I will put it out there that my knowledge of the offensive line is limited in comparison to other positions of football. So needless to say I took a little more time studying and researching before finalizing my list of the best all-around players in the trenches. That said, the top spots were pretty easy, and finding players who get the job done with fierceness and spotless technique isn't too too hard if you know the game of football; you've got your run blockers, pass blockers, the maulers, the quick and crafty, or that guy who can seemingly do it all.
A quick overview of the offensive line:
There are five O-linemen: Center, Right Guard, Left Guard, Right Tackle, and Left Tackle.
The Center is the player who begins the play from scrimmage by snapping the ball to the quarterback. As the name suggests, the center usually plays in the middle of the offensive line, though some teams may employ an unbalanced line where the center is offset to one side or the other. Like all offensive linemen, the center has the responsibility to block defensive players. The center often also has the responsibility to call out blocking assignments and make last second adjustments depending on the defensive alignment. They are the anchors of their line - if something goes wrong, it's usually on them as they help guide the rest of their players in the trenches.
The Guards line up on either side of the Center, and like all interior linemen, their function is to block on both running and passing plays. On some plays, rather than blocking straight ahead, a guard will "pull", whereby the guard comes out of his position in line to lead block for a ball carrier, on plays known as "traps" (for inside runs), or "sweeps" (for outside runs), or "screens" (for passing plays). In such cases, the guard is referred to as a "pulling guard". Guards are typically shorter builds than tackles but taller than centers.
The Tackles play outside of the guards. Their role is primarily to block on both running and passing plays. The area from one tackle to the other is an area of "close line play" in which blocks from behind, which are prohibited elsewhere on the field, are allowed. For a right-handed quarterback, the left tackle is charged with protecting the quarterback from being hit from behind (known as his "blind side"), and this is usually the most skilled player on the offensive line. Like a guard, the tackle may have to "pull," on a running play, when there is a tight end on his side. Tackles are typically a taller, longer build than interior offensive linemen, due to the need to keep separation from defensive linemen in pass blocking situations. Also, they tend to have quick footwork skills as they often engage against containing or rushing defensive ends.
Top 12 Offensive Linemen of 2017
12. Andrew Whitworth, Left Tackle - LA Rams
There were multiple solid players vying for the twelfth spot on this list, but Whitworth gets the nod due to his consistency. He was switched from Guard to Tackle early in his career with the Bengals, immediately improving his performance. Since then, he has consistently been a stand out player, with stellar performances in the 2014 and 2015 campaigns (although he was snubbed from the all-pro list).
While we shall see how he does in his new home in LA, it's hard to imagine this 12 year veteran dropping off completely even if he is getting up there in experience. I believe in at least one more great season from this solid tackle.
11. David Bakhtiari, Tackle - Green Bay Packers
David Bakhtiari dominated in 2016. Especially in clutch moments, with Pro Football Focus ranking him second in third down efficiency among all offensive tackles. That's important as the Green Bay offensive line has to hold the fort down longer than most due to their Quarterback Aaron Rodgers scrambling and buying time on third down. There's already pressure for the O-line on third down but knowing you've got to provide more time for your QB doesn't help, but Bakhtiari didn't flinch in 2016, allowing 0 sacks on third down, helping lead one of the season's best pass blocking lines.
He finished as the games #1 pass protector via PFF by the end of 2016, and according to PFF, Bakhtiari allowed only 20 total pressures on 718 pass-blocking snaps last season. Of the 20 pressures, only four were considered sacks or hits.
Not bad. Green Bay and the NFL took notice as he received a nice juicy $$ deal with Green Bay for his hard work. Letting some of their best offensive linemen walk to other teams, Green Bay chose to keep Bakhtiari for the long haul, and for good reason.
10. David Decastro, Guard - Pittsburgh Steelers
What I love most about this Stanford University stand out is how old school he is. He gets down and dirty when he needs to, helping to pave the way for football's best running back.
Back in mid 2016, the Steelers signed DeCastro to an additional five-year, $50 million extension, a contract that includes a signing bonus of $12.8 million. Together, both extensions brough his present contract to a six-year, $58.07 million deal that signs him through the 2021 season.
Smart move for Pittsburgh, as they keep a young stud with a bright future, who will most certainly be a mainstay amongst the top O-line men in the league.
9. Donald Penn, Tackle - Oakland Raiders
Oakland has so much going for them. Despite a disappointing end to the 2016 season, the Raiders offensive line helped Derek Carr emerge as one of the league's elite quarterbacks and a running game that totaled to 1,922 yards and 17 touchdowns. Penn is my favorite of the Raiders line except for one (I'll get to him later), and there isn't too much more I can say aside from how much I really like this dude. With multiple Pro-Bowl appearances, Penn has the experience while still not being too old to worry anyone about slowing down *just* yet.
8. Travis Frederick, Center - Dallas Cowboys
I know. Sigh all you want. Argue all you want. You hear it all the time. "Dallas has the greatest offensive line ever." It's like a cliché. Most clichés are that for a reason: they're true. Just see the stats. Watch the games. No matter who is QB. No matter who is in the backfield. They do their jobs - and a thorough job at that. It's like their minds are all linked together. Sure star runners have been there, setting records along the way such as Demarco Murray (2011-14) and Ezekiel Elliott (2016-Present). Then there's old Darren McFadden who somehow ran for over 1,000 yards during a 4-12 lost 2015 season between the shift in star running backs. This guy was losing steam and despite the first five games of the season in which he ran for a grand total of 129 yards, he went over the 1k mark.
How?!?!? Answer: the offensive line.
I'm not gonna go into much about Frederick. He's a star who helps lead the Cowboy O-line. I'll warn you now though, Fredrick isn't the last Cowboy you'll see on this list.
7. Alex Mack, Center - Atlanta Falcons
Alex Mack leads the Atlanta Falcons O-line, making the strategic moves and/or calls before the snap, which led to an MVP winning season for QB Matt Ryan, and an electric running game for the tandem of Devonta Freeman and Tevin Coleman. He's rock solid all the way through and is a huge cog in the Falcons offense, with general manager Thomas Dimitroff even stating "Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Alex Mack, [Desmond] Trufant -- I mean, those are guys that we want to build the team around and into the future with." What a loss it would be for this team if they lost this stud.
6. Zack Martin, Right Guard - Dallas Cowboys
Here is your next Cowboy. The stand out from Notre Dame is a bonafide star and is highly respected by his peers after just three seasons. Teammates Travis Frederick and Tyron Smith were drafted in 2013 and 2011, with Martin joining the ranks in 2014. Is it a coincidence that the offensive line began its now long reign of absolute dominance in - you guessed it, the same year, 2014? I think not. Nuff said about the impact this guy has had.
5. Kelechi Osemele, Guard - Oakland Ravens
Osemele is one of those players who has that sheer talent that's jaw dropping. With size and skill, he has everything you'd need in a starter. Osemele had a stellar rookie season back in 2012, helping lead his former team, the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl win. He was then somewhat forgotten with his first team due to an injury derailing his sophomore season, with a couple more solid seasons before leaving his team for Oakland who most definitely saw the ability in Osemele. Only one year in Oakland, Osemele owned everyone in 2016, receiving much praise from analysts, coaches, and peers. Oh, and he can switch between left and right. Impressive.
4. Marshal Yanda, Guard - Baltimore Ravens
You can't argue with Yanda. You can't. There is a reason he is considered by most (including myself) as the best guard in football since he came into the league in '07. Whether he's manning his station on the left or right side, through the good years and the bad, he hasn't failed, and is able to take on the best pass rushers in the league consistently.
3. Trent Williams, Left Tackle - Washington Redskins
Like Tom Brady, Williams was suspended for the first four games of the 2016 season - and still finished as the number one rated left tackle in football per Pro Football Focus. And while he isn't *my* number one tackle heading into 2017, he still deserves respect and a high spot on this list. Known as the "Silverback" (named after the gorilla), Williams' awareness and ability to pick up the blitz is top notch, helping to keep Kirk Cousins' blind side safe from opposing defenders.
2. Tyron Smith, Tackle - Dallas Cowboys
Yes. Another Cowboy. They're that good though. But seriously. Is this guy amazing or what? His athleticism astounds me. He's a baller and was the first piece in this now monster of a group in Dallas. The unspoken leader of the line and by far the most feared, Smith is what most tackles should strive to be. Although Smith may get his inspiration from my number one pick.
1. Joe Thomas, Tackle - Cleveland Browns
The Browns suck. We all know that. And yet Joe Thomas has never missed a game. Joe Thomas is the only offensive lineman in history to make the Pro-Bowl for each of his first 8 seasons. And he's still furthering that record, as he has now been to the Pro-Bowl every single season he's been in the league since his arrival in '07. He is Cleveland's best player and until he leaves or slows down he always will be. He has the power, smarts, and ability to take down even the great J.J. Watt on multiple occasions. Since drafting Joe Thomas in 2007, the Browns have run 8,766 offensive plays. Thomas has played every single one of them. That streak lives. This man is a legend that is already one of the NFL's greatest. Ever.