Top 10 offensive lineman of all time
Top 10 offensive lineman of all time. One of the toughest job evaluations in the NFL is determining how good an offensive lineman is. Does running an offense determine the effectiveness of an offensive lineman? Are standouts the ones who protect the quarterback?
With the advanced statistics, it’s more reasonable to evaluate offensive linemen. With a valuation of tackles and centers, ranking the best of the best becomes less difficult.
The best offensive lineman list will rank offensive linemen in tackles and centers, meaning that someone could be ranked, but they might not make the top 5 of the position they are in. The criteria for ranking the best tackle is simple – that player has to make the top 10 of their position.
A formula for this ranking includes the past and future success of the player by weighing it with the performance in 2021. This is a ranking of offensive lines from best to worst, not completely based on past success or future success. Starting with tackles, we’ll rank the top 10 players.
10. Jordan Mailata
Coach Jeff Stoutland has turned Jordan Mailata from someone who was just playing Rugby five years ago and into a left tackle that allowed just 18 pressures and three sacks in 437 pass-blocking snaps last year. At 25 years old, Mailata is getting close to his prime and potential, meaning he could make significant moves on this list in 2023.
9. Kolton Miller
Kolton Miller was a terrible tackle four years ago. Now, he is one of the best in the NFL and allowed just 5 sacks or 32 pressures in 689 pass-blocking snaps last season. He played all 17 games in 2020, making first team all-conference honors. His breakout 2020 season led to an even better 2021. The Oakland Raiders have one of the most reliable left tackles in Miller, who has given up 16 sacks with 434 pressures throughout his career
8. Ryan Ramczyk
Ryan Ramczyk (New Orleans Saints) still has the same strength and talent that has him as one of the best tackles in the league even after 2019. With an improvement in his performance, he could find himself among that top level with this coming season. He’s also played well enough to remain a high ranking tackle through his knee surgery last year.
7. Ronnie Stanley
In 2019, Ronnie Stanley played all 16 games for the Baltimore Ravens and allowed just 5 pressures and no sacks. Unfortunately, in 2020 he only played 7 games with an ankle injury. If healthy though, Stanley will still have a major impact on Lamar Jackson’s MVP season. He is currently 28 years old and able to play for the Ravens for at least 3 more years.
6. David Bakhtiari
David Bakhtiari , who only suited up for the one regular-season game in 2021, with a knee injury, is still one of the game’s best left tackles. Prior to his injury, he made three consecutive Pro Bowls and two of the past three years. Playing just 27 snaps in the regular season doesn’t limit his greatness at left tackle. The prior year, he allowed just one sack and eight pressures in 423 pass-blocking snaps.
5. Rashawn Slater
Chargers left tackle Rashawn Slater started all 16 games in his rookie season, allowed just a 3.6% pressure rate, and the first-round pick was among the best tackles of the year. He’s already among the league’s best left tackles and appears to be a franchise player for the Chargers for next decade.
4. Lane Johnson
Lane Johnson is one of the best tackles in the NFL. Right tackles don’t get enough respect, but Johnson is among the best overall tackles in the game.
Johnson has been playing at an All-Pro level over the past few seasons for a reason. He allowed 0 sacks and 7 pressures in 399 pass block plays during his 2021 season, all while helping lead the Eagles to average 159.7 rushing yards per game.
3. Tristan Wirfs
Buccanners Tackle Tristan Wirfs had an astonishing 1.8% pressure rate per dropback last year. He was voted All-Pro for his 764 pass-blocking snaps, giving up just two sacks and 14 pressures with 2.04 pressures allowed per game.
A key reason why Tom Brady has remained upright is because of the emergence of Wirfs. He will only improve as he enters his third year and has allowed four sacks in 1,419 pass-blocking snaps, which also speaks to his overall development.
2. Tyron Smith
While he continues to work through injuries, Smith has been able to play at a high level while being one of the game’s best run blockers. He helped turn Ezekiel Elliott into one of the more effective backs in the NFL.
Smith has never been selected to the Pro Bowl in any season he’s played more than 10 games since 2012. Even if he doesn’t earn NFL All-Pro honors, the statistics tell us that he’s still one of the most dominant tackles in the game. Even though Smith is 31 years old, a healthy Smith is still one of the most dominant players on his team.
1. Trent Williams
Trent Williams was unstoppable for the 49ers during their winning season of 2021. Not only does he dominate in the run-blocking scheme, but also as a pass-protector.
In his age 33 season, Duane Brown has been the Texans’ best player on the line. He allowed just two sacks and 14 total pressures in 481 pass-blocking snaps last year, the lowest mark of his career (career-best 2.9% pressure rate allowed per dropback) and helped to tie for the team lead in run blocks with 42. He’s a key cog on an improving team that features him as an All-Pro tackle option.