Now that the first few waves of free agency is over, it’s time to look at the projected starting offensive lines for each team before the draft.
Italicized are new starters, Bold are new to the team
Arizona Cardinals
| LT D.J. Humphries | LG Justin Pugh | C Rodney Hudson | RG Justin Murray | RT Kelvin Beachum |
The Cardinals haven’t had much consistency on their o-line over the last few seasons outside of Humphries. Pugh has been a good guard when healthy, and was even willing to take a pay cut this offseason to help this team out. Hudson, the former Raider, comes via trade and takes over the starting center job from Mason Cole, who was shipped to Minnesota. Murray started seven games at RG last year in place of J.R. Sweezy, who is currently a free agent, so he gets the edge over Brian Winters, who just joined the team on a one-year deal. At right tackle I have Beachum keeping the spot after signing on for two more years, but veteran Marcus Gilbert, who was supposed to be the starter last year before opting out, could challenge him. Also keep an eye out for former third-rounder Josh Jones at that position.
Atlanta Falcons
| LT Jake Matthews | LG Josh Andrews | C Matt Hennessy | RG Chris Lindstrom | RT Kaleb McGary |
Three of the five starters from last year are returning (Matthews, Lindstrom, McGary) and former third-rounder Hennessy takes over for Alex Mack, who leaves Atlanta after five years for the 49ers. The team released James Carpenter, who started 12 games last year, and they don’t have a clear replacement. I have Andrews, a seven-year career backup, in for now, but someone like Willie Wright or Matt Gono could be the guy. I definitely see them addressing guard early in the draft, and they hold a top 5 pick, so they can take whoever they want. There are still some free agents out there, so who knows.
Baltimore Ravens
| LT Ronnie Stanley | LG Bradley Bozeman | C Patrick Mekari | RG Kevin Zeitler | RT Orlando Brown Jr. |
This is all contingent on Stanley coming back healthy from his ankle injury, and Brown does not get traded and plays right tackle. Brown has been very vocal about playing left tackle, a position where he started 10 games last year replacing Stanley, but likely won’t get the opportunity again in Baltimore if Stanley is back. For now he stays at right tackle. Bozeman keeps his spot at LG, and Mekari gets the opportunity to be the guy at center now that Matt Skura is gone. Zeitler, the former Giant, gets the nod at right guard. Young guys like Tyre Phillips and Ben Powers are the primary interior backups and will look to compete after starting several games last year.
Buffalo Bills
| LT Dion Dawkins | LG Cody Ford | C Mitch Morse | RG Jon Feliciano | RT Daryl Williams |
This line had a lot of shuffling in 2020, dealing with a ton of injuries, but guys are expected back healthy and in these presumed positions. Daryl Williams and Jon Feliciano each got multi-year extensions, and Morse and Dawkins are on big deals of their own. Ford is the presumed LG, but I could see him and Feliciano flip-flopping. Ford can also play tackle so their could be some movement. They’ve got solid depth throughout the line with Ike Boettger and former Charger Forrest Lamp on the inside with former Bengal Bobby Hart likely the primary swing tackle.
Carolina Panthers
| LT Cameron Erving | LG Pat Elflein | C Matt Paradis | RG John Miller | RT Taylor Moton |
The Panthers o-line last year was a revolving door at left tackle, and it’s still not clear cut, but right now I’m giving the edge to Erving, who has starting experience everywhere on the line. Elflein takes over for Chris Reed at left guard after signing this offseason. Paradis, Miller, and Moton stay at their respective spots. The Panthers are still likely holding out hope for Greg Little, the former second-round pick who struggled to crack the starting lineup. Also at depth are Trent Scott and Dennis Daley, both of whom started some games last year. Week 1 starter last year Russell Okung is still a free agent.
Chicago Bears
| LT Charles Leno | LG James Daniels | C Cody Whitehair | RG Germain Ifedi | RT Elijah Wilkinson |
The first four spots were the Week 1 lineup last year, with Bobby Massie at RT, but he’s still a free agent. I’m giving the spot to Wilkinson, who has starter experience at RT in Denver. Daniels was lost early in the season, which caused Whitehair to shift to guard, and Sam Mustipher to play center. Massie also got hurt last year, which shifted Ifedi to RT, where he started most of his games in Seattle, and Alex Bars to play RG. I could see a world where Bars plays RG and Ifedi is the right tackle.
Cincinnati Bengals
| LT Jonah Williams | LG Xavier Su’a-Filo | C Trey Hopkins | RG Quinton Spain | RT Riley Reiff |
The Bengals actually have some options here. Reiff was brought over after being cut from the Vikings, but the question is exactly where he’ll play. I’m under the impression that Cincy wants to groom Williams to be their franchise left tackle, so they’re gonna keep him there. Bobby Hart, one of the worst tackles in the league the last several years, is finally out of the building, which opens up a spot for Reiff at right tackle, a position I don’t think he’s played in the NFL. I have Su’a-Filo over Michael Jordan at left guard because it seemed like he was the preferred guy at the end of the season when he came back from injury. I have Spain in at right guard since he just re-signed with the team and played very well for them after being inserted as a starter. That shouldn’t come as a surprise as he’s been a starter for several years in Tennessee and Buffalo. Hopkins keeps his center job, he likely won’t see competition from former first-round bust Billy Price.
Cleveland Browns
| LT Jedrick Wills | LG Joel Bitonio | C J.C. Tretter | RG Wyatt Teller | RT Jack Conklin |
No surprises here, this was one of the best lines in football when healthy. The Browns have found a gem in Wills at left tackle, and Teller came out of nowhere to be one of the best guards last year.
Dallas Cowboys
| LT Tyron Smith | LG Connor Williams | C Tyler Biadasz | RG Zack Martin | RT La’el Collins |
I’ve never seen more shuffling of a Dallas offensive line than I did in 2020. Smith was hurt basically the whole season. Martin missed time, and Collins missed the entire season. Biadasz get the nod at center after playing behind Joe Looney as a rookie, who himself is currently unsigned. Williams is the only returning starter who started every game. Good news is they’ve got some depth with experience now, with Brandon Knight and Terence Steele at tackle and Connor McGovern at guard.
Denver Broncos
| LT Garett Bolles | LG Dalton Risner | C Lloyd Cushenberry | RG Graham Glasgow | RT Ja’Wuan James |
Bolles and Risner were one of the best left sides of an o-line in 2020, and will stay that way moving forward. Cushenberry will look to build off a rough rookie season, and Glasgow will look to stay fully healthy after signing as a free agent last year. James has only started three games since signing a big free agent deal in 2019 after missing most of that season with injury and opting out of the 2020 season.
Detroit Lions
| LT Taylor Decker | LG Jonah Jackson | C Frank Ragnow | RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai | RT Tyrell Crosby |
This is really all this Lions roster has for options, but they’re not bad options. Decker returns at left tackle, Jackson played well at left guard as a rookie, so he stays, and Ragnow was a stud at center last year. The question is on the right side. Vaitai was thought to be the right tackle, but he had to be moved to right guard, which allowed Crosby to start at right tackle most of the season. This could very well change with the draft, but with how this roster currently stands, these are the only options, not much depth.
Green Bay Packers
| LT David Bakhtiari | LG Elgton Jenkins | C Jake Hanson | RG Lucas Patrick | RT Billy Turner |
Assuming the best left tackle in the league is back healthy, Bakhtiari is obviously in at left tackle. Jenkins is a bit interesting, because he has been one of the best left guards in football since entering the league in 2019, but there’s a void at center now that Corey Linsley is gone. I think it’d be best to keep Jenkins at LG, and insert Jake Hanson, the 2020 sixth-round pick who spent the year on the practice squad a shot as the only listed true center. The right guard spot was split between Patrick and Turner last season, but with Rick Wagner gone, that easily moves Turner to RT and Patrick at RG.
Houston Texans
| LT Laremy Tunsil | LG Max Scharping | C Justin Britt | RG Tytus Howard | RT Marcus Cannon |
This will be a pretty different looking line in 2021. The Texans cut longtime starting center Nick Martin, which allowed them to sign the former Seahawk Britt. They also traded for Cannon from the Patriots, a longtime right tackle starter, so he’ll slide in at that position. I’m shifting Howard inside to guard since he has the versatility, and there was a void created by the loss of Zach Fulton. Scharping gets the nod at left guard again after being benched multiple times throughout the season for guys who are no longer on the team. The Texans also just signed former Packers starting guard Lane Taylor, so he could very much take a starting job.
Indianapolis Colts
| LT Julién Davenport | LG Quenton Nelson | C Ryan Kelly | RG Mark Glowinski | RT Braden Smith |
One of the most stable lines since 2018 returns most of its starters, outside of left tackle. Anthony Castonzo retired this offseason, which creates a massive void at the position. I think they’ll address the position early in the draft, but with how the roster currently stands, I’m giving it to Davenport. He has starting some starting experience with the Texans and Dolphins, and is slightly better than former Chargers starter Sam Tevi. If they don’t address LT in the draft, it’ll be a battle between those two. The Colts also have some nice depth pieces, including former Panthers starting LG Chris Reed.
Jacksonville Jaguars
| LT Cam Robinson | LG Andrew Norwell | C Brandon Linder | RG A.J. Cann | RT Jawaan Taylor |
No changes here, all the same starters from last year are back, with Robinson playing on the franchise tag.
Kansas City Chiefs
| LT Martinas Rankin | LG Joe Thuney | C Austin Blythe | RG Kyle Long | RT Mike Remmers |
This is such a different looking line, like shockingly different, like not one Week 1 starter is on the roster. It stinks to see because this was such a good one, which two of the best tackles in Eric Fisher and Mitchell Schwartz. But they were both cut, and still free agents, so now it’s time to rebuild it. They signed two guards, one to a massive, and I mean massive, deal in Thuney, and brought the other back from a year-long retirement. Blythe has been a starting interior lineman for the Rams for several years, and he’s an upgrade over current free agent Austin Reiter. Remmers is the only returning player from the 2020 Chiefs, and started a good chunk of the season at both tackle spots, but his true position is on the right side. The left side is a wild card, and the only semi-experienced player is Rankin, who has 10 starts under his belt in three seasons, it’s better than nothing. There is depth at the interior positions, most notably Dr. Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, who took 2020 off to fight COVID, and Andrew Wylie, who started most of the season at RG, but is considered a downgrade to Long.
Las Vegas Raiders
| LT Kolton Miller | LG Richie Incognito | C Andre James | RG Denzelle Good | RT Brandon Parker |
The storyline of the Raiders in 2020 was their dominant offensive line. Well they did everything they could to destroy that story line and traded away three (almost four) of their starters. Rodney Hudson is in Arizona, Gabe Jackson in Seattle, and Trent Brown back in New England, and Incognito was cut only to be brought back after a couple weeks. So Miller and Incognito stay at their spots, which allows Good, Incognito’s injury replacement last year, an opportunity to start at right guard. The Raiders also showed their hand who their starting center replacement will be with giving Andre James, the 2019 UDFA with one start under his belt, a three-year extension. They also did sign former Texans starting center Nick Martin, so he could easily take the starting job. The right tackle spot is given to Parker, who has 19 starts in three seasons on his résumé.
Los Angeles Chargers
| LT Trey Pipkins | LG Matt Feiler | C Corey Linsley | RG Oday Aboushi | RT Bryan Bulaga |
Another line that will look totally different in 2021, with four of its Week 1 starters out the door, with only the oft-injured Bulaga returning at right tackle. The Chargers made Linsley the highest-paid center, replacing Mike Pouncey and Dan Feeney at the position for LA. Both Forrest Lamp and Trai Turner, the starting guards, are gone, so I’m giving the spot to free agent signings Matt Feiler, the former Steelers starter, and Aboushi, who has starting experience primarily with the Lions. There is not a legitimate player on this roster who is a capable left tackle, so by default I’ll give it to Pipkins, the 2019 third-rounder who has eight career starts. This is a really rough looking unit, and this team better prioritize it in the draft.
Los Angeles Rams
| LT Andrew Whitworth | LG Joseph Noteboom | C Brian Allen | RG Austin Corbett | RT Rob Havenstein |
Most of the Rams starters are back, outside of Austin Blythe who is in Kansas City, so Allen is the natural replacement. This line is also contingent on health, expecting Whitworth and Noteboom back and at their normal positions on the left side. David Edwards was the left guard replacement for Noteboom after he got hurt, then when Whitworth got hurt, Noteboom was back healthy and took over there, keeping Edwards at LG the rest of the season. Corbett and Havenstein started every game on the right side, and keep their jobs. Keep an eye on Bobby Evans who started seven games in 2019 in place of Havenstein, so he could challenge a potential spot, same for Edwards who could battle for one of the guard spots.
Miami Dolphins
| LT Austin Jackson | LG Ereck Flowers | C Matt Skura | RG Solomon Kindley | RT Robert Hunt |
This is one of the more unknown lines in my opinion heading into the draft. I think Jackson and Flowers are locked in on the left side. I have Skura in at center over Michael Deiter, but that could change in training camp. Kindley started 13 games mostly at RG, so he seems pretty set there, but I have Hunt replacing Jesse Davis at RT. It seemed last year that they favored Hunt over Davis, but kept Davis around to play guard at times due to injuries, so he could attempt to take back his spot.
Minnesota Vikings
| LT Rashod Hill | LG Dakota Dozier | C Garrett Bradbury | RG Ezra Cleveland | RT Brian O’Neill |
After cutting Riley Reiff this offseason, a move it seems like they’ve been trying to do ever since they signed him, it left a major void at LT. There’s no clear replacement, so primary swing tackle Rashod Hill gets the nod for now. Dozier was brought back and will likely be a starter, but could see competition from Cardinals trade acquisition Mason Cole. Bradbury obviously keeps his spot, same with O’Neill, and Cleveland gets his shot as a full-time starter after being plugged in there midseason.
New England Patriots
| LT Isaiah Wynn | LG Michael Onwenu | C David Andrews | RG Shaq Mason | RT Trent Brown |
After letting Joe Thuney walk, trading Marcus Cannon, and acquiring Trent Brown in a trade with the Raiders, there will obviously be some major reshuffling. I toyed with the idea of Brown going back to LT, where he played in 2018 with the Pats, shifting Wynn to LG and Onwenu to RT, but Onwenu played his best ball at guard last season. Plus Brown has plenty of experience at right tackle, and they’ll likely want Wynn to stay at left tackle and continue his development. Andrews was brought back this offseason so he keeps his spot, with Ted Karras as the primary interior backup.
New Orleans Saints
| LT Terron Armstead | LG Andrus Peat | C Erik McCoy | RG Cesar Ruiz | RT Ryan Ramczyk |
No big changes this year other than Ruiz getting the Week 1 start after being behind Nick Easton.
New York Giants
| LT Andrew Thomas | LG Will Hernandez | C Nick Gates | RG Shane Lemieux | RT Nate Solder |
I am very unsure of this lineup. Solder opted out of last year, which allowed Thomas to be the starting LT. But Solder is back, and he took a pay cut, so there’s no guarantee he’ll be a starter. I imagine the Giants view Thomas as the next franchise LT, so they gotta keep him there, since they’ll probably cut Solder next year. I’m putting Hernandez back at LG here despite being benched in favor of Lemieux. A spot did open up at RG after cutting Kevin Zeitler, so I’m giving that to Lemieux, but I could definitely see former Texans starting RG Zach Fulton taking that spot. I’m giving Solder the RT spot even though he’s never played there. He likely has no other choice but to play there or get cut. If the latter happens, Matt Peart is the presumed replacement. And Nick Gates stays at center.
New York Jets
| LT Mekhi Becton | LG Alex Lewis | C Connor McGovern | RG Greg Van Roten | RT George Fant |
The primary unit from a year ago returns, but there will be competition. The Jets signed former Chargers starting center/guard Dan Feeney who’ll probably challenge the interior guys for their jobs. McGovern will definitely be a starter after he was given big money last year, Lewis and Van Roten not so much.
Philadelphia Eagles
| LT Andre Dillard | LG Isaac Seumalo | C Jason Kelce | RG Brandon Brooks | RT Lane Johnson |
The expected line from last year returns this year, with hopes of everyone staying healthy. Dillard suffered a torn biceps before the season, Brooks tore his Achilles in June, and Seumalo and Johnson each missed half the season with injuries. Kelce was the only one to start every game. The only upside to the injuries is they gave their backups starting experience, including Jordan Mailata and Jack Driscoll at tackle and Nate Herbig, Sua Opeta, and Matt Pryor at guard. The hope is they can finally move on from Jason Peters.
Pittsburgh Steelers
| LT Chukwuma Okorafor | LG Joe Haeg | C B.J. Finney | RG David DeCastro | RT Zach Banner |
Another very different looking line, with Maurkice Pouncey retiring, Matt Feiler with the Chargers, and Alejandro Villanueva still a free agent. They brought back Finney after a year away, and he slides in at center, where he has started before. Banner gets another shot at right tackle after getting hurt Week 1, and his replacement Okorafor slides in at left tackle for now. Haeg, the former Colt and Buccaneer, has the most starting experience of the bunch outside of incumbent starter DeCastro. Other options include Kevin Dotson, a 2020 fourth-rounder, and J.C. Hassenauer, who started a couple games at center last year.
San Francisco 49ers
| LT Trent Williams | LG Laken Tomlinson | C Alex Mack | RG Daniel Brunskill | RT Mike McGlinchey |
A couple small changes from last year. Mack comes over from Atlanta and becomes the starting center over Weston Richburg, who is expected to retire. Brunskill gets the nod at right guard after starting there Week 1 before shifting to center due to injuries. Williams is the highest-paid offensive tackle so he’s cemented there long term, and Tomlinson and McGlinchey remain at their respective positions.
Seattle Seahawks
| LT Duane Brown | LG Damien Lewis | C Ethan Pocic | RG Gabe Jackson | RT Brandon Shell |
Russell Wilson wants a better offensive line, well he got one. After acquiring Jackson from the Raiders, he becomes their new right guard, moving second-year man Lewis to left guard, a position previously held by the now-retired Mike Iupati. Pocic was re-signed this offseason so he returns at center, and Brown and Shell stay at their positions. They’ve got some depth now, with Cedric Ogbuehi and Jamarco Jones at tackle, and Phil Haynes and Jordan Simmons at guard.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
| LT Donovan Smith | LG Ali Marpet | C Ryan Jensen | RG Alex Cappa | RT Tristan Wirfs |
The Super Bowl champs keep their line, highlighted by rookie sensation Wirfs.
Tennessee Titans
| LT Taylor Lewan | LG Rodger Saffold | C Ben Jones | RG Nate Davis | RT Kendall Lamm |
The Titans line is one of the best, but had some major injuries in 2020. Lewan only played five games due to a torn ACL, and that alone could’ve changed the outcome. Saffold, Jones and Davis all return, with a new starter at right tackle with Dennis Kelly gone. After the draft last year the Titans probably hoped that guy would’ve been Isaiah Wilson, their first-round pick, but I can’t think of anyone who has screwed up their NFL career more than him. He landed on the COVID list several times for partying, was suspended by the team, arrested for a DUI, then traded to the Dolphins for nothing, got cut for showing up late to meetings and missing workouts, and is now likely done in the NFL forever. Anyways enough of my Wilson rant, the right tackle spot goes to Lamm, who signed a two-year deal this offseason and gets the nod over Ty Sambrailo, who started five games at left tackle last year. Also in the mix will be David Quessenberry and Aaron Brewer.
Washington Football Team
| LT Geron Christian | LG Saahdiq Charles | C Chase Roullier | RG Brandon Scherff | RT Morgan Moses |
The right side of this line is pretty set with Scherff, who’s under the franchise tag again, and Moses along with Roullier at center. The left side is very much up in the air, with Geron Christian, Cornelius Lucas and David Sharpe in the mix at tackle. Then you have Wes Martin, Wes Schweitzer, and Saahdiq Charles competing at guard. I’m giving the spots to Christian and Charles solely based on last year’s results. Christian was the Week 1 starter before missing half the season with injury. Charles took over for Martin, who started the first five games before getting benched for Charles. That only lasted one game because Charles got hurt and missed the rest of the season. Martin didn’t get the job back, as it was given to Schweitzer. It seemed like Charles was the favored player, that’s why he gets the job. But like anything in the NFL, nothing is given, only earned, and all these players will have to earn their spot.
Football Nerds 