It’s summertime offseason content time! As the season approaches, I’m going to be taking a look at the landscape of the NFL, position by position, over the course of the next several weeks. We’ll be talking about the who’s who of the NFL in our own little version of the NFL Network’s “Top 100 Players” bit they do every year. Up next, we’re talking about the top 10 NFL offensive lines for 2022!
I’m no offensive line expert, but shit – y’all keep reading these NFL top 10 posts, so I have to keep writing ’em. I will do my best, I promise. But, I can’t sit here and claim I’ve watched every single snap of every single offensive lineman in the league. That’s why I don’t go into individual position rankings, and if I’m being honest here, I think most people that do are full of shit. Anyway, enough of me destroying my own credibility (in all seriousness, I do feel confident enough in how much I watch and study to make this list). Let’s talk about the state of the offensive line in the NFL in 2022.
The Top 10 NFL Offensive Lines for 2022
10. San Francisco 49ers – There was some turnover along the interior of that offensive line, and that’s going to be a huge question mark for this unit heading into 2022, but they still have one of the all-time greats at left tackle in Trent Williams. Opposite him is Mike McGlinchey at right tackle, making for one of the most formidable tackle combos in the league.
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Forgive me for not having the Bucs in the top three like every other internet publication, but I just don’t think you can lose what they lost and keep on ticking like everything’s the same. I’m also not as high on Luke Goedeke as some folks are. But, they still get plenty of points for Tristan Wirfs, who is one of the best young tackles in the NFL.
8. Baltimore Ravens – If Ronnie Stanley can just stay healthy, he’s one of the best tackles in the league. For me, this placement is about what’s there around Stanley. Kevin Zeitler and Morgan Moses are proven commodities in the league, but I’m super high on Tyler Linderbaum coming to Baltimore out of Iowa. He was one of my highest-floor prospects in the 2022 NFL Draft. If they can jell and Stanley can return to form, the Ravens should get right back to one of the strongest rushing teams in the NFL.
7. New England Patriots – Everyone said the Cole Strange selection was a head-scratcher, but if you followed my work on The Unofficial Titans Podcast, you know I was high on Strange from the jump and thought he might’ve even been a surprise first round selection by the Titans. This is a group that many people are seeing as “high floor, with an unknown in Strange,” but I think he’s going to surprise some people and bring a dynamic, athletic presence to what was already a solid unit.
6. Kansas City Chiefs – Should Creed Humphrey have gotten more love in the Rookie of the Year race? Yeah, I’d say so. I mean, for what it’s worth, he was Pro Football Focus’ highest graded center in all of the league in 2021. So, why not? They’ve got a foundational piece there, but they still have Orlando Brown and Joe Thuney too, and Trey Smith showed some promise last season as well.
5. Green Bay Packers – Yeah, I get it. It’s not ideal when both of your tackles are coming off of ACL tears, but damn it, the name David Bakhtiari still means something in this league.
4. Los Angeles Chargers – I’m super high on the Chargers offensive line, and think it’s the most underrated in the league. It’s been about Rashawn Slater (who was my OT1 in that draft, by the way, no big deal *pats self on back*) and Corey Linsley, but now, I’m greatly intrigued to see how first round draft choice Zion Johnson rounds out this unit. It could be one of the biggest risers this season.
3. Detroit Lions – *sigh* Are we really buying in on Lions offensive line hype for another offseason? Yes. Yes, we are. I feel like I do this every year, but this year, I really really really mean it. If the combination of Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell on each end with a guy like Frank Ragnow holding it down as the anchor point doesn’t get your loins burning, I don’t know what will. Guilty – I’m never going to learn, and I’m going to rank this unit way too high on another preseason list.
2. Cleveland Browns – If they’re all healthy, this offensive line is capable of mauling people with the run game. Jedrick Wills was an early draft pick, and still has all the potential in the world as a left tackle. Jack Conklin has developed a reputation as one of the best run-blocking tackles in the NFL throughout his career. But, it’s at guard where the Browns are truly impressive between Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller. I don’t know that there’s a better guard combo in the league. The only question mark among this group is center Nick Harris, who is stepping up after the departure of JC Tretter. That’s ultimately the differentiator between the top two for me.
1. Philadelphia Eagles – I want to have someone else at the top of this list….believe me, it makes me cringe to be in alignment with virtually everyone else, but I have to be honest, y’know? There’s not a weakness on this offensive line, and the Eagles were the best rushing team in the league because of it. Lane Johnson and Jordan Mailata are probably the best bookends in the league. Jason Kelce…I don’t expect their status at the top to change all that much with all that talent, not to mention the fact that they drafted Cam Jurgens to go with ’em all. While I’m gushing about these guys, I would also like to tell everyone who looked at me like I was crazy when I said Landon Dickerson was the truth “I told you so.”
OTHER 2022 NFL TOP 10S
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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