Photo: USA Today Sports

UPGRADES

Arizona up 8

Right tackle Kelvin Beachum missed several games with a rib injury, and his backup Justin Murray has also been hindered by his back. Last week, right guard Josh Jones slid to right tackle and had an outstanding game against the LA Rams. Beachum and Murray have returned to practice this week in a limited fashion and having even one of those available would allow Jones to slide back to guard, where he is quietly having a Pro Bowl-caliber season. Max Garcia, who got the spot start last week, would return to the bench. Arizona has been red-hot in the first quarter of the season, and their offensive line joins the top-five of the latest rankings. They have a choice home matchup this weekend against a somewhat depleted divisional rival in San Francisco.

Seattle up 10

After missing two games with an ankle injury, right tackle Brandon Shell returned to practice as a full participant this week. More specifically, the Seahawks did not practice for the first three days of this week, but had they done so, Shell would have been available. Shell is a key component of the Seahawks' offense, and while Cedric Ogbuehi did a decent job in replacement last week against San Francisco, the team will need all hands on deck for a difficult divisional Thursday Night Football home game against the LA Rams. With left tackle Duane Brown and right guard Gabe Jackson finding their form of late (and many other teams above them succumbing to injury), the Seattle offensive line grades seventh in the current rankings.

Denver up 13

This is another optimistic projection. The Broncos were without their starting guards in Dalton Risner (ankle) and Graham Glasgow (knee) last week against Baltimore. Both players have rejoined practice in a limited fashion prior to the road game at Pittsburgh. The Steelers' defensive front remains dangerous, despite the rest of their team's struggles. Still, Quinn Meinerz at left guard and Netane Muti at right guard were vulnerable last week, and the entire offense could get a boost with the return of their starting guards. Risner, who had never missed a game in his career prior to last week, seems to be a surer bet than Glasgow, who has been starting but not finishing games in the first quarter of the season. Assuming both players start against Pittsburgh, the Broncos' offensive line would be about average, 16th in the latest grades.

NY Giants up 2

With a win over New Orleans in Week Four, left guard Matt Skura appears to have stopped the bleeding in New York. With Ben Bredeson out with an injured hand, the Giants' coaching staff made Skura their fourth starting left guard in as many games. The longtime Baltimore center has less than ideal measurables, but his understanding of the position has given him this chance to be a starter again. In other news, left tackle Andrew Thomas played 100% of snaps last week but missed practice with a foot injury. He is still included in the ranks for this week's divisional matchup at Dallas. The Giants' line is still below average, 28th in the rankings, but their lineup is settling and they are trending in the right direction.

DOWNGRADES

Jacksonville down 5

Veteran right guard A.J. Cann sustained an MCL injury during last week's close Thursday Night Football loss at Cincinnati, and he has been placed on the injured reserve list. Ben Bartch, the second-year player from Saint John's (MIN) played 62% of snaps last week in relief of Cann, and will likely get his second career start this week at home against Tennessee. Bartch has more physical upside than Cann, and the Titans' defensive front will present an underrated challenge. Still, this succession plan has been in place, and it was only a matter of time before Bartch took over for Cann. Despite the modest downgrade, the Jaguars' offensive line still carries a top-ten grade in the latest rankings.

Washington down 7

All-Pro left guard Brandon Scherff was forced from the win over Atlanta last week with an MCL sprain. Scherff is not practicing, and the coaches have already announced that he will miss at least two games with the injury. Veteran backup Wes Schweitzer replaced Scherff last week and played the remaining 42% of snaps against the Falcons. While Schweitzer is an excellent depth option, there is a noticeable difference to this group when they are without their twice-franchise-tagged leader in Scherff. The Football Team's offensive line grades 17th in the current rankings, ahead of facing a vulnerable New Orleans defensive front seven this week.

New England down 9

Left guard Mike Onwenu and left tackle Isaiah Wynn were both placed on the COVID-reserve list on Tuesday. It is not clear if either player will be available for this week's road game at Houston. With Justin Herron already starting at right tackle for Trent Brown (calf, not in ranks), the coaches could roll out a left side of Yodny Cajuste and Ted Karras against the Texans. Last week, Onwenu was essentially benched in the second half against Tampa Bay. Onwenu committed multiple holding penalties in attempts to block Vita Vea. With right guard Shaq Mason also missing practice (abdomen, still in ranks), this could be a second-team preseason type of lineup against an average Houston defensive front.

Tennessee down 9

Left guard Rodger Saffold, widely considered the Titans' best lineman this year, was forced from last week's loss against the Jets with a concussion. Aaron Brewer took Saffold's place last week but he has also appeared on the injury report this week, missing practice with a knee injury. At left tackle Taylor Lewan exited and returned to the Jets game, nursing a toe injury. Lewan committed three penalties but was better than Ty Sambrailo, who was atrocious in pass protection. While Saffold is officially questionable and could find his way out of the league's protocol quickly, he is not included in this week's rankings. The Titans will face a Jacksonville defensive front that is vulnerable to the running game but does a surprisingly good job rushing the passer. This line ranks 25th in the current rankings.

Philadelphia down 13

With right tackle Lane Johnson mysteriously missing from the team (personal reasons), the Eagles shuffled their offensive line against Kansas City, moving Jack Driscoll from right guard to right tackle and putting Nate Herbig at right guard. Landon Dickerson started at left guard and Andre Dillard started at left tackle. This meant Jason Kelce at center was the only regular starter. While Jordan Mailata returned to practice in a limited fashion ahead of this week's difficult road matchup at Carolina, and the team could use him at right tackle in an emergency, the depth is again getting tested in Philadelphia. A top-five group headed into the season, the Eagles' offensive line checks in at 26th in the most recent rankings.

Miami down 6

Prior to the loss against Indianapolis, the team placed center Michael Deiter (leg) on the injured reserve list. In wake of the incident, which must have occurred in practice, the team started journeyman Greg Mancz against the Colts. Later, the team signed Austin Reiter for depth. Mancz is an experienced veteran from his days with Houston and Reiter carries a similar resume from Kansas City but the Dolphins' line faces a huge challenge this week visiting the reigning Super Bowl champions in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers have a stout defense, led by a fearsome front four, all of whom can win their one-on-one battles in pass-rush. The Dolphins' offensive line grades 29th in the latest rankings.

Detroit down 8

The team placed All-Pro center Frank Ragnow on the injured reserve list this week. Ragnow will miss at least the next three games (and perhaps more) with a toe injury sustained in last week's loss against Chicago. Evan Brown replaced Ragnow and played 85% of snaps, but there is a huge drop-off between Ragnow, one of the best young lineman in the game, and almost anyone else. The team signed Parker Ehinger and Ryan McCollum for depth. In more bad news, rookie left tackle Penei Sewell played 100% of snaps last week but struggled. This week, he has not practiced due to an ankle injury. Coaches have stated that they are preparing to go without Sewell this week. Will Holden is one option, as is a shuffle of Matt Nelson to the left side. A lineup with Logan Stenberg at guard is also possible. Injuries have dropped Detroit to the very bottom of the rankings. The Lions' offensive line grades out 32nd prior to their tough Week Five road matchup against Minnesota.

OTHER NEWS

BAL - LT Alejandro Villanueva was forced from the win over Denver with a knee injury in the third quarter. Villanueva was replaced by Andre Smith, who committed a facemask penalty which brought back a TD. Villanueva is still in the ranks.

BUF - RT Spencer Brown started last week's romp over Houston, and the coaches moved Daryl Williams to RG and Cody Ford to the bench. The new lineup settled in nicely. In other-other news, Ike Boettger played left guard last week for Jon Feliciano. Feliciano was in the concussion protocol last week but has returned to practice and is still in the ranks.

CAR - LT Cam Erving played 100% of the snaps against Dallas but has not been practicing this week due to a neck injury. Beat writers believe either Trent Scott or Brady Christensen will replace Erving this week against Philadelphia. There are also rumors of the Panthers bringing in outside help at the position. There is no downgrade because Cam Erving has been playing so poorly, any change should be a positive one.

CLE - LT Jedrick Wills continues to gut through an ankle injury. Wills played 73% of snaps last week vs MIN but was eventually replaced by James Hudson. Chris Hubbard (triceps) appears to be unavailable again for this week at LAC. No change to the top-graded line in the ranks, just something to monitor. Wills could use a week off at some point.

GBP - LG Elgton Jenkins continues to be out with an ankle injury, Yosh Nijman will likely get his third career start this week at Cincinnati.

HOU - C Justin Britt did not practice due to a knee injury, but he is still in the ranks.

IND - RT Matt Pryor played 30 snaps to Julien Davenport 41 snaps vs Mia. Braden Smith has missed three games and is not included in the ranks for this week against Baltimore on Monday Night Football.

LVR - With Jermaine Eluemunor struggling at guard. Jordan Simmons played 10% of snaps at right guard for Eluemunor but gave up a sack against LAC. At right tackle, Alex Leatherwood is also struggling in pass protection. Prior to this week's home game against Chicago, the team moved Leatherwood to RG and Brandon Parker to RT, sending Eluemunor to the bench. This could be a small upgrade.

NOS - Still no sign of LT Terron Armstead (elbow) or C Erik McCoy (calf) at practice. Both are not in the ranks for this week's tough road matchup against Washington.

PIT - LG Kevin Dotson was forced from the Green Bay game with a hip flexor injury and has not been practicing this week. B.J. Finney replaced Dotson last week against could get the start at home against Denver. At RT Chuk Okorafor is practicing in full after his concussion, and his return should send Joe Haeg to the bench.

SFO - LT Trent Williams was forced from last week's loss to Seattle with a shoulder injury but the coaches have said he will be "good-to-go" this Sunday in Arizona.

FULL RANKINGS