Offensive Line Rankings

It is our duty as fantasy football owners striving to gain every advantage possible to finally wake up and realize the value of NFL offensive lines and the role they play in the success or failure of an NFL offense.

All too often we as fantasy owners take a simplistic approach to fantasy football, meaning we just look at the final numbers (or the end result) instead of analyzing the process (the reason why players put up the numbers they do). Offensive lines are one variable that affects a skill position players performance over the course of a full season.

There is an old saying that NFL offenses are built from the inside out. That saying is true in large part. Without a strong offensive line, quarterbacks are more prone to negative passing plays such as sacks and interceptions and running backs find their jobs much tougher when they are hit in the backfield on a consistent basis. All good teams' offenses get their heartbeat from their offensive line. Control the line of scrimmage and you control your opponent.

That leads us to our next question. How can we accurately determine how effective an offensive line is? While there is no perfect way, the two biggest stats that an offensive line directly affects in most cases over a full season are yards per carry and sacks allowed. While there is no stat to quantify these variables, chemistry, talent, injuries and past performance are also weighed heavily in these rankings.

With free agency not taking place until after the NFL labor dispute is resolved, these offensive line rankings could be altered dramatically depending on where high priority free agent lineman end up signing. One free agent signing could dramatically alter these rankings, which will be updated with commentary later when free agency finally occurs.

#1 New England Patriots

Key Additions: T Nate Solder (NFL Draft 1st Round), G Logan Mankins (Re-signed), T Matt Light (Re-signed)

Key Loss: T Nick Kaczur (Released)

#2 Indianapolis Colts

Key Additions: T Anthony Castonzo (NFL Draft 1st Round), Benjamin Ijalana (NFL Draft 2nd Round)

Key Losses: T Charlie Johnson (Minnesota)

#3 Atlanta Falcons

Key Additions: G Justin Blalock (Re-signed), T Tyson Clabo (Re-signed)

Key Losses: G Harvey Dahl (St. Louis)

#4 New Orleans Saints

Key Additions: C Olin Kreutz (Chicago), G Carl Nicks (Re-signed), T Jermon Bushrod (Re-signed)

Key Losses: C Jonathan Goodwin (San Francisco)

#5 New York Jets

Key Additions: None

Key Loss: T Damien Woody (Retired)

#6 New York Giants

Key Additions: C David Bass (San Francisco)

Key Loss: C Shaun O'Hara (Released)

#7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Key Additions: G Davin Joseph (Re-signed), T Jeremy Trueblood (Re-signed)

Key Losses: None

#8 Houston Texans

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: None

#9 Tennessee Titans

Key Additions: None

Key Losses: None

#10 Kansas City Chiefs

Key Additions: C Rodney Hudson (NFL Draft 2nd Round), T Jared Gaither (Baltimore)

Key Losses: G Brian Waters (Retired)