NFL Teams with Improved Offensive Lines: Giants, Jets, Panthers and More
Within the first few weeks of the NFL offseason, several teams have re-made their offensive line at two or more spots. We look at teams who made investments up front.
The first week of the new league year saw several teams overhaul and/or lock up close to half of their offensive line, some at great expense. Teams paying offensive linemen isn’t new, but many of the biggest contracts went to interior linemen rather than tackles, who usually top the charts.
Let’s run through some of the teams who made big moves up front and look at last year’s performance, the moves they made, and why they decided to focus on the offensive line.
Each team’s pass block win rate (PBWR) and run block win rate (RBWR) are listed, with their 2023 rank in parentheses. Those numbers were measured by ESPN. More will happen in the draft and through other movement before the season, but these are teams that went after the O-line early.
Carolina Panthers
PBWR: 54% (23rd); RBWR: 68% (30th)
- Signed G Robert Hunt for five years, $100 million with $63 million guaranteed
- Signed G Damien Lewis for four years, $53 million with $26 million guaranteed
Carolina made an eye-popping move by signing Hunt to such a big contract with record guaranteed money for the guard position. Hunt was seen by most as a good player but without superstar upside. The Panthers apparently see that potential.
Lewis was a four-year starter with the Seahawks after being drafted in 2020, generally playing at an acceptable or better level. His contract is not as big as Hunt’s, but Carolina paid a lot to upgrade their offensive line early in free agency.
It makes sense when focusing on the scope of the team: First overall pick Bryce Young was barely given a chance with a subpar supporting cast in 2023. With a below-average line in front of him, Young suffered the second-most sacks last season and tied for sixth-most all-time (62).
While the franchise may have overpaid, they will surely see it as a worthy investment if it means Young gets a chance to develop.
Los Angeles Rams
PBWR: 55% (21st); RBWR: 71% (14th)
- Re-signed G Kevin Dotson for three years, $48 million with $32 million guaranteed
- Signed G Jonah Jackson for three years, $51 million with $34 million guaranteed
LA has generally had a good offensive line with Sean McVay; they were a league-average unit last season. That’s OK, but a coach who likes using innovative systems surely appreciates high-level play from his offensive front.
In an attempt to create a top-10 line, the Rams re-signed Dotson before free agency started then added Jackson early into the proceedings.
Dotson was acquired last offseason for a series of mid-round pick swaps amounting to very little value. He responded with an above-average season by all measures and became an integral part of a playoff team.
Jackson spent four seasons with Detroit, who drafted him in the third round in 2020. He didn’t perform at a top level like Dotson, but he was part of a great Lions offensive line. The question will be if he can keep up a high level of play when not surrounded by stars.
Steve Avila, last year’s No. 36 overall pick, will move to center, forming an interior with a lot of resources put into it.
New York Giants
PBWR: 53% (24th); RBWR: 67% (31st)
- Signed G Jon Runyan for three years, $30 million with $17 million guaranteed
- Signed T Jermaine Eluemunor for two years, $14 million with $6.75 million guaranteed
- Signed G Aaron Stinnie for one year, $1.4 million
Even with top-10 picks at both tackle spots, the Giants failed to find success on the offensive line last season. These additions will upgrade the guard spots, but Eluemunor could cause another shift.
Right tackle Evan Neal, the seventh overall pick in 2022, has struggled mightily in his two seasons and dealt with injury. Eluemunor started at right tackle for the Raiders last season, and the team might try moving Neal inside to guard to see if he performs any better.
It would be disappointing for a player considered as safe as any draft pick that year, but salvaging a useful player is still a positive outcome. Runyan will likely fill one starting guard slot with Stinnie battling for the other side. Injuries may end up working out the rotation.
New York had a below-average offensive line, so these additions should help raise the floor and provide depth. With the draft still to come and more moves possible, the starting five in Week 1 is hard to project right now.
New York Jets
PBWR: 50% (30th); RBWR: 68% (29th)
- Signed G John Simpson for two years, $12 million with $6 million guaranteed
- Signed LT Tyron Smith for one year, $6.5 million guaranteed with incentives up to $20 million
- Traded for RT Morgan Moses, giving up a sixth-round pick and fourth-round pick swap (moving down 22 spots)
I just wrote an entire article on the offensive upgrades the Jets have made, but I’ll sum up the offensive line here. Simpson is an OK guard on a very manageable contract. He’ll be an upgrade for one of 2023’s worst offensive lines.
Moses is a solid tackle who has been extremely healthy most of his career before missing a few games last season. Again, the bar for an upgrade is low, but Moses should make Aaron Rodgers’ life much easier on the right side.
Smith is the X-factor: If he stays healthy, he could lock down the blindside on one of the best offensive lines in the league. If injuries continue impacting him, New York is more likely to be scrambling for a functional line. Smith is a former All-Pro who can still find that level when healthy.
The Jets have the biggest gap between their ceiling and floor of any team. I’m betting on the latter because of past injury concerns, but this team could surprise if everyone stays healthy and effective.
Washington Commanders
PBWR: 59% (14th); RBWR: 70% (22nd)
- Signed C Tyler Biadasz for three years, $29 million with $20.7 million guaranteed
- Signed G Nick Allegretti for three years, $16 million with $9 million guaranteed
Washington poached from their division foe in grabbing Biadasz, the former Cowboys center. He would be an upgrade on many teams and will certainly improve the Commanders.
Allegretti comes from the Super Bowl champion Chiefs where he mainly played a backup role, though he filled in when starter Joe Thuney was hurt during the team’s playoff run. He will have a chance to compete for a starting role with Washington.
Aside from Biadasz, no one on this line currently stands out. They seemed destined to be near league average again.
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