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Dan Fornek evaluates the best and worst offensive lines in the NFL to provide insight to fantasy football managers ahead of the 2021 season.
Since offensive linemen don’t generate fantasy points, a lot of fantasy gamers overlook their impact when it comes to drafts. However, knowing the talent at the offensive line can be crucial when you start making decisions between players at a certain tier or in a certain round. While talent on the offensive line is important, consistency across the group can also determine success. You’ll notice in this article that the teams at the top have the most returning starters while a lot of the teams at the bottom have turnover. When it comes to offensive linemen, familiarity matters.
Ultimately, we have seen talented players overcome poor offensive line play, especially at the running back position. Christian McCaffery (2019) and Saquon Barkley (2018) have each finished as the top player in fantasy football in PPR scoring in two of the last three seasons despite underwhelming offensive line play. However, when it comes to deciding between players in the later rounds, a strong offensive line can generate good running backs and also give quarterbacks time to take deep shots in the passing game.
This article will focus on the offensive lines that are categorized as “champs” or “chumps” heading into the 2021 season. As you prepare for your fantasy drafts, keep these groups in mind when you are deciding between skill position players in those middle or late rounds.
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Champs
Cleveland Browns
Projected Starters: Jedrick Wills Jr., Joel Bitonio, JC Tretter, Wyatt Teller, Jack Conklin
Returning Starters: Five
The Browns had arguably the top offensive line during the 2020 season and return all five starters, which is the makings of a champion unit. Despite having a rookie in place at arguably the most important position along the offensive line last season (Jedrick Wills Jr.), Cleveland still passed for over 3,300 yards and added 2,374 yards rushing on the year. Wills will have the benefit of another year of experience under his belt and consistency across the line in 2021, making Cleveland one of the better offensive lines this season as well. Look for the Browns to dominate again this season.
New England Patriots
Projected Starters: Isaiah Wynn, Michael Onwenu, David Andrews, Shaquille Mason, Trent Brown
Returning Starters: Four
Once again, New England should have one of the most dominant lines in offensive football during the 2021 season. While New England lost arguably one of the top offensive guards in football this past offseason (Joe Thuney to the Chiefs), they will easily slide Michael Onwenu (one of the higher-rated rookies according to PFF) to left guard to take his spot. New England also acquired Trent Brown from the Raiders’ to take Onwenu’s spot at right tackle to facilitate his move to guard. Combine that with a solid left tackle (Isaiah Wynn developed well last year) and consistently strong play from the center and right guard and New England should be poised to succeed again even with a rookie under center. The additions of Jonnu Smith and Hunter Henry will also help bolster a run-blocking unit that generated 2,346 yards on the ground last season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Projected Starters: Donovan Smith, Ali Marpet, Ryan Jensen, Alex Cappa, Tristan Wirfs
Returning Starters: Five
When Tom Brady takes control of your offense, you invest in the offensive line to make sure he can do his thing. Tampa Bay went into 2020 with a strong unit and then added Tristan Wirfs in the draft. The rookie immediately locked down the right side of the offensive line and turned the Buccaneers into an absolute force upfront. Tampa Bay returns all five of their starting offensive lineman from a Super Bowl-winning team and will look to continue to stay solid upfront. Tampa wasn’t exceptional rushing the ball last season (1,519 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns) but bought Tom Brady enough time to defy father time yet again (4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns). This unit will be a force again in 2021 and could easily compete to be the top offensive line again this season.
Underrated Champ: Detroit Lions
Projected Starters: Taylor Decker, Jonah Jackson, Frank Ragnow, Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Penei Sewell
Returning Starters: 3.5 (Vaitai spent a majority of his time at right tackle last season)
Detroit came into the 2021 season with a strong offensive line (especially compared to the rest of their offensive positions) and somehow found a way to make it stronger. Taylor Decker has continually been a strong left tackle, Jonah Jackson is developing into a solid guard, and Frank Ragnow may be among the best centers in the NFL today. Then Detroit added arguably the best offensive lineman in the 2021 NFL draft in the top-10 (Penei Sewell), which allowed them to move Halapoulivaati Vaitai to right guard. Sewell has struggled at times throughout the preseason getting acclimated to the right side of the line, but experience and talent will undoubtedly win out as the season goes on.
Detroit may not have a ton of firepower at the wide receiver position, but they have an explosive running back who will benefit from the premium talent along the offensive line this season.
Chumps
New York Giants
Projected Starters: Andrew Thomas, Shane Lemieux, Nick Gates, Will Hernandez, Matt Peart
Returning Starters: Three
The Giants' offensive line is a mess, even though they have poured resources into the position over the past couple of years. Andrew Thomas looked overmatched as a rookie last season and has continued to struggle in pass protection throughout the preseason. Matt Peart, a 2020 third-rounder, has massive potential, but is young and needs reps to get acclimated to the NFL. Will Hernandez has been solid the last few seasons, but Nick Gates will be a second-year starter at center after a rocky 2020 campaign and Shane Lemieux struggled mightily in limited playing time last season. Nate Solder is back as a depth tackle after opting out of 2020 and Zach Fulton could also play guard if Lemieux struggles again, but as a whole, this unit looks pretty similar on paper to the one that was awful last season.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected Starters: Chukwuma Okorafor, Kevin Dotson, JC Hassenauer, Trai Turner, Zach Banner
Returning Starters: Two
The Steelers massively overhauled their offensive line this offseason, adding three new starters to the mix that need to prove they can replace established veterans. Chukwuma Okorafor started at right tackle last season and will have an adjustment period moving to the blindside. Kevin Dotson also had flashes as a rookie and could be the most stable player along the offensive line. The departures of Maurkice Pouncey and David DeCastro leave massive voids in the middle, but Trai Turner has had some success in the league but has struggled with health and play the last three seasons. Zach Banner hasn’t had enough playing time since coming into the league to know what you’ll be getting in pass protection, but he’s a solid asset in the run game. Kendrick Green, a third-round pick, could also factor into the equation at center or guard after a solid career at the University of Illinois. The Steelers need a lot of development from a lot of uncertain pieces to be a strong unit this season.
Carolina Panthers
Projected Starters: Cameron Erving, Pat Elflein, Matt Paradis, John Miller, Taylor Moton
Returning Starters: Two
Carolina is a mixed bag when it comes to the offensive line. Taylor Moton is the most consistent lineman for Carolina and is developing into one of the better young right tackles in the NFL. Matt Paradis is a solid center but hasn’t lived up to the kind of player he was in Denver. He’s still a player you can depend on in the middle. Beyond that, there are a whole lot of question marks along this offensive line. Cameron Erving has been up and down throughout his six seasons in the league. Pat Elflein has stagnated since his rookie season with Minnesota. He was a starter for three seasons before ultimately being waived and signed in Carolina. According to PFF, John Miller was rated the 52nd out of 84 guards last season.
Carolina did invest a third-round pick in Brady Christensen as a depth tackle, which could give them the flexibility to move Cameron Erving in case of struggles or injury along the line. Overall, this offensive line situation leaves little optimism heading into 2021.
Overlooked Chump: Chicago Bears
Projected Starters: Jason Peters, Cody Whitehair, Sam Mustipher, James Daniels, Germain Ifedi
Returning Starters: 2.5 (Mustipher/Ifedi started at the end of last season due to injury)
The Bears' offensive line could be very good if they can avoid the injury bug or an absolute mess like last season if history repeats itself from 2020. After training camp, things are already starting to look questionable. Things looked to be improving when Chicago cut Charles Leno Jr. and Bobby Massie after underwhelming seasons. They addressed the offensive line through the draft, taking tackle Teven Jenkins out of Oklahoma State in the second round. Unfortunately, things haven’t worked out from there.
Chicago had to sign Jason Peters off of free agency after second-round pick Teven Jenkins underwent back surgery. The combination of Cody Whitehair and James Daniels give solid guard play, but both players have struggled to stay healthy over their careers. As of now, Germain Ifedi is penciled into the starting right tackle spot, but Elijah Wilkinson and developmental rookie Larry Borom could also factor in. Sam Mustipher played well last season as a UDFA, but ultimately he has limitations and can get pushed around a bit in the middle. Chicago needs to hope for health because things can get ugly in a hurry here.
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