2019 NFL Offensive Line Changes

We decided to take at look at how NFL offensive lines have changed throughout this offseason. What teams got better, what teams got worse, who gained experience, and who’s rolling the dice. We took Pro Football Focus’ offensive line grades for last season and created an average for each team based off the guys that had the most snaps at each position on the offensive line. We then used the current depth charts from Ourlads.com and created that same graded average based off the projected starters for next season and looked at the difference. We broke our findings down into a few different categories, where we also include the 2018 offensive line rankings from FootballOutsiders.com.
Obviously there is a lot more that goes into this than just how a guy performed last season. Scheme, coaches, QB/RB play, injuries, etc. all play a factor. We just wanted to take a simple look at who got better and who got worse, on paper.

Staying the Same

We’ll start with the teams that are sending out the same offensive line in 2019 that they did in 2018.

Some of these teams started the 2018 season with a different starting 5, but when the season was done, the guys that played the most snaps at each position are the guys they are rolling with in 2019. The 2 exceptions to this are the Eagles and the Bengals. The Eagles had Stefen Wisniewski and Isaac Seumalo essentially split total number of snaps. Wiseniewski had a few more snaps than Seumalo (the projected 2019 starter), but Suemalo had the slightly better grade. Similarly the Bengals had Trey Hopkins and Billy Price essentially split snaps at center. Hopkins had the slightly better grade but Price is expected to start. Its close enough that we included them in this category. Though the Bengals would be in the rookie category if it weren’t for 1st round pick Jonah Williams needing season ending surgery. The biggest head scratcher is the Bucs who finished second to last in run blocking last season, but have chosen not to try and improve the offensive line through the draft or free agency.

Improved through Experience/Health

These are the teams that showed an overall grade improvement by acquiring experienced players, either through trade or free agency.

New York Giants
2018 Ranks: Run 29 | Pass 20
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +9.4 Run: +8.6 Pass: +12.4
On paper the Giants have by far made the biggest improvements to their offensive line, but at a price. They traded away edge rusher Olivier Vernon to the Browns for guard Kevin Zeitler. They signed free agent Mike Remmers to play right tackle, and while Remmers is not a stud by any means, he’s a big improvement over Chad Wheeler. The last piece that improves their overall grade is having a healthy Jon Halapio at center.

Oakland Raiders
2018 Ranks: Run 13 | Pass 25
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +4.4 Run: +2.6 Pass: +2.8
This improvement comes off of basically one move, signing free agent Trent Brown. He’ll take over the right tackle position from Brandon Parker who struggled in his rookie season. The other change on the line is the loss of Kelechi Osemele at right guard. They currently have Denzelle Good slated there, who had a similarly graded 2018 as Osemele, but is definitely a step down.

Dallas Cowboys
2018 Ranks: Run 8 | Pass 28
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +3.95 Run: +4.05 Pass: +2.3
This improvement is based solely on the return of Travis Frederick. This projection is if Frederick comes back to a level on par with the rest of the Dallas offensive line, but if he can step in at the level he was playing at before, these numbers could be even higher.

Carolina Panthers
2018 Ranks: Run 11 | Pass 10
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +3.8 Run: +6 Pass: +.6
The biggest change for the Panthers is former Bronco Matt Paradis taking over at center for the now retired Ryan Kalil. This also takes into account a healthy Daryl Williams. Though we could see 2nd round pick Greg Little see his way into the starting lineup.

Seattle Seahawks
2018 Ranks: Run 12 | Pass 30
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +3.4 Run: +5.2 Pass: -2.2
The one change for the Seahawks is the exit of guard JR Sweezy and the entry of Mike Iupati. Iupati is an overall upgrade at the position, despite his low pass blocking grade last season.

Green Bay
2018 Ranks: Run 7 | Pass 21
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +3 Run: +3.4 Pass +1
The one change for the Packers is the free agent signing of former Bronco Billy Turner. Be prepared for 2nd round pick Elgton Jenkins to quickly make his way into the starting lineup.

Chicago Bears
2018 Ranks: Run 28 | Pass 7
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +2.4 Run: +1.4 Pass: +4.2
A healthy Kyle Long gives the Bears a boost, especially in the pass game.

New York Jets
2018 Ranks: Run 32 | Pass 18
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +1.4 Run: +1.8 Pass: +1.8
The Jets are an interesting one because their grade improvement is not from where you think. The big upgrade comes at the center position with projected starter Jonotthan Harrison. That’s how bad Spencer Long was last year. The big addition came signing former Raider Kelechi Osemele. He had a worse grade last season than the man he replaced, James Carpenter, but is considered an upgrade at the position.

Tennessee Titans
2018 Ranks: Run 17 | Pass 29
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +1 Run: +.6 Pass: +.6
The biggest upgrade for the Titans comes at left guard with the signing of former Ram Rodger Saffold. They lose a little, in the run game especially, with the loss of Josh Kline in free agency. Currently former backup Kevin Pamphile is slotted at right guard, but don’t be surprised to see 3rd round pick Nate Davis take that spot.

Worse through Experience/Heath

(Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

These are the teams that showed a negative overall grade change by losing players through free agency. These are also teams that currently do not have any rookies slotted in a starting role.

Miami Dolphins
2018 Ranks: Run 14 | Pass 31
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: -2 Run: -4.2 Pass: +2.6
The biggest loss for the Dolphins was losing right tackle Ja’Wuan James to the Broncos in free agency. They are replacing him with former Bill Jordan Mills. They also lost left guard Ted Larsen (who was one of the worst graded guards last season), but are replacing him with former Jaguars backup Chris Reed. I expect there to be a competition with 3rd round pick Michael Deiter for that left guard spot in camp.

Arizona Cardinals
2018 Ranks: Run 25 | Pass 26
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: -3.6 Run: -7.8 Pass: +1.6
The biggest drop for the Cardinals is at left guard, losing Mike Iupati for JR Sweezy. The other loss grade-wise is having a healthy Justin Pugh at right guard. He had a lesser grade in his limited time in 2018 then the guy who played a few snaps in his place, Oday Aboushi. The overall grade change would be worse if it wasn’t for the one improvement they made at the right tackle position, signing free agent Marcus Gilbert, improving pass protection especially.

Rolling with Backups

A few teams had guys walk in free agency and rather address those holes in the draft or with other vets, are rolling the dice on backups to step in and fill the role. Most of these will be guys who were rookies in 2018.

Los Angeles Rams
2018 Ranks: Run 1 | Pass 6
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +2.4 Run: +.6 Pass: +4.2
The grade change here is misleading. The Rams lost Rodger Saffold in free agency and chose not to re-sign center John Sullivan. Insert sophomores Joseph Noteboom and Brian Allen. Their grades are a little hard to judge, as they only played a combined 114 snaps last season, but they both show promise to keep up one of the best offensive lines in the league. That being said, the Rams are losing 2,217 snaps of experience from last season.

Kansas City Chiefs
2018 Ranks: Run 16 | Pass 5
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +.6 Run: +2.8 Pass: 0
The Chiefs lost center Mitch Morse in free agency to the Bills. Stepping in is Austin Reiter, who filled in for Morse for 4 games last season. He graded well in those 4 games, especially in pass pro. The other piece helping the grade change is the healthy return of Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.

Cleveland Browns
2018 Ranks: Run 18 | Pass 16
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: -3.2 Run: -1 Pass: -5.4
The Browns traded away guard Kevin Zeitler for edge rusher Olivier Vernon and are hoping to replace him with last years 2nd round pick Austin Corbett. Corbett’s low grade comes off only 14 snaps, so take that dip with a big grain of salt. They are also rolling with former 2nd overall pick Greg Robinson at left tackle. Robinson is trying to resurrect his career after being a bust for the Rams. He graded better than previous starter Desmond Harrison after taking over halfway through the 2018 season.

Rookies

(Photo by ccompton@ajc.com/Curtis Compton )

Finally we get to the teams that are looking to have rookies come in and contribute day 1. Since rookie don’t have grades, we take them out of the equation. The effect of the rookie is if they performed on par with the rest of their offensive line.

Washington Redskins
2018 Ranks: Run 26 | Pass 24
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +3.7 Run: +2.6 Pass: +5.9
You can see just how much the Redskins struggled at left guard with how much the grade is affected taking them out of the equation. There are mixed reports on who will be filling that spot. The current depth chart lists 1st round bust Ereck Flowers at LG, however reports are that Flowers has looked terrible in OTAs. I expect either 4th round pick Wes Martin or 5th round pick Ross Pierschbacher to take the starting role.

Buffalo Bills
2018 Ranks: Run 30 | Pass 23
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +2.6 Run: +7.2 Pass: -2.4
4 of the 5 spots for the Bills this year will look different than last year (with LT Dion Dawkins being the only carryover). In free agency they picked up LG Quinton Spain, C Mitch Morse, and RG Spencer Long, That brings us to our rookie, projected RT Cody Ford, their 2nd round pick out of Oklahoma.

Atlanta Falcons
2018 Ranks: Run 24 | Pass 14
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +1.87 Run: -1.73 Pass: +7.33
The Falcons are the only team on the list projected to start 2 rookies at the start of the season, both 1st round picks. Both expected on the right side of the line, with Chris Lindstrom at guard and Kaleb McGary at Tackle. They also replaced Wes Schweitzer at guard with former Jet James Carpenter.

New Orleans Saints
2018 Ranks: Run 2 | Pass 3
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +1 Run: +1.75 Pass: -.25
Another misleading grade change. The Saints lost veteran Max Unger to retirement and are now looking to fill that void with 2nd round pick Erik McCoy. I expect McCoy to help keep them as one of the best lines in the league.

New England Patriots
2018 Ranks: Run 3 | Pass 1
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: +1 Run: +1.1 Pass: +1.8
Yes, the Patriots offensive line could end up being better without Trent Brown. Brown was actually the lowest graded lineman for the Patriots in 2018. And while he isn’t a rookie, his replacement, 2018 1st round pick Isaiah Wynn, spent all of last season on IR.

Minnesota Vikings
2018 Ranks: Run 23 | Pass 9
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: -.55 Run: -2.45 Pass: +1.85
The Vikings picked up one of our favorite picks from the 2019 draft, center Garrett Bradbury. Bradbury steps in right away and makes them better. Former center Pat Elflein looks to kick out to guard. They also picked up free agent Josh Kline to improve the other guard spot. Keep an eye on rookie 4th round pick Dru Samia to take that guard spot from Elflein (who was one of the lowest graded lineman of 2018).

Jacksonville Jaguars
2018 Ranks: Run 21 | Pass 27
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: -.9 Run: +3.05 Pass: +2.55
The Jaguars let go both tackles that played the most snaps for them in 2018, Ereck Flowers on the left and Jermey Parnell on the right. They’ll be much improved with a healthy Cam Robinson at left tackle (he had a low grade for his limited action last year). And at right tackle, they’ll be moving forward with 2018 4th round pick Will Richardson. While not a rookie, he spent 2018 on IR with a knee injury. Also be on the lookout for 2nd round pick Jawaan Taylor to compete for the spot.

Denver Broncos
2018 Ranks: Run 6 | Pass 11
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: -1.1 Run: +.8 Pass: -5.1
The Broncos made a big add this offseason, signing free agent tackle Ja’Wuan James. They also expect to have a healthy Ron Leary at LG. They drafted Kansas St’s Dalton Risner to fill in their weak spot from last season at RG. The problem is, and the big reason for the grade drop, is they are taking that weak-link and moving him to center. There Connor McGovern will replace Matt Paradis, the biggest loss on the offensive line for the Broncos.

Houston Texans
2018 Ranks: Run 27 | Pass 32
PFF AVG Grade Change: Overall: -1.8 Run: -.5 Pass: -.8
The Texans are one of the most interesting ones here. Their offensive line obviously struggled last season, but most people feel they didn’t do enough to address it. They drafted Tytus Howard in the first round, but many see him as more of a project. Despite Seantral Henderson being projected to start at RT, I’m projecting Howard here. There is also a chance 2nd round pick Max Scharping makes his way quickly into the starting lineup.

Just a guy that loves football making up rosters