RADIO
Dan Fornek evaluates the best and worst offensive lines in the NFL to provide insight to fantasy football managers ahead of Week 5 of the 2021 season.
It has officially been four weeks of the 2021 season and NFL teams are being forced to figure out how much depth they have in their offensive line group. 19 teams started the week missing at least one of their starting offensive linemen from Week 1. In addition, 10 different teams had a starter go down in Week 4, including big names like center Frank Ragnow (Detroit Lions), left guard Roger Saffold (Tennessee Titans), and right guard Brandon Scherff (Washington Football Team). The most impressive effort of Week 4 goes to the Philadelphia Eagles, a team that was missing four of their starting offensive linemen against the Kansas City Chiefs (more on them later).
Having consistency along the offensive line is a major advantage across the NFL given the blitzes and pressures that defensive coaches try to manufacture each week. The more familiarity an offensive line group has with each other, the better they are able to communicate on the fly to pick up these different looks. However, the offensive line is a high-impact position with players who are constantly in danger of getting their ankles landed on or their knees tweaked (not to mention the frequent head-to-head impact against defensive linemen). We will soon see which teams have been able to develop depth along the offensive line to keep chugging and which teams will succumb to injuries in the trenches.
The purpose of this article is 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 observations will hopefully help fantasy managers looking to make a run for their fantasy championships in 2021.
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Champs
Champ of the Week: Kansas City Chiefs
After being dismantled in the 2020 Super Bowl, Kansas City knew they had to revamp their offensive line to have sustainable success. They started 2021 with five new starting offensive linemen, including rookies at center (Creed Humphrey) and right guard (Trey Smith). In Week 4, the line finally started to come together and show the massive potential they possess. Against an injured (but still formidable) Eagles front-7, the Chiefs led all offensive line units in average overall grade in Week 4 (77.66). According to PFF, Creed Humphrey was the second-best center and a top-5 lineman overall despite facing a steady diet of Javon Hargrave and Fletcher Cox up the middle. Joe Thuney (90.4 overall grade), Trey Smith (85.4 overall grade), and Humphrey combined to allow just one sack and one pressure while opening up running lanes against an Eagles interior defense that gave Dallas fits just one week ago.
Kansas City will have their work cut out for them in Week 5 against a Buffalo Bills defense that has been stifling opponents this year. Through four weeks, Buffalo is allowing just 8.5 fantasy points per game to quarterbacks and 10.2 fantasy points per game to running backs. According to PFF, they have generated 77 total pressures, 11 sacks, 11 QB hits, and 55 hurries thanks to strong performances by Jerry Hughes, Ed Oliver, and rookie Gregory Rousseau. The Chiefs' primary weapons are a must-start every week, but we will get a true look at how much their young offensive line has developed throughout this season in Week 5.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers made it a point to upgrade their offensive line during the 2021 offseason, adding a top center in Corey Linsley and spending a first round pick on rookie left tackle Rashawn Slater. Those two additions were on full display Monday night against the Raiders. Las Vegas had used a strong defensive front (and a little bit of luck) to start the season 3-0 before getting beat upfront by the Chargers. In total, four Chargers (Slater, left guard Matt Feiler, Linsley, and right guard Oday Aboushi) scored at least a 68 overall grade from PFF. Slater, Feiler, and Linsley all had run-blocking grades of at least an 80.5. Storm Norton struggled overall on Monday night (22.9 pass block grade, 59.2 run block grade, 44.4 overall grade with five hurries and six pressures allowed), but he was on an island against Max Crosby most of the night. Through four weeks, the Chargers rank as the fourth-best run-blocking offensive line (69.52 combined average grade) and ninth-best overall offensive line (65.62 average overall grade) in the NFL.
The Chargers will be put to the test against a Browns defensive line that is dominating opponents on a regular basis. Just one week after tormenting Justin Fields (nine sacks, seven hurries, 13 pressures), Cleveland shut down Minnesota’s offense completely. The Vikings allowed 21 hurries and 27 pressures on Sunday. The Chargers’ offensive line has been strong the past two weeks but will likely need to get creative to provide Justin Herbert the time he needs to push the ball downfield in Week 5.
Los Angeles Rams
Despite losing to the Arizona Cardinals in Week 4, the Rams offensive line held up well against Chandler Jones and J.J. Watt. The Rams had three offensive linemen (Andrew Whitworth, David Edwards, and Brian Allen) score at least a 72-pass blocking grade. All five offensive linemen had at least a 67-run blocking grade. The only lineman that struggled this week was right guard Austin Corbett (30 pass-blocking grade, three hits, three hurries, six pressures), but even he finished with a solid overall grade (58) thanks to a strong day in the run game (67.9 run-blocking grade). Ultimately, the Rams handled the challenge of Arizona’s versatile front-7 well (70.5 average overall grade) despite the underwhelming offensive performance through the air.
The Rams will have a short week to prepare for a Seahawks defense coming off a big divisional win against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 4. Seattle hasn’t done a great job bringing down the quarterback this season (10 sacks), but they have provided a steady presence otherwise (75 total pressures, 22 quarterback hits, 43 hurries). Seattle’s secondary has been a great unit to play against in fantasy through four weeks (27.4 PPG to quarterbacks) and could be in for a long day if the Rams can keep Matthew Stafford clean.
Underrated Champ: Philadelphia Eagles
Despite missing four offensive linemen (Jordan Mailata, Isaac Semualo, Brandon Brooks, Lane Johnson), the Eagles held up very well against the Kansas City Chiefs. Jason Kelce finished the week as the top overall center (93.3) thanks to a 97.7 run-blocking grade. Three offensive linemen (left tackle Andre Dillard, Kelce, and right tackle Jack Driscoll) had at least a 69-pass blocking grade despite taking 61 pass sets against a solid Kansas City defensive front. The Eagles did allow 16 hurries and 18 pressures, but Jalen Hurts was able to use his mobility to take just two hits and zero sacks. All-in-all, Philadelphia earned the title of an underrated champ thanks to their ability to protect their quarterback while missing 80% of their offensive line in a negative game script situation.
The Eagles should get Lane Johnson back in Week 5 (he was a late scratch against Kansas City) and Jordan Mailata has a chance of joining him along the offensive line again. The Eagles could use all the help they can get against a Panthers’ defensive front that features numerous athletic pass rushers up front led by Brian Burns.
Chumps
Chump of the Week: Denver Broncos
The injuries at starting guard (Dalton Risner and Graham Glasgow) forced Denver to turn to a rookie (Quinn Meinerz) and a second-year (Netane Muti) offensive lineman on the interior against an aggressive Baltimore front-7. Unfortunately for Denver, the results were mixed. Meinerz held up well in the passing game (78.1 blocking grade) but struggled to get movement on the ground (36.2 run-blocking grade). Meanwhile, Muti was an absolute liability as a pass blocker (3.0 pass-blocking grade, one sack, three hits, four hurries, and eight pressures) but performed well in the run game (60.6 run-blocking grade). Garrett Boles (52.6 overall grade, one sack, one hit, two hurries, four pressures) and Bobby Massie (52.1 overall grade, one sack, four hurries, and five pressures) had mediocre games against Baltimore's athletic pass-rushing rotation.
Denver ultimately finds themselves as the chump of the week due to an underwhelming average overall score (51.94), and because the shuffling across their offensive line may cost them starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater in the near future. The Broncos’ quarterback was knocked out of the game early with a concussion and was replaced by Drew Lock, who failed to generate sustainable drives. At this point, it is hard to know for certain if Bridgewater will be able to clear concussion protocol before Sunday. Denver’s offensive line will have another tough test against Pittsburgh in Week 5 and could be facing it with their backup quarterback which is rarely a recipe for success.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota offensive line was overwhelmed by the Cleveland Browns’ athletic pass rushers in Week 4, leading to just seven points scored. Left tackle Rashod Hill (one sack, three hits, six hurries, 10 pressures), left guard Ezra Cleveland (three hurries and three pressures), and right guard Oli Udoh (one hit, seven hurries, eight pressures) all failed to score above a 50-pass blocking grade. Cleveland was able to generate pressure with their four defensive linemen, allowing them to drop more players into coverage to keep the Minnesota pass game in check. The Vikings were unable to get anything established on the ground despite a solid effort in the run blocking department (56.8 average run-blocking grade) thanks to a lingering ankle injury to Dalvin Cook.
Through four weeks, the Vikings rank 23rd in average pass-blocking grade and 25th in average overall grade. The Vikings will look to get back on track against a Detroit front four that has struggled to generate consistent pressure (9 sacks) this season. Detroit may also be without their most consistent edge rusher, Romeo Okwara after he had to leave Week 4’s game against Chicago with an injury. If Cook is healthy again, Detroit should have far more success moving the ball in Week 5 than they did in Week 4.
Las Vegas Raiders
Unlike the Chargers on Monday night, Las Vegas’ offensive line was a liability that ultimately helped lead to a key divisional loss. On a positive note, Kolton Miller had a strong game for the Raiders, finishing the game with an 82.5 pass-blocking grade with one hurry and one pressure and an 83.6 overall blocking grade. Unfortunately, rookie Alex Leatherwood (48.5 pass-blocking grade, 36.6 overall grade) drew the assignment of blocking Joey Bosa and it went very poorly.
Leatherwood wasn’t the only problem though. Left guard John Simpson (55.2 overall blocking grade), center Andre James (48.1), and right guard Jermaine Eluemunor (55.1) all failed to record a pass-blocking grade of 57 and a run-blocking grade of 60 during the game. Those three combined to allow 22 total pressures and hurries during the game. Carr was under duress the entire game but was able to get the ball moving in the second half after moving the pocket and scrambling to avoid interior pressure. The Raiders will have their work cut out for them again in Week 5 against the Bears. Khalil Mack has been his usual self this year and Robert Quinn is playing up to his contract after a disappointing 2020. If Akeem Hicks and Eddie Goldman are able to play, Chicago will have the talent up front to give Las Vegas nightmares. The Raiders will have to perform better this week to give Derek Carr the time he needs to push the ball down the field to keep up in a super competitive AFC West.
Overlooked Chump: Indianapolis Colts
The good news: Indianapolis was able to secure their first win of the 2021 season against the Miami Dolphins in Week 4. The bad news: Indianapolis’ offensive line struggled massively in their first full game without Quenton Nelson. Eric Fisher (30.8 pass-blocking grade, 39.5 run-blocking grade, 33 overall grade) continues to work his way back from an Achilles injury on the fly with mixed results the past couple of weeks. Ryan Kelly also had his worst game of the season (25.5 pass blocking, 35.4 run blocking, 31.9 overall). The Colts were able to move the ball well enough to win the game, but that kind of effort won’t get it done most weeks against better defensive fronts.
Unfortunately for the Colts, they will face such a defensive front on Monday night against Baltimore. Indianapolis will still be without Quenton Nelson as he works his way back from a high ankle sprain. Baltimore will also put Eric Fisher and right tackle Julie'n Davenport to the test with a steady diet of edge pressure from rookie Odafe Oweh, former Colt Justin Houston, and Tyus Bowser. Be wary of firing up Colts’ skill players on your fantasy rosters in Week 5.
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