Upgrades

Washington up 4

The Commanders' offensive line certainly wasn't perfect in their Week 1 win against Jacksonville. The guards of Andrew Norwell and Trai Turner both had moments of struggle in pass protection. The other starting quality guard, Wes Schweitzer, injured his hamstring and will likely be unavailable for a few weeks. So, why is this group due for an upgrade in the rankings? Because of the stellar play from left tackle Charles Leno and center Chase Roullier. These two veterans and right tackle Sam Cosmi have taken a collective step up in their games. The group was especially effective picking up exotic blitzes. This line officially grades inside the top 10 of the rankings. Look for the Commanders' line to continue their improvement in Week 2 against a vulnerable Lions' defensive front seven.

Houston up 5

First-round rookie Kenyon Green didn't start the game against Indianapolis, as veteran Justin McCray had the honor. But the two split reps at left guard and Green visibly improved his play throughout the afternoon. By the end, Green ended up with the lion's share of the reps, taking 38 offensive plays to McCray's 32. This is good news for the Texans' front office, who appear to have hit big on the prospect from nearby Texas A&M. Nothing official has been announced but look for Green to get his first start this week against Denver. McCray can go back to his veteran backup role. In other news, center Justin Britt missed practice for personal reasons but is expected to be in the starting lineup. This Texans' line sits at 12th, just outside the top-10.

Atlanta up 4

The Falcons' offensive line had two new starters in the lineup last week against New Orleans, and the line looked much improved. At left guard, Jalen Mayfield was benched for Elijah Wilkinson. Mayfield has been a liability since he was given the starting position. Meanwhile, Wilkinson is a converted swing tackle with the athleticism and technique to keep this job for a while. At center, Drew Dalman took the job from Matt Hennessy. These two players had been rotating reps 1:1 for most of last season and this year's preseason. However, Dalman finally won the job and the effect has been positive. Wilkinson and Dalman had good games, opening running lanes and protecting quarterback Marcus Mariota. This line grades in the middle of the pack but is trending upward. This week will be a true test, as the Falcons fly across the country to face Aaron Donald and a motivated LA Rams' defensive front, coming off ten days' rest.

Miami up 5

Left tackle Terron Armstead has been held out of practice with a toe injury this week. Right tackle Austin Jackson was rolled up in the second quarter against New England and had to be replaced by Greg Little. The team signed Brandon Shell to their practice squad. Why is a team with such tackle issues climbing the rankings? Armstead has been limited in practice and the coaches have indicated that he should be able to play through it. As for Jackson, this player always had draft capital on his side, but after Jackson migrated from left tackle to left guard to right tackle, the model doesn't see much difference between him and Greg Little. A former second-round pick out of Ole Miss by Carolina, Little has always had elite athleticism (like Jackson). But Little has refined his technical shortcomings recently and had a great summer. In three seasons, Little has elevated his game to the point where he grades as a low-end starter. The rest of the line performed well last week, and they have a decent matchup this week against Baltimore.

Chicago up 4

The Bears' offensive line had a rough start to the game last week against San Francisco, giving up a ton of pressure to players like Nick Bosa. But as the game continued, this young group found its footing, especially in the running game. Rookie left tackle Braxton Jones has been washing players down in zone scheme while Larry Borom has been a sneakily lock-down performer at right tackle. Right guard is a 1:1 split between second-year player Teven Jenkins and veteran Lucas Patrick. Each one brings something different to the table, with Patrick providing better pass protection but Jenkins mauling in the run game. This Bears' line is still far from the top of the rankings, but they look better than many thought. This line was my dark horse pick for unexpected improvement this preseason, and their long, slow climb out of the basement has begun. They face a vulnerable Packers' defensive front seven this Sunday Night.

Seattle up 1

It's rare that a team drafts two rookie tackles and starts them immediately, but that's exactly what Seattle did this offseason. Everyone expected left tackle Charles Cross to be at least a solid pass protector, and the first-rounder from Mississippi State has mostly lived up to his draft status. What has been unexpected has been the emergence of third-round right tackle Abraham Lucas. Lucas has been leveling defenders all preseason, issuing knockdown blocks at every opportunity. He had a very good game on Monday Night against the Broncos' defensive front seven, and it will be interesting to see if he can continue his hot form in the division this week against a motivated 49ers defense. In other news, left guard Damien Lewis missed Week 1 with knee and ankle injuries (Phil Haynes started in his place). Lewis has practiced in full and is included in the rankings. The Seahawks' line still ranks low, 30th currently, but if Lucas continues his strong play, they will climb the charts in the next few weeks.

NY Giants up 1

This Giants' line had its share of struggles last week in their close win against the Titans. At left guard, Ben Bredeson and Joshua Ezeudu split snaps, and it's hard to determine which was better. Ezeudu, like most of the Giants' line, had real problems in pass protection but did well in run blocking. The coaches are still unsure who to start at several spots. The exception was left tackle Andrew Thomas, who looks to be fulfilling his potential as a former top-5 draft pick. Thomas reported to camp in excellent physical shape and has been building on last year's campaign, where he was quietly one of the better pass-blocking left tackles. Thomas has elite measurables and is well-regarded by front offices around the league. It's not a huge upgrade to the Giants' offensive line, ranked 31st, but they are no longer ranked last, and that's something.

Downgrades

Cleveland down 8

Right tackle Jack Conklin tore the patellar tendon in his knee last season and has been rehabbing all summer. Based on his practice participation, the model had projected Conklin to start Week 1 against Carolina. However, Conklin did not get the start last week, and he appears unlikely to get it against the Jets this week. Conklin is an impact player when healthy, but he can't be relied upon to play through injury. Last week, James Hudson replaced Conklin for 100% of snaps. But this week, Chris Hubbard (triceps) has been practicing in full, and he could get the nod over Hudson. Both have interesting aspects: Hudson is a raw physical prospect, while Hubbard has years of starting experience. Either way, it's a small downgrade to the Browns' line. The offense has a somewhat choice matchup this week at home against a Jets defense that spends too much time on the field.

Tampa Bay down 1

Left tackle Donovan Smith was forced from Sunday Night Football last week with an elbow injury, and Josh Wells replaced him for the remainder of the game. The coaches described Smith's injury as minor, an issue of pain management, but Smith has not been practicing this week. While Smith has a long history of toughness, signs point to him missing at least one this week when the Buccanneers travel to the dome in New Orleans for a divisional matchup. The model includes Wells as the starter for now, but whether it's him or a compromised Smith, look for Saints' defensive coordinators to undoubtedly target this left tackle position with pressure on Tom Brady. This Bucs' line looked good otherwise in Week 1, especially the new center Robert Hainsey, but a bad streak of injuries is testing their depth.

Denver down 3

Right guard Quinn Meinherz suffered a hamstring strain during Monday Night Football, and his injury is expected to keep him out at least a month. Graham Glasgow, who might be the best backup lineman in the league, will step in and take his place. Glasgow should be fine, but this downgrade is more related to the situation at right tackle. Right tackle Billy Turner came off the PUP list late in the summertime but he proved not ready for Week 1. Cameron Fleming, a replacement-level starter, took 100% of the snaps in his place. Turner has been practicing full this week and should start at home against Houston. But it would not be surprising if Fleming got another start. The Broncos' line grades 14th with Turner but falls closer to 20th with Fleming.

Dallas down 2

Left guard Connor McGovern injured his ankle in the Sunday Night loss to Tampa Bay and has not been practicing this week. Former seventh-round pick Matt Farniok replaced McGovern last week and has been getting the reps in practice this week. There is a scenario where rookie Tyler Smith (who got 100% of snaps at left tackle last week) bumps inside for McGovern, leaving Jason Peters to start at left tackle. Many believed Smith would start the season at guard before Tyron Smith's injury. But the coaching staff wants to give Smith every chance to prove himself a left tackle replacement, so look for Farniok to get his first career start this week against Cincinnati. Once a highly rated line, this Dallas group grades more average these days, 18th overall.

Baltimore down 8

Left tackle Ronnie Stanley has been rehabbing his ankle injury since last season and was limited at practice before Week 1 against the NY Jets. Stanley's injury lingered as he missed the game, and Ja'Wuan James started in his place. James, who hadn't started a game in multiple seasons, re-tore the same Achilles tendon he injured last year. This latest setback might be a career-ender for James. Patrick Mekari, the Ravens' utility starter, bumped out to left tackle for the remainder of last week's game. This week. Stanley is listed as doubtful, and Mekari could get another start in his place. This is a decent-to-good unit with Stanley, but without him, they fall to 21st in the latest grades.

LA Rams down 7

Starting center Brian Allen was forced from Thursday Night Football with a knee injury. Allen required a scope for the problem and is expected to miss at least two weeks, if not more. In his place, right guard Coleman Shelton will shift to center while Tremayne Anchrum will get the start this week at right guard. The team has Alaric Jackson also on deck, but Jackson could be needed to play left tackle if Joe Noteboom (listed as day-to-day with an MCL sprain) cannot play on Sunday against Atlanta. Oday Aboushi was signed to the practice squad this week, and could be another option at guard for Anchrum. Overall, this rash of injuries is not great news for the Rams' line, who fall to 27th in the latest rankings.

Green Bay down 26

Sometimes when I write these articles, I feel like Wile E. Coyote chasing the Road Runner. The Packers' coaching staff fooled us all again. Despite practicing the week before the game, neither Elgton Jenkins nor David Bakhtiari was able to play against Minnesota. Yosh Nijman and Royce Newman got the start. Adding to their issues, left guard Jon Runyan was forced from last week's loss with a concussion, and he has not been practicing this week. Zach Tom, one of the most impressive rookie linemen in football this preseason, replaced Runyan and did a decent job. But overall, this Packers' line is somewhat of a shambles. And as for this writer, I'm taking a page from The Who and "won't be fooled again." The model cannot include Bakhtiari or Jenkins in the rankings until these players actually start a game and make it all the way through. Missing three starters, the Packers' line falls to the bottom tier of the rankings.

Las Vegas down 2

Center Andre James was concussed last week on the game's very last play. James' condition was severe enough that an ambulance took him to a nearby hospital after the contest. Players bounce back from concussions every week, but this situation likely will have James missing extended time. Rookie Dylan Parham, who started at guard and played well, is expected to move to center for James. Billy Price, on the practice squad, is another option. It's unclear who the Raiders will start at guard in Parham's place. The coaching staff went with four different lineup combos during the game without accounting for James' injury. It's that lack of cohesion, plus a chronic inability to replace Rodney Hudson in the last couple of seasons, that has dropped the Raiders' line to the very bottom of the rankings, 32nd overall before facing the Cardinals at home.

Other News

ARZ - LG Justin Pugh left last week's game with a neck injury. Sean Harlow replaced (Max Garcia is another option).

CAR - C Bradley Bozeman could not go last week and is not included in this week's projections. (Pat Elflein took 100% of snaps in his place)

DET - Several situations to watch as LT Taylor Decker and C Frank Ragnow have not practiced this week. The model assumes both will play.

IND - LT Matt Pryor played over 80% of the snaps last week, but the coaches gave Bernhard Raimann a couple of series with the hope of developing him. If Raimann can emerge, Pryor could kick back inside to RG.

JAX - RT Jawaan Taylor left the game with cramps on the team's final drive, Walker Little replaced. Taylor is in the model.

KCC - RG Trey Smith left the game last week with an ankle injury, Nick Allegretti replaced. However, Smith practiced in full on Wednesday and should start this Thursday against LA Chargers, despite the short week of rest.

NEP - LT Trent Brown had a tough game against Miami, giving up two sacks and a quarterback hit while committing a costly holding penalty. There is no current change to Brown's grade, but if this performance continues, look for a downgrade next week.

TEN - RT Nicholas Petit Frere took 100% of snaps from Dillon Radunz. The line doesn't deserve an upgrade after their performance against NY Giants, but this is still good news.

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