The NFL Network has finished its long countdown release of the NFL Top 100. What is supposed to separate this listicle from others is the players themselves vote on it.
When doing so, you’d expect the players would not discount the talent and necessity of a good offensive line and the maulers who line up there. Not the case.
Recently, I tallied up the scores of the NFL’s offensive lines. The top two results were the Eagles and Raiders. So, you’d figure there’d be a player from those lines in the NFL Top 100. Well, one of them did.
The Eagles got two players on the Top 100 list. Center Jason Kelce was ranked at No. 94 and guard Brandon Brooks at No. 98.
The Raiders, on the other hand, saw none of their front five make the list. Not even Rodney Hudson, who is widely considered the best pass blocking center in the league, and arguably the best center period.
Also getting left off the list, despite having an argument to be considered were right tackle Trent Brown and left guard Richie Incognito.
The top-rated offensive lineman was guard Quentin Nelson at No. 29. The only other guard to make it was Zack Martin (No. 55).
Five tackles made the list: David Bakhtiari (No. 62), Laremy Tunsil (66), Ronny Stanley (No. 74), Tyron Smith (No. 78), and Ryan Ramczyk (82).
As to those Madden21 offensive line ratings, the rest of the top five were the Colts, Cowboys, and Saints. Which means that of the top five rated offensive lines in football, the Raiders were the only one without at least one lineman in the Top 100.
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