Positional Breakdown: Offensive Lineman

 Ladies and gentlemen, we have finally made it! Well, not quite. But we're almost here! The 2022 NFL season is rapidly approaching and with that, I've decided to spice up things up a bit. Instead of making full-on predictions, I will be making my own list of top 10 NFL players at each position for the upcoming season. This will be based on a variety of things, including past performance, age, surrounding cast on their team, etc.

Next up, here are my top 10 offensive lineman for 2022 NFL season:

#10.

Elgton Jenkins, LT/LG/C/RT, Green Bay Packers

Every time I hear people talking about the best offensive lineman in the NFL, Jenkins rarely gets mentioned. And I don't know why. He can play everywhere on the offensive line, left tackle, right tackle, both guard positions, and center. And he can play everywhere at a very high level (9th in pass block win rate for guards in 2020 and 9th in run block win rate for tackles in 2021). A huge payday is certainly on the horizon for Jenkins and the Packers would be wise to lock him up as soon as possible.

#9.

Wyatt Teller, G, Cleveland Browns

Teller has been a absolute force in the trenches for the Browns over the last two seasons. He made his first Pro Bowl last season and was also named Second Team All-Pro for the second consecutive year. He also ranked 7th in pass block win rate for guards in 2021 (95% win rate). Teller and teammate Joel Bitonio form the best guard duo in the league and are big reasons why the Browns have one of the best offensive lines in the league.

#8.

Corey Linsley, C, Los Angeles Chargers

After playing 7 seasons in Green Bay, Linsley signed a five-year, $62.5 million contract with the Chargers last year. And boy did he live up to it. He was named Second Team All-Pro after last season after making First Team All-Pro in 2020 and also finished in the top 5 in pass block win rate for the center position. And he also finally made his first Pro Bowl of his career in 2021.

#7.

Joel Bitonio, G, Cleveland Browns

Bitonio is as consistent as it gets. He's made four straight Pro Bowls and has been named to four straight All-Pro teams (made the first team in 2021). And he finished 3rd in pass win rate as a guard last season as well. Bitonio turns 31 in October, but it doesn't seem like his play is starting to slow down, if anything, it looks like he's getting better with age.

#6.

Brandon Scherff, G, Jacksonville Jaguars

Similarly to Bitonio, consistency is the name of the game for Brandon Scherff who is entering his first season with the Jacksonville Jaguars, after spending 7 years in Washington. Scherff is a five time Pro Bowler, and also made First Team All-Pro in 2020. He's gonna be a huge addition to a Jaguars offence that mightily struggled last season.

#5.

Tristan Wirfs, RT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ever since he entered the league in 2020, Tristan Wirfs has been the best right tackle in the NFL. He probably should've made the All-Pro team in 2020. But he was named first team All-Pro last year, blocking for Tom Brady. At just 23 years old, it's safe to assume that the best is yet to come for Wirfs.

#4.

 

Rashawn Slater, LT, Los Angeles Chargers

Slater came into his rookie year with very high expectations after being drafted with the 13th pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. And to say he exceeded those big expectations in 2021 would be a understatement. Slater made the Pro Bowl, and selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team, and as a Second Team All-Pro. It wouldn't surprise me at all if Slater becomes the best left tackle in the league by the time next season comes around. He's that special.

#3.

Quenton Nelson, G, Indianapolis Colts

Nelson is a beast. He's made four straight Pro Bowls, and was selected as a First Team All-Pro in each of his first three seasons (2018-2020). His play slipped a bit last year (69.1 grade from Pro Football Focus: down from 87.1 in 2020), but he was still selected to the All-Pro second team, and he anchored a Colts offensive line that helped Johnathan Taylor lead the league in rushing last year. Still just 26, Nelson seems primed to only get better at his craft.

#2.

Trent Williams, LT, San Francisco 49ers

Williams may be at the end of his prime at 34 years old. But you wouldn't have known it based on his play last season. Williams was selected to his 9th Pro Bowl and as a member of the All-Pro First team for the first time in his career. He also earned a elite 98.3 grade from Pro Football Focus during the 2021 season, the highest grade PFF has ever given to a offensive lineman. He's been a perfect fit for Kyle Shanahan's scheme ever since he arrived in San Francisco. And I don't see that changing anytime soon.

#1.

Zack Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys

Martin entered the NFL in 2014 and instantly became the best guard in the league. And as he enters his 9th season, he is my top offensive lineman in 2022. Martin made his 7th Pro Bowl and was selected as a First Team All-Pro for the 5th time in his career. He also earned a 94.2 grade from PFF and finished in the top 10 in both pass block and run block win rate for guards. Martin could retire today and he would be a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

Honourable mentions:

David Bakhtiari, LT, Green Bay Packers: Bakhtiari is a five time All-Pro, but he missed almost all of last season due to a torn ACL (which he suffered on New Year's Eve in 2020) along with other knee issues. But when healthy, he is probably the best pass blocking lineman in the league.

Jason Kelce, C, Philadelphia Eagles: Kelce will turn 35 in November, but he is still one of the top two centers in the NFL, evidenced by finishing in the top 10 in pass block and run block win rates for centers.

Ryan Ramczyk, RT, New Orleans Saints: Ramczyk, a three-time All-Pro, is the second best right tackle in the league behind Wirfs.

Tyron Smith, LT, Dallas Cowboys: Smith is a elite player, when healthy. Unfortunately, he will miss a solid chunk of this season with a torn hamstring, and he will turn 32 in December.