Offensive Line Rankings and Notes: Week 5

Photo: Denny Medley, USA Today Sports

Upgrades

Buffalo up 1

Right guard Ryan Bates was forced from Week 3 against Miami with a concussion. As he had not practiced during the week, the model assumed Greg Van Roten would get another start against Baltimore. But by the weekend, Bates cleared the league's protocol, and he started Week 4, playing 100 percent of snaps. Aside from a rough outing in Miami (where right tackle Spencer Brown was forced from the game with heatstroke), the Bills' offensive line has been underrated this season, protecting quarterback Josh Allen at a rate of a little more than one sack per game. Although center Mitch Morse has been a fixture on the injury report with an elbow injury, he's been playing through it. Look for the line to be ready to roll at home against a reeling Pittsburgh defensive front in Week 5. The Bills' line grades out sixth in this week's rankings.

Atlanta up 5

Last season, right guard Chris Lindstrom took a step up in his game. This season, right tackle Kaleb McGary has taken a similar step. Despite the team not picking up his fifth-year option, McGary has been locked in, allowing only one pressure on quarterback Marcus Mariota all season. McGary is playing for a contract, and his motivation is evident. The right side of the Falcons' line has been mauling in the run game, creating huge holes for whoever is back there. Hence, an ability upgrade for McGary to match the one given to Lindstrom in the preseason. The Falcons have a tough divisional matchup at home this week against Tampa Bay, but they rank 14th in the latest grades.

Dallas up 4

Left guard Connor McGovern returned from his high ankle sprain and played 40 snaps against the Commanders last week. McGovern's rehab wasn't complete, and he gave way to Jason Peters (21 snaps) and Matt Farniok (8 snaps) at different points in the contest. While it's good that the team has developed some guard depth, McGovern has been a decent player for the Cowboys since he was a third-round pick out of Penn State in the 2019 NFL draft. His return boosts the Cowboys' offensive line to 16th in the rankings before facing a tough LA Rams defensive front on the road.

LA Chargers up 3

Coming out of Georgia, many scouts projected Jamaree Salyer would have to kick inside to guard at the next level. However, Salyer was excellent in the Week 4 win over Houston, providing lock-down pass protection. The coaches rewarded his performance with the game ball. No one will confuse Salyer for Rashawn Slater, the technician he's tasked with replacing, but the Chargers staff may have found a serious gem in this sixth-round draft pick. Perhaps Salyer can slide to right tackle next season when Slater returns. In the meantime, the revitalized Chargers' offensive line sits 21st in the latest rankings before traveling to Cleveland to face a banged-up Browns' defensive front.

NY Giants up 5

Another week, another ability upgrade for Andrew Thomas, who is currently playing left tackle at a Pro Bowl level. In other news, right tackle Evan Neal played 42 snaps last week in the win over Chicago before leaving with a neck sprain. German national Devery Hamilton replaced Neal in the game, but Neal traveled with the team to London and has been practicing in a limited fashion before their early-morning contest against Green Bay. The team has been looking for options at guard and signed former Miami Dolphins draft pick Solomon Kindley to their practice squad. With Daniel Jones and Tyrod Taylor injured, there's no predicting how the Giants' offense will perform this week. But overall, the line is trending upward, 23rd in this week's grades.

NY Jets up 2

The Jets' offensive line had a surprise shuffle last week, moving Alijah Vera-Tucker from right guard to left tackle. Vera-Tucker played the position at USC and had been working on the move in practice for a month. The team chose to shuffle the line and bring former Philadelphia Eagles lineman Nate Herbig in at right guard rather than start Conor McDermott at left tackle. McDermott eventually found his way into the contest after right tackle Max Mitchell dislocated his knee. Although Mitchell will likely be out for multiple weeks, the team got some good news as Duane Brown rejoined practice, opening up the 21-day window to take him off of injured reserve. While there is a chance Brown could be ready by this week's divisional game against Miami, Vera-Tucker will likely get at least one more start at left tackle. This adds up to a modest upgrade, 28th in the current rankings.

Downgrades

Philadelphia down 1

Left tackle Jordan Mailata exited the game against Jacksonville with a shoulder injury and has not practiced this week. Jack Driscoll took Mailata's place in the game and will likely get the start this week when the team travels to Arizona. At right guard, Isaac Seumalo twisted his ankle and has been limited in practice this week. Sua Opeta, who started last year's playoff game, replaced Seumalo last week and could do so again if the veteran cannot go. Second-round draft pick Cam Jergens is another option at guard, but the team has been focused primarily on developing him at center behind Jason Kelce. This is still an elite unit, but without their left tackle, they grade somewhat less elite this week, falling to second in the overall grades.

Indianapolis down 1

Before the team's Week 4 loss against Tennessee, the coaches benched right guard Danny Pinter and replaced him with last year's seventh-round pick Will Fries. If there was any improvement, it was not evident on film, as the Titans' pass rush impacted the game and harassed Matt Ryan for most of the day. Sometimes these benchings can result in overall improvement but for now, it looks like the Colts replaced one struggling young starter for another. Indianapolis still grades out well this week, seventh overall, based mostly on the play of left guard Quenton Nelson. But the right guard position continues to be a problem. The Colts have a decent matchup at Denver for Thursday Night Football.

Arizona down 3

Left guard Justin Pugh injured his elbow last week, giving way to Max Garcia in the win against Carolina. Pugh has not practiced this week and is not included in this week's model. On the other side, Sean Harlow replaced Will Hernandez at right guard after Hernandez was ejected for throwing punches. Hernandez did not face any further discipline from the league and should be in this week's lineup at home against Philadelphia. But without their usual starter at left guard, the Cardinals' offensive line takes a modest drop in the rankings, checking in at 17th overall.

Washington down 6

Right guard Trai Turner only lasted 11 snaps before the coaches benched him. Turner committed a false start, then let a free rusher come through untouched on quarterback Carson Wentz. Saahdiq Charles replaced Turner in the contest, and Charles will likely get the call again at Tennessee. Turner is not listed with any injury designation. This was a pure benching and somewhat of a disappointment for the Commanders, who hoped Turner could replace Brandon Scherff, who went to Jacksonville in the offseason. The tackles have been playing excellently, but the Commanders' line has had problems along the interior. With Wes Schweitzer on injured reserve, they are running out of options at center and guard. This group grades 24th in the current rankings.

Chicago down 6

In last week's loss to the Giants, left guard Cody Whitehair suffered a knee injury. Whitehair exited the game in the first half, and the team placed him on short-term injured reserve this week. The coaches hope he can return later in the season. While Whitehair isn't exactly a star, he is the Bears' most consistent veteran. In his place, Lucas Patrick moved to left guard, leaving Tevin Jenkins to start at right guard by himself. This move also hurts because Patrick was being considered a replacement for struggling center Sam Mustipher, but that can't happen without Whitehair in the lineup. The Bears have interesting tackle prospects, but the left guard and center woes drop them to 29th in the latest grades.

LA Rams down 2

Left guard David Edwards was a late addition to the league's concussion protocol, entering it on Saturday before last week's Monday Night Football loss against the Rams. Edwards has been limited in this week's practice, and while this might be pure speculation, he is included in this week's model. The downgrade comes at center. With Brian Allen already out multiple weeks with a knee injury, Coleman Shelton got the start against the 49ers. Shelton suffered a high ankle sprain in the contest, and he is expected to miss four-to-six weeks. In his place, long-time practice squad member Jeremiah Kolone saw his first career action in replacement of Shelton. Kolone has an inspirational story, undrafted out of San Jose State in 2018 and bouncing on and off the team for the past five years. But the model doesn't give extra points for inspiration. Snakebit by injuries, the Rams' line falls to 31st overall before facing an active Dallas defensive front this week at home.

Other News

LVR - RG Dylan Parham (third-round, Memphis) played well in his first career start, a win over Denver. The Raiders' grade is trending upward, but it's not enough to get them out of the 32nd spot this week.

NEP - OT Yodny Cajuste was placed on IR, so the team signed Marcus Cannon. Cannon played last week against GBP after Isaiah Wynn was benched. Wynn let up 2 sacks, one that concussed Brian Hoyer.

SFO - OT Colton McKivitz played 32 snaps at left tackle before leaving the game with an MCL sprain. Jaylon Moore replaced McKivitz in the game. The 49ers offense has kept George Kittle in as a blocker more while Trent Williams recovers from his high ankle sprain.

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