Reason(s) for optimism: It is hard to overstate how much of an upgrade Isaac Seumalo and rookie Chase Bisontis should be on Evan Brown and Isaiah Adams at left guard and right guard, respectively. Seumalo was the Steelers' best offensive lineman for the bulk of his three-year stay in Pittsburgh and a good starter for the Eagles before that. Bisontis was widely considered one of the best interior run blockers in the 2026 draft.

Reason(s) for concern: Right tackle has been a problem area for Arizona for several years and it figures to remain one again in 2026. Elijah Wilkinson is back for a second tour of duty in Arizona (2023) and has become a bit of a journeyman. He has been an adequate run blocker for some time, but he gets exposed in the passing game. The depth is better than it has been in recent years because so many players received playing time during last year's disastrous season, but there is no reserve available that figures to push for a starting gig anytime soon.

Offensive line coach: Bill Callahan (first season with Atlanta)

Cornerstone(s): Lindstrom has graded out as a top-10 run-blocker - across all positions - five years in a row. His pass blocking is not nearly at that level, but that is not enough of an issue to keep him out of the "best guards in the league" discussion. Along with Jake Matthews' superb pass-blocking skills, Atlanta boasts one of the best left sides in the league.

Reason(s) for optimism: Ryan Neuzil did not quite make the Falcons forget about Drew Dalman in his first full season as the starting center in 2025, but he more than held his own - especially as a run blocker. It is possible that his pass blocking takes a step in the right direction under the tutelage of Callahan, who is still generally recognized as one of the top o-line coaches in the league.

Reason(s) for concern: Atlanta is taking a big risk at right tackle for the second straight season. While Elijah Wilkinson was decent as Kaleb McGary's replacement last year, there is a reason he is no longer in town. Jawaan Taylor does not lack for talent, but his penchant for back-breaking penalties is no secret. Callahan may need to work his magic to make this work. There is also very little quality depth at any of the line positions, meaning the Falcons will again need some more of the good injury luck they have enjoyed over the last few years.

Offensive line coach: Joe Gilbert (third season with Carolina)

Cornerstone(s): Robert Hunt missed most of last season with a torn biceps, which makes it impossible to tell if the uncharacteristic blocking grades last year would have been reflective of what he could have done over a full season. As a result, the reputation he built in Miami allows him to get the nod here. When he is healthy, he has generally proven to be a very well-rounded lineman - almost regardless of how bad things are around him. Taylor Moton has been a rock at right tackle in Carolina for almost a decade. While his level of play is likely to decline as he enters his age-32 season, there is little reason to believe it will happen this year.

Reason(s) for optimism: Damien Lewis has proven to be a smart addition to the offensive line in Carolina, delivering consecutive seasons of Hunt-like grades after being mostly an average lineman with the Seahawks. The club spent a first-round pick on Monroe Freeling, who walks into a situation where he should be allowed to develop before taking over full-time at one of the tackle spots in 2027. At the start of the season, however, he will serve as high-quality depth, as will Chandler Zavala.

Reason(s) for concern: The timing of LT Ikem Ekwonu's injury (a ruptured patellar tendon during the playoffs) is a brutal blow for an offense that wants to run the ball as much as Carolina does. The Panthers did well to secure a veteran starter in Rasheed Walker, although part of the reason he was available had to do with his struggles as a run blocker. If that continues and Freeling needs some time to develop, it may be difficult for Carolina to run to the left side.

Offensive line coach: Dan Roushar (second season with Chicago)

Cornerstone(s): Even for someone set to turn 34 years old right before Thanksgiving, Joe Thuney remains one of the best guards in the league - especially as a pass blocker.

Reason(s) for optimism: It would be a bit premature to consider Darnell Wright a cornerstone, but he is probably one year away from getting there. His run blocking is slightly ahead of his pass blocking, but he surrendered three sacks (down from six in 2024) and a meager 24 pressures (down from 30 in 2024 and 51 as a rookie in 2023) in 2025. His biggest issue: 12 penalties - more than the rest of the starting lineup combined. Jonah Jackson enjoyed arguably his finest season after a one-and-done with the Rams in 2024 and a middling four-year career with the Lions before that.

Reason(s) for concern: Ozzy Trapilo took over the starting left tackle gig in Week 12 and performed better than anyone could have hoped for from a rookie tackle prospect. Unfortunately, he could miss most of the 2026 season after he ruptured his patellar tendon in the playoffs. Chicago will likely turn to Braxton Jones in hopes that he can recapture his pre-2025 form. The Bears signed Drew Dalman in free agency last offseason with an eye on having him anchor the line for at least three or four years. His sudden retirement at age 27 adds short-term doubt to a line that appeared to be on the verge of becoming one of the best in the league. Going from him to Garrett Bradbury is a significant drop-off, although Chicago was wise to prioritize landing one of the best center prospects in the draft in Logan Jones.

Offensive line coach: Conor Riley (second season with Dallas)

Cornerstone(s): Tyler Smith was drafted with an eye on being the successor to Tyron Smith, but his expected one-year stay at left guard went so well that he has stayed in that spot for the most part ever since. He still needs to work on pass protection, but his run blocking has been a strong suit since he entered the league in 2022. It may be a bit early to proclaim Tyler Booker as a cornerstone, but it is hard to knock what he did as a rookie after he was the No. 12 overall pick in 2025. He figures to be one of the more dominant run blockers in the league for the foreseeable future.

Reason(s) for optimism: Cooper Beebe has effectively made Dallas forget about the loss of Tyler Biadasz following the 2023 season. A high-ankle sprain sidelined him for a chunk of last year, but his arrow is pointing up. The Cowboys are probably in better shape than most when it comes to depth. Matt Hennessy has been a solid pivot for years, while T.J. Bass performed nicely at both guard spots when he was called upon in 2025.

Reason(s) for concern: The concerns for Dallas offensively begin and end at the tackle spots. Tyler Guyton improved in the run game in his second season but has not come close to living up to his status as the No. 29 overall pick in 2024. (He has also struggled to stay on the field.) Terence Steele has been a subpar pass blocker at right tackle for most of his six-year NFL career. The run blocking has been good enough to keep him in the lineup, but Dallas may need to strongly consider finding his replacement soon.

Offensive line coach: Hank Fraley (seventh season with Detroit)

Cornerstone(s): If there is one linemen who is a good bet to not experience a drop-off as he moves from right tackle to left tackle, it is probably Penei Sewell. He is an unfair advantage in the running game and appears on the verge of being almost as good at keeping his quarterback upright..

Reason(s) for optimism: Blake Miller should be expected to struggle a bit in the early going, as is the expectation for most rookie linemen. The good news is that his pass blocking is considered a true strength. As for his current shortcomings as a run blocker, Jahmyr Gibbs can make up for some of those mistakes. Tate Ratledge appears to be a great fit in Detroit. His run blocking was good for most of the season, while his pass blocking improved markedly over the final 4-5 weeks of his rookie campaign.

Reason(s) for concern: Fraley has overseen some very good Detroit lines, so he is going to get the benefit of the doubt here. With that said, Cade Mays was only decent in Carolina last year in his first full year as a starter. However, he has yet to enter any season as a starter or play a full slate of games despite entering his age-27 season. Mays needs to justify the Lions' faith in him because all they have in reserve is Juice Scruggs, who disappointed across three seasons in Houston.

Offensive line coach: Luke Butkus (fifth season with Green Bay)

Cornerstone(s): Zach Tom remains one of the best right tackles that very few people have even heard of. He missed some time due to injury in 2025 but has been Green Bay's best lineman almost from the day he was selected in the fourth round of the 2022 draft.

Reason(s) for optimism: There is a small chance that letting Jordan Morgan play his college position (left tackle) will enable him to play to the level the Packers expected when they took him in the first round in 2024. It is a stretch to believe this will happen, but it is about the only thing Green Bay can be optimistic about outside of Tom.

Reason(s) for concern: All three interior linemen. Josh Jacobs may have fallen off as a runner last season, but he wasn't getting much help from Aaron Banks, Elgton Jenkins or Sean Rhyan (at right guard) either. Jenkins bolted for Cleveland and Rhyan is moving to center, while Anthony Belton slides in at right guard. Green Bay didn't do much to address the line in the offseason and does not have much for quality depth either, which could mean the Packers could be headed for disaster if the position changes (Morgan and Rhyan) don't make much of a difference.

Offensive line coach: Ryan Wendell (third season with LA Rams)

Cornerstone(s): Alaric Jackson has been something of a revelation for the Rams at left tackle, allowing the team to recover from Andrew Whitworth's retirement following the 2021 season and find their left tackle of the future after only one year. He has emerged as an elite run blocker and is close to doing the same in pass pro. While he allowed a career-high 43 pressures in 2025, he has yet to surrender more than four sacks or 10 hits on his quarterback (both last year) in his five-year NFL career. Kevin Dotson also gets the nod here as well, as he is consistently one of the highest graded run-blocking guards in the league.

Reason(s) for optimism: Steve Avila is also probably on the verge of becoming a cornerstone as well. He is not quite in Dotson's class yet as a run blocker, but the potential is there. He is arguably every bit as good in pass protection, however. As Rob Havenstein struggled to stay healthy in what turned out to be his final year in the NFL, Warren McClendon Jr. stepped up in a big way (the Rams' offense hardly dropped off without Havenstein). The challenge for McClendon will be to do it for a full season for the first time in four years as a pro. It will certainly help his cause to play next to Dotson, though.

Reason(s) for concern: About the only concern with the line in Los Angeles is the depth. Beaux Limmer was a rookie starter at center in 2024 but was ultimately the reason why the Rams wanted Coleman Shelton back after a year in Chicago. Justin Dedich filled in at guard when needed in 2025 but did not grade out particularly well.

Offensive line coach: Keith Carter (first season with Minnesota)

Cornerstone(s): Christian Darrisaw's durability has become a question mark over the last two years, although both seasons have been shortened by the same left knee injury (the initial injury in 2024 and the slow healing of it in 2025). When he is right, Darrisaw is unquestionably a top-five left tackle in the league. Brian O'Neill also missed multiple games last year with a sprained MCL. There are few more complete right tackles in the NFL when he is 100%.

Reason(s) for optimism: Donovan Jackson's blocking grades were nothing special for a rookie, although part of the reason they weren't any higher likely had to do with how much time Darrisaw missed. As a highly regarded first-round draft pick in 2025 (and plenty of reason for that to be the case), expect a sizable jump in his grades at left guard in his second season.

Reason(s) for concern: The Vikings can't exactly write off Will Fries after one year, but it appears they might have fallen for the small-sample trap of his 268-snap 2024 season in which he graded out as an elite right guard with the Colts. His play fell back to his average career norms in 2025. It is fair to wonder if third-round pick Caleb Tiernan was drafted in part to push him in 2026. Blake Brandel's overall grades look reasonable for a center, but he performed well below that level in his six starts in the pivot a year ago. He could be fighting off Michael Jurgens for his starting spot throughout camp if he does not impress early.

Offensive line coach: Brendan Nugent (second season with New Orleans)

Cornerstone(s):Kelvin Banks appears to be the real deal at left tackle. While his 46 pressures allowed is too high a number, it is not as if the Saints had much of a running game (or threats outside of Chris Olave in the passing game) to make pass rushers hesitate in 2025. Finishing No. 10 among all tackles in overall blocking grade as a rookie is a great sign.

Reason(s) for optimism: Ex-Buffalo Bill David Edwards should be a sizable upgrade on Dillon Radunz at left guard. Not only did Edwards prove his durability over his final two seasons in Buffalo, but he also only surrendered five sacks and four quarterback hits over that span. While his run blocking is nothing special, it is considerably better than Radunz's. Taliese Fuaga enters this season with no questions about right tackle being his long-term home. Expect him to be significantly better in his second full year there.

Reason(s) for concern: The concern isn't so much about Erik McCoy's ability as it is about his durability; he hasn't come close to finishing the season in four of the last five years. If the Saints are going to continue being a tempo offense (especially led by a young quarterback and considering Tyler Shough's injury history), they need to be able to count on their center being available. New Orleans lost its primary backup (Luke Fortner) in the offseason. Cesar Ruiz has shown some improvement as a pass protector over the last two seasons, but he is a league-average right guard at best. Don't be surprised if the coaching staff tries to create a competition between him and Radunz at various points throughout the season.

Offensive line coach: Mike Bloomgren (first season with NY Giants)

Cornerstone(s): When he is right, Andrew Thomas is about as good as it gets at left tackle. Unsurprisingly, durability has been a problem, as he has only come close to playing a full season once in six NFL seasons. The 2025 season may have been his best, however, giving up only one sack and 13 pressures on 448 pass block snaps.

Reason(s) for optimism: Francis Mauigoa was a highly regarded offensive tackle for the national championship runner-up Miami (Fla.) and made his name by being the lineman the Hurricanes typically ran behind when they needed a key first down. Although his 6-foot-6, 315-pound frame is better suited for remaining at tackle, the Giants showed their satisfaction with current right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor in early March by giving him a three-year extension. As a result, Mauigoa will likely spend the bulk of his early 20s playing next to him while also giving New York a strong option should Thomas and/or Eluemunor miss time.

Reason(s) for concern: It is just not happening for Jon Runyan; he has been an average run blocker and pass protector in each of the last three years after what appeared to be a mini-breakout with the Packers in 2022. It would not be at all surprising if the versatile Lucas Patrick or Daniel Faalele, who followed head coach John Harbaugh from Baltimore, steal some snaps from Runyan - if not take his job - in 2026.

Offensive line coach: Chris Kuper (first season with Philadelphia)

Cornerstone(s): It says a lot that Jordan Mailata finished in the green as easily as he did again last year and it was a down year for him. He has been extremely durable while allowing only a pair of sacks in each of the last two years. Just as impressively, he has not given up 30 pressures in either season. Lane Johnson's incredible run of dominance at right tackle took a hit during his age-35 season, although injuries undoubtedly played a key role in that happening. While age will be a concern for him from here on out, a completely healthy Johnson may be the best right tackle in the league - especially now with Penei Sewell moving to left tackle in Detroit.

Reason(s) for optimism: Perhaps the best thing that happened for the Eagles up front last season was the ascension of Tyler Steen, who was easily the weakest link up front when he played for the Super Bowl champions two years ago. (He was the projected starter at right guard that year until first-time guard Mekhi Becton beat him out in camp.) Penalties (nine) were a bit of a bugaboo for him a year ago, but it is something that Philadelphia can live with if he is only going to give up two sacks and one quarterback hit on 626 pass block snaps again.

Reason(s) for concern: Kuper is certainly no slouch, as he enjoyed a long NFL career with the Broncos and was the man in charge of the line for the Vikings over the last four seasons. With that said, it is an almost impossible ask for any coach to be as good as Jeff Stoutland was over 13 years for the Eagles. Outside of Kuper trying to fill Stoutland's sizable shoes, Fred Johnson is about the only bench option that Philadelphia has with any notable experience.

Offensive line coach: Chris Foerster (sixth season with San Francisco)

Cornerstone(s): Not a lot needs to be said for Trent Williams. He is the rare lineman who can lift an offense when he plays and sink an offense when he doesn't. If Father Time ever ends up losing to someone, it might be him. He is still elite as he heads into his age-38 campaign.

Reason(s) for optimism: Colton McKivitz is another strong season away from joining Williams above. Only Penei Sewell earned a higher run-blocking grade among right tackles than McKivitz last year. His pass protection may never be elite, but that is less of an issue in a Kyle Shanahan offense than it might be for most play-callers. Dominick Puni did not come close to matching his stellar rookie season in 2024, although Foerster recently noted that Puni was never quite himself after suffering a PCL injury during the preseason. Puni was dominant at times in 2024, so it seems extremely likely he will be challenging McKivitz as the second-best lineman on this team again in 2026.

Reason(s) for concern: The health of Williams. The 49ers are simply not the same team without him on the field. Jake Brendel has been a rock in the middle for the team for four years, but he will turn 34 early in the season. Spencer Burford was far from special at left guard, but Connor Colby struggled in a big way while filling in for him. San Francisco has experienced guard depth to spot him (Brett Toth and Rob Jones), but neither player is someone who is likely to make the position a strength for the 49ers. The 23-year-old Colby needs to pick up things in a big way in Year 2.

Offensive line coach: John Benton (second season with Seattle)

Cornerstone(s): Charles Cross still has room to improve, but he is deserving of cornerstone status now - even if his level of play stays about the same as it has the last two seasons. He was borderline dominant during the playoffs, which could signal he is about to take another step forward. Abraham Lucas finally stayed reasonably healthy for the first time since his rookie year (2022) and easily had his best season as a pro. He did his best work in the run game, which is a bit of a shock after entering the league playing in the Air Raid offense for most of his college career.

Reason(s) for optimism: Grey Zabel has a bright future and could join Cross and Lucas above as early as next season. The jump from North Dakota State to the NFL was not too big for him, although it wasn't until the second half of the season that he looked like the No. 18 overall pick. The Seahawks did not need his versatility in 2025, but he is capable of playing all five spots along the line.

Reason(s) for concern: Right guard. Anthony Bradford beat out Christian Haynes in camp and held on to the job all season long, although "held on" is a nice way of saying Seattle did not have a better alternative. The Seahawks appear comfortable with hoping for the best at this spot, spending only a fifth-round pick on Beau Stephens. Look for Stephens to get some quality playing time during the season at right guard if he shows anything during training camp.

Offensive line coach: Kevin Carberry (third season with Tampa Bay)

Cornerstone(s):On an offensive line that could not stay healthy and an offense that greatly underperformed after a strong start, Tristan Wirfs continued to shine. He did so in a most unexpected way, however, finishing at No. 4 overall in run-blocking grade and No. 2 among left tackles. It was a huge change for Wirfs, who had been primarily a slightly above-average run blocker and dominant pass protector for the bulk of his first five years in the league.

Reason(s) for optimism: Luke Goedeke may not be a household name, but he is about as steady as they come at right tackle. Like most of the team's offensive line last year, he missed time due to injury (almost all of the first half of the season). However, he played up to his usual standards upon his return. Graham Barton was the only Buc lineman to come anywhere close to making it through the entire 2025 season, beginning the season at left tackle to fill in for Wirfs until he returned. Barton is a potentially elite center who just needs his teammates to stay healthy to get the grades he deserves. Cody Mauch's grade makes it look like he regressed in Year 3, but he tore the meniscus in his knee in Week 2 and did not play again. He appeared to be on his way to becoming a standout at right guard the year before. If he can get back to that point in 2026, the Bucs should be able to run the ball much better this year.

Reason(s) for concern: The biggest issue with Ben Bredeson - as opposed to the aforementioned Tampa Bay linemen - is that he has rarely ever been better than average through six NFL seasons. His pass protection is occasionally very good, but his run blocking has consistently been subpar. Justin Skule is back in Tampa Bay after a year in Minnesota and could theoretically take over at left guard if Bredeson can't pick things up. The Bucs also drafted Billy Schrauth in the fifth round to increase the competition, but there is little question that left guard is the weakest link on this line right now regardless.

Offensive line coach: Darnell Stapleton (first season with Washington)

Cornerstone(s): Laremy Tunsil was acquired last offseason to solidify the blind side for Jayden Daneils for the foreseeable future and that is exactly what he did in 2025 until succumbing to a strained oblique late in the season. Age will start becoming a concern for him soon (he will turn 32 in early August), but it is comforting for Washington to know he has not allowed more than 23 pressures in a season since 2019. Sam Cosmi missed the first half of last season as he finalized his recovery from a torn ACL the previous year, but he hardly skipped a beat upon his return. He could eventually find himself among the top 10 or so guards in the league if he continues his upward trajectory.

Reason(s) for optimism: Josh Conerly endured the usual rough patches most rookie offensive linemen do, but the quality of his play picked up during the second half of the season. As a 22-year-old second-year player, he is a great bet to improve on the eight sacks he allowed and become a quality long-term starter at right tackle.

Reason(s) for concern: The Commanders need to figure out how to cover up their issues at left guard and center. Most of Nick Allegretti's 2025 campaign was a waste, as he did not play very much after Week 2 until Tyler Biadasz went down for the count on Christmas Day. Although he has played a bit in the pivot in his career, Allegretti has played most of his career at left guard, which means 2026 could be a bit rough for him. This season may be Chris Paul's last chance to establish himself as an NFL starter. Washington has several experienced options to push him if things go south for him quickly, but none of them are great alternatives. The worst part may be that Stapleton has limited experience coaching offensive lines, and all of it - as a lead position coach anyway - took place in college.

This article originally appeared on The Huddle: Projecting and ranking every NFL offensive line for 2026 (NFC)