news: the rest of their line is relatively unproven.Banks, Burford and McKivitz were all recent draft picks, so they have the upside needed to develop into solid starters. That said, they are all relatively inexperienced, and if any fail to live up to their potential, that could cause Brock Purdy to be under a lot of pre sure. Add in that Brendel was just PFF's 20th-ranked center last season, and this line combination is full of risk.The 49ers do have the experienced Jon Feliciano in reserve along with Matt Pryor, so that will at least give them some insurance behind their youth. Still, it's hard to expect that this team will block as well for Christian McCaffrey in the running game as it did last season. That won't impact the veteran too much he's still a top-five fantasy player in all formats but it will take a bit more off his ceiling than most would realize.18. Pittsburgh SteelersLT Broderick JonesLG Isaac SeumaloC Mason ColeRG James DanielsRT Chukwuma OkoraforFor the second consecutive offseason, the Steelers signed one of the best guards on the free agent market in Seumalo. The former Eagles allowed just one sack during 2022 and helped the Eagles get to the Super Bowl. Pairing him with Daniels and Cole should be a long-term recipe for succe s in the middle of the line.The Steelers also tried to plug their biggest hole, at left tackle, by trading up to select Broderick Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Jones is raw, but his upside is sky-high. If he pans out, Pittsburgh's line will go from being a mediocre unit to suddenly being above average once again.For now, though, the Steelers are just a middling unit that has struggled in run blocking. Najee Harris ranked 40th of 46 qualified running backs in yards before contact per carry (2.1), so unle s Jones and Seumalo improve that greatly, Harris deserves a downgrade. The team's pa s-blocking is a bit better, so Kenny Pickett and Co. will remain solid fantasy sleepers for Pittsburgh.19. Buffalo BillsLT Dion DawkinsLG Connor McGovernC Mitch MorseRG Ryan BatesRT Spencer BrownThe Bills have a lot of good blockers on their line. They also have plenty of solid veteran depth, as the acquisition of McGovern, David Edwards and selection of O'Cyrus Torrence in the 2023 draft further added to their player reserves on the offensive line.So, why are the Bills ranked 19th overall among NFL offensive lines? Well, simply put, they lack elite blockers up front outside of perhaps Dawkins, who allowed just three sacks and 30 pre sures last season. They are solid against the run, as evidenced by Devin Singletary's 3.1 yards before contact from last season Christian Kirksey Jersey , and only surrendered 33 sacks of Josh Allen, too.That said, the Bills got a lot of help last year from Allen's mobility and Singletary's shiftine s. As such, it's hard to say they are a unit.20. Chicago BearsLT Braxton JonesLG Teven JenkinsC Cody WhitehairRG Nate DavisRT Darnell WrightThe Bears' offensive line was one of the NFL's worst during 2022. They are looking much better ahead of the '23 campaign thanks to two major acquisitions on the right side of the line.Davis, a free agent signing, and Wright, the No. 9 pick in the '23 NFL Draft, should transform the right side of the line from a weakne s to a long-term strength. Davis developed into a well-rounded blocker for the Titans after being a fourth-round pick while Wright went 19 games without allowing a sack at Tenne see.The upgraded right side, plus the upside of Jones and Jenkins on the left side, should give the Bears better blocking in '23 as a whole. That is good news for Justin Fields as a runner and a pa ser; it's also good news for Khalil Herbert, who averaged 3.1 yards per carry before contact (12th best in the NFL) behind a worse line last year. He will make for a good sleeper provided that he doesn't lose carries to D'Onta Foreman and Roschon Johnson.21. New York GiantsLT Andrew ThomasLG Ben BredesonC John Michael SchmitzRG Mark GlowinskiRT Evan NealThe Giants have one of the best left tackles in the game in Andrew Thomas, so many will wonder why they are checking in at 21 here. The answer is simple. They haven't found enough pieces around him to break into the above-average segment yet.That said, it seems like the Giants' line is moving in the right direction. Neal struggled as a rookie, but the top-10 pick from the 2022 NFL Draft showed signs of improvement at the end of the season. Glowinski has long been a solid starter, while Schmitz figures to be a plug-and-play center during his rookie season.Indeed, there's plenty of reason for optimism with the Giants, but it may still take some time for the whole unit to come together. Still, the line has better personnel (and experience) than it did in '22, so Saquon Barkley may improve upon his2.5 yards per carry before contact, and Daniel Jones should cut down on the 44 sacks he suffered last season.22. New England PatriotsLT Trent BrownLG Cole StrangeC David AndrewsRG Michael OnwenuRT Riley ReiffThe Patriots have been a staple in the top 10 of these rankings, but after their poor performance as a unit in 2022, it's hard to trust them coming into '23.The Patriots have some solid personnel. Andrews has long been a solid center, Onwenu has been a steal as a sixth-round pick, and Brown was once a Pro Bowl talent for the Raiders in '19. Add in that Strange was a first-round pick in '22 and Reiff has started 149 games, and this unit doesn't look too bad.That said, Brown has struggled with consistency, while Reiff (34) and Andrews (31) may soon start to slow down. If any linemen endure injuries or struggles in '23, the Patriots don't have a lot of proven depth available to replace them. They drafted three rookies this offseason, but it may take time for them to be ready to play at the NFL level.With that said, this unit could still improve dramatically with Matt Patricia out of the picture. Still, it's hard to trust Mac Jones to be a viable fantasy option with uncertain blocking, so only target him in 2-QB or superflex leagues. Rhamondre Stevenson should still be a high-quality play, however, given that he averaged 2.9 yards before contact behind a similar-looking line last season.23. Carolina PanthersLT Ikem EkwonuLG Brady ChristensenC Bradley BozemanRG Austin CorbettRT Taylor MotonThe Panthers' line was supposed to take a step forward in 2022 after the offseason upgrades the team made to it. That didn't materialize.There's still reason for hope in Carolina. Ekwonu improved as his rookie year went on, while Bozeman will have a chance to be fully healthy after being banged up last season. Plus, the team is returning its five starters from last season, so the continuity could allow them to improve.Also helpful is the fact that Sam Darnold averaged 2.7 seconds of pocket time per game in six starts, good for second best in the NFL behind Justin Fields. That could be a good sign for Bryce Young given the mobility that the rookie po se ses.So, Young looks like a solid fantasy sleeper with that in mind even despite Carolina's lack Sheldrick Redwine Jersey of high-quality receiving weapons. As for Miles Sanders' potential, it's lower than what it was with the Eagles, as D'Onta Foreman averaged 2.5 yards before contact in Carolina last season compared to Sanders' 3.2 in Philadelphia.24. Los Angeles RamsLT Joe NoteboomLG Steve AvilaC Brian AllenRG Logan Bru sRT Rob HavensteinThe Rams' offensive line has regre sed rapidly since the team's Super Bowl 56 win. Andrew Whitworth's retirement catalyzed changes up front, and the team is still looking to rebuild after it. Los Angeles also dealt with many O-line injuries in 2022, so they should be decent in '23 if they stay healthy.Still, the Rams have an inexperienced guard duo of Avila and Bru s set to start. At tackle, Noteboom allowed five sacks and committed three penalties in just 325 snaps last year. He will have to be better, while Havenstein (eight penalties, six sacks) will also need to clean up his shortcomings following a shaky year.The Rams are still thin behind their starting unit, too, so that could impact their ability to block for Matthew Stafford and Cam Akers. The former shouldn't be anything more than a QB2 consideration this year, while Akers who averaged just 2.0 yards before contact last season, second worst in the NFL may actually improve if the Rams stay healthy.That remains a big if, though.25. Seattle SeahawksLT Charles Cro sLG Damien LewisC Evan BrownRG Phil HaynesRT Abraham LucasSeattle did well to find Cro s and Lucas in the 2022 NFL Draft, as both flashed starter potential as rookies. Lewis is probably the team's best offensive lineman, as he was graded as PFF's 11th-best guard last season.That said, Cro s and Lucas combined to allow 16 sacks and commit 14 penalties, so they still need time to develop. The team doesn't have a lot of talent or depth on the interior line, so things could fall apart quickly if either Cro s or Lucas fails to take a step forward.Geno Smith and the duo of Kenneth Walker and Zach Charbonnet could end up being inconsistent because of these blocking i sues. However, Seattle's metrics in yards before contact and pocket time allowed were both below-average last season, so it isn't like this is a major change for their fantasy outlooks.26. Miami DolphinsLT Terron ArmsteadLG Liam EichenbergC Connor WilliamsRG Robert HuntRT Austin JacksonMiami fans may cry foul about this ranking, as the team does have three strong starters in Armstead, Williams, and Hunt. That said, Eichenberg and Jackson are both problem spots, as Eichenberg graded 75th of 77 qualified guards last season, per PFF, while Jackson played just 84 snaps in 2022 due to injuries.Therein lies the i sue with the Dolphins: injuries. As good as Armstead is, he is rarely fully healthy. He has never played a full season during his NFL career and has averaged just 12 games per season over the past five years. If he can't get on the field, Isaiah Wynn who ranked 72nd out of 81 tackles last season will be called upon to replace him. That could put Tua Tagovailoa in some precarious situations.Tua still found succe s despite having an average pocket time of 2.3 seconds last season, so that won't be a huge downgrade for him. The bigger i sue is that he may take more hits. That will be problematic given his injury history, so anyone who selects him as a low-end QB1 needs a high-end backup behind him.The running game should be a bit better off, as Mike McDaniel's blocking scheme has allowed Raheem Mostert and Jeff Wilson Jr. to find succe s before. It's just a matter of which of those players gets the most touches or whether De'Von Achane outdoes them.27. Tampa Bay BuccaneersLT Tristan WirfsLG Matt FeilerC Ryan JensenRG Cody MauchRT Luke GoedekeThe Buccaneers have one of the elite tackles in the game in Wirfs. However, even he is a question mark heading into this season.Wirfs is moving from right tackle to left tackle after the team parted with Donovan Smith. Wirfs should find succe s on the opposite side, but it will require him to change up his technique, and that is always a risk at the NFL level.The Buccaneers have a lot of questions elsewhere, too. Jensen is coming off a major knee injury; Mauch is just a rookie who is moving from tackle in college to guard in the NFL; and Goedeke struggled immensely in limited playing time last season.Given that the Buccaneers' line struggled to block for Tom Brady and Leonard Fournette last season, it's hard to imagine Baker Mayfield and Rachaad White having much more succe s. If the team can only give Mayfield 2.2 seconds of pocket time like Brady received last season, then fantasy owners are going to want to target the D/ST playing the Buccaneers often in 2023. Obviously, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin will also be negatively affected.28. Jacksonville JaguarsLT Cam RobinsonLG Ben BartchC Luke FortnerRG Brandon ScherffRT Anton HarrisonIt seems like the Jaguars have been investing resources into their offensive line for years now, yet they continue to stagnate. The main i sue is that they haven't Trevon Coley Jersey yet been able to find long-term answers at offensive tackle.Robinson has been a solid but unspectacular left tackle for them, allowing four sacks and committing eight penalties in 2022, but he is suspended for six games to start the season. Jacksonville will have to start Walker Little, who allowed a sack and committed two penalties in 234 snaps, in his place to begin the season, while rookie first-round pick Anton Harrison will replace the solid Jawaan Taylor at right tackle.Brandon Scherff has been an All-Pro, so the interior offensive line should be OK in '23. Still, it's tough to feel confident that Trevor Lawrence's 2.2 seconds of pocket time third worst in the NFL will improve. That could lead to sacks and turnovers as a result. Travis Etienne, meanwhile, will rely more on his breakaway speed to become a fantasy factor than the blocking in front of him.29. Las Vegas RaidersLT Kolton MillerLG Dylan ParhamC Andre JamesRG Alex BarsRT Jermaine EluemunorJimmy Garoppolo will be happy to have Kolton Miller at his disposal in Las Vegas, but the rest of his line is unsettled. The unit overachieved in Josh McDaniels' first year as head coach, so it remains to be seen whether they will once again exceed expectations.Parham is entering his second season after being a mid-round pick while James is a solid center. The question is whether Bars and Eluemunor can hold up on the right side. Eluemunor was PFF's 21st-graded tackle of 81 last season, and Bars was 71st of 77 guards. So, if Eluemunor regre ses, Garoppolo could be under a lot of pre sure from the right side.Last season, the Raiders allowed 2.6 seconds of pocket time for Derek Carr, good for the third-best mark in the NFL. If Garoppolo gets similar treatment, he can be a good QB2 option as long as he stays healthy. However, any regre sion would jeopardize his efficacy; and the team's run blocking, which generated 2.4 yards before contact per carry last season, won't be anything better than average for Josh Jacobs.30. Washington CommandersLT Charles Leno Jr.LG Chris PaulC Nick GatesRG Sam CosmiRT Andrew WylieCommanders fans are understandably rejoicing that Dan Snyder is gone. He oversaw the team when it botched the Trent Williams situation and led to the NFL's top tackle being traded to the 49ers for pennies on the dollar.That was years ago now, but the Washington line still hasn't quite recovered. They have had some flashes of solid play at times, but right now, Leno is entering the twilight of his career, and the team is welcoming three new starters to its line (with Cosmi officially kicking inside to guard).Cosmi certainly has potential at guard, but Paul was a seventh-round draft pick while Gates and Wylie both graded as below-average players at their positions last season. Unle s any of those four can take a big step forward, the Washington line will be nothing more than decent. That makes Sam Howell a risky QB2, while Brian Robinson and Antonio Gibson will struggle to exceed their 2.2 average yards before contact from last season.It also could cap the downfield efficacy of Terry McLaurin and Jahan Dotson if Howell doesn't have time to throw.31. Arizona CardinalsLT D.J. HumphriesLG Elijah WilkinsonC Hjalte FroholdtRG Will HernandezRT Paris Johnson Jr.The Cardinals are in a similar boat to the Commanders. One could argue that the presence of Paris Johnson gives them more upside than Washington, but their interior offensive line is far more questionable than that of their NFC counterpart.Johnson was considered the best tackle prospect in the 2023 NFL Draft by man, and he should form a solid tandem with Humphries, who allowed zero sacks in 525 snaps last season. That said, Humphries has a checkered injury history, and if the 29-year-old tackle goes down, the Cardinals don't have the depth needed to replace him.Furthermore, Wilkinson and Hernandez committed five and seven penalties respectively last season, a high number for guards, so they have their warts. Froholdt has been in the NFL for four seasons and has just six starts, so that's not a great sign for their starting center.All that's to say that if Kyler Murray (knee) gets on the field in 2023, he will have to run a lot to create time to find Marquise Brown and Co. downfield. As for James Conner, it's hard to imagine him improving upon the 2.4 yards before contact average he had last season, which ranked in the bottom half of NFL running backs.32. Tenne see TitansLT Andre DillardLG Peter SkoronskiC Aaron BrewerRG Daniel BrunskillRT Nicolas Petit-FrereTenne see's offensive line has turned over in its entirety over the last couple of offseasons. Gone are Taylor Lewan, Rodger Saffold, Ben Jones, Nate Davis, and David Que senberry. In are a collection of unproven players with upside but that haven't yet proven themselves at the NFL level.Skoronski, a first-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, looks the most likely of the bunch to succeed while Dillard, a first-round pick in '19, is finally getting a chance to start away from the Eagles. The rest of the line is full of question marks, especially with Petit-Frere suspended six games for violating the NFL's gambling policy.The Titans lack depth on the line, too, so it's easy to imagine this unit struggling as it comes together in '23. That means Derrick Henry will have to work hard to create his own yardage which means absorbing more hits and injury risks while Ryan Tannehill will have to throw quickly to avoid being pre sured.So, if you're looking for a reason to avoid selecting Henry with one of your early fantasy picks, this is the best argument against trusting him.
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