The NFL offseason has almost come to an end. We’ve survived the free agency period, the NFL draft, and rookie minicamp. Teams have made moves to improve their roster or to optimize their team under the salary cap. At this point, it is fair to start analyzing which teams we can identify as the offseason offensive line winners and losers based on their moves ahead of the 2024 season. Identifying winners and losers from the offseason will help form the updates to the offensive line rankings.
Teams have started to get a look at their new rosters in OTAs. This means that meaningful NFL football is just around the corner. Here at PlayerProfiler, we have been analyzing offensive line moves every step of the way. First, we broke down the top 10 free-agent offensive linemen in the 2024 class. Then, we analyzed the rookie offensive linemen and their landing spots. And now it is time to take a step back to assess which teams we can call winners and losers based on the decisions they made with their roster.
In this article, you’ll find a breakdown of the teams that won and lost the offseason in the trenches. Check it out below.
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Winners
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers were in the conversation for one of the worst offensive lines in 2023. Second-year left tackle Ikem Ekwonu grew as a run blocker but struggled once again in pass protection. He surrendered the most sacks (11) and pressures (44) on the team. However, the greater issue for the Panthers was on the interior. Center Bradley Bozeman played 1,148 snaps but was a bad scheme fit. Bozeman gave up eight sacks and 32 pressures. Additionally, five different guards played at least 250 snaps. None of them had a PFF grade above 58.0. The group combined to surrender 13 sacks and a whopping 104 pressures.
Robert Hunt
Those struggles led Carolina to aggressively seek interior offensive line upgrades during the 2024 offseason. The Panthers signed Robert Hunt to the second-highest guard contract in the NFL (five years, $100 million) and also added former Seahawks guard Damien Lewis. Hunt was limited to just 10 games in 2023 but set career highs in PFF grade (77.1) and pass blocking grade (74.5). He allowed just five pressures on 329 pass-blocking snaps. Lewis is a solid veteran which makes him a massive upgrade over last year’s rotation. He has just 97 career pressures on 2,308 pass protection snaps.
These moves will allow the Panthers to shift incumbent right guard Austin Corbett to center. Corbett struggled last season trying to return from a season-ending knee injury in 2022 but has been a high-quality interior lineman throughout his career. From 2020 to 2022, he averaged 1,062 snaps played and a 69.6 PFF grade.
Carolina also fortified the tackle position by signing former Packer swing lineman Yosh Nijman. Nijman has never had a PFF grade below 60.0 in his career and has plenty of experience at left and right tackle. He will provide excellent depth in case of injury and could even earn starts if Ekwonu continues to struggle in pass protection.
Having a strong interior offensive line is always important, but for a team with a short quarterback, it is crucial. Carolina aggressively attacked their offensive line needs in free agency, which makes them arguably the most improved unit in the NFL heading into 2024.
New York Jets
The Jets’ offensive line was abysmal in 2023, struggling through subpar play and a litany of injuries. 10 different offensive linemen played over 200 snaps for the Jets last season. Only three players (left guard Laken Tomlinson, left tackle Mekhi Becton, and center Joe Tippmann) logged over 500 snaps.
Arguably the best offensive lineman on the roster (Alijah Vera-Tucker) finished the season with a PFF grade over 61.0. Unfortunately, he only played 250 snaps. 47 of the team’s 50 sacks could be attributed to the offensive line. Additionally, nine different players gave up double-digit pressures. Two of them (Tomlinson and Becton) accounted for over 100 pressures combined.
For the Jets to capitalize on their “win now” window with Aaron Rodgers, the team needed desperately to fortify themselves in the trenches. The team responded accordingly this offseason.
Foundational Pieces
The Jets worked to surround their two foundational pieces (Vera-Tucker and 2023 second-round center Joe Tippmann) with talent upgrades this offseason. The team upgraded the left side of their offensive line in free agency, signing veterans John Simpson and Tyron Smith to man the left side of their offensive line. They also traded for Morgan Moses to upgrade the right tackle position. Those three players finished 2023 with a combined seven sacks and 68 pressures.
While those moves were great, they didn’t come without risk. Tyron Smith has struggled to stay on the field in recent seasons and John Simpson has been little more than a league-average guard throughout his career. The Jets mitigated those risks in the first round of the 2024 draft. They selected Penn State left tackle Olumuyiwa Fashanu as an insurance policy. Fashanu played over 1,200 snaps the last two years at Penn State and surrendered zero career sacks in college. He’s got prototypical size and athleticism and could immediately slot in at tackle or guard if any of the veteran options struggle from injuries or poor play.
Olumuyiwa Fashanu Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Ultimately, the Jets were able to upgrade three different offensive line positions, including both tackles. They also used their first-round pick to fortify those selections, giving them a talented depth that the team lacked in 2023. This is a much better unit that could be one of the best in the league if all their new pieces can put together a fully healthy season.
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee’s offense struggled in 2023. However, the team was able to identify some key players among their offensive line unit. 2021 second-round pick Dillon Radunz seemed to find a home at right tackle over the final seven games of the season after spending his first two seasons on the interior. From Weeks 12 to 17, Radunz played exclusively at right tackle. During that time, he surrendered just three sacks and gave up 14 pressures. He finished his third season with career highs in PFF grade (67.2) and run blocking grade (78.7).
The Titans also identified their starting guards. The team gambled on a former rotational piece from the 49ers in free agency (Daniel Brunskill) and got a solid 67.1 PFF grade on 768 snaps. 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski also had flashes in his first season. Although, he did struggle to overcome an emergency appendectomy after his first career game. Skoronski returned to make 14 starts and finished with a respectable 61.6 PFF grade.
Still, Tennessee had holes to fill across the offensive line. The team needed to replace Aaron Brewer and desperately had to find a competent left tackle. Andre Dillard and Jaelyn Duncan primarily helmed the position in 2023. The duo combined to give up 21 sacks and 77 pressures on just 538 pass pro reps. Neither player finished the season with a PFF grade above 51.0.
Free Agent Signings
The Titans targeted the best free-agent center on the market, signing former Denver Bronco Lloyd Cushenberry III. Cushenberry is coming off a career-best season, setting career-highs in PFF grade (73.2), run blocking grade (72.4), and pass blocking grade (76.4). He allowed just one sack and 14 pressures on 647 pass-blocking snaps.
Tennessee also took their left tackle of the future in the first round, selecting Alabama’s JC Latham with the No. 7 pick of the draft. Latham exclusively played right tackle for Alabama but moves extremely well for his massive frame. He played over 1,600 snaps over the last two seasons and gave up just two sacks and 20 hurries. Flipping him to the left side has some risk, but if anybody can pull it off, it is new offensive line coach/legend Bill Callahan.
The Titans were able to identify two big needs on their offensive line this offseason and worked hard to fill them with a premium free-agent contract and a top-10 pick in the NFL Draft. If these players can mesh quickly with their established pieces, this could be a top 12 unit in 2024.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers started upgrading their offensive line in 2023. They signed left guard Isaac Seumalo in free agency and drafted Broderick Jones in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft. Both moves worked out well. Seumalo led the Steelers’ offensive line in PFF grade (71.9) and surrendered zero sacks on 586 pass protection snaps. Jones wound up starting 11 games (10 at right tackle) and allowed just four sacks and 29 pressures his rookie season. Despite those successes, the Steelers’ overhaul in the trenches wasn’t complete.
NFL Draft Picks
Pittsburgh used the draft to upgrade the final spots on their offensive line. In the first round, they took Washington left tackle Troy Fautanu. The rookie enters the NFL with a true five-position upside due to his excellent athleticism and aggressiveness. He lacks the traditional size for a tackle prospect (6-4, 317-pounds), but he has the arm length (34”) to stick on the perimeter. Over his last two seasons as a starter in college, he logged 1,942 snaps and allowed just two sacks and 31 hurries. He also had two straight seasons with a PFF grade above 75.0. Fautanu could play at either left or right tackle depending on how the Steelers plan to utilize Broderick Jones in his second season.
Troy Fautanu Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The Steelers went back to the offensive line well in the second round, selecting West Virginia’s Zach Frazier. Frazier suffered a late season broken leg, but he was a four-year starter for the Mountaineers who had three straight seasons with a 77.0+ PFF grade. Frazier plays with excellent strength and leverage (which isn’t shocking given his run as a four-time state champion wrestler in high school) and should compete for a starting job on Day 1.
Veterans vs Rookies
Pittsburgh typically gives deference to veterans, which means we may not see either player in the starting lineup in Week 1. However, left tackle Dan Moore Jr. struggled massively in 2023 (eight sacks and 55 pressures on 535 pass blocking snaps), and the only other center with experience on the roster is Nate Herbig, a former UDFA with 49 career snaps at the position. Regardless, the selections of Fautanu and Frazier make this one of the most improved offensive lines in the league heading into 2024.
Losers
Baltimore Ravens
No team overhauled their offensive line more than the Ravens this offseason. This unit has relied on strong veteran play and continuity over the last few seasons. However, now the Ravens will be rolling out an entirely different unit.
Baltimore moved on from three starters who played over 775 snaps during the offseason. Arguably the most difficult player to replace will be right guard Kevin Zeitler. The 34-year-old guard played three seasons with the Ravens, continuing to establish himself as one of the better guards in the league. In 12 career seasons, Zeitler has never had a PFF grade below 65.0. During his three-year tenure in Baltimore, he surrendered fewer than 20 pressures per season and never had a PFF grade below 69.0. He was extremely reliable, putting together three straight seasons with at least 955 snaps.
The Ravens also opted to trade veteran right tackle Morgan Moses. Injuries limited Moses to just 14 games in 2023, but he was playing at a very high level when he was on the field. Moses posted his second consecutive season in Baltimore with a PFF grade above 77.0. He also had back-to-back seasons with five sacks and 24 pressures surrendered.
Finally, Baltimore also let veteran left guard John Simpson walk in free agency after his lone season with Baltimore. Simpson was average compared to the rest of the offensive line (56.5 PFF grade), but was reliable (team-leading 1,118 snaps) and provided veteran experience.
NFL Draft Moves
Baltimore chose to address only one of those positions in the NFL Draft, selecting Washington right tackle Roger Rosengarten in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Rosengarten didn’t get the publicity of left tackle Troy Fautanu but was extremely good during his tenure with the Huskies. The two-year starter played over 1,900 snaps Rosengarten allowed zero sacks and 27 pressures in two years. He needs refinement in the run game but is an exceptional pass blocker who can compete for the starting job on Day 1.
Outside of Rosengarten, Baltimore will be dipping into their depth for the guard positions. Projected right guard Ben Cleveland has played just 621 snaps over three seasons, giving up 13 pressures on 368 pass-blocking snaps. At left guard, the team will let two 2023 Day 3 picks (Andrew Vorhees and Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu) compete for the starting role. Vorhees is interesting as a prospect. He was considered a Day 2 pick before tearing his ACL at the NFL Combine and falling to Round 7 of the NFL Draft.
Baltimore has always been able to figure out the offensive line. However, that was usually thanks to their exceptional depth and experienced starting corps. For the first time in a long time, both of those things will be tested.
Miami Dolphins
Miami invested heavily in their offensive line two offseasons ago. While those moves generally paid off, they ultimately didn’t lead to meaningful success in the playoffs. Now the Dolphins enter a new world in 2024. This is a world where their big investments in numerous players forced them to jettison talent in the offseason.
The Dolphins lost two key offensive linemen in free agency in center Connor Williams and right guard Robert Hunt. Williams was a revelation after moving from guard to center in 2022. During his two years (and over 1,500 snaps) with Miami, the veteran interior lineman posted PFF grades above 78.0, run blocking grades above 85.0, and pass blocking grades above 69.0. He logged over 900 pass-blocking snaps with the Dolphins and allowed just four sacks and 21 pressures. He suffered a torn ACL during the 2023 season (which crushed his free agent market), but he’s arguably one of the best centers in the game.
An equally big loss is Robert Hunt. Hunt emerged as one of the best guards in the NFL last season when healthy. During his four years with the Dolphins, he never posted a PFF grade below 66.0. In his four professional seasons, he’s allowed just 80 pressures on 2,193 pass-blocking snaps.
Patrick Paul
Miami didn’t replace either player in free agency. However, they did draft Houston left tackle Patrick Paul as an injury insurance policy for fragile left tackle Terron Armstead. Paul is more of a project (and could realistically kick inside to guard if needed), so his immediate impact is uncertain. That leaves the Dolphins hoping that Isaiah Wynn (47.8 PFF grade in 2023) and Robert Jones (60.9 PFF grade) can fill the void of two excellent veterans leaving the team.
Patrick Paul Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Could those moves work out? Sure. But ultimately, this is a unit that has suffered some major losses on the interior for a quarterback that isn’t mobile.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have had one of the most consistent offensive line groups in the NFL in recent history. However, there will be reliance on some new personnel in 2023.
Dallas elected to let long-time left tackle Tyron Smith and center Tyler Biadasz walk in free agency this season after both put together healthy and successful 2023 campaigns. Biadasz spent the last three seasons as the starter in the middle of the offensive line. Over that time, he averaged 1,098.6 snaps played per season with a 65.0 PFF grade. Since 2020, he has allowed just three sacks and 61 pressures on 1,994 pass protection snaps. He also has been consistent in the run game, posting a PFF grade above 59.0 in each of his last three seasons.
The loss of Tyron Smith also has the potential to be significant, although the team’s reasons for moving on from him make sense. Since 2016, Smith has struggled to stay on the field, logging fewer than 850 snaps in seven of eight seasons. When he’s been available, he’s continued to perform like one of the top left tackles in the NFL. Smith has almost as many seasons allowing one or fewer sacks (6) as he does seasons with two or more sacks (7) in his career. The Cowboys didn’t have the cap flexibility to match the one-year, $6.5 million contract he signed with the Jets. This means it will be a new era in Dallas.
Tyler Guyton
The Cowboys do get credit for attempting to address these vacancies in the 2024 NFL draft, but there is a considerable risk in their method of doing so. Dallas took Oklahoma right tackle Tyler Guyton with the pick No. 29 in the first round to man the left tackle position. Guyton, a former tight end who converted to the offensive line in college, has just one year of starting experience on the right side of the line. He has all the size and athleticism to flip to the left side, but there could be growing pains in his early career.
The team also took one of the top interior offensive linemen, Kansas State’s Cooper Beebe, in the third round of the NFL draft. Beebe started 48 career games at Kansas State, playing left tackle, right tackle, left guard, and right guard throughout his career. Dallas will ultimately flip him to center, which is one of the only positions that he hasn’t played in his career. He can play any interior offensive line position and could be a very good center, but it may not happen in his first season.
Ultimately, the Cowboys have lost two very experienced pieces and replaced them with players who don’t have experience at those positions. It could work out in the long run, but 2024 has the potential to be challenging.
Check out more from Dan Fornek by clicking this link – NFL Offensive Line Rankings – Rookie Breakdowns Post-NFL Draft (playerprofiler.com)
