This article is part of our Offensive Line Overview series.
From pass protection to run blocking, every aspect of the modern NFL offense runs through the offensive line. With fantasy championship games right around the corner, let's take a look at which O-lines around the league are trending up and down.
RISERS
Arizona Cardinals – LG Justin Pugh (back)
- The Skinny: The Cardinals entered Week 15 with four linemen on the injury report, so it's encouraging to now see only Pugh – who managed to play through his back injury Week 15 – operating at less than full capacity. While Arizona's line remains one of the least reliable units in the league, Kyler Murray's legs can make up for many a deficit provided he has a healthy group to work with.
- What to Watch: Kenyan Drake can't be counted on for four scores on a weekly basis, but it's clear that he's taken over as the definitive workhorse in Arizona's backfield. He's not only proven to be a perfect fit for coach Kliff Kingsbury's scheme, he's been consistently capable of making production out of terrible protection. In his six contests with the Cardinals, Drake is averaging 18.1 touches per game for 91.2 total yards.
Houston Texans
- The Skinny: Houston's O-line boasts remarkable health, and the unit now found its groove after a rough start to the season. Laremy Tunsil, who was recently named to his first Pro Bowl, has allowed just three sacks over the course of the season and appears to be overcoming his penalty issues. The star left tackle, who leads the league with a crippling 16 penalties, wasn't penalized once during Week 15's key win over the Titans.
- What to Watch: "How good could this guy be with a competent O-line?" That was the lingering question during Deshaun Watson's first two seasons, and we're now seeing glimpses of an answer. The third-year pro should have the benefit of a full wide receiver corps Week 16, and DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller (hamstring) and Kenny Stills make up a trio that can take advantage of any secondary in the league when at full strength. Against a Buccaneers' defense that boasts one of the best run-stopping units in the NFL and a secondary that's become stingier down the stretch – having allowed just 228 passing yards on average over the last five weeks – the components of Houston's aerial attack can nonetheless be started with full confidence.
FALLERS
New Orleans Saints – LT Terron Armstead (ankle), LG Andrus Peat (forearm), RG Larry Warford (knee), RT Ryan Ramczyk (knee)
- The Skinny: While I expect all of the above names (sans Peat) to suit up against the Titans on Sunday, having four fifths of the O-line listed on the injury report is a worrying way to start the week. Credit New Orleans' offensive front for continuing to produce despite injury after injury piling up, but a lack of health may prove worrying down the stretch.
- What to Watch: Alvin Kamara has now gone nine consecutive contests without scoring, a drought that's resulted in a severely underwhelming fantasy season. That said, his 73 receptions across 12 contests have provided a modest PPR floor, and if a banged-up O-line results in occasional protection breakdowns he should continue to see increased use as a dump-off option. Positive regression is bound to come for the 24-year-old at some point – he scored 18 times last season and has reached the end zone just twice in 2019.
Denver Broncos – LG Dalton Risner (illness), RT Ja'Wuan James (knee), RG Ron Leary (concussion)
- The Skinny: James and Leary are both on track to sit out Week 16, which would pave the way for journeymen Elijah Wilkinson and Austin Schlottmann to draw starts at RT and RG, respectively. James, who was Denver's splash offseason acquisition, has appeared in just three contests this season.
- What to Watch: Rookie signal-caller Drew Lock will once again be forced to operate without the benefit of a fully healthy offensive line. The banged-up front further detracts from the stock of Phillip Lindsay, who's been held under 70 total yards in four straight weeks. Still worse are the prospects of backfield mate Royce Freeman, who has been held below 30 yards in four of his last six games.
Jacksonville Jaguars – LT Cam Robinson (knee), C Brandon Linder (shoulder)
- The Skinny: Both Robinson and Linder are expected to suit up against Atlanta on Sunday, but the bigger issue is that this offensive front hasn't managed to string together anything resembling consistency the entire season. The unit ranks just 29th in run blocking and 17th in pass protection, according to Football Outsiders' Adjusted Line Yards metric.
- What to Watch: Unreliable line play coupled with injuries is already a poor combination. Adding a shoulder injury to Gardner Minshew, who's been limited in practice throughout the week, on top of that equation, could be a recipe for disaster. Minshew's impressive mobility has bailed Jacksonville's offense out through many a protection breakdown this season, so any limitations could be enough to significantly hamper his production.
Oakland Raiders – RT Trent Brown (pectoral) IR, LG Richie Incognito (ankle), C Rodney Hudson (ankle), RG Gabe Jackson (knee)
- The Skinny: The major news here is Trent Brown's season-ending placement on IR, which comes just following his being named to the Pro Bowl. That leaves second-year pro Brandon Parker, who's struggled tremendously in limited action this season, to start at right guard for the final two games.
- What to Watch: With Josh Jacobs (shoulder) ruled out for Week 16, DeAndre Washington resurfaces as the likely lead dog in Oakland's backfield with Jalen Richard set to mix in to a change-of-pace role. Washington previously filled in for Jacobs in Week 14, when he logged a modest rushing performance propped up by a touchdown. What's most notable is that while on the field, Washington was oft utilized as a dump-off option when protection broke down – hauling in six of seven targets for 43 yards – which lends him a safe PPR floor.
Top-5 Offensive Lines:
1. Indianapolis Colts
2. Philadelphia Eagles
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. New Orleans Saints
Bottom-5 Offensive Lines:
32. Miami Dolphins
31. Arizona Cardinals
30. New York Jets
29. Cincinnati Bengals
28. Los Angeles Chargers
You can find RotoWire's full offensive line rankings list here. Rankings are updated every week on Thursdays.
