The Philadelphia Eagles have had a stranglehold on Pro Football Focus’ rankings of the NFL’s top offensive lines in recent seasons, and the Dallas Cowboys boast one of the premier lines in football, but, there’s a new Super Bowl favorite in the NFC sitting atop the rankings as the 2024 campaign nears.
Philadelphia sliding from the top spot, where they finished the 2023 season, shouldn’t be too much of a surprise given the uncertainty of Cam Jurgens’ ability to seamlessly replace Jason Kelce, who retired earlier this offseason.
But, legendary Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland’s presence and continuity from 2023 to 2024 keep Philadelphia in the second position, according to PFF.
Meanwhile, the Cowboys stumble after allowing All-Pro Tyron Smith to walk via free agency — and sign with the New York Jets, while also losing stalwart center Tyler Biadasz to the division-rival Washington Commanders, Dallas enters the season as Pro Football Focus’ No. 10 ranked unit.
The Detroit Lions barnstormed to the NFC Championship Game, arriving as legitimate Super Bowl contenders perhaps a year ahead of schedule, in 2023.
Thanks in large part to an elite collection of offensive skill-players, and young rising difference-makers on defense — including pass-rusher Aidan Hutchinson and safety Brian Branch, added across the last two draft classes, the Lions are among the favorites to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl next February.
For all the star power general manager Brad Holmes has added to the roster in recent years, the backbone of a championship run is found in the trenches.
Now, as the 2024 regular season approaches, the Lions sit atop Pro Football Focus’ offensive line rankings.
“When healthy,” Zoltán Buday writes for PFF. “The Lions’ offensive line was arguably the best unit in the NFL last season. Right tackle Penei Sewell was the league’s highest-graded offensive lineman, and Frank Ragnow earned the top spot among centers.
“Although the unit lost right guard Jonah Jackson in free agency, the Lions signed veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who ranked 15th in PFF grade among guards in 2023.”
Last season, Sewell played his way into the conversation among the premier offensive tackles in the sport, and at age 23, after allowing just one sack last season, his best football might be in front of him. That’s a scary prospect for the rest of the league, and a strong foundation for the Lions’ success.
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