Ranking NFL's Offensive Lines in 2016 PFF (Cowboys #2)

[Crown Royal]

I'm not personally offended by Tennessee having the number one. Unfortunately, Doug Free was a liability, and Tyron being out did hurt their grades a bit.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-lines-this-season/

1. Tennessee Titans (Preseason rank: 25)
Top overall grade: RT Jack Conklin, 88.9 (No. 5 among OTs)

Top pass-blocking grade: RT Jack Conklin, 88.5 (No. 7)

Top run-blocking grade: LT Taylor Lewan, 88.4 (No. 2)

It seems heretical to suggest that the Dallas Cowboys did not field the best offensive line in the game in 2016, but Tennessee’s unit really was without a weakness all season. All five starters earned impressive grades in both run blocking and pass protection, paving the way to 2,180 rushing yards as a team, 1,777 of which came from their first two running backs, DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. No member of the offensive line surrendered more than three sacks on the season, and while LT Taylor Lewan fell off a little as the year wore on, conceding more penalties than you would like, on the other side, rookie RT Jack Conklin earned PFF All-Pro honors. This unit may not be able to match the Dallas line in terms of its very peak performers, but there was no weak link along this chain all season long, and that’s why the Tennessee Titans finish the season as our No. 1 ranked line.

2. Dallas Cowboys (1)
Top overall grade: C Travis Frederick, 90.0 (No. 3 among centers)

Top pass-blocking grade: LT Tyron Smith, 86.5 (No. 12)

Top run-blocking grade: C Travis Frederick, 88.9 (No. 3)

At their best, this unit is the best line in football, but left tackle Tyron Smith missed time due to injury, and on the other side, RT Doug Free has been a problem player for the team, surrendering eight sacks on the season and struggling with his run blocking. At left guard, the loss of La’el Collins actually upgraded the unit, with veteran Ronald Leary having a fine season in his place. Leary didn’t surrender a sack all season, and was PFF’s No. 21 ranked guard, earning a grade of 81.8. In the middle, C Travis Frederick and RG Zack Martin were first-team PFF All-Pros this season, and the driving force of this line that catalyzed exceptional rookie campaigns from both RB Ezekiel Elliott and QB Dak Prescott.

 

[MileyDancer]

Meh. The Titan's offensive line is sitting on their couch right now.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Titans have invested a ton in their line as well. The big difference is their two biggest investments are bookends.

I haven't hated on free as much as my fellow Zoner.... But this offseason that spit needs to be an open competition and given green's health issues hopefully there is an extra body in the mix.

 

[bayeslife]

#2 even with a human turnstile playing RT. Not bad

 

[xwalker]

I'm not personally offended by Tennessee having the number one. Unfortunately, Doug Free was a liability, and Tyron being out did hurt their grades a bit.

https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-ranking-all-32-nfl-offensive-lines-this-season/

It's too bad that PFF is complete garbage.

The concept is great, but the actual grading process has proven to be crap. There is no way a small internet type company could have the man power to accurately grade all games and have the grades available right away.

 

[TwoCentPlain]

Need to factor in that Tenn played in one of the crappiest divisions in the NFL.

So, the Cowboys won their division and conference playing tougher competition and with an OL not as good as the Tenn OL. Factoring in that, the only other reason Tenn didn't stroll into the playoffs was because 1) Zeke >>>Murray and 2) Dak >>>Mariota. What else could it be?

 

[pacy]

Green Bay #5

 

[lkelly]

I haven't hated on free as much as my fellow Zoner.... But this offseason that spit needs to be an open competition and given green's health issues hopefully there is an extra body in the mix.

Free looks like a guy who could plow through a couple cans of dip a day, so my money is on him in any spitting competition.

 

[JBell]

Free has given up 8 sacks?

And that number is being generous. Doesn't even include the two games where Brandon Graham dominated him this season, yet the stat sheet won't reflect it because he didn't record a sack.

 

[JBell]

It's too bad that PFF is complete garbage.

The concept is great, but the actual grading process has proven to be crap. There is no way a small internet type company could have the man power to accurately grade all games and have the grades available right away.

Agreed, great concept.....but there's too much subjectiveness in grading plays.

You could have two guys "grade" the same game and come up with completely different results.

 

[sean10mm]

PFF is a neat idea in theory, but in execution it's basically a scam. They literally don't have the time or the people to do what they claim to be doing (grade every snap by every player on every team independently), and they put out initial grades before the all-22 footage that would allow them to even give meaningful grades is even available.

In a game where Aaron Rodgers threw 5 touchdowns and 0 picks, they gave him a -0.8 grade. The minus sign is not a typo, the grade was negative zero point eight. Their justification for this was delightfully stupid.

It's just random dudebros on couches assigning their gut feelings an arbitrary number.

 

[StillLife]

Good find. Interesting. Did you notice that the Packers' line ranks #5. It is underrated by many fan bases. They can't run block like the Cowboys, but they are better in pass pro.

 

[Nova]

Good find. Interesting. Did you notice that the Packers' line ranks #5. It is underrated by many fan bases. They can't run block like the Cowboys, but they are better in pass pro.

Is it underrated?

I think most people think of them in high regard, they're usually just banged up.

It's really hard to say which group is better in pass pro. Stats don't really tell the whole story as they don't distinguish coverage sacks, or sacks that occur because of an overload blitz (on the QB), etc.

Both QBs are usually afforded quite a bit of time to throw the ball, but Dallas likely has the least strong pass blocker (Free).

 

[perrykemp]

Good find. Interesting. Did you notice that the Packers' line ranks #5. It is underrated by many fan bases. They can't run block like the Cowboys, but they are better in pass pro.

I suspect it is very difficult to judge Packers OL pass blocking given Rodgers' propensity to bolt from the pocket and run around for 5, 6, 7 seconds.

Twice in his career Rodgers was the MOST sacked quarterback in the NFL -- largely due to his tendency to hold onto the ball.

Have you noticed that Rodgers almost never takes the check-down? I can't tell you how many games I've noticed that Rodgers had a 5-6 yard checkdown and he ignores it to throw the ball downfield.

All that behavior makes it difficult to judge their OL Pass blocking IMHO.

If I had to guess, I'd say their pass blocking is 'good' but not 'great'. Certainly not #1.

 

[StillLife]

You raise a good point. Packer fans were very critical of the offense in the first half. McCarthy later took responsibility for that, noting that he was not calling plays to get Rodgers in a rhythm. They seemed to be looking for the deep ball too much. They made an adjustment at half time, and the offense looked much different in the second half.
But you guys are right - Rodgers probably makes the O-line look better. On the other hand, they probably make Rodgers look better by giving him time.

 

[slick325]

Not mad at that...the Titans line is super good as well. I like the OL in Oakland too. The Skins add Leary and they will be in the discussion for best OL as well.

Glad Dallas is in the discussion and that the offensive identity is set by them and the great back running behind them. Kudos to Jerry, Stephen, McClay and Garrett.

 

[Nova]

You raise a good point. Packer fans were very critical of the offense in the first half. McCarthy later took responsibility for that, noting that he was not calling plays to get Rodgers in a rhythm. They seemed to be looking for the deep ball too much. They made an adjustment at half time, and the offense looked much different in the second half.
But you guys are right - Rodgers probably makes the O-line look better. On the other hand, they probably make Rodgers look better by giving him time.

I think The Packers OL is a top unit, but Rodgers doesn't benefit from them as much as the other way around.

Rodgers would be fine behind the worst OL in the league.

A lot of defensive coordinators instruct their players to contain Rodgers in the pocket, meaning the OL usually benefits from pass rushers not utilizing their full Arsenals.

Guys aren't going to try and fly around the edge because Rodgers will escape the pressure enough times to burn the defense badly.

Therefore you get a lot of bull rush and jockeying.

 

[StillLife]

You mention keeping Rodgers in the pocket. One of the theories/beliefs on our struggles in the early/mid part of the season was that the "backyard ball" - i.e., extending plays and trying to make a big throw - had become the center of the offense, rather than a complimentary piece. Then Rodgers hurt his hammy early in the Eagles game, and later hurt his calf in the Seattle game. Those injuries resulted in Rodgers' mobility being limited; they forced Rodgers to stay in the pocket more and run the offense. Some believe that helped Rodgers get back on track. I can't say I disagree with that. What you see now is a combination of the two approaches - Rodgers is doing a good job of staying in the pocket and running the offense, but on limited occasions he'll leave the pocket, extend the play, and make a big throw downfield.

 

[AdamJT13]

It's too bad that PFF is complete garbage.

The fact that PFF doesn't even follow its own rankings when naming its All-Pro team tells you that even PFF doesn't trust PFF's rankings.

 

[CWR]

Not mad at that...the Titans line is super good as well. I like the OL in Oakland too. The Skins add Leary and they will be in the discussion for best OL as well.

Glad Dallas is in the discussion and that the offensive identity is set by them and the great back running behind them. Kudos to Jerry, Stephen, McClay and Garrett.

The beauty of it is that Dallas will be in the discussion for the next 5+ years.