2009 Offensive Line Rankings and Analysis | ultimateffstrategy.com

09:33 AM ET 07.16 |

The following offensive line rankings were determined based on a number of factors which include the new additions to the offensive line, injuries suffered last season, the durability of the line, the average age of the line and the depth of the line. The offensive lines have been divided in five groups and teams in each group are listed in alphabetical order. To further understand each line, click on the team name and it will lead you to a detailed analysis of the offensive line.

Discuss these rankings in our forums

See our 2008 Offensive Line Rankings and Analysis

Very Good

Team 2008 YPC - 2008 Sacks - Avg. Age - 30 & over - Run Blocking - Pass Blocking - Durability - Depth

Atlanta Falcons 4.4 17 27.8 1 Same Same Good Fair All 5 starters back but will struggle if 1 or 2 linemen go down.

Carolina Panthers 4.8 20 27 1 Slightly Better Same Mediocre Poor All 5 starters back but as LT Jordan Gross said: "As it sits now, we can't really afford to have anybody get hurt" Denver Broncos 4.8 12 28.4 2 Slightly Worse Slightly Worse Good Mediocre All 5 starters back but probably won't perform as well under new offensive scheme.

New Orleans Saints 4 13 28.2 2 Slightly Better Same Good Very Good All 5 starters back; not the best starting 5 but 3 good backups.

New York Giants 5 28 29.6 3 Same Same Good Fair All 5 starters back and should be as good as last season; McKenzie's back is the only concern.

Philadelphia Eagles 4 23 27.6 0 Better Same Good Good Added Pro Bowler Peters, will once again be one of the best in run blocking.

Tennessee Titans 4.3 12 29.4 1 Same Same Very Good Mediocre All 5 starters back, four of whom are 28 or under. Line might be slightly worse if 38-year old Mawae is hurt.

Good

Team 2008 YPC - 2008 Sacks - Avg. Age - 30 & over - Run Blocking - Pass Blocking - Durability - Depth

Chicago Bears 3.9 29 29.2 - 30.4 3 Slightly Better Better Fair Very Good If Pace stays healthy this line will be one of the best in pass protection but still average in run blocking. Cleveland Browns 3.9 24 26.8 - 28.8 0 - 2 Better Same Fair Very Good 3 starters back; at least 1 upgrade; a healthy Steinbach should be a big boost for this running game. Kansas City Chiefs 4.8 37 29.8 3 Same Same Fair Good 4 starters back and one upgrade but Pro Bowler Waters is unhappy and 3 starters are at least 32 years old.

Jacksonville Jaguars 4.2 42 27.0 - 29.6 02-Mar Better Better Poor Very Good Better and with much more depth than last year. Even in the worst case scenario, they'll improve over 2008.

Miami Dolphins 4.2 26 26.6 - 27.2 0 Slightly Better Slightly Better Fair Fair Should be slightly better at C and; a lot of depth inside but need Long and Carey to play 16 games. New England Patriots 4.4 48 30.2 4 Same Better Fair Good All 5 starters back but Brady will help decrease the sack total; much more depth than in previous years.

New York Jets 4.7 30 29 2 Same Same Very Good Mediocre All 5 starters back but they need to stay healthy or the offense will struggle.

Fair

Team 2008 YPC - 2008 Sacks - Avg. Age - 30 & over - Run Blocking - Pass Blocking - Durability - Depth

Baltimore Ravens 4 33 25.8 - 26.0 1 Slightly Better Slightly Better Good Good Four very young starters, three returning from last year, with the veteran 6-time Pro Bowler Matt Birk at center.

Buffalo Bills 4.2 38 25.8 1 Same Better Very Good Fair Brand new line, no great talent but all five are hard workers and very smart. This line will surprise many in 2009.

Green Bay Packers 4.1 34 26.8 - 28.0 1 Better Same Good Good 3 or 4 of the starters will be back but a lot of young linemen who could surprise; no irreplaceable starter. Houston Texans 4.3 32 26.8 1 Same Slightly Better Very Good Fair All 5 starters back and working with Alex Gibbs. No backups with experience but no irreplaceable starter. Indianapolis Colts 3.4 14 28.4 2 Better Same Poor Good This line will be one of the best if Ugoh, Lilja and Saturday stay healthy all year but that's a pretty big if.

Oakland Raiders 4.3 39 27.6 - 29.2 01-Feb Same Slightly Better Good Very Good 3 starters back, downgrade at C but upgrade at T; 4 backups with NFL experience

San Diego Chargers 4.1 25 26.0 - 27.8 0 - 1 Slightly Better Same Fair Mediocre 4 starters back and all 4 are young but RG is a concern; McNeill, Dielman and Hardwick must stay healthy

Seattle Seahawks 4.2 36 27.8 01-Feb Slightly Better Slightly Better Poor Very Good All 5 starters missed at least 2 games this year, all 5 are back this year; can only improve.

Mediocre

Team 2008 YPC - 2008 Sacks - Avg. Age - 30 & over - Run Blocking - Pass Blocking - Durability - Depth

Cincinnati Bengals 3.6 51 27.2 1 Better Better Fair Good Only 2 starters back, only 1 at the same position. Lots of changes but this line could surprise this year.

Dallas Cowboys 4.3 31 31.6 5 Same Same Good Mediocre All 5 starters back but they're old and pass protection could become a problem.

Minnesota Vikings 4.5 43 27.6 2 Slightly Worse Slightly Worse Very Good Very Good Replacing Pro Bowler Birk with Sullivan will hurt; 2 versatile backups with experience; transition year for this line.

San Francisco 49ers 4 55 27.2 1 Slightly Better Better Fair Fair Things can only be better with Marvel Smith at RT; will be much improved in pass protection.

St. Louis Rams 4 45 26 0 Better Slightly Better Fair Mediocre So many injuries last season that they should improve despite the loss of Pace.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4.1 32 26.2 0 Same Same Good Good All 5 starters back and all very young but haven't shown as much improvement as we'd expect.

Washington Redskins 4.4 38 30.2 0 Slightly Worse Slightly Better Fair Mediocre Made two changes, should be about as good if Samuels and Thomas stay healthy but very little depth.

Poor

Team 2008 YPC - 2008 Sacks - Avg. Age - 30 & over - Run Blocking - Pass Blocking - Durability - Depth
Arizona Cardinals 3.5 28 27 1 Same Same Very Good Fair 5 starters back, will still struggle in run blocking but should be pretty good in pass protection.
Detroit Lions 3.8 52 28.4 2 Same Better Good Fair One of the worst o-lines in 2008; 4 of the 5 starters are back but many were hurt so could be a little better.
Pittsburgh Steelers 3.7 49 26.8 1 Same Slightly Better Good Poor 5 starters back from last 11 games last season; will struggle again.

Comment

Start Your Own Blog

Recent Posts

MOST POPULAR

Most Active Users

NFL > General NFL

NFL > General NFL

NFL > General NFL

Blog Roll

SI Photos

SI Writers

Top Stories