Offensive Line Rankings: Top 10

Get ready for your season with theScore's 2021 Fantasy Football Draft Kit and subscribe to push notifications in the NFL Fantasy News section.

Starting lineups are projections and will be updated throughout training camp.

Offensive Line Rankings
32-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

10. Baltimore Ravens

• The Ravens need a few things to come together to pay off this ranking after an offseason filled with changes across the offensive line. Their biggest improvement will come from the return of former first-team All-Pro tackle Ronnie Stanley, who suffered a season-ending broken ankle that required multiple surgeries.
• They also rebuilt the line's right side with veteran free agents Kevin Zeitler and Alejandro Villanueva. The team is hoping Zeitler can rebound following a down year with the Giants. He graded out well above average for eight straight seasons prior to 2020, according to Pro Football Focus. Villanueva will have challenges of his own as he transitions from playing left to right tackle with his new club.
• Baltimore's focus on the run was evident when it drafted monster guard Ben Cleveland. The mauling third-rounder measures in at 6-foot-6 and 354 pounds and is the favorite to emerge at left guard.

9. Kansas City Chiefs

• In an effort to save Patrick Mahomes from another beating like the one he took from the Buccaneers' defense in last year's Super Bowl, the Chiefs went to work revamping his blockers.
• In the end, new faces will occupy the entire left side of their line after trading for two-time Pro Bowl tackle Orlando Brown, signing former second-team All-Pro guard Joe Thuney, and drafting second-round center Creed Humphries. Sixth-round rookie Trey Smith may be called on to start in Week 1, with Laurent Duvernay-Tardif set to miss four to six weeks with a broken hand.
• An unimpeded pass rush appears to be the only kryptonite for Mahomes, so this approach is exactly what Kansas City's front office needed to keep its elite offense on track in 2021.

8. Detroit Lions

• The Lions are on the verge of having one of the NFL's best offensive lines. They'll pair their four returning starters - who already made up the majority of a quality front in 2020 - with first-round right tackle Penei Sewell.
• Detroit has done well investing first-round picks in the line in recent years, resulting in Taylor Decker (2016) and Frank Ragnow (2018), who finished as the 12th best tackle and third-best center in PFF grades last year.
• It's safe to question the Lions' offense with Jared Goff at the helm, but their line play won't be the reason this attack struggles. If Sewell can hit the ground running, we might need to reconsider the fantasy ceiling for running back D'Andre Swift, who could be supercharged behind this potentially dominant front.

7. Indianapolis Colts

• The once-great Colts' offensive line that topped this list a year ago has been downgraded due to Anthony Castanzo's retirement and a wave of injuries that could have them fielding backups at both left tackle and guard.
• Eric Fisher, Castonzo's replacement, is fighting his way back after a torn Achilles, which could land him on the PUP list to start the season, and reports out of camp indicate his backups haven't exactly excelled in his absence. Meanwhile, Quenton Nelson is targeting a Week 1 return after having foot surgery in the summer, and center Ryan Kelly has missed time with an elbow injury but is expected to get back to practice this week.
• With quarterback Carson Wentz also questionable for the opener due to a foot issue, the line play will be even more important early in the season as the Colts lean on Jonathan Taylor and the run game. Expect an uncharacteristically slow start in terms of blocking, but this unit should be back inside the top five by mid-season.

6. San Francisco 49ers

• The 49ers are building something special on offense with young skill position stars like Trey Lance and Brandon Aiyuk about to become household names. And their line will be a big part of that success.
• Trent Williams, who signed a six-year, $138-million extension in the offseason, is arguably the top tackle in the league, and 26-year-old Mike McGlinchey is doing his best to emulate his stellar teammate as his bookend on the right side.
• Veteran center Alex Mack might be on the decline, but his run blocking was still solid for the Falcons in 2020. Kyle Shanahan will put that to use in front of speedy game-breaker Raheem Mostert and rookie Trey Sermon. An experienced man in the middle will also help the eventual transition when Lance takes over under center.

5. Dallas Cowboys

• Injuries decimated the Cowboys' line last year, limiting Zack Martin to 10 appearances, Tyron Smith to two outings, and ending La'el Collins' season before it began. When you combine that with losing Dak Prescott in Week 5, Dallas' offense was a shell of itself.
• Travis Frederick's retirement also took its toll as Tyler Biadasz struggled, as one would expect from a fourth-rounder thrust into the starting lineup. Perhaps Biadasz can improve his performance in Year 2 with more help around him.
• If everyone can stay healthy, including Prescott and his shoulder, the Cowboys are almost guaranteed to challenge for the No. 1 spot on this list, and their offense should be one of the most prolific in the league.

4. New England Patriots

• The Patriots' offensive line is an intimidating unit in all aspects but even more so when it comes to the run game. Isaiah Wynn, Michael Onwenu, and Shaq Mason all graded out above 80 in PFF's run-blocking metric last season.
• The key will be keeping all that talent on the field, as Wynn and newly re-acquired tackle Trent Brown missed a combined 30 games over the last two campaigns.
• Though New England tends to restock its depth well, keeping those tackles healthy around its solid interior core will fuel its run-heavy offensive approach in 2021. Whether it's Cam Newton leading the charge or rookie Mac Jones handing off to Damien Harris, the rushing attack will thrive behind this front.

3. New Orleans Saints

• The Saints' line has been a reliable part of their offense for a while, but they may be leaned on even more now that Drew Brees has called it a career. Whether it's Jameis Winston or Taysom Hill taking snaps, they'll need every advantage they can get to help this offense find its way.
• Fortunately, New Orleans has a top-notch set of blockers led by one of the best tackle duos around. Terron Armstead is an outstanding all-around tackle whose name should be known by anyone calling themselves a fan of the game. On the other side, Ryan Ramczyk's play was rewarded with a five-year, $96-million contract this offseason.
• On the inside, Andrus Peat, Erik McCoy, and Cesar Ruiz were all top-50 draft day selections who aren't as technically sound and consistent as the tackle tandem that surrounds them. If this trio can raise their level of play, the Saints might eventually top this tier and come away with the first-place finish in our rankings.

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• Tom Brady was selective about which team to sign with after leaving the Patriots. While many focused on the Bucs' receiving corps as the main reason the GOAT chose Tampa, there's no doubt he was paying close attention to its superb offensive line.
• Not only did the Bucs' blockers help pave the way to a Super Bowl victory, but they were also one of only three teams to finish in the top 10 in both adjusted line yards and adjusted sack rate, according to Football Outsiders' metrics.
• Much like the rest of the roster, the offensive line will return completely intact from the unit that hoisted the Lombardi Trophy. And with this kind of protection, Brady will have an excellent shot at ring No. 8.

1. Cleveland Browns

• In addition to their talented depth charts, the top offensive lines have an important common thread - continuity. The Bucs, Saints, and Browns are bringing back the same starting five who helped them dominate in 2020.
• The Browns have a clear vision built around a strong rushing attack. To accomplish that feat, they secured a pair of quality runners in Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt while also investing heavily in their front five.
• Their line boasts a top-two center, a pair of top-five guards, and a top-10 tackle, according to PFF grades for last season. The only one missing was Jedrick Wills Jr. - a top-10 draft pick who had a promising debut campaign. That kind of strength up front is something no other team can match and why Cleveland earned its spot at the top of this list.

INJ - Injury that may affect Week 1 availability

Offensive Line Rankings
32-21 | 20-11 | 10-1