Offensive linemen can be hard to rate, especially for casual observers who do not have the time or interest to dive into statistical breakdowns. That problem extends to legitimate reporters and analysts, often coming to a head during award season. With that in mind, we are looking at starting lines as a whole, how they performed in 2025, how they project in 2026, and what makes them worth watching. Here are the top five.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Rashawn Slater, Jake Slaughter, Tyler Biadasz, Cole Strange, Joe Alt
This could be the best offensive line in the league if they can stay healthy, but that is a large qualifier for this group.
Slater and Alt are, in terms of raw talent, the best tackle duo in the NFL. Alt is one of the most technically sound tackles in the league, and when you add that to his 6-foot-8, 322-pound frame, he becomes a nightmare for opposing pass rushers. Slater is equally dominant on the left side, protecting Justin Herbert's blindside year after year before suffering a season-ending injury in training camp in 2025. If both are healthy, this line jumps to top three immediately. Slaughter was one of the stronger picks of the draft, Biadasz is a capable center in both pass and run blocking, and Strange, while the weakest link, is more than serviceable surrounded by that level of talent.
4. Los Angeles Rams: Alaric Jackson, Steve Avila, Coleman Shelton, Kevin Dotson, Warren McClendon Jr.
A line that is more than the sum of its parts, this five helped play Matthew Stafford to an MVP season and carried the Rams to an NFC Championship appearance.
With Stafford throwing the ball, it would be easy to assume this unit built its reputation on pass protection. They are actually stronger in the run game, opening holes for Kyren Williams and Blake Corum with consistency. Jackson and Avila both rank among the top five in run blocking at their respective positions. The one question heading into 2026 is the departure of Rob Havenstein, a long-time starter at right tackle who retired after last season. How McClendon performs as the full-time replacement will go a long way toward determining whether this line holds its ranking.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Graham Barton, Cody Mauch, Luke Goedeke
Wirfs is as complete a left tackle as there is in the league, and at just 27 years old he is entering his prime while already drawing consideration as the best at his position.
The rest of this line is more surprising. Goedeke, a second-round pick in 2023, has been consistent on the right side and is better suited as a pass blocker, which fits the offense around Baker Mayfield well. Barton is the unsung contributor in the run game, though his pass blocking has room to grow. Mauch is returning from a torn meniscus that cost him most of last season but was strong in 2023 and 2024 and should bring an edge back. Bredeson is the weak link, though the talent around him limits the damage. Without Wirfs, this line looks considerably different. With him, opposing defenses will have a hard time getting to Mayfield.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson
The only thing slowing this line down is time. Lane Johnson is still a legitimate starting right tackle, but this appears to be his final season, and the effects of age and injury have taken a slight toll. He can still hold his own, but the window is narrowing.
Mailata and Dickerson anchor the left side without much concern. Mailata is as good a blindside protector as any quarterback could ask for and brings the ability to drive downfield and open running lanes for Saquon Barkley. Dickerson continues to develop, and Jurgens has been a more effective replacement for the retired Jason Kelce than most anticipated. Steen is probably the least known but earned a top-20 PFF grade among guards in both pass and run blocking last season. This line loses something when Johnson is gone, but until then it belongs here.
1. Denver Broncos: Garrett Bolles, Ben Powers, Luke Wattenberg, Quinn Meinerz, Mike McGlinchey
The Broncos ranked second in the league in sacks allowed in 2025 and enter 2026 with familiar faces at every position and chemistry built over multiple seasons together. Bolles and Meinerz are the recognizable names, but Powers and McGlinchey are just as dependable.
Bo Nix will need that continuity after the ankle injury he suffered in last year's playoffs, and this group gives him reason for confidence. If Wattenberg holds things together at center, there is no obvious vulnerability in pass protection. The run game remains the open question, but if RJ Harvey arrives healthy and ready, this line has the ingredients to put multiple players in the All-Pro conversation before the season is out.
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