RADIO
Dan Fornek evaluates the best and worst offensive lines in the NFL to provide insight to fantasy football managers ahead of Week 2 of the 2021 season.
The NFL regular season is a marathon, but there are still a lot of things we can learn early on in the season. For one, we get to see how teams will utilize new free-agent acquisitions, rookies, and our favorite sleepers from the year before. Also, we can see which established veterans were able to take a step and develop or are continuing to struggle.
One of the positional groups that go under-discussed is the offensive line position. If you think about it, it makes sense though. As a former lineman, the saying that always rang true was the idea that “you only know your offensive linemen’s name when they mess up.” (Cc: Taylor Lewan on the Titans after giving up five sacks). However, when it comes to fantasy success, a strong offensive line is key to the run and the pass game. Plus, no other position on the football field consistently has more players at the same time than the offensive line.
The purpose of this article weekly will be to break down the different impactful offensive line performances (good or bad) to make a decision on which teams we should be targeting for starts, sits, or waiver wire pickups. While we are working with a limited sample size at this point in the season, a lot can be learned, especially considering offensive linemen rely on consistency to perform at their best. The data pulled for this article (from PFF.com) and general observation will hopefully help fantasy managers looking to make a run for their fantasy championships in 2021.
Editor's Note: Identify fantasy football draft busts, overvalued ADPs, and key players to avoid so you can draft with confidence this season.
Champs
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Week 2 Opponent: Atlanta Falcons
Tampa Bay came into the 2021 season with five remaining starters and that familiarity across the unit immediately paid dividends. The Buccaneers’ offensive line finished Week 1 as the fourth-best overall offensive line according to PFF’s ratings, finishing as the top unit in the passing game and the second-best run-blocking unit. Tampa Bay allowed 10 hurries and 10 pressures but allowed Tom Brady to stay clean and deliver the ball on time throughout the game. All five linemen finished with a 63.5 or better rating in Week 1.
Looking ahead, Tampa should have an easier matchup against a Falcons’ front-7 that lacks the top-end athleticism of Week 1’s opponent the Dallas Cowboys. Atlanta was only able to generate five pressures and five hurries against an Eagles offensive line that had two players coming back off major injuries and numerous question marks. Four of the Eagles' offensive linemen finished with pass blocking grades above 75 in Week 1, so Brady should have plenty of time to operate against their defensive line this week.
Cleveland Browns
Week 2 Opponent: Houston Texans
Like Tampa Bay, Cleveland was an offensive line that came into the season with five returning starters. That consistency showed against a Kansas City Chiefs defense that has numerous strong pass rushers. Cleveland finished sixth as a unit in passing blocking grades (66.68 average), first in run blocking (74.76), and second overall as a unit (74.22) against a solid Kansas City front. Their weakest link was Chris Hubbard, who took over after Jedrick Wills was injured 20 plays into the game (his status bears monitoring heading into Week 2).
Cleveland will have a much easier matchup in Week 2 against the Houston front. Outside of Whitney Mercilus on the edge. Maliek Collins had a strong day against the interior of the Jaguars’ offensive line, but Cleveland’s trio of Joel Bitonio (87.8 pass-blocking grade), J.C. Tretter (84.5 pass-blocking grade), and Wyatt Teller (59.9 pass-blocking grade) should be more than ready to handle him after taking on Chris Jones in Week 1. Look for both Cleveland running backs to have sizeable running lanes again in Week 2.
Green Bay Packers
Week 2 Opponent: Detroit Lions
Despite the blowout loss, Green Bay’s offensive line had a solid game against the New Orleans’ defensive front. Elgton Jenkins moved out to left tackle after mostly playing on the interior line last season and finished with an 81.2 pass-blocking grade, 91.4 run-blocking grade, and an 89.6 overall grade in Week 1. As a unit, Green Bay gave up one sack, three quarterback hits and allowed six hurries with 10 pressures against a very strong New Orleans defensive line.
Green Bay’s offense should have a strong bounce-back week against a Detroit front that only generated two pressures and two hurries against San Francisco in Week 2. Outside of Romeo Okwara, Detroit failed to consistently provide pressure, allowing Jimmy Garoppolo to find his weapons downfield and build a sizeable lead. Aaron Rodgers and the run game are poised for a bounce-back in Week 2 on Monday Night Football.
Underrated Champ: Los Angeles Chargers
Week 2 Opponent: Dallas Cowboys
On the surface, the Chargers’ offensive line performance wasn’t the best in Week 1. Collectively, their offensive line finished 24th in pass blocking grades (54.1), 10th in run blocking grades (66.04), and seventh overall collectively (65.01). However, context is important here. Los Angeles was facing arguably the best defensive line in football in the Washington Football Team. Few defenses have players like Jonathan Allen, Montez Sweat, Chase Young, and Tim Settle to rush the passer and disrupt timing. Even with that, rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater finished with an 80.1 pass-blocking grade and allowed zero sacks, hits, hurries, or pressures.
The Chargers should have an easier time in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys comparatively. Outside of Demarcus Lawrence and Micah Parsons' situational pass rush (Randy Gregory was added to the COVID list and may not play), Dallas lacks guys who can consistently attack the quarterback. Justin Herbert should be poised for a bounce-back game this week with more time to operate.
Chumps
Atlanta Falcons
Week 2 Opponent: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Things were bad for Atlanta in Week 1 against Philadelphia and they won’t be getting any better in Week 2 against Tampa Bay. Despite investing numerous early picks in the offensive line over the past three seasons, Atlanta allowed three sacks, four hits, 11 hurries, and 18 pressures against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 1. The interior of the offensive line was especially bad with left guard Jalen Mayfield (1.4 pass-blocking grade) and center Matt Hennessey (20 pass-blocking grade) allowing a combined three sacks, two hits, six hurries, and 11 pressures up the middle. `
Unfortunately for Matt Ryan, the interior pressure is unlikely to stop in Week 2. Tampa Bay utilizes Vita Vea and Ndamukong Suh (along with occasional blitzes from Devin White) to collapse the pocket and force throws under duress. The combination of Shaq Barrett and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will also cause problems on the edges. The Falcons offensive line could be in for a long one again in Week 2.
Chicago Bears
Week 2 Opponent: Cincinnati Bengals
Coming into Week 1, Chicago’s offensive line was already considered a work in progress. Second-round rookie Teven Jenkins missed training camp (and the start of the season) thanks to a back surgery leading to Jason Peters coming out of retirement to secure the left side. Unfortunately, Peters got hurt after 32 plays and was replaced by Larry Borom, a developmental rookie. Then Borom got hurt and was replaced by Elijah Wilkinson. Add that to an interior offensive line trying to figure out Aaron Donald, and it was a recipe for disaster.
Chicago ended Week 1 as the 31st ranked offensive line overall on average (50.24 grade). Some of that can be chalked up to a tough matchup, but things won’t get much easier in Week 2. The Bengals front gave Minnesota fits in their upset victory, generating two sacks, two quarterback hits, six hurries, and 10 pressures. According to PFF, all four of their defensive lineman (Trey Hendrickson, Larry Ogunjobi, D.J. Reader, and Sam Hubbard) scored at least a 55 grade as pass rushers. Andy Dalton will likely be under duress again for much of Week 2, limiting his big-play potential. However, Cincinnati wasn’t nearly as strong against the run, which could lead to another big day from David Montgomery on the ground.
New York Jets
Week 2 Opponent: New England Patriots
The Jets' offensive line was manhandled by a super athletic front seven in Carolina. As a unit, the Jets allowed two sacks, one hit, 10 hurries, and 13 pressures against Carolina. Additionally, all five of the Panthers’ defensive linemen who registered at least 20 rush attempts finished with a pass-rushing grade over 57 according to PFF. To make matters worse, the Jets had to shuffle the offensive line during the game when Mekhi Becton was carted off with an injury. Despite that, Becton still finished with the best pass blocking grade (59.5) of any of the Jets’ linemen.
The Jets will have their work cut out for them again in Week 2 against an even more effective Patriots group of pass rushers. Five Patriots had at least 12 pass rush repetitions against Miami in Week 1 (nobody had more than 19) and all five of them had at least a 61 pass-rush grade. Situational pass rushers like Kyle Van Noy and Josh Uche each scored above a 68. The Jets have little in the run game to keep defenses honest, so it could be another day of consistently throwing on the run for Zach Wilson.
Overlooked Chump: Buffalo Bills
Week 2 Opponent: Miami Dolphins
It is hard to blame Josh Allen for struggling against the Pittsburgh defense in Week 1 thanks to the poor performance of his offensive line. Buffalo finished as the week allowing one sack, six hits, 16 hurries, and 23 pressures, which led to the 26th average rating for offensive linemen pass blocking in Week 1. In total, Buffalo was the 29th best offensive line in Week 1 (53.84), which isn’t surprising considering the Steelers’ front-7. While it isn’t time to write off the Bills’ offensive line quite yet, they will face a different challenge in Week 2.
Miami is an extremely blitz-heavy team on defense. They were second in the league in 2020 in blitz rate (40.8%) and surpassed that against a rookie quarterback with a solid offensive line (46.1% in Week 1). Comparatively, Pittsburgh only had a 2% blitz rate in Week 1. The heavier blitzing could lead to bigger plays on offense, but if the Bills’ offensive line is that bad, it could also lead to more headaches for fantasy players relying on Josh Allen and his passing game weapons.
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