Potential Stud Offenses: Offensive Line Analysis of NFC East

This post was originally posted on Rotoback.

In an effort to better prepare your expectations of RBs and QBs, I'll be taking a look at each offensive line in every division, evaluating both pass blocking and run blocking based on their latest season to date.  For those who lack playing time in the NFL, I'll examine some college tape in an effort to get you ready for your draft.

Before we can start though, it's important to note the league average at each position for our metrics, according to PFF:

Position	2014 AVG P-Block	2014 AVG R-Block
Tackle	-1.6	1.1
Guards	-1.9	0.2
Center	-1.6	4.8

 

All grades from Profootballfocus.com represent the amount of good vs bad plays a player has had during the 2013 season and their careers. These are found through analysis of game tape by the team at PFF. A negative grade means a player has had more bad plays through the course of a season/career than good, and vice-versa.

 

New York Giant s Offensive Line

Projected Starter	Year	Position	2013 P-Block	2013 R-Block	Career AVG P-Block	Career AVG R-Block
Will Beatty	6	LT	-19.90	7.20	-5.73	7.40
Geoff Schwartz	7	LG	5.90	10.50	4.13	10.00
J.D. Walton	5	C	0.00	0.00	-6.10	-6.90
Brandon Mosley	3	RG	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Justin Pugh	2	RT	-7.10	5.90	-7.10	5.90
Total			-21.10	23.60	-14.79	16.40

New starters in Bold.

Will Beatty has been an inconsistent pass blocker and last year he experienced the lowest point of his career finishing as the 5th worst pass blocking tackle in the league.  At least he's been good in the run game.

Although Geoff Schwartz has been in the league for a while, he's only had 3 years that included any significant playing time. Surprisingly, last year wasn't even his best season (2009 with the Panthers was). Schwartz is a huge upgrade from last years mixture of Kevin Boothe and James Brewer, even if he is injured. If there is a chance he misses time, there still is the more than capable John Jerry sitting behind him and Kevin Boothe, who at least isn't completely terrible. The same can't be said for Brewer.

J.D. Walton hasn't played since week 4 of 2012 when he suffered an ankle injury that kept him sidelined him for almost two years. You have to wonder if he'll be worse now, since he wasn't even an average starter before the injury.

Despite entering his 3rd year in the league, Brandon Mosley has seen less than 100 snaps in his career thus far. The loss of David Diehl has forced him into the starting lineup (for now at least), so it's hard to tell what he will do after two years of coaching from the bench. Athletically, he has the potential to do well, but so far in the preseason he hasn't.

Justin Pugh was another first round tackle from 2013 who struggled in the passing game but found success in the run game. Other than his short arms, Pugh is an average athlete who should improve next season.

Final Analysis:  The Giants offensive line wasn't doing Eli Manning any favors last season and it doesn't seem like they will be doing him any this season, especially if Schwartz misses any time. Rueben Randle and Victor Cruz will be productive WRs this year, but without a solid pass blocking offensive line, Eli is likely to struggle again and that could put a lower ceiling on Randle's and Cruz' production. At least the line has some ability to block in the run game, which will benefit Rashad Jennings nicely, but with two pieces of the interior having little experience and little success, the Giants are really hoping for a huge step forward. That step might be a little too far to reach this year.

 

Dallas Cowboys Offensive Line

Projected Starter	Year	Position	2013 P-Block	2013 R-Block	Career AVG P-Block	Career AVG R-Block
Tyron Smith	4	LT	12.40	9.10	3.57	10.70
Mackenzy Bernadeau	7	LG	-1.70	8.70	-4.16	0.18
Travis Frederick	2	C	-7.90	22.40	-7.90	22.40
Zack Martin	1	RG	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Doug Free	8	RT	9.00	5.60	-1.76	8.52
Total			11.80	45.80	-10.25	41.80

New starters in Bold. Rookies in Red.

Tyron Smith has been amongst the premier Left Tackle's since he first entered the league and he's still got room to get better. Cowboy's landed a real hit with this one, expectations are for him to have a career year this upcoming season.

Mackenzy Bernadeau had a great showing but there's a large chance he won't repeat. He's been just below average for most of his years although he's still a capable starter.

Travis Frederick was the highest graded Center last year in run blocking, a great payoff after he was surprisingly picked in the first round. Frederick might not repeat such a feat but it wouldn't be surprising if he came close. He should also improve in his pass blocking in year two.

Zack Martin's college tape shows a player who wins at the line of scrimmage pretty often. There's a lot to like here and he will strengthen this line heavily if he can adjust to the pro game.

Doug Free has been the bane of the cowboys pass blocking for two of the last three seasons but he's always done well in the run game and was able to have a complete turn around last season in pass protection, putting up career grades. History is not on Free's side to repeat last years pass protection but his run game performance should be as good as always.

Final Analysis: There's some great run blocking to look forward to on the Cowboys Offensive Line. With the new addition of Zack Martin there's a strong opportunity for DeMarco Murray to have some big holes to run through this season. That summed career run grade confirms that. Romo on the other hand is hoping for improvement in pass blocking, which should be expected with the addition of Zack Martin and Travis Frederick entering his second season. This line should end up benefiting Romo, Dez Bryant and breakout candidate Terrence Williams nicely. Overall, this might end up being one of the best offensive lines in the league this season.

 

Washington Redskins Offensive Line

Projected Starter	Year	Position	2013 P-Block	2013 R-Block	Career AVG P-Block	Career AVG R-Block
Trent Williams	5	LT	17.10	13.70	3.58	6.23
Shawn Lauvao	5	LG	-2.70	-11.00	-3.50	-2.57
Kory Lichtensteiger	7	C	2.20	-2.40	-0.63	-2.48
Chris Chester	9	RG	-9.80	3.70	-0.86	1.70
Tyler Polumbus	7	RT	9.70	-0.30	-6.56	-2.70
Total			16.50	3.70	-7.97	0.18

New starters in Bold.

Trent Williams is entering his prime as one of the best left tackles in the league. That should let you know where his play is heading.

Shawn Lauvao hasn't been doing well since coming into the league and there might not be a lot better for him to get.

Kory Lichtensteiger has been slowly getting better since he's become a starter, but with seven years already spent in the league you kind of expect this to be his ceiling. Lichtensteiger was used as a guard for all of his career and will have his first year as a center this season- where he might actually do well. Previous starter Will Montgomery was very good at the position last year though, so a drop off is more expected than not.

Chris Chester had a bad year for his standards but one that isn't surprising for him to have. Chester is now past his prime and will be having trouble putting together seasons as good as some of the ones in the past.

Tyler Polumbus has been a below average starter for the entirety of his career, clocking in his best season last year. He's unlikely to repeat.

Final Analysis: If it weren't for Trent Williams the Washington Redskins Offensive Line would be a serious competitor for least exciting in the league. None of the starters outside of Williams are young enough to still have untapped potential and they're completely replaceable. The loss of Will Montogomery is going to be felt, as last year the Redskins were amongst the top 8 in the league when runs were towards the center. Lichtensteiger could be slightly better in the center than he was at guard, but not by much. Alfred Morris might be looking at his worst year yet since the entire interior of the offensive line is questionable in their run blocking. Robert Griffin III has his blindside covered well, but the rest of his line will be a huge issue. It's not hard to imagine Griffin being amongst the top quarter of highest pressured QBs this season. Pierre Garcon and to a lesser extent Deseasn Jackson are both top receivers, but neither should be looked to as a slam dunk to repeat last year, especially with how RGIII has looked this preseason.

 

Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Line

Projected Starter	Year	Position	2013 P-Block	2013 R-Block	Career AVG P-Block	Career AVG R-Block
Jason Peters	11	LT	10.50	13.20	8.17	10.28
Evan Mathis	10	LG	5.70	43.20	9.25	29.13
Jason Kelce	4	C	2.40	15.20	-6.05	8.30
Todd Herremans	9	RG	-18.30	24.20	-3.67	12.07
Lane Johnson	2	RT	-14.50	13.30	-14.50	13.30
Total			-14.20	109.10	-6.80	73.08

You don't last 11 years in the NFL because you aren't good. Unless your Khalif Barnes, apparently. Jason Peters has been amongst the top of the league in run and pass blocking for every year he's started.

Evan Mathis has been widely regarded as one of the best lineman in the game right now. Looking at those career numbers, especially for run blocking, it's hard to argue against it. Mathis has been PFF's top overall guard every year for the last three years.

Jason Kelce put in his best year last season after having his second year cut short due to injury. Kelce is a very athletic center and should have no trouble repeating and might even do better. At least in the run game.

The last time Todd Herremans had a good year as a pass blocker was 2008. Ever since, he's been consistently amongst the bottom of the league at giving up pressure but has managed to remain a starter thanks to being a great to elite run blocker every year.

Lane Johnson was the highest rated rookie tackle at run blocking last year, coming in 8th of every tackle in the league. His pass blocking needs a lot of work but Johnson is a gifted athlete and should be getting better this year. Johnson is suspended for the first four games however for violating team violations and will have Allen Barbre take his place. Barbre's been in the league 7 years and has never had any significant playing time, but much like the other Eagles lineman he's got good athleticism to him and might be able to do well. Can't say you should it expect it though.

Final Analysis: The only worrying matter on the Philadelphia Eagles offensive line is age. Three players are nearing or over the 10 year mark and will be either 32 or older at some point in the season. Lineman tend to have longer careers than other NFL positions but you have to assume they'll slow down at least a bit this year. Still, there's no reason to believe this shouldn't be one of the top 3 run blocking offensive lines this year and of all the running backs that can repeat a top rushing season, LeSean McCoy should have the easiest path to doing it. Pass blocking has a different story on this line. Foles blindside is covered well by Mathis and Peters but the rest of the line has struggled being consistent. It's assumed that both Johnson and Kelce should be better but what if they aren't? Even so, last season they weren't very good and Foles had a great year. Generally speaking, there hasn't been much of a connection in my study between pass blocking playing a role in good quarterbacking, except for making already bad quarterbacks look worse.  Count on Eagles' receivers Jeremy Maclin, Riley Cooper and rookie Jordan Matthew to have nice years with Foles.