Ranking the top 15 players at each position on the O-line entering the 2024 season (Top 75)

Over the last three off-seasons (2021, 2022 & 2023) I’ve ranked my top 15 at each position on the O-line (top 75). This helps me process the landscape of starters entering a season and breaks up players into broader groups of ability that crystallize where certain guys fall in the pecking order relative to their peers. The order within tiers is more malleable and can be debated while the cut-off points between tiers are more of a concrete way of stacking players.

The tiers are based on my 1-7 grading scale that I use for my trait-based style of scouting. It helps to look at the pool of players in the NFL on a spectrum over a bell curve. The bulk of the players fall somewhere between 3-5 (average performers) while the numbers shrink on the margins (1-2 low performers & 6-7 high performers).

1 = Elite. These players win essentially all reps against any level of competition below ‘elite’ while splitting reps evenly with other elite players. There are very few players in this tier at any position in a given season, and it represents the smallest bucket of players (along with tier 7). This rarified group produces scheme transcendent players that regularly play at an All-Pro level regardless of the situation around them.

2 = Very good. These players are impact starters that win the majority of their reps against lower tier players, split them among other tier 2 players and can compete with tier 1 players in spurts. This group is where most All-Pro and Pro Bowl selections come from and are often referred to as ‘blue chip’ starters.

3 = Good or above average. These players compete with the majority of competition across the NFL. They rarely win any rep handily, lose most of them when isolated against higher tiers and are referred to as ‘red chip’ starters. Red chip players, or above average/good starters, can have Pro Bowl selections on their resume and some blue chip traits. However, they lack the consistency of higher tiered players and are often more dependent on the system and players around them for success.

4 = Solid or average. These players form the lifeblood of most NFL rosters. They have dependable skill-sets and can be developed into tier 3 players. They often have a more clearly defined ceiling than tier 3 players and have high enough floors to stick around as starters for a half dozen or more years if they’re in the right system.

*For the purposes of this article, we won’t be using any grade below tier 4, but I’ve included the rest of the scale for additional background information and context.

5 = Adequate or below average. These players are often pushed into starting lineups at the thinnest positions across the NFL (QB, OL, CB). The scheme plays a significant role in their effectiveness. They usually have a trait or two that are or can be developed into the ‘solid’ range while being ‘serviceable’ starters in the right situation, valuable parts of a rotation and quality depth.

6 = Marginal. These players represent the bottom of NFL rosters and can be put into the low-end of the ‘developmental’ bucket, usually lacking the necessary physical traits to become everyday starters.

7 = Poor. These players are few and far between across NFL rosters. They are usually weeded out in training camp and preseason and are often stashed on practice squads if kept at all. In rare instances, you will see them get on an NFL field in the regular season, usually on bottom-tier teams that experience multiple injuries at one position.

With the terms now defined, let’s get into the rankings.

*No rookies were included in the rankings

2024 OL Position Rankings

LT Overview

Tier 1

Left tackle is the deepest position on the offensive line in the NFL. The best players who just missed the cut are Seahawks LT Charles Cross, Jaguars LT Cam Robinson and Cardinals LT Paris Johnson Jr., each scratching the surface of the bottom of tier three. Cross and Johnson have the most upside to make an appearance in the future.

1. Trent Williams - I have waxed poetic about Williams over years of doing these rankings and analyzing football in general. My analysis reflects how special of a player we have witnessed 14 years into what will be an eventual Hall of Fame career. Now it is just a matter of where we will rank Williams among the likes of the greatest modern left tackles like Munoz, Jones, Ogden, Pace, Thomas etc. Based on another stellar 2023 season with the same cat-like quickness as in his prime, epic performances and another year on the horizon in the ideal system to maximize his unique skills, there is no reason to expect a drop-off in his effectiveness in 2024. Even at 36-years old as the oldest starting O-lineman in football this season, Williams has a claim to the top spot.

2. Laremy Tunsil - Last season, Tunsil entered the same tier as Williams and only solidified that standing in what was a tremendous 2023 season that saw him consistently deliver elite play on a banged up O-line with a revolving door next to him at left guard. Tunsil’s presence was a key component in quarterback C.J. Stroud’s historic rookie season. Tunsil is a dominant pass blocker who has elevated his run blocking over the last couple of seasons to match what he does in protection. He is firmly the second best left tackle in football and Williams’ closest rival.

3. Tristan Wirfs - What Wirfs did moving to left tackle for the first time in his pro career after establishing himself as a perennial All-Pro right tackle over his first four seasons was nothing short of remarkable. After spending the first few weeks of the season settling into his new role, Wirfs quickly attained a comparable if not identical level of dominance to how he played on the right side. His uncanny ability to utilize patience, tact and hand placement to keep his edges protected often forces rushers to attempt to run through him, which is typically an exercise in futility considering how balanced and strong Wirfs is in his anchor. It was only a matter of time until the Bucs made Wirfs the highest paid O-lineman in league history. The two sides recently inked a five-year, $140.63 million extension.

Tier 2

4. Tyron Smith - Smith is at the end of a Hall of Fame worthy career, and he is coming off of a vintage season in 2023 that saw him earn Second Team All-Pro status thanks to dominant play and a level of juice that we haven’t seen in a couple of seasons. There is a case to be made that Smith should be included in tier one considering his play when healthy is certainly at that level. However, the 33-year old has considerable wear and tear on his body. He has not started more than 13 games since 2015, and the likelihood of him missing time dings his value to keep him outside of the top tier.

5. Andrew Thomas - Thomas struggled to return from a nagging hamstring injury last season that kept him out Weeks 2-8 and suffered a sprained MCL in Week 10, but when on the field over the last two seasons, he has been simply outstanding. After a turbulent start to his career, Thomas began turning the corner over the second half of his second season in 2021 and was a Second Team All-Pro in 2022 before replicating a similar level of play last year. Thomas maximizes his massive frame with smooth, collected footwork, consistent weight distribution, patience and active, light hands that make him a brick wall in pass protection and an imposing run blocker. Thomas has all of the tools necessary to be tabbed as a tier one left tackle this time next off-season and for the foreseeable future if he remains healthy.

6. Terron Armstead - Armstead’s position in any ranking boils down to how the evaluator weighs him being one of the most well-rounded, refined left tackles who rarely ever loses a rep on film with durability concerns that result in an average of about 12 starts a season. These rankings are built with both factors in mind, but the priority is centered around evaluating the film. There’s also an emphasis on the most difficult circumstances against the best competition, which is where Armstead shines consistently. It has only become more clear how impactful of a starter he is in recent seasons as the potency of Miami’s high-flying offense takes a precipitous drop without him in the lineup.

7. Rashawn Slater - After beginning his career in 2021 with a Second Team All-Pro selection, Slater has dealt with a rash of injuries over the last two seasons, including a torn biceps that ended his second-year campaign after three games. He suffered multiple high-ankle sprains last year but battled through them to start all 17 games. This has resulted in some stagnation with his development, but that is within the framework of being an elite starter out of the gate as a rookie. Slater’s compact build and natural leverage at 6’4” combine with elite core strength to produce a stout anchor, and his high-end athletic ability allows him to recover out of compromising positions. Inside a new, OL-friendly scheme with a clean bill of health, Slater is primed to re-establish his ascension into elite territory.

8. Christian Darrisaw - Darrisaw is an ascending, 25-year old blindside protector who is firmly entrenched as a ‘very good’ starter as he enters just his fourth season. He is on par with Andrew Thomas in terms of sheer physical size, natural power and quickness. Along with smooth movement skills in the run game, Darrisaw is able to halt and arrest defenders in their tracks and deliver jarring force on contact to create immediate movement and rush lanes. Darrisaw isn’t quite as refined as Thomas in some of the finer aspects of pass protection, such as hand usage, balance and recovery skills, which is what separates the two on film and in these rankings. Despite some details needing to still be ironed out in his game, Minnesota has a franchise-caliber, young left tackle who is fresh off of a justifiable four-year, $113M ($77M guaranteed) deal that he signed just a few days prior to this writing.

9. Dion Dawkins - Dawkins has really blossomed over the last couple of seasons under line coach Aaron Kromer (hired before the 2022 season) and is coming off the best year of his career as the leader and best player on a good Bills line. Dawkins is one of the bigger, more physical left tackles in the league, bringing jarring power in the run game, arguably the game’s most potent snatch-trap technique and a level of competitive toughness that is palpable on film. Considering his improvement in the finer aspects of the position since Kromer’s arrival (snap timing, use of hands, etc.), he is deserving of being included inside the top two tiers. There is reason to expect Dawkins will incrementally keep improving heading into the 2024 season, considering the continuity of scheme, coaching and having quarterback Josh Allen at the helm.

Tier 3

10. Kolton Miller - Miller gets my vote for being the closest to a tier two tackle among this next crop of quality starters thanks to having the best blend of size, athletic ability, play strength and consistent technique as a pass protector. Miller has cleaned up his hand usage over the last couple of years to better disrupt the timing of rushers and protect his frame, allowing his size and strength to engulf opponents more often and end reps quickly. This has been a boon to his development as it has shored up his ability to anchor against power moves, mitigating his nearly 6’9” frame in the process. This has transpired while his power as a run blocker continues to spearhead the Raiders ground game. Miller dealt with a nagging shoulder injury last season that kept him out of six games, but when on the field, he was largely at his career-best 2022 level of play.

11. Jordan Mailata - Mailata’s game is likely still evolving considering he is just a few years into his football playing life. Right now, the 6’8”, 365 pound road-grader forms one half of the biggest, most physically imposing left side of a line (with Landon Dickerson) in football. Mailata’s initial quickness and overall movement skills are impressive at his size, but he is still a tick late recovering out of compromising positions against inside moves and has some lag time in his anchor versus speed to power. Mailata has clear ‘trump card’ strengths as a run blocker with solid pass protection skills that can and should sharpen with more time under Jeff Stoutland’s tutelage.

12. Jake Matthews - Mr. Consistency should be Jake Matthews’ nickname given his incredible level of reliability as the owner of the longest current starting streak in the NFL at any position with 161 consecutive starts. Matthews is a skilled, springy zone run blocker and clingy pass protector. His square power and ability to impose his will on defenders is closer to the middle than others on this list, but his synced up hands and feet allow him to stay attached and compete with most defenders off of the edge, especially in the Falcons’ run and play-action heavy scheme.

13. Taylor Decker - Decker is another 6’7”+ smooth mover with good quickness to get to spots on time in pass protection and provide a boost in the run game as a move blocker. His middling anchor can leave the pocket compressed a little too often against speed to power moves, but Decker’s competitive toughness, processing skills and quicks at his size result in a quality, above average starter for the Lions.

14. Bernhard Raimann - Raimann makes his debut on the top 15 after an impressive developmental arc over his first two seasons. Raimann had an unique background coming out of Central Michigan stemming from the combination of being an older and extremely inexperienced prospect at the same time. That contributed to him lasting until the third-round of the draft. The good news is that, despite turning 27-years old this September, he has quickly become a stabilizing presence at left tackle with athletic ability, core strength and above average ability to sustain blocks as the foundation of his game. As his pad level, strike timing and overall leverage have improved in pass protection, his anchor has gotten to the point where he doesn’t have a glaring weakness. Raimann’s sawed off frame can lead to some short corners when being set up by premier rushers, but his game has reached the point of being worthy of this ranking as he enters his third season.

15. Orlando Brown Jr. - While players like Charles Cross and Paris Johnson Jr. possess the theoretical upside and physical gifts to eclipse Brown in the near future, Cross’ stagnation in development as a pass protector and Johnson’s switch to the left side make it difficult to make those bets just yet.

Brown’s track record, durability and effectiveness in the run game were enough to give him the edge for now. Brown had more of a down year in 2023 compared to 2022, possibly due to a lingering groin injury that sapped his stopping power in his anchor. However, his outstanding competitive toughness to consistently be available and a comprehensive look at his last few seasons make it easier to slot him in here and bet on him being a tick above average with a clean bill of health.

LG Overview

Tier 1

1. Quenton Nelson - Nelson had an almost negligible decline in 2022 that was largely attributed to nagging injuries and a bad overall offensive ecosystem. He played at roughly 90% of his typical ‘best left guard in the league’ level, which led many pundits to overlook this context and exaggerate his downfall. Considering the circumstances and his still high-level of play, he was still in the elite tier for last year’s ranking and followed things up with another dominant, All-Pro season in 2023. What’s lost in Nelson’s greatness extends beyond him being one of the most physically gifted and dominant guards in recent memory. He has unbelievable mental acuity that results in S-tier play speed and processing skills, making him a master of the finer aspects of playing the position. With all five starters returning on the Colts’ line and the same OL-friendly scheme in place, Nelson is positioned to maintain his status in tier one.

2. Tyler Smith - Smith’s rise to superstardom after his second season and first year spent full-time at left guard has been nothing short of remarkable. Smith is probably the most powerful and explosive guard in the league. He has a plethora of incredible blocks under his belt already that suggests a perennial All-Pro is being developed before our eyes. The finer aspects of his game should be able to be honed now that his place at left guard is secure for the foreseeable future.

3. Joel Bitonio - Aside from missing a couple of games this past season for the first time since 2016, Bitonio notched another well-earned Pro Bowl designation as one of the most complete guards in the league. Bitonio’s critical factor traits are all above average or better, and his consistency with technique and processing skills remain elite. Armed with a lethal jump set to eliminate the runway of high-end rushers who possess more raw power, Bitonio has the change-ups needed to keep rushers guessing while being an asset in the run game.

4. Joe Thuney - Thuney is more slight and less stout physically than most guards on this list, but that is counterbalanced with what is probably the most sound technique and firm understanding of how to manipulate leverage in the NFL. Thuney has fared as well against the best interior rushers, including the recently retired Aaron Donald, as any guard in football. He is ruthlessly consistent in terms of availability, missing only two games in eight seasons (with four Super Bowl rings to boot).

Tier 2

5. Landon Dickerson - The newly minted highest paid guard in the NFL is a 330+ pound juggernaut on the field who has as much square power as any guard in football. This manifests in an elite anchor with jarring power in the run game to dent and displace defenders at will. Dickerson’s lateral quickness is more solid than great, allowing him to get slipped on his edges here and there. Overall, his superpowers are clear and borderline inevitable. The five spot is the absolute floor for his ranking among left guards in the NFL.

6. Elgton Jenkins - Jenkins has been bitten by the injury bug over the last few seasons. While 2021 was the only year he missed more than a couple of games, Jenkins’ play has seesawed a bit over that span. Even with some ups and downs in terms of balance and sustain ability, Jenkins’ play strength, stoutness in the pocket and movement skills to track targets on the move are key features in a potent Packers offense, solidifying his spot in tier two.

7. Jonah Jackson - Jackson is another extremely talented player. He has a little more juice than Jenkins in terms of sheer explosiveness but has dealt with his fair share of injuries himself that have kept him out of nine games over the last two seasons, resulting in a slightly more inconsistent year in 2023 than 2022. Averaged out over the last two seasons, Jackson is firmly a tier two talent at the position with tier one flashes that suggest he could reach that status if he can remain on the field for an entire season.

Tier 3

8. Isaac Seumalo - Seumalo is coming off of his first year as a Steeler and the best year of his career as the leader of a young, talent-infused line. Seumalo wins by doing everything well and has the smarts and balance to consistently operate on time and in proper position despite dealing with extensive injuries over his career that have sapped some of his explosiveness. Seumalo received glowing reviews from an All-Pro offensive lineman I talked to at this year’s OL Masterminds summit. The player remarked that Seumalo is, “one of the smartest and most underrated lineman in the league.” When you study his film carefully, it is apparent that Seumalo has a firm grasp on the finer aspects of the position, which smooths over some diminished movement skills that have accumulated due to wear and tear on his body.

9. Ben Powers - Powers is the classic example of how skill can overcome mediocre raw athletic ability to net an above average, well-rounded starter who can compete with most competition. Powers wins with adept use of hands, timing and strain to work into defenders, sustain and finish as a run blocker. He also has the discipline to not lose glaringly very often in pass protection. Studying his film going back to his college days at Oklahoma, the mantra of ‘tough, smart and physical’ kept coming up from my observations and conversations, which have largely been the keys in establishing him as a dependable, quality starting guard in the NFL.

10. Damien Lewis - Put most simply, Lewis is a tier three level run blocker with tier two level raw power and tier four pass protecting skills. That averages somewhere around this range at left guard. Lewis is a strapping, broadly built tone-setter with the strength to match up with virtually anyone. This leads to some jarring body blows on film. His run blocking and power are contrasted with sloppy tendencies in terms of technique that lead to quick, decisive wins for defenders. For a team looking to get bigger, stronger and more physical on the interior, offering a sizable deal like the Panthers did makes sense.

Tier 4

11. Teven Jenkins - I went back and forth with keeping Jenkins here or including him in tier three. He hasn’t started more than 11 games in a single season yet in his three year career and still has  some things to clean up in pass protection, including using his hands and preventing clean losses. It was difficult to give Jenkins the bump to tier three, even if his strengths are clearly higher than this. Jenkins has a lethal size/power combination that results in some bone-jarring blocks on film that are easy to fall in love with. It’s also important to have at least one blocker capable and willing to dish out punishment to that degree which Jenkins certainly does. He will rise up these rankings if he can remain healthy and become more reliable when isolated in pass protection by staying in front of counter moves.

12. Zion Johnson - From a physical standpoint, Johnson is one of the most impressive looking guards in the league, and his play strength matches his frame. Inconsistent technique has held him back from reaching where many analysts expected he would be by this point (including me). Johnson still gets caught either flat-footed or opened up by rushers looking to counter, leaving him late to recover when initially beaten. Considering the staff was fired this off-season and an ultra OL-friendly scheme is now in place, I would expect Johnson’s play to stabilize as this upcoming season progresses.

13. Peter Skoronski - Skoronski’s rookie season can best be described as up and down. He struggled to hold his ground in his anchor during his first year playing guard, which was one of the most pressing issues on his film. Part of that can be attributed to Skoronski rupturing his appendix just a couple weeks into the season, having an emergency appendectomy, missing three games and losing 10-15 pounds in the process. There were also plenty of positive signs in his play, including the clear eyes and sharp processing skills from his college film translating inside. It’s also worth mentioning that Skoronski was surrounded by a revolving door at left tackle and a poor offense that led to the entire staff being replaced. Fortunately for Skoronski, Tennessee added one of the few truly elite offensive line coaches in Bill Callahan this off-season. With a top ten pick in JC Latham on his left side and Callahan in his ear, Skoronski’s situation is about as close to a 180 turn for the better as possible.

14. John Simpson - Simpson is coming off a career-best year with the Ravens where he started 17 games for the second time in his first four seasons. While Simpson’s body control and mirroring ability are closer to below average, he has clear strengths stemming from his size (6’4”, 330 lbs., 34 1/8 arm length), power and ultra-physical playing style that make him a force to be reckoned with when uncovered in pass protection and as a puller in the run game. With his 27th birthday coming up in mid-August, it could be possible that Simpson is just a late-bloomer with another jump in development in his future, but I am hedging more toward him being a below average pass protector and good run blocker, at least in 2024.

15. Matthew Bergeron - Bergeron played 100% of the snaps during his rookie season inside the Falcons run-heavy, play-action centered scheme despite it being his first year ever at left guard. Playing inside such an OL-friendly system provided Bergeron an ideal environment to develop, and the flashes he showed were impressive. Because of his good play strength and physicality, Bergeron was able to drive and dump defenders in the run game once latched, provide thump when uncovered in protection and, when his strike timing was right, anchor down with authority against high-end competition. There were plenty of growing pains stemming from inconsistent footwork, high pad level and erratic hand placement that led to breakdowns in technique, but the combination of the flashes, traits and lack of a clear-cut better option for the 15th spot led me to revisit Bergeron’s tape and feel comfortable betting on him warranting this spot in year two.

Center Overview

Some other expected tier four starters who just missed the cut were Bills C Connor McGovern, Packers C Josh Myers and Giants C John Michael Schmitz.

Tier 1

1. Creed Humphrey - It really is a toss-up between the younger, more durable Humphrey and Frank Ragnow, who has a longer track record. The common theme between these two clear-cut elite centers is that their athletic ability matches the best the position has to offer while they’re also the most physically imposing, strongest players on the list.

The barrel-chested Humphrey regularly stonewalls rushers in pass protection with incredible core strength and balance, and he has the movement skills to mirror and stay in front of speed rushers. This also translates to the run game where he is an asset in the screen game and a firm, stout presence on angle-drive and double-team blocks.

2. Frank Ragnow - Despite chronic, lingering foot concerns that have persisted the last couple of years, Ragnow has battled and only missed three games over the last two seasons while maintaining his exceptionally high level of play. Ragnow wins in a similar vein as Humphrey but is a taller version with slightly more fluidity in his movements as a run blocker. He’s also a brick wall in pass protection who quarterbacks the line pre-snap. Ragnow’s contributions to the execution of Detroit’s potent offense are critical and especially meaningful.

Tier 2

3. Erik McCoy - After missing nine games from the 2021-2022 seasons, McCoy started all 17 last year to quiet the durability concerns that had begun to creep into his overall outlook. Outside of that, it is extremely difficult to poke holes in his game. He’s not quite as refined of a pass protector as the top tier but is on the shortlist for being the most explosiveness and athletic pivot in the league. McCoy achieved that status over the years despite the Saints cycling through several quarterbacks, line coaches and guards playing alongside him to become a foundational piece of the offense.

4. Ryan Kelly - Kelly has consistently been a top six center in these rankings over the years thanks to a well-rounded skill-set. His primary strengths are in the run game where he is a stout presence on combo blocks and double-teams who possesses the play strength to seal off nose tackles on angle-drive blocks and the mobility to intersect targets on the move. Kelly’s play took a dip in 2022 when the entire offense was in disarray, but he has since reclaimed his spot in the top five after an outstanding 14-start first season inside head coach Shane Steichen’s RPO-heavy offensive system.

5. Tyler Linderbaum - Linderbaum is set to enter just his third season in 2024 yet has already met all expectations as a dynamic prospect and developed into a high-end starter with special run blocking ability. Linderbaum is a bit undersized and has a smaller margin for error in his anchor than others above him on this list, but he has done an admirable job circumventing those concerns with processing skills and outstanding leverage. At just 24-years old, he is barely in his prime and should keep rising up this list over the next couple of years.