2022 NFL offensive line rankings
17) San Francisco 49ers
Given that Trent Williams, the most talented lineman in the NFL, suits up for them, it’s hard for the 49ers to field too porous of a line. Right tackle Mike McGlinchey is capable on the other side, too.
Having said that, San Francisco will have to make up for an interior that will likely feature journeyman Jake Brendel taking over at center for Alex Mack and 2021 second-rounder Aaron Banks moving into a starting role after playing just five snaps as a rookie.
18) New Orleans Saints
The Saints are normally higher in offensive line rankings, but they lost Terron Armstead to the Dolphins over the offseason. Ryan Ramczyk is elite, but Erik McCoy and Cesar Ruiz have proven to be liabilities. Left guard Andrus Peat has missed a ton of time to injuries, and he hasn’t been effective even when on the field. Rookie left tackle Trevor Penning’s adjustment to the pros could determine the viability of New Orleans’ OL.
19) Carolina Panthers
Along with the Bengals, the Panthers can make the case that they improved their offensive line more than any team in the NFL. Right tackle Taylor Moton was the only usable lineman on Carolina’s roster last season. Now, sixth overall pick Ikem Ekwonu will take over as the long-term starter at left tackle. Meanwhile, modest free agent signings of Austin Corbett and Bradley Bozeman leave the Panthers with only one obvious weak spot — left guard.
20) Denver Broncos
The Broncos have a lot to sort out along their front five. Only left tackle Garett Bolels and right guard Quinn Meinerz seem ready to enter training camp with starting jobs secured.
Yet, the team’s most pressing issue may be overcoming the loss of Mike Munchak, one of his generation’s most impactful offensive line coaches. Can new Broncos offensive line coach Butch Barry, formerly an assistant with the 49ers, have the same success in Denver?
21) Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins arguably had the worst offensive line in the NFL at the end of last season, so moving up to No. 21 is no small feat. Terron Armstead remains a magnificent left tackle when healthy, but his health issues make him hard to count on.
Connor Williams will be an upgrade at center after coming over from the Cowboys, while Robert Hunt and Liam Eichenberg appear poised to grab two of the other spots. First-year head coach Mike McDaniel typically had solid lines in San Francisco — he’ll have to get used to working around some problem areas in Miami.
22) Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals’ starting five should be able to string together some solid performances … for as long as they’re all healthy. Three of Arizona’s projected starters (Justin Pugh, Rodney Hudson, and Kelvin Beachum) are at least 31 years old and missed action in 2021. The Cards have the most expensive line in the NFL, but it could fall apart at a moment’s notice.
Former Giants second-round bust Will Hernandez was added as a nominal injection of youth. Don’t be surprised if late-round rookies Lecitus Smith and Marquis Hayes see significant playing time by the season’s end.
23) New York Giants
Big Blue hopes it’s set at tackle for the next decade after using top-10 picks on Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal. On the interior, Brian Daboll and OL coach Bobby Johnson are importing Buffalo’s “see what sticks approach.” There wasn’t much else they could do given New York’s tight cap situation, but it’s a philosophy that panned out for the Bills.
Daboll and Johnson brought Jon Feliciano over from Buffalo, signed Mark Glowinski from the Colts, and landed Joshua Ezeudu in the third round of the draft. Plus, the Giants have decent depth, as Max Garcia, Matt Peart, and Nick Gates have been multi-game starters in recent seasons.
24) Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings are largely bringing back the same offensive line they deployed a season ago, and the unit has a wide range of outcomes in 2022. Brian O’Neill and Christian Darrisaw have the potential to anchor this line for the next 8-10 years, and left guard Ezra Cleveland has shown flashes.
However, former first-round center Garrett Bradbury has been a disappointment through three seasons. Meanwhile, Minnesota will stage a right guard competition between replacement-level veterans Chris Reed and Jesse Davis and rookie Ed Ingram. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell worked with a similar line — strong at tackle and potential gaps on the interior — during his time with the Rams.
25) Tennessee Titans
The Titans’ decision to let Jack Conklin walk in free agency and draft eventual bust Isaiah Wilson as his replacement in 2020 set their offensive line back in a massive way. Left tackle Taylor Lewan’s recent injury issues haven’t helped either. Center Ben Jones is still going strong entering his age-33 campaign, but Tennessee desperately needs Dillon Radunz and Aaron Brewer to step up next season.
26) Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville made Brandon Scherff the NFL’s highest-paid guard at $16.5 million, but can he finally stay healthy for a full season? Elsewhere along the line, the Jaguars are fomenting plenty of competition. Third-round rookie Luke Fortner will fight veteran Tyler Shatley for the center job, while former second-round selections Jawaan Taylor and Walker Little will square off to start at right tackle.
27) Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have two, maybe three solid starters in right guard Chris Lindstrom, left tackle Jake Matthews, and center Matt Hennessy — and that’s more than can you say for most teams this low in our offensive line rankings.
2021 fourth-rounder Drew Dalman should challenge for a starting role on the interior after playing 68 snaps in his rookie year. Former first-round pick Kaleb McGary has been underwhelming at right tackle, and Atlanta already declined his fifth-year option for 2023. The Falcons surprisingly waited until the sixth round of the 2022 draft before addressing their OL.
28) Houston Texans
Tytus Howard is moving back to tackle after bombing at guard in 2021, and incoming left guard Kenyon Green was viewed as one of the safer prospects in the draft. On the other hand, Laremy Tunsil has taken a step back from his Dolphins days and appeared in just five games last season. Additionally, it doesn’t make sense for the non-competitive Texans to roll with Justin Britt and A.J. Cann — both of whom are 30+ years old — on the interior.
29) Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have the league’s least-expensive offensive line — and it shows. James Daniels was one of the most cost-effective signings in free agency, but even that move was somewhat canceled out by Pittsburgh allowing Trai Turner to depart.
Even if the Steelers can coax league-average play out of their interior, tackles Dan Moore Jr. and Chuks Okorafor haven’t looked like NFL starters. New general manager Omar Khan must prioritize rebuilding Pittsburgh’s line in front of Kenny Pickett.
30) Las Vegas Raiders
Although the Raiders have one top-10 tackle in Kolton Miller, the rest of their offensive line is in shambles. Alex Leatherwood was overdrafted in 2021, and it’s unclear if he’ll be a long-term tackle or guard. Veterans like Andre James and Brandon Parker don’t look like NFL-caliber starters.
Third-round pick Dylan Parham was a favorite of many OL analysts, but even if he’s successful in Year 1, how much of an impact can he really have? Las Vegas has built a tantalizing lineup of skill-position players, but their offensive line has the potential to wreck their plans.
31) Seattle Seahawks
We could look back in two years and realize the Seahawks found their starting offensive tackles for the next decade in the 2022 NFL Draft. Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas have the potential to become valuable bookends for Seattle, but they’re all projections right now. Still, the rookie tandem needs to perform immediately because the Seahawks’ interior is poor enough to make life totally untenable for Drew Lock or Geno Smith.
32) Chicago Bears
Run for your life, Justin Fields. The worst offensive line in the NFL belongs to the Bears. Jason Peters and James Daniels, Chicago’s two best linemen in 2021, are both gone. Cody Whitehair and Lucas Patrick are serviceable on the interior, but the remaining three spots will likely be filled by an uninspiring combination of Teven Jenkins, Larry Borom, and Sam Mustipher.
First-year Bears GM Ryan Poles took some shots on OL prospects on Day 3 of the 2022 draft, and that’s a start. But Chicago’s front office will need to invest Day 1 and 2 picks on OL upgrades as soon as next year.