Every team has now played two preseason games, so starters have become pretty clear, and we've had a chance to see the highly regarded rookies in action. So time for another look at the offensive lines around the league, which have also been impacted by some significant injuries.
The below rankings show where we have them today, compared to where they were three weeks ago. The top 10 is unchanged; those teams thus far fortunate with injuries/turmoil. Lots of movement elsewhere though. The most significant developments since then:
Seahawks left tackle George Fant tore his ACL and is out for the season. This is not a seismic shift in the rankings considering Fant was already probably a bottom-1o player at the position, but it's left Seattle scrambling. Rees Odhiambo gets first crack at that spot.
The Colts lost center Ryan Kelly to a foot injury. He's going on IR which ensures he'll miss at least the first eight games. Initial replacement Deyshawn Bond isn't assured of keeping that spot for long, but he's the best option.
Brandon Albert retired for Jacksonville, but supposedly he was shaky enough in camp that Jacksonville didn't really want him back when he floated the possibility of a return. They're comfortable right now with second-rounder Cam Robinson; quarterback is a bigger worry than who's protecting him.
Baltimore signed Austin Howard from the Raiders and last year's center Jeremy Zuttah. Now, Zuttah had been released by Baltimore in the offseason, while Oakland thought they'd be fine without Howard (and his contract). But on Baltimore's injury- and free-agency gutted line, both of those players look better than what they were looking at having to start just three weeks ago.
Speaking of the Raiders, Donald Penn is a holdout. We're assuming he'll report in time for the start of the season, but it's not certain. If he actually misses games, we'll have Oakland too high. Line looked fine without him against the Rams, though.
Saints top pick Ryan Ramczyk looks good so far, while Max Unger will apparently be ready for the start of the season. Saints move up.
Giants' faith in Ereck Flowers taking a step up this season looks misplaced.
Guard Josh Garnett is out with a knee injury for San Francisco; he's expected to miss at least some of the season. That's a loss. Along with the Chargers and Colts, they're our biggest fallers.
Top pick Garret Bolles had an uneven game against San Francisco, but showed some promise on a couple of plays. Denver's line looks like it might be OK with him at the key left tackle spot.
Dallas' line looks dominant, opening huge holes for Darren McFadden. Just maybe they will be OK with Jonathan Cooper, who'd washed out with three different teams in the previous 12 months, at left guard.
We'll post a colorful table on our Facebook page with all the starters, and update again in a couple of weeks.
| UPDATED OFFENSIVE LINE RANKINGS | ||
|---|---|---|
| Team | 8-1 | 8-21 |
| Dallas | 1 | 1 |
| Pittsburgh | 2 | 2 |
| Atlanta | 3 | 3 |
| Tennessee | 4 | 4 |
| Oakland | 5 | 5 |
| Philadelphia | 6 | 6 |
| New England | 7 | 7 |
| Cleveland | 8 | 8 |
| Green Bay | 9 | 9 |
| Washington | 10 | 10 |
| New Orleans | 14 | 11 |
| Buffalo | 13 | 12 |
| Miami | 11 | 13 |
| Carolina | 15 | 14 |
| Kansas City | 16 | 15 |
| Chicago | 17 | 16 |
| Tampa Bay | 21 | 17 |
| Detroit | 20 | 18 |
| Denver | 22 | 19 |
| Jacksonville | 23 | 20 |
| Arizona | 19 | 21 |
| Minnesota | 24 | 22 |
| San Francisco | 12 | 23 |
| Baltimore | 32 | 24 |
| LA Chargers | 18 | 25 |
| Cincinnati | 28 | 26 |
| NY Jets | 27 | 27 |
| LA Rams | 31 | 28 |
| Houston | 29 | 29 |
| Seattle | 26 | 30 |
| NY Giants | 30 | 31 |
| Indianapolis | 25 | 32 |