Offensive Line Rankings - Updated

Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA Today Sports

UPGRADES

Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles offensive line has been playing well in preseason action. This is all without Jason Peters, who is slated to make his debut in preseason Week Three. Allen Barbre has provided an unexpected source of depth, stepping in for Peters and playing well. Barbre can backup multiple positions and will likely be the swing tackle. Rookie Lane Johnson especially has been dominant taking over the right tackle position and it's a safe statement to say he's been the best rookie offensive lineman this preseason. The Eagles line has looked good executing the mostly zone-based scheme and moving in unison. It's an athletic group and could easily rise higher in the rankings as the season progresses.

Chicago Bears: The Bears have benched turnstile right tackle J'Marcus Webb, and are going to start rookie Jordan Mills at that spot. Mills has been excellent in pass protection, drawing praise from coaches, media, and even quarterback Jay Cutler. It is possible that this situation is all too much too soon but it's easy to be optimistic at this time. Kyle Long is another rookie starting at the right guard spot, and overall has been doing solid work. Jermon Bushrod has seriously upgraded the left tackle position and Matt Slauson has been doing a decent job at left guard. As a group, the line has improved greatly since last season

New Orleans Saints: Charles Brown has looked extremely competant locking down the left tackle position, and he is the main reason for this upgrade. There has been a long line of Pro Bowl left tackles for the Saints in recent history and Brown is poised to be the next great player for this honor. The left side is shaping up to be dominant, as guard Ben Grubbs has been playing at his usual high level. Zach Strief has been only ok at right tackle but is being pushed by former Nebraska Cornhusker Marcel Jones. Jones has been showing his talent this preseason and could be a key part of this unit in the future.

DOWNGRADES

Cleveland Browns: Once considered among the elite in these rankings, the Browns right guard position has fell on hard times. While John Greco capably mans the left side, both Shaun Lauvao and Jason Pinkston are sidelined with serious ankle injuries. It is not likely that either player will be ready for the start of the season. The Browns attempted to trade for Seattle Seahawks guard John Moffitt, but voided the trade when Moffitt failed their physical. Moffitt later passed a physical with Denver and was traded to the Broncos. Meanwhile seventh-round rookie Garrett Gilkey appears to have the lead for the position, after stepping in last week when Pinkston went down. Gilkey is an interesting prospect, but extremely raw, out of Division II Chadron State. Oneil Cousins is also in the mix for the position but didn't play well when given a chance in Baltimore. Over the years, the Browns have done a good job finding offensive linemen and assembling depth. This season the depth will be tested.

Carolina Panthers: Center Ryan Kalil has been excellent. Jordan Gross is showing age but generally competant. However the guard play in Carolina has been abysmal this preseason, with both Amini Silatolu and Garry Williams giving up tons of pressure on quarterback Cam Newton. Bryon Bell has also been abused at right tackle. Unfortunately, this team doesn't have a lot of options. They released last year's starter at right guard, Geoff Hangartner. Rookie Edmund Kugbila has not been healthy enough to practice. Swing tackle Bruce Campbell went down for the year with a torn rotator cuff, eliminating key depth, and a possible alternative to Bell. The early returns on the Panthers' line have not been kind, and this unit could be downgraded again as the season progresses.

New York Giants: The Giants line has suffered two key injuries in the last week: center David Baas has a sprained MCL and right tackle David Diehl has undergone thumb surgery. Baas is hopeful that he can rehab in time for the start of the season, but this timeline seems aggressive; if he does play it is unlikely to be at 100%. Diehl is definately out at least six weeks with what trainers referred to as a capsule issue. Diehl tried playing with a cast but could not block effectively, and surgery was recommended. In their places step Jim Cordle at center and first-round rookie Justin Pugh at right tackle. Cordle is a solid player, but a step down from Baas. Pugh has a ton of athletic talent, but missed most of the preseason with a concussion. The injuries are only part of the story, as this line gave up six sacks against the Indianapolis Colts in preseason Week Two. There are interesting depth names such as Brandon Mosely and James Brewer, but it is unclear how much these players can help, and how many reps are left to work with the first team offense before the season starts. In the long run this line could be back together and playing great by week four of the regular season, should everyone heal according to their timetable. However in the short term, this unit has to be downgraded: losing two key starters, they went from being a good line to a below average one.  

Oakland Raiders: The Raiders lost their best lineman by far, when Jared Veldheer suffered a partially torn left triceps. This injury is not necessarily a season ender, but it is likely to result in a PUP stint and could cost Veldheer at least half the season. When Veldheer returns he will likely be less than full strength, at least with his left arm. Meanwhile, Alex Barron, who has not played in a regular season game for two seasons, did not do such a hot job in relief of Veldheer. Barron was part of a line that gave up seven sacks against the New Orleans Saints, in preseason Week Two. Former Rams general manager Billy Devaney made headlines this week when he told ESPN that Barron "does not like anything about the game, except getting paid." On the other side of the line, Khalif Barnes is still struggling at right tackle, but could be pushed by second-round rookie Menelik Watson, who is finally healthy enough to practice. The Raiders signed journeyman Tony Hills but it is hard to envision this player contributing much at this stage of his career. It is safe to predict that the Raiders will be scouring the waiver wire at final cut time for possible fixes.

SITUATION TO WATCH:

Houston Texans: Pro Bowl left guard Wade Smith underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on August 13, and it was assumed he wouldn't be ready for the season opener. However, coaches' comments as well as Smith's history of not missing games, suggest that he will return in time to start against the San Diego Chargers. Should Smith miss the game,a shuffle would ensue that would put Ben Jones at left guard and Brandon Brooks at right guard. In this lineup, the Texans would fall from the second ranked offensive line to about the low teens. However at this time, the rankings assume that there will be no changes in the lineup for the regular season.