Poor Offensive Line Play: Eight NFL Teams that Struggled Up Front in 2024, Including the Bengals, Patriots and Jets
Eight teams who finished outside the top 20 in both pass blocking and run blocking by ESPN's win rate measures.
Nothing on offense works without the offensive line. Great quarterbacks and running backs are swarmed before they have a chance to make magic unless the guys up front hold their own and give the skill players time to execute.
It can be hard to quantify individual offensive line performance because they don't have easy individual numbers, like rushing or receiving yards. Advanced stats have made that task easier and allow fans to see numbers that don't show up in the fantasy box score. We can see how teams perform blocking on both run and pass plays.
Below are eight teams who finished outside the top 20 in both pass blocking and run blocking last season (according to ESPN's measure). While these numbers can be fickle, there's not really any arguing that these teams needed to improve the offensive line this offseason. They can be called bottom-10 offensive lines from 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals
Pass Blocking: 32nd
Run Blocking: 30th
Peyton Manning called out Joe Burrow for giving his offensive line Christmas gifts; Manning said they were too bad at blocking to deserve presents. That might tell you how far down this line really is. The rankings speak for themselves.
What have they done?
Cincinnati re-signed Cody Ford, who could compete to start at guard despite middling grades, and signed backup lineman Lucas Patrick. Things otherwise look much the same other than players who left in free agency.
The Bengals also released guard Alex Cappa, which might be addition by subtraction given his poor performance.
What still needs to happen?
Bringing in a no-doubt starter on the inside would be huge for this team. It could happen as early as Round 1, as there are multiple interior linemen seen as late-first-round talents. That's also an area at which teams can find starters on Days 2 and 3, so they could look for more value in the first round (like with a pass rusher) and find a rookie starter on Friday or Saturday.
The starting tackles seem set, with Orlando Brown Jr. and second-year player Amarius Mims, so Cincinnati will likely look for depth on the ends while aiming for a higher ceiling on the interior.
Houston Texans
Pass Blocking: 22nd
Run Blocking: 31st
It's tempting to say that C.J. Stroud took a step back as a sophomore because his offensive line also tanked. They were 27th in pass blocking and 28th in run blocking in 2023, though, so this was more of a ticking timebomb than a sudden change.
What have they done?
A complete makeover. Credit Houston for seeing a major problem and leaning into major change, including trading their stalwart left tackle, Laremy Tunsil, who had good blocking grades but struggled mightily with penalties.
With Tunsil, former first-round guard Kenyon Green, and others out the door, the Texans have brought in tackles Cam Robinson and Trent Brown and guards Laken Tomlinson and Ed Ingram, all of whom could start in 2025.
What still needs to happen?
A young left tackle of the future might be the most likely pick for Houston at No. 25 in the first round. Robinson will likely slot in at left tackle in 2025, but he's on a one-year contract and isn't regarded as a top guy. Josh Simmons (Ohio State), Josh Conerly Jr. (Oregon), and Aireontae Ersery (Minnesota) are seen as potential future starters at left tackle who could be available when Houston is on the clock.
Finding depth and high-level potential inside on Days 2 and 3 will be another crucial move, as Tomlinson and Ingram are also probably short-term fixes. Juice Scruggs was a second-round pick in 2023, but no one else really stands out as a player with big potential on the inside.
It would make sense for Houston to take multiple stabs at the offensive line in the draft at multiple positions.
Miami Dolphins
Pass Blocking: 28th
Run Blocking: 26th
Miami had an OK offensive line in 2023, but they lost multiple starters up front and felt the effects last season, falling to a bottom-10 level.
What have they done?
Left tackle Terron Armstead had been talking about retirement, and he made it official on Saturday. They re-signed guard Liam Eichenberg and brought in fellow guard James Daniels, formerly of the Steelers (and Bears).
Depth players Larry Borom and Jackson Carman were also signed/re-signed.
What still needs to happen?
Eichenberg and Daniels are the assumed starters at guard, but the former was here last season and could probably be upgraded upon. Patrick Paul was drafted in the second round last year, and he is currently slotted in as Armstead's replacement on the left side.
Bringing in at least one player who could compete on the inside is a fairly easy task in the draft, and the team could also look to draft a potential left tackle with more upside at 13th overall.
Right tackle Austin Jackson is signed through 2026, but as a starter on last season's team, he could probably be upgraded on also; he was a middling player last year. A first-round pick at tackle wouldn't necessarily push Paul out of the starting lineup if Jackson was instead the odd man out.
The Dolphins shouldn't feel tied to anyone, with a willingness to upgrade any way they can on a poor group.
New England Patriots
Pass Blocking: 31st
Run Blocking: 32nd
The Patriots need as much help as any roster in football. Their general manager is in an enviable position in the draft in that he can upgrade the roster with essentially any pick.
What have they done?
The Pats have targeted this group, grabbing two new starters in right tackle Morgan Moses and center Garrett Bradbury. That also probably locks Mike Onwenu into right guard, his natural spot. That's not a group of stars, but it locks down 60% of the line.
What still needs to happen?
Left tackle is the obvious opening. A few guys, including Caedan Wallace, a third-round pick from last year, are around to create depth at tackle, but they need an actual left tackle of the future with upside who can step in.
The fourth overall pick is a possible spot to grab that player. If two quarterbacks are drafted in the top three, the Patriots would probably do best by drafting either Abdul Carter or Travis Hunter, depending on who is left. If those players are both gone, though, the Pats could take the first offensive lineman off the board and get their choice of left tackle.
There are bodies around to contend for the left guard spot, but a possible starter could be selected later in the draft.
New York Giants
Pass Blocking: 26th
Run Blocking: 27th
While they have already changed the quarterback room and might not be done, the Giants need to upgrade a lot more of the roster to see real change in their level of performance.
What have they done?
The Giants signed James Hudson III away from Cleveland, and he's a guy who could factor in at right tackle or swing tackle along with last year's free agent signing, Jermaine Eluemunor. Former top-10 pick Evan Neal seems to have flamed out at tackle and might be switching to guard.
Things otherwise look a lot the same for a team that sported a bottom-10 offensive line last year.
What still needs to happen?
Left tackle Andrew Thomas is the only guy who should be guaranteed a spot. The interior of Jon Runyan, Greg Van Roten, and John Michael Schmitz are all old, inexperienced, or ineffective, and it wouldn't be hard to upgrade on at least one of those players (maybe even with Neal).
They are likely to select a quarterback or one of the top prospects with the third overall pick, but the Giants should be open to drafting offensive linemen at any other spot, including No. 34, where instant starters at tackle and guard could be available.
There's a lot more work to be done here if the Giants want to improve to a competitive level in 2025 no matter who is under center.
New York Jets
Pass Blocking: 23rd
Run Blocking: 29th
It's a new chapter for the Jets, who have changed their coach and quarterback. Upgrading the rest of the roster will be the biggest thing that dictates their success in 2025.
What have they done?
While right tackle Moses left to sign with New England, former Patriot Chukwuma Okorafor signed with the Jets and could factor in at right tackle. Josh Myers, formerly of the Green Bay Packers, signed to play an inside spot and could fill any of the three or work in a utility role after mainly playing center previously.
What still needs to happen?
Drafting a new right tackle at No. 7 seems like an obvious move. The team got Olu Fashanu 11th overall last season to take over at left tackle, and they could bookend the line with a top-10 pick this year. Missouri's Armand Membou has been linked to the Jets in the first round and could complete a fearsome duo.
If they take a RT in the first round, the O-line would have three first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a fourth-round pick in the starting lineup.
Seattle Seahawks
Pass Blocking: 21st
Run Blocking: 28th
The Seahawks are a team in flux after trading Geno Smith to the Raiders before free agency then signing Sam Darnold to a three-year contract. They also shipped out DK Metcalf and cut Tyler Lockett, so the flashiest parts of Seattle's offense will look much different in 2025.
What have they done?
Backup tackle Josh Jones was signed to a one-year contract. That helps with depth but doesn't make a big impact. The middle of the line is probably the place that needs upgrading the most.
What still needs to happen?
Anthony Bradford (fourth-round pick in 2023), Olu Oluwatimi (fifth, 2023), and Christian Haynes (third, 2024) will all factor in on the interior, but that group could use a high-level player. Seattle has been linked to guards in the first round in many mock drafts.
That's probably the best way for the team to seriously upgrade the play of their offensive line. They have mid-round contributors; the best guard in the draft, like Alabama's Tyler Booker, or a versatile player who could play guard or center, like North Dakota State's Grey Zabel, would be a game-changer.
Tennessee Titans
Pass Blocking: 27th
Run Blocking: 21st
The Titans seem set to take Miami quarterback Cam Ward with the top pick, and they have been building up the line in the meantime to strengthen their foundation.
What have they done?
Left tackle Dan Moore and right guard Kevin Zeitler were signed early in free agency to lock down two spots, and JC Latham, a top-10 pick last season, will move to his natural position at right tackle after showing uneven play as a rookie on the left side.
Elsewhere, the Titans have a first-round pick at left guard (Peter Skoronski) and a former major free agent signing at center (Lloyd Cushenberry III). Even if Moore is just a middling (or worse) player, this unit has a chance to upgrade based on the pieces in place, especially considering expected improvement from young players.
What still needs to happen?
They look mostly set at the top, but no team ever had too many good offensive linemen. Tennessee is another team that can just take the best player available at every spot and improve their roster.
If that happens to be depth on the offensive line, great. If they don't add anyone else, though, the team has focused on that group enough the past two offseasons to put together a workable unit for their assumed new passer.
