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Ranking the NFL's top offensive lines
Ranking the NFL's top offensive lines
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys had what was unquestionably the league's best run-blocking line in 2014, scoring high in all of Football Outsiders's efficiency metrics: line yards, short-yardage and second-level performance. The addition of the undrafted La'el Collins from LSU to a nucleus of Tyron Smith, Travis Frederick, Zack Martin, Ronald Leary and Doug Free should propel this line to a new level. It's tough to imagine an injury-free scenario in which the Cowboys don't continue to have the league's best line in 2015 and into the future.
Baltimore Ravens
The rock star here is guard Marshal Yanda, who is the best at his position if Green Bay's Josh Sitton isn't. Right tackle Ricky Wagner was one of the league's most underrated linemen in 2014, and the group is rounded out by Eugene Monroe, Jeremy Zuttah and Kelechi Osemele.
Cincinnati Bengals
Wherever you put Andrew Whitworth (pictured), the guy just gets it done. The 33-year-old 10-year veteran has logged time at tackle and guard and can play both positions with equal aplomb. Right guard Kevin Zeitler is a physically dominant player who could eventually become the linchpin of the unit if he can stay healthy. Center Russell Bodine and left guard Clint Boling are coming along nicely.
Green Bay Packers
If you were to poll defensive linemen on who the best guard in the NFL is, Green Bay's Josh Sitton would win going away. In 2014, he played next to fifth-round rookie Corey Linsley, who surprised a lot of people by grabbing that starting spot right away. Right guard T.J. Lang has overcome technical issues to round out the best interior offensive line Aaron Rodgers has ever enjoyed. With David Bakhtiari and Bryan Bulaga guarding the edges, Green Bay's high-tech passing offense is in very good hands.
Cleveland Browns
If there are better left sides in the league than Cleveland's, it’s a very short list. Left tackle Joe Thomas (pictured) continues on a Hall of Fame track. Rookie left guard Joel Bitonio gave up just one sack in 2014—in Week 16. And then, there's center Alex Mack, one of the best in the business. The challenge will be to improve the right side.
New England Patriots
Bryan Stork (pictured) has the center position sewn up. It's up to Ryan Wendell to make the right guard spot his. Left tackle Nate Solder and right tackle Sebastian Vollmer have overcome early technical issues to become a formidable outside protection duo. Meanwhile, coach Bill Belichick expressed a clear desire to get younger and stronger along his line, selecting guards Tre Jackson (Florida State) and Shaq Mason (Georgia Tech) in the fourth round this spring.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh's line, a liability for years, became a strength in 2014. It starts with right guard David DeCastro and center Maurkice Pouncey (pictured), as powerful and as skilled a duo as you'll find. Left tackle Kelvin Beachum allowed a team-high seven sacks in 2014, but none after Week 10. Right tackle Marcus Gilbert and left guard Ramon Foster have room to improve, and if they do, Pittsburgh might just have the NFL's most dangerous offense in 2015.
Philadelphia Eagles
This line will continue to rest on the excellence of left tackle Jason Peters and center Jason Kelce (pictured). Worth watching: Peters gave up one sack in each of the last three games of the 2014 season.
Arizona Cardinals
Once a sieve all along the line, the Cardinals have made serious investments to the front five in recent years, and it's paying off. Left tackle Jared Veldheer (pictured) got a five-year, $35 million deal in free agency before the 2014 season and allowed just one sack in 1,089 offensive snaps. This off-season, the big investment was former 49ers left guard Mike Iupati, who will bring a very nasty demeanor to Arizona's run game.
Oakland Raiders
Left tackle Donald Penn (pictured) responded to a sub-par 2013 season in Tampa Bay by working like a fiend in the off-season, and dropping his sack total from 12 to four. This spring, the Raiders made another serious commitment to that line by signing former Chiefs center Rodney Hudson to a five-year, $44.5 million contract. Right now, Khalif Barnes has the right guard spot, Gabe Jackson is at right guard and Austin Howard is penciled in at right tackle.
