NFL 2023 Offensive Line Ratings & Rankings – Final Rankings
Here are the individual team offensive line capsules. Each teams’ offensive line is evaluate in eight metrics which are then identified as strengths and weaknesses. The scoring system is standard deviation units, which is essentially the laws of probability. You can see the average and standard deviation of each metrics at the bottom of the column.
For the rankings of teams in each metric and information on how Offensive Line Score is calculated:
NFL 2023 – Comparative Offensive Line Rankings & Ratings – Final Rankings
Midseason Offensive Line Rankings:
NFL 2023 Offensive Line Ratings & Rankings
NFL 2023 – Comparative Offensive Line Ratings & Rankings
The Offensive Line Metrics
- Blitz %
- Sack %
- Blitz Deflection
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Yards Before Contact
- Pressure %
- Average Pocket Time
- Penalties
Offensive Line Score is COMPARATIVE. This means all strengths & weaknesses are in comparison to all other offensive lines in that statistic/metric. Thus the scoring is essentially a Net Zero system. For one line to get +1.5 StDev score in a metric, another line must score roughly -1.5 StDev to balance the range.
Blitz% listed as a strength means the line has face a high % of blitzes to produce the stats they have. Conversely, Blitz % listed as a weakness means the line has not faced the blitz as much as other teams. Blitz% is not measuring the line effectiveness against the blitz but rather accounting for how often they have faced it. The Blitz Deflection metric is what is measuring their ability to handle the blitz regardless of the amount they have faced it.
Breaking Down Offensive Line Score Into Pass, Run, Block/Penalty Components
PASS COMPONENTS
- Blitz %
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection %
- Average Pocket Time
- Sack %
RUN COMPONENT
- Rushing Yards Before Contact x 2
BLOCK / PENALTY YARDAGE COMPONENT
- Estimated Penalty Yards
- Overall Block Win%
Strengths & Weaknesses Scale
For individual metrics, the following scale was used to categorize performance in the metric. It is simply using the standard deviation ranges to quantify metric into a simple adjectives.
Real Strength = 1.01+
Strength = 0.00 thru 1.00
Weakness = 0.00 thru -1.00
Real Weakness = -1.01 or below
Note – The StDev units for the YBC metric are doubled for scoring, but for strengths & weaknesses the base score(pre-doubled) is used.
Changes Since Midseason
The number parenthesis next to the ranking is the movement in ranking since midseason. Simalarly, the number in parenthesis next to the offensive line score is the change in the score since the midseason ratings.
NFL 2023 Offensive Line Rankings – Final Ratings
#1 ( – ) – Baltimore Ravens 10.54 (+3.64)
Real Strengths: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
- Yards Before Contact
Strengths: 3
- Blitz %
- Sack %
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 0
Real Weaknesses: 1
- Penalties
Midseason Note (6.90 1st) – The Ravens line needs to clean up the penalties. That’s about the only complaint.
Midseason to Final Changes – Avg Pocket time moved up to a real strength, Sack% moved from weakness to strength. Blitz% dropped from real strength to strength.
The Ravens offensive line was superlative in 2023. Finishing 3.24 points higher than #2 Philadelphia in Offensive Line Score and 0.75 SD units higher, the only offensive line to score over 2 SD units in overall score(2.40 Sd units). The Ravens dominated the yards before contact stat.
#2 ( – ) – Philadelphia Eagles 7.30 (+0.45)
Real Strengths: 3
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
- Overall Block Win Rate
Strengths: 5
- Penalties
- Blitz %
- Pressure %
- Sack %
- Blitz Deflection
Weaknesses: 0
Real Weaknesses: 0
The Eagles offensive line had another good year. Some of the backwards stats in rushing yards and sacks could be attributed to Hurts being less mobile because of his knee. The whole offensive scheme was stale with no motion or deception. This allowed defenses to pick how to play the Eagles which often put the line at a disadvantage.
#3 (+2) – Green Bay Packers 7.04 (+3.00)
Real Strengths: 4
- Blitz %
- Sack %
- Blitz Deflection
- Overall Block Win Rate
Strengths: 4
- Yards Before Contact
- Pressure %
- Average Pocket Time
- Penalties
Weaknesses: 0
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (4.04 5th) – The quality of the Packers line play does not speak well to Jordan Love’s unimpressive numbers so far. They take a few too many penalties, but overall they have been pretty good.
Midseason to Final Changes – Blitz% and Sack% moved up to real strength. Penalties moved up to strength.
If you are a Packers fan, you should be delighted with the team’s second half performance. It can’t be a coincidence that Love’s second half stats were also in line with the improvement the offensive line showed in the last 8 weeks. No weaknesses at all in the metrics. The calendar pages can’t flip fast enough in Green Bay.
#4 ( – ) – Los Angeles Rams 5.67 (+1.29)
Real Strengths: 2
- Blitz Deflection
- Penalties
Strengths: 5
- Blitz %
- Pressure %
- Sack %
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
Weaknesses: 1
- Overall Block Win Rate
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (4.38 4th) – The Rams have just a good solid offensive line. A little more investment here could make this a formidable unit next year.
Midseason to Final Changes – Penalties moved up to real strength.
The Overall Block Win Rate % being a weakness is not a great sign, but every other metric looks pretty good. Considering the handcuffs that were on the Rams this year due to the Salary Cap issues, building this good of a line is a great achievement. Stafford is safer behind this line than almost any line he has ever had.
#5 (+8) – San Francisco 49ers 5.27 (+4.46)
Real Strengths: 2
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
Strengths: 5
- Sack %
- Penalties
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
- Blitz %
Weaknesses: 1
- Overall Block Win Rate
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (0.81 13th) – This line isn’t great at opening holes which should speak to the quality of McCaffery. They’re primary task is to give Purdy a clean pocket and let him do his thing. For the most part they have done that, but when they don’t is when we see Purdy get loose with the decision making and throws.
Midseason to Final Changes – Avg Pocket time & YBC moved up to a real strength. Pressure% moved up to strength.
Things really changed for the 49ers in the second half when it came to offensive line play. Like the Rams, they struggle a bit in the overall block win rate % stat, but all the other metrics are looking like the kind that keeps Purdy upright and clean in the pocket.
#6 ( – ) – Chicago Bears 3.98 (+0.42)
Real Strengths: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Yards Before Contact
- Overall Block Win Rate
Strengths: 1
- Blitz Deflection
Weaknesses: 2
- Sack %
- Pressure %
Real Weaknesses:1
- Penalties
Midseason Note (3.56 6th) – The Bears offensive line would seem to be a good unit being hampered by quarterback indecision. They allow 2.66 sec of pocket time and win blocks, but are giving up sacks and pressure because the qb is holding the ball too long.
Midseason to Final Changes – Pressure % moved up to weakness.
Average pocket time is a real strength yet sack% and presure% are a weakness is the tell tale sign of a QB holding the ball too long. To compound that with penalties means the offense is almost always fighting against long yardage situations. If Chicago can find their QB, even if its Fields, and sniff out a RB and WR in the draft, this could be a fun offense to watch in 2024.
#7 (+3) – Las Vegas Raiders 3.97 (+2.24)
Real Strengths: 3
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
- Penalties
Strengths: 3
- Sack %
- Blitz %
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 2
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (1.73 10th) – The Raiders line has some blocking issues. They are disciplined and pick up what little blitzes they see fairly well. They do not open a lot of running lanes and in general aren’t that great at winning blocks consistently as a unit.
Midseason to Final Changes – Pressure% moved up to real strength. Sack% & Overall Block win rate % moved up to strength.
The Raiders do some things really well and then undo it with poor Avg pocket time and YBC. It is going to be hard to move the ball consistently when you don’t give the QB time to throw and you don’t give RBs a few yards of daylight before getting hit. This seems like a unit that can be cleaned up fairly easily with some good coaching.
#8 ( – ) – Buffalo Bills 3.47 (+0.73)
Real Strengths: 2
- Sack %
- Overall Block Win Rate
Strengths: 3
- Yards Before Contact
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
Weaknesses: 3
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Penalties
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (2.74 8th) – The Bills have a good line that seems to have underperformed a bit. They are not facing a lot of blitzing, but they are not allowing a lot of pocket time either(2.30s). The Bills are another team that has a line that would appear to want to run the ball more than they do.
Midseason to Final Changes – Penalties moved down to weakness.
The Bills handle the blitz well, but take too many penalties and blow too many assignments. The line would appear to be more of a mauling/rushing unit, and their stats in the pass blocking may be aided by Allen’s mobility and ability to absorb hits.
#9 (+3) – Detroit Lions 2.06 (+1.15)
Real Strengths: 2
- Sack %
- Blitz %
Strengths: 2
- Blitz Deflection
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 4
- Yards Before Contact
- Average Pocket Time
- Pressure %
- Penalties
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (0.91 12th) – The Lions have a good offensive line that need to clean things up a bit. Stop taking penalties, and give Goff a bit more time to get the ball downfield(which if you look at his metrics, he doesn’t). And let’s start mauling a bit more as the line has the ability to control a game on the ground.
Midseason to Final Changes – Blitz% moved up to real strength. YBC move down to weakness.
The Lions moved up in the seond half to crack the top 10. They still have issues with opening holes for the running game and taking too many penalties. Rather than being talent deficient, the Lions seem to be undone by individual miscues. When the line is playing together and well, they can be formidable. At least until one of them screws up and takes a terrible penalty.
#10 (+1) – Los Angeles Chargers 2.03 (+0.76)
Real Strengths: 2
- Blitz %
- Blitz Deflection
Strengths: 4
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Yards Before Contact
- Penalties
Weaknesses: 2
- Average Pocket Time
- Overall Block Win Rate
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (1.27 11th) – The Chargers have a line built to pass protect. That they don’t do it a bit better is a little disappointing but they are at least above average at it. They do however have issues with generating a run game which can make them one dimensional.
Midseason to Final Changes – Pressure% and YBC moved up to strengths. Overall Block Win% moved down to weakness.
The Avg Pocket Time & Overall Block Win Rate being weaknesses are always going to lead to a disjointed offense. But it is a little hard to understand how the Chargers were so bad on offense when the offensive line was above average & they have Herbert, Eckler, & Allen. Put the magnifying glass on the coaching, particularly the OC.
#11 (+7) – Arizona Cardinals 1.94 (+2.16)
Real Strengths: 1
- Yards Before Contact
Strengths: 2
- Sack %
- Pressure %
Weaknesses: 4
- Blitz %
- Average Pocket Time
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Blitz Deflection
Real Weaknesses: 1
- Penalties
Midseason Note (-0.22 18th) – Arizona’s line ranking is almost entirely dependent on their YBC metric. This was probably enhanced by Josh Dobbs scrambling and running ability. In theory, Kyler Murray should be able to pick up where Dobbs left off as they have similar rushing skills.
Midseason to Final Changes – Sack% & Pressure% move up to strength. Blitz% moved up to weakness.
The Cardinals ranking is almost entirely dependent on their QBs ability to run the ball(both Dobbs & Murray) and escape pressure. Take that out of the equation and you get the legendary Clayton Tune performance which resembled a bunch of drunk Keystone Cops sent out on offense. Arizona needs to invest in the line to make any strides in the NFC West.
#12 (-3) – Indianapolis Colts 0.55 (-1.25)
Real Strengths: 1
- Blitz Deflection
Strengths: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Pressure %
- Sack %
Weaknesses: 3
- Yards Before Contact
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Penalties
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (1.80 9th) – The Colts have a decent offensive line that has some obvious warts. They aren’t good at running the ball, they take too many penalties, and give up too much pressure. They do pick up the blitz well and give Minshew enough time to throw in a clean pocket.
Midseason to Final Changes – Overall Win Rate moved down to weakness. Blitz% mived down to strength. Pressure% moved up to strength.
The Colts were a slightly above average line all year that started to wear down late in the season. The don’t open holes for the run game and take too many penalties. They do give the QB time to throw and handle the blitz fairly well. Will be interesting to see what Richardson looks like behind this line for a full season.
#13 (+1) – New Orleans Saints 0.53 (-0.04)
Real Strengths: 3
- Pressure %
- Blitz %
- Blitz Deflection
Strengths: 1
- Penalties
Weaknesses: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Sack %
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Yards Before Contact
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (0.57 14th) – Not sure there is all that much here to get excited or annoyed with. The overall block win rate is not good, but somehow they seem to deal with blitzes and pressure ok. Not opening a lot of running lanes, but just your kind of average offensive line in most ways.
Midseason to Final Changes – Pressure% & Blitz% moved up to real strength. Overall Block Win rate moved up to weakness. Sack% moved down to weakness.
Whatever the Saints were at midseason, they kind of ended up at the end. The four weaknesses are not a good recipe for any kind of offensive success. New Orleans would be wise to look for some replacement parts for this line heading into 2024. There are some pieces there, but not enough.
#14 (+1) – Dallas Cowboys -0.15 (-0.55)
Real Strengths: 1
- Pressure %
Strengths: 3
- Sack %
- Blitz Deflection
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Penalties
- Yards Before Contact
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (0.40 15th) – There seem to be a lot of minor weaknesses in the Cowboys offensive line for a winning team. The fact that none are real major weaknesses is probably the key. They don’t get blitzed much but seem to deal with it fairly well when they do.
Midseason to Final Changes – Blitz Deflection moved down to strength. Pressure% moved up to real strength. Overall Block Win Rate moved up to strength.
Dallas’ vaunted offensive line was entirely average in 2023. They minimized pressure fairly well, but beyond that most of the other metrics hover just above or below zero. The Cowboys may be overpaying for the level of performance the line is producing.
#15 (-8) – Kansas City Chiefs -0.26 (-3.67)
Real Strengths: 3
- Sack %
- Yards Before Contact
- Overall Block Win Rate
Strengths: 1
- Average Pocket Time
Weaknesses: 1
- Pressure %
Real Weaknesses: 3
- Blitz %
- Blitz Deflection
- Penalties
Midseason Note (3.41 7th) – The Chiefs big bugaboo has been penalties. The are not facing many blitzes but seem to have trouble handling it. They may want to look to ground and pound a bit more as the line seems well suited to that.
Midseason to Final Changes – Avg Pocket time moved down to strength. Pressure% moved up to weakness. Blitz% and Blitz Deflection moved down to real weakness.
Weaknesses of Pressure%, Blitz%, Blitz Deflection & Penalties give you some idea of what Mahomes has been working behind during his down year(statistically). Toss in a cadre of inept WRs and it is no surprise that Mahomes is not putting up career numbers in 2023.
#16 ( – ) – Minnesota Vikings -0.34 (-0.55)
Real Strengths: 1
- Blitz %
Strengths: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Sack %
- Penalties
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 2
- Blitz Deflection
- Yards Before Contact
Real Weaknesses: 1
- Pressure %
Midseason Note (0.21 16th) – This should be quite interesting as the Vikings are a good pass blocking line set up for a statuesque Cousins. Now they are incorporating Dobbs, and if you look at the Cardinals line stats you will see that they had the highest YBC score, primarily because of Dobbs. The YBC score for the Vikings is a real weakness. If Dobbs flips this and also gets the great pass protection, the Vikings could be a dangerous team.
Midseason to Final Changes – YBC moved up to weakness. Blitz Deflection moved down to weakness.
Minnesota gets blitzed a lot, and they don’t handle it well. Cousins could get the ball out quickly but the rest of the QBs couldn’t and the results showed. Cousins can also deal with having no run game, the other QBs cannot. Looking at the offensive line stats you can see why all the QBs not named Cousins struggles for the Vikings in 2023.
#17 ( – ) – Cleveland Browns -0.56 (-0.43)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 3
- Average Pocket Time
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Sack %
Weaknesses: 5
- Yards Before Contact
- Blitz %
- Blitz Deflection
- Penalties
- Pressure %
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (-0.13 17th) – Average pocket time is high yet so is pressure%. Qb holding the ball is the likely culprit.
Midseason to Final Changes – YBC dropped to a weakness. Sack% rose to a strength. Avg Pocket Time & Overall Block WIn Rate fell to a strength. Pressure% rose to a weakness.
How Flacco excelled behind this line, at least for the short while he did, is a bit of a wonder. They are a bit above average at pass blocking but below average at pressure and opening holes. Now put Watson back in there, a QB the polar opposite of Flacco, and you wonder if it will all of a sudden work or it will turn into an unmitigated disaster.
#18 (+1) – Denver Broncos -0.79 (-0.46)
Real Strengths: 1
- Average Pocket Time
Strengths: 3
- Penalties
- Blitz %
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 3
- Yards Before Contact
- Sack %
- Blitz Deflection
Real Weaknesses: 1
- Pressure %
Midseason Note (-0.33 19th) – What a strange combination of real strengths & weaknesses. Denver’s line is giving the most average pocket time in the league(2.70s), yet is giving up a lot of pressure & sacks. This speaks directly to a quarterback holding on to the ball too long.
Midseason to Final Changes – Sack% rose to a weakness. YBC fell to a weakness. Blitz% rose to a strength
Average Pocket Time is a real strength and Pressure% is a real weakness? Hello to a QB holding on to the ball way too long. Russ may like to cook, but he needs times to prep. Sometimes the prep time is way too long for the meal it generates.
#19 (-16) – Miami Dolphins -1.15 (-6.57)
Real Strengths: 3
- Yards Before Contact
- Pressure %
- Sack %
Strengths: 0
Weaknesses: 2
- Blitz Deflection
- Overall Block Win Rate
Real Weaknesses: 3
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Penalties
Midseason Note (5.42 3rd) – The Dolphins scheme is to get the ball out quickly so the poor average pocket time may be a result of sending out extra receivers. This line is opening huge holes for the running game despite the penalties and the overall block win rate not being great.
Midseason to Final Changes – Blitz% & Penalties dropped to real weakness. Blitz Deflection fell to weakness.
The Dolphins offensive line fell off a cliff in the second half. Their real strengths are the result of a scheme that gets the ball out quickly. But if the ball doesn’t come out on time, it doesn’t bode well. Particularly when you have a statuesque QB like Tagovailoa. The RBs are the real strength and the line should be tailored to a more balanced approach.
#20 (+2) – Atlanta Falcons -1.30 (+1.33)
Real Strengths: 1
- Penalties
Strengths: 3
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Sack %
- Pressure %
Weaknesses: 3
- Blitz Deflection
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
Real Weaknesses: 1
- Blitz %
Midseason Note (-2.63 22nd) – This may be the most polarizing rating in the bunch. I saw other offensive line ranking rating the Falcons quite high, but when using comparative metrics, they are below average in almost every single metric save penalties and Blitz deflection for which the are dead average(0.00 stdev). Perhaps in a vacuum their line looks better, but when compared to the other 31 lines, they are a bit underwhelming.
Midseason to Final Changes – Penalties rose to real strength. Blitz% dropped to real weakness. Overall Block Win Rate, Sack% & Pressure% rose to strength.
The Falcons are the one team that the offensive line score doesn’t match with what the experts say about their offensive line. Most rankings have the Falcons in the Top 5 or Top 10. They got better in the second half, but they are still at best an average line. If the Falcons are listening to the pundits instead of the statistics, they may leave the line in tact for 2024.
#21 (-1) – Seattle Seahawks -1.39 (-0.63)
Real Strengths: 1
- Yards Before Contact
Strengths: 3
- Sack %
- Blitz Deflection
- Penalties
Weaknesses: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Pressure %
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Blitz %
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (-0.76 20th) – The Seahawks just have a below average line. Smith is probably holding the ball a bit too long this year which is making them look worse than they are. Yet another team that doesn’t run the ball as much as their line is built to do it.
Midseason to Final Changes – YBC moved up to real strength. Blitz Deflection & Penalties moved up to strength. Pressure% moved up to weakness.
Seattle’s line was below average all season, and was consistent in doing so. Their stats are probably compounded by Smith holding the ball too long at times, but they also gave up too much pressure in the pass game. They could get the running game going at times, but that works best when you are ahead, something the Seashawks weren’t in many games.
#22 (+3) – Cincinnati Bengals -1.65 (+2.46)
Real Strengths: 1
- Penalties
Strengths: 0
Weaknesses: 7
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Blitz Deflection
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Yards Before Contact
Real Weaknesses: 0
Midseason Note (-4.11 25th) – The Bengals line are not facing blitzes, but allow a low average pocket time(2.2sec) and are whiffing on blocks(54.82% win rate). The sack%, pressure% and blitz deflection scores are ok because they don’t face many blitzes, not because they are particularly effective dealing with it.
Midseason to Final Changes – Avg Pocket time, Blitz%, Overall Block Win Rate moved up to weakness. Sack%, Pressure%, Blitz Deflection moved down to weakness.
When your one real strength is lack of penalties, and the other 7 stats are ALL weaknesses, you got problems. Maybe not 99 problems, but the offensive line is definitely one.
#23 ( – ) – Washington Commanders -2.32 (+0.70)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 1
- Penalties
Weaknesses: 6
- Average Pocket Time
- Pressure %
- Blitz %
- Yards Before Contact
- Blitz Deflection
- Overall Block Win Rate
Real Weaknesses: 1
- Sack %
Midseason Note (-3.02 23rd) – Howell has improved on his sack rate, but you can see the early troubles in the metrics(Sack% and Pressure %). These metrics came while the line was facing a high % of blitzes (28.33%).
Midseason to Final Changes – Penalties moved up to strength. Blitz% and YBC moved down to weakness. Pressure% moved up to weakness.
Here is a news flash: The Commanders give up a ton of sacks. Another team who’s only strength is lack of penalties. If Washington drafts a QB and sticks him behind this line, they are going to have the second coming of Bryce Young in 2024.
#24 (+2) – Jacksonville Jaguars -2.52 (+2.36)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 4
- Blitz Deflection
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Penalties
Weaknesses: 1
- Blitz %
Real Weaknesses: 3
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
- Overall Block Win Rate
Midseason Note (-4.78 26th) – The Jaguars do not have a good line and Lawrence’s knee is not allowing them to roll him out. This line allows a league worse(2.11 sec) avg pocket time and has only a 55.55% overall block win rate.
Midseason to Final Changes – YBC moved down to real weakness. Blitz% moved down to weakness. Blitz Deflection, Sack%, Pressure% moved up to strength.
The Jaguars need help on the offensive line to take the next step. The cannot allow Lawrence to keep getting hit and having to run for his life. There are a couple of pieces that might be adequate, but there are 2 – 3 spots on the line that need an upgrade if the Jags want to play in January.
#25 (+3) – New England Patriots -2.68 (+2.39)
Real Strengths: 1
- Penalties
Strengths: 4
- Blitz Deflection
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Blitz %
Weaknesses: 0
Real Weaknesses: 3
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
- Overall Block Win Rate
Midseason Note (-5.07 28th) – The Pats do not face blitzes, yet they allow only 2.22 sec of pocket time and win 56.73% of their blocks, with a diabolical 44% pass block win rate. Combine that with an inability to open running lanes(YBC 2.33) and you have a fairly ineffective offensive line.
Midseason to Final Changes – Penalties rose to real strength. Blitz Deflection Sack% * Blitz% rose to strengths.
The Patriots’ offensive line got better in the second half of the season, but they were pretty bad in the first half so the final position still stinks. The holy triumphert of real weaknesses is Avg Pocket Time, YBC and Overall Block Win Rate, and clearly the Patriots are followers of that particular religion.
#26 (+4) – Pittsburgh Steelers -3.14 (+3.15)
Real Strengths: 1
- Penalties
Strengths: 1
- Sack %
Weaknesses: 4
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Average Pocket Time
- Yards Before Contact
- Pressure %
Real Weaknesses: 2
- Blitz %
- Blitz Deflection
Midseason Note (-6.29 30th) – The Steelers line would seem ok if you just looked at overall block win rate and penalties. But they don’t allow their qb a lot of time, they don’t open holes for the running game, and they allow pressure while facing a league low amount of blitzing(only 18.04%). Teams think they can beat the Steelers playing vanilla defense, and Tomlin’s coaching acumen might be the factor allowing the Steelers to win despite being outgained in every game thus far.
Midseason to Final Changes – Pressure% moved up to weakness. Overall Block Win Rate moved down to weakness.
The Steelers line played better in the second half, but they were another line that was dismal in the first 9 weeks. They don’t commit penalties but that is about the only highlight to speak of. Pittsburgh needs to look at the draft and the FA list to find some pieces that make this unit functional.
#27 (+2) – Houston Texans -4.69 (+0.96)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 2
- Average Pocket Time
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 4
- Yards Before Contact
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
Real Weaknesses: 2
- Blitz %
- Penalties
Midseason Note (-5.65 29th) – The Texans do not face many blitzes which is good because they don’t pick them up very well. They are also not opening any running lanes as evidenced by the dreadful 2.07 yards before contact stat.
Midseason to Final Changes – Penalties moved down to real weakness. YBC moved up to weakness. Sack% dropped to weakness. Blitz Deflection moved up to weakness
How Stroud pulled off what he did while behind this offensive line speaks to his potential for greatness. This is a poor offensive line that really doesn’t excel in either the run or pass game. They basically exist as pylons that defenders need to negotiate.
#28 ( -1 ) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers -4.71 (+0.24)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 3
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
Weaknesses: 2
- Average Pocket Time
- Penalties
Real Weaknesses: 3
- Blitz %
- Yards Before Contact
- Overall Block Win Rate
Midseason Note (-4.95 27th) – The Bucs line is horrendous at Yards Before Contact, a pitiful 1.81 yards, speaking to their inability to generate a run game. The are ok at pass blocking, but when the other team knows you can’t run, the pass blocking gets harder.
Midseason to Final Changes – Pressure% moved up to strength. Blitz% & Overall Block Win Rate moved down to real weakness.
Here’s an idea, let’s put Baker Mayfield behind a makeshift and suspect offensive line and see what happens. Well the results were probably far from expectations as somehow Mayfield had a great year behind this line. Imagine what would happen if the line would open up an occassional hole for the RBs and didn’t take so many penalties.
#29 (+2) – Carolina Panthers -5.53 (+1.34)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 3
- Average Pocket Time
- Penalties
- Blitz %
Weaknesses: 2
- Blitz Deflection
- Pressure %
Real Weaknesses: 3
- Sack %
- Overall Block Win Rate
- Yards Before Contact
Midseason Note (-6.87 31st) – The Panthers are another team that cannot run the ball. In fact they just seem to be a bad, but disciplined, unit. Clearly the Panthers need to invest in their line before they can hope for great things from Bryce Young.
Midseason to Final Changes – Sack% & Overall Block WIn Rate moved down to Real Weakness. Blitz% moved up to strength.
Bryce Young may have underachieved in his rookie year, but he wasn’t really set up for success behind this offensive line. They simply couldn’t generate any kind of a running game, and then decided to be subpar at pass blocking. The offense wasted a good year by the Panthers defense, so getting the offensive line fixed has to be priority #1 in Carolina in the offseason.
#30 (-9) – Tennessee Titans -6.33 (-4.88)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Penalties
- Overall Block Win Rate
Weaknesses: 0
Real Weaknesses: 4
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
- Yards Before Contact
Midseason Note (-1.45 21st) – It appears teams like to blitz the Titans(Blitz % high means faced a lot of blitzes) and it works based on Sack% & Pressure%. The line is also not taking penalties(holding calls) to stop blitzers.
Midseason to Final Changes – Blitz Deflection & YBC moved down to real weakness. Avg Pocket Time & Overall Block Win Rate moved up to strength.. Blitz% & Penalties moved down to strength.
The Titans fans were shocked to see their offensive line at 21st in the midseason rankings, declaring them to be a bunch of clowns. Well the ratings caught up to the clown car and the Titans line bottomed out in the second half. It almost seemed as if a few of them were bullfighters sent out with red capes.
#31 (+1) – New York Giants -7.01 (+2.63)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 1
- Yards Before Contact
Weaknesses: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Blitz %
- Penalties
- Overall Block Win Rate
Real Weaknesses: 3
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
Midseason Note (-9.64) – The Giants offensive line just flat out stinks. The one strength(YBC) scored them all of 0.02 points(0.04 when doubled!). They were off the scale horrible in both sack%(-3.18) and pressure%(-2.43), and woeful in just about every other metric. And they give up all this pressure and sacks while taking a ton of penalties. This is incompetence on a grand scale. If we completely removed the -3.18 score for sack% and only scored the Giants in 7 stats, they would still be 31st(-6.46).
Midseason to Final Changes – Blitz Deflection dropped to a real weakness. Overall Block Win Rate and Penalties moved up to a weakness.
Here is the good news: The Giants offensive line is better than it was at midseason when it was an absolute catastrophe. The bad news is that they are only better than the Jets’ offensive line. Outside generating an average run game, this line just stinks. Blow it up and start over.
#32 (-8) – New York Jets -7.85 (-3.99)
Real Strengths: 0
Strengths: 0
Weaknesses: 4
- Average Pocket Time
- Penalties
- Blitz %
- Yards Before Contact
Real Weaknesses: 4
- Sack %
- Pressure %
- Blitz Deflection
- Overall Block Win Rate
Midseason Note (-3.86 24th) – The Jets are facing a lower than average % of blizes, but are still not picking them up. The overall poor blocking win rate can’t be helping.
Midseason to Final Changes – Avg Pocket time, Penalties & YBC dropped to weakness.
And then there is the Jets offensive line. This line was bad at midseason, and not satisfied with that, they went out and were abysmal in the second half. Four weaknesses and four real weaknesses. What analysis is really needed for this personification of a sieve? Rodgers better be the magic pill or the Jets are going to be in the same position in 2024.
