Every NFL Team's Offensive Line Situation Ranked
Every NFL Team's Offensive Line Situation Ranked
Written by: Aaron Ussery
Heading into training camp, now is a great time to check in on the state of each team's overall roster. Below I rank all 32 teams' current offensive line situations from worst to best. Read below to see who finds themselves with plenty of security and who might be in for some chaotic times up front in 2022.
32. Chicago Bears
Projected Starting Five:
LT - Braxton Jones
LG - Cody Whitehair
C - Lucas Patrick
RG - Sam Mustipher
RT - Larry Borom
Key Backups - OT Teven Jenkins, OT Julien Davenport, IOL Ja'Tyre Carter
Jones had a very strong minicamp where he ended the sessions lining up with the number one unit. While that may be an encouraging sign, it's still hard to get too excited about a rookie fifth rounder being your team's starting left tackle. Whitehair is likely to play guard, which is a bit of an odd decision (he's always looked more natural when playing center in my opinion). Patrick is the reason why, having been brought over from Green Bay as a free agent after a relatively successful season as the team's primary starting center in 2021. Mustipher is the other guard for now, replacing the departed (and much better) James Daniels. Borom appears to have kicked over from left tackle, where you figure he and 2021 2nd round pick Teven Jenkins will battle for the starting job.
It's been said a million times at this point, but the Bears really aren't putting QB Justin Fields in position to succeed this year. Yes, building a roster up takes time when you're essentially starting from scratch - but you'd still hope the front office could have assembled a more inspiring group than this.
31. Pittsburgh Steelers
Projected Starting Five:
LT - Dan Moore
LG - Kevin Dotson
C - Mason Cole
RG - James Daniels
RT - Chuks Okorafor
Key Backups - OT Joe Haeg, IOL Kendrick Green, IOL JC Hassenauer
Moore took over as the starter last season and had his fair share of struggles, but the team appears to have faith in him. He needs to show improvement in his second year, or the left tackle spot is going to be a significant liability. Dotson is probably the best player here, having flashed high level potential as a rookie before struggling with injury in 2021. Cole looks to be the guy at center for now, but will likely compete with Kendrick Green for the job. Both possess good mobility when climbing to the second level, but also lack functional strength and can often get overwhelmed at the point of attack. Daniels was brought over from the aforementioned Bears after several seasons as an above average starting guard, but has continuously struggled to stay healthy. Okorafor is entering his fifth season and has yet to solidify himself as an above average starter.
The Steelers are in a tough spot. The guard positions should be okay if Dotson and Daniels can both stay healthy, but there's some serious question marks at center and both tackle spots.
29. Houston Texans
Projected Starting Five:
LT - Laremy Tunsil
LG - Kenyon Green
C - Justin Britt
RG - AJ Cann
RT - Tytus Howard
Key Backups: OT Charlie Heck, IOL Max Scharping, IOL Jimmy Morrissey
Tunsil was the subject of trade rumors earlier in the offseason, but is back for at least another year. He hasn't been anything close to what the team thought they were getting when they traded for him back in 2019. Green was one of the team's two first round picks, and while he certainly looks the part of a starting guard in the NFL we'll obviously need to see it first before we can get too excited. Britt provides good veteran leadership, but should be thought of as a below average starter at this point in his career. Same goes for Cann, who will turn 31 during the season and is coming off a torn MCL that ended his 2021 campaign after six weeks. Howard's development has been hindered by how much the team has moved him around the line, but he's coming off his best season thus far as a pro and could take a big leap forward in his fourth season.
30. Las Vegas Raiders
Projected Starting Five:
LT - Kolton Miller