The offensive line is often referred to as the “unsung heroes” of football. While quarterbacks, running backs, and wide receivers often receive the glory and attention, it is the offensive line that truly holds the key to a team’s success. A strong offensive line can provide the foundation for a potent offense, while a weak offensive line can lead to a team’s downfall. As such, it is crucial to evaluate and rank the top offensive lines in the NFL for the 2021 season.
Key Takeaways
- Offensive line rankings are crucial for a team’s success in the NFL.
- Criteria for ranking offensive lines include pass protection, run blocking, and overall consistency.
- The top 5 offensive lines for the 2021 season are the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, New Orleans Saints, Green Bay Packers, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- The breakdown of each top offensive line highlights their strengths and key players.
- Honorable mentions and potential breakout lines to watch out for in the 2021 season are the Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys.
- The impact of top offensive lines on team success is significant, as they provide crucial support for quarterbacks and running backs.
- In conclusion, the top offensive lines are expected to play a key role in their team’s success in the 2021 season, with potential for playoff and championship contention.
Criteria for Ranking Offensive Lines
When ranking offensive lines, several key factors must be taken into consideration. First and foremost, the individual talent and skill of each offensive lineman must be assessed. This includes their ability to pass protect, run block, and work as a cohesive unit. Additionally, the depth of the offensive line is important, as injuries are common in football and a team’s ability to withstand injuries to key players can make or break their season. Furthermore, the offensive scheme and coaching must be considered, as some offensive systems may place more emphasis on the offensive line than others. Finally, recent performance and potential for improvement are crucial factors in determining the top offensive lines for the upcoming season.
Top 5 Offensive Lines for the 2021 Season
1. Cleveland Browns
2. Indianapolis Colts
3. New Orleans Saints
4. Dallas Cowboys
5. Green Bay Packers
Breakdown of Each Top Offensive Line
| Team | Player | Position | Games Played | Sacks Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New England Patriots | Trent Brown | Left Tackle | 16 | 3 |
| Dallas Cowboys | Tyron Smith | Left Tackle | 13 | 2 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | Jason Kelce | Center | 16 | 1 |
| Los Angeles Rams | Andrew Whitworth | Left Tackle | 15 | 4 |
The Cleveland Browns boast one of the most talented and cohesive offensive lines in the NFL. Led by All-Pro tackle Jack Conklin and guard Joel Bitonio, the Browns’ offensive line paved the way for a potent rushing attack and provided excellent protection for quarterback Baker Mayfield in the 2020 season. With the addition of first-round draft pick Greg Newsome II at cornerback, the Browns are poised to have a strong defense that can keep them in games, allowing their offensive line to control the tempo and dominate in the trenches.
The Indianapolis Colts have invested heavily in their offensive line in recent years, and it has paid off handsomely. Led by All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson and tackle Braden Smith, the Colts’ offensive line has been instrumental in their success. With the addition of quarterback Carson Wentz, who struggled behind a weak offensive line in Philadelphia, the Colts are hoping that their strong offensive line will provide Wentz with the protection he needs to return to form and lead the team to success in the 2021 season.
The New Orleans Saints have consistently fielded one of the top offensive lines in the NFL, and 2021 should be no different. Led by All-Pro tackle Terron Armstead and guard Andrus Peat, the Saints’ offensive line has been a key factor in their success over the past several seasons. With quarterback Drew Brees retiring, the Saints will likely rely even more heavily on their offensive line to protect new quarterback Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill and open up running lanes for star running back Alvin Kamara.
The Dallas Cowboys’ offensive line has been a strength of their team for several years, and 2021 should be no different. Led by All-Pro guard Zack Martin and tackle Tyron Smith, the Cowboys’ offensive line has been instrumental in their success. With quarterback Dak Prescott returning from injury, the Cowboys will be looking to their offensive line to provide him with the protection he needs to lead their high-powered offense to success in the upcoming season.
The Green Bay Packers’ offensive line has been a consistent strength of their team, and 2021 should be no different. Led by All-Pro tackle David Bakhtiari and guard Elgton Jenkins, the Packers’ offensive line has been instrumental in their success over the past several seasons. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers returning for what could be his final season with the team, the Packers will be looking to their offensive line to provide him with the protection he needs to lead their offense to success.
Honorable Mentions and Potential Breakout Lines
While the top 5 offensive lines are certainly impressive, there are several other teams that deserve recognition for their strong offensive lines heading into the 2021 season. The Los Angeles Rams, led by All-Pro tackle Andrew Whitworth and center Brian Allen, have consistently fielded a strong offensive line and should continue to do so in 2021. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, fresh off a Super Bowl victory, have a talented offensive line led by All-Pro guard Ali Marpet and tackle Tristan Wirfs. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by All-Pro tackle Orlando Brown Jr. and guard Joe Thuney, have invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason and should have one of the top units in the league.
In addition to these established contenders, there are several teams with potential breakout offensive lines in 2021. The Los Angeles Chargers have invested heavily in their offensive line this offseason, adding All-Pro center Corey Linsley and tackle Rashawn Slater in the draft. The New York Jets have also made significant upgrades to their offensive line, adding guard Alijah Vera-Tucker in the draft and signing tackle Morgan Moses in free agency. These teams could surprise many with their improved play in the trenches this upcoming season.
Impact of Top Offensive Lines on Team Success
The impact of a top offensive line on a team’s success cannot be overstated. A strong offensive line can provide a solid foundation for an offense to operate effectively, whether it be through protecting the quarterback or opening up running lanes for the ground game. Conversely, a weak offensive line can lead to constant pressure on the quarterback, an inability to sustain drives, and an ineffective running game.
For example, the Cleveland Browns’ success in 2020 can largely be attributed to their dominant offensive line play. Their ability to control the line of scrimmage allowed them to establish a potent rushing attack with Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt while also providing excellent protection for Baker Mayfield. This allowed Mayfield to operate efficiently within the offense and make plays downfield when needed.
Conversely, teams like the Cincinnati Bengals struggled mightily due to poor offensive line play. Their inability to protect rookie quarterback Joe Burrow led to his season-ending injury and severely hindered their ability to move the ball effectively on offense.
Conclusion and Predictions for the 2021 Season
As we head into the 2021 NFL season, it is clear that the strength of a team’s offensive line will play a crucial role in determining their success. The top 5 offensive lines mentioned earlier are poised to have a significant impact on their respective teams’ fortunes this upcoming season. Whether it be through providing protection for their quarterbacks or opening up running lanes for their running backs, these offensive lines will be instrumental in determining how far their teams can go.
In addition to these top units, there are several other teams with strong offensive lines that could surprise many with their improved play this upcoming season. The impact of these units on their teams’ success cannot be understated, as they will play a crucial role in determining which teams emerge as contenders in 2021.
In conclusion, as we look ahead to the 2021 NFL season, it is clear that the strength of a team’s offensive line will be a key factor in determining their success. The top offensive lines mentioned earlier are poised to have a significant impact on their teams’ fortunes this upcoming season, while several other teams have potential breakout units that could surprise many with their improved play. As always, football games are won and lost in the trenches, and it will be fascinating to see how these top offensive lines shape the landscape of the NFL in 2021.
If you’re interested in offensive line rankings, you might also want to check out this article on homesacres.com that discusses the impact of offensive line performance on a team’s overall success. This article delves into the importance of a strong offensive line and how it can make or break a team’s chances of winning games. It’s a great read for football fans looking to gain a deeper understanding of the game.
FAQs
What are offensive line rankings?
Offensive line rankings are a way to evaluate and compare the performance of the offensive lines of different football teams in a league. These rankings are based on various factors such as pass protection, run blocking, and overall effectiveness in helping the team’s offense.
How are offensive line rankings determined?
Offensive line rankings are determined by analyzing statistics, game footage, and expert opinions. Factors such as sacks allowed, quarterback pressures, rushing yards, and overall offensive performance are taken into consideration when determining the rankings.
Why are offensive line rankings important?
Offensive line rankings are important because the performance of the offensive line directly impacts the success of the team’s offense. A strong offensive line can provide better protection for the quarterback, create running lanes for the running backs, and contribute to the overall success of the team.
Who creates offensive line rankings?
Offensive line rankings are created by sports analysts, experts, and media outlets who closely follow and analyze football games. These rankings are often published and discussed to provide insights into the performance of different teams’ offensive lines.
What are some key metrics used in offensive line rankings?
Key metrics used in offensive line rankings include sacks allowed, quarterback pressures, rushing yards, yards per carry, and overall offensive production. These metrics help assess the effectiveness of the offensive line in both pass protection and run blocking.
