Top 10 NFL Offensive Linemen Rankings (2013)
By: Matt Harmon
August 3, 2013
Administrator’s Note: I will admit outright that of all the position groups in the NFL the play of the offensive line is probably the hardest for the moderately trained eye, mine included, to judge. However, I still feel that this list provides a good grasp of the top ten players on the front line today. A few things about this list: First, we had some big names amongst the offensive lineman fall victim to injury this past season. Some that played parts of the season still made this list (Carl Nicks for example), others who missed the entire season did not make it even though the prior work on their resumes certainly merit inclusion (Jason Peters). Secondly, you will notice that interior offensive lineman dominate this list, and that is intentionally done because I believe it reflects what is a shortage of high quality offensive tackles in the NFL today. When Hall of Fame caliber players like Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace, and Walter Jones retired at various points over the last decade, it signaled that we were no longer in the golden age of the offensive tackle.
1) Duane Brown, LT, Houston Texans
2) Jahri Evans, RG, New Orleans Saints
3) Evan Mathis, LG, Philadelphia Eagles
4) Joe Thomas, LT, Cleveland Browns
5) Nick Mangold, C, New York Jets
6) Carl Nicks, LG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
7) Marshall Yanda, RG, Baltimore Ravens
8) Russell Okung, LT, Seattle Seahawks
9) Logan Mankins, LG, New England Patriots
10) Mike Pouncey, C, Miami Dolphins
August 3, 2013
Administrator’s Note: I will admit outright that of all the position groups in the NFL the play of the offensive line is probably the hardest for the moderately trained eye, mine included, to judge. However, I still feel that this list provides a good grasp of the top ten players on the front line today. A few things about this list: First, we had some big names amongst the offensive lineman fall victim to injury this past season. Some that played parts of the season still made this list (Carl Nicks for example), others who missed the entire season did not make it even though the prior work on their resumes certainly merit inclusion (Jason Peters). Secondly, you will notice that interior offensive lineman dominate this list, and that is intentionally done because I believe it reflects what is a shortage of high quality offensive tackles in the NFL today. When Hall of Fame caliber players like Jonathan Ogden, Orlando Pace, and Walter Jones retired at various points over the last decade, it signaled that we were no longer in the golden age of the offensive tackle.
1) Duane Brown, LT, Houston Texans
- Many people still do not realize this, but Duane Brown is the best left tackle in football. When the offensive tackle needy Texans drafted him in the first round in 2008, many called the pick a colossal reach, as he was not widely considered a first round pick. Over five years later the pick looks well worth it. Brown is now the tremendous anchor on Houston’s stout zone blocking offensive line.
2) Jahri Evans, RG, New Orleans Saints
- Evans stole back the show after his long time running mate, Carl Nicks, departed to the division rival Bucs. Evans is strong as a run blocker, but he is tremendous as a pass protector. The Saints build their line in a unique fashion in that they place the emphasis on their guard play over their tackles. With Evans stationed at guard Drew Brees has plenty of space to step up in the pocket and deliver the ball to his numerous weapons.
3) Evan Mathis, LG, Philadelphia Eagles
- A theme amongst the offensive lineman, Evan Mathis is still a relative unknown amongst many fans. He started his career as a bit of a journeyman and bounced around a few teams. His career took off a few years ago in Baltimore, and he sustained and raised his stellar play after moving to Philadelphia to play on an inferior overall line. Truthfully he is probably the only successful acquisition the Eagles made during the Dream Team free agency period, despite carrying the least fanfare. A case can be made that he is the best player at his position.
4) Joe Thomas, LT, Cleveland Browns
- A model of consistency, Thomas is probably the only player who even possess an argument to be mentioned in the same breath as the aforementioned greats like Ogden, Pace, and Jones. He has been to the Pro Bowl every year of his career, and barring any injuries he will likely never relinquish his spot on the team. A great player on some pretty bad teams, one can only hope that the Browns attempts to build up their offense around Thomas prove fruitful.
5) Nick Mangold, C, New York Jets
- Mangold has long been the rock in the middle of the Jets offensive line. The rest of the line’s play began to slip around him, but Mangold stayed strong. With Revis gone, it is pretty easy to argue that Mangold is the best player on an otherwise uninspiring Jets roster. If they hope to return to any sort of offensive success, the Jets will need to pray Mangold keeps up his level of dominance.
6) Carl Nicks, LG, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Nicks missed most of last season with an injury, and it has caused him to come in lower on this list than he likely should. Prior to this season Nicks was widely considered the best guard in football and had just received a massive payday to jump from the Saints to the Buccaneers. Nicks is a mountain of a man who has no holes in his game and if he returns to form, impressive second year running back Doug Martin will have an elite level season. You can book that.
7) Marshall Yanda, RG, Baltimore Ravens
- Another longtime fixture, Yanda has long been a stud on the Balitmore offensive line. Though he has dabbled in playing tackle during his career, Yanda is at his best when stationed at his right guard spot. He has been a catapult for Ray Rice’s stellar play over the years, and he only seems to be getting better. If fellow guard, Kelechi Osemele, remains at that position and builds off a dominant playoff run we could see a tandem that rivals what Nicks and Evans had in New Orleans for all those years.
8) Russell Okung, LT, Seattle Seahawks
- Russell Okung was one of my favorite players in the 2009 draft class, and I harshly criticized the Washington Redskins for taking the athletic Trent Williams over Okung. It took awhile to get going, mostly due to injuries, but Okung finally made me look smart last year. You need to only look at the holes that are blasted open for Marshawn Lynch to see he work as a run blocker, but his game is protecting the quarterback; Okung only allowed Russell Wilson to be brought down twice last season. Look for him to begin piling up Pro Bowl trips.
9) Logan Mankins, LG, New England Patriots
- Mankins is a long time great whose play slipped a bit last season. In fact, I may have him on this list mostly based on reputation. However, it is important to remember that he was still in something of a recovery year last year, and that could perhaps explain his setbacks. New England’s refocus on the running game could allow Mankins to increase his nastiness as a run blocker. He has had a truly great career, but Mankins needs to clean his game up just a tiny bit to earn his spot on this list come next offseason.
10) Mike Pouncey, C, Miami Dolphins
- No folks, that was not a typo, I meant to rank Mike, not the Steeler’s Maurkice Pouncey, as the tenth best offensive lineman in the league. Maurkice is still the more highly regarded twin, but it is Mike who has established himself as the superior player. A mauler in the run game, he was a huge reason why Reggie Bush experienced something of a career revival in Miami. If all the new pieces on the Dolphins offense gel together and find success, I bet Mike begins to get his dues in national media circuits.
Comment Form is loading comments...
