PFF OL Rankings – Syndication Server

The Detroit Lions offensive line is top-ranked unit going into 2024 season

The Detroit Lions offensive line is top-ranked unit going into 2024 season as more national outlets keep ranking the Lions No. 1

It should come to no surprise that the Detroit Lions have the top ranked offensive line going into the 2024 season. When looking at rankings compiled by both Sharp Football Analysis and Pro Football Focus (PFF), the Lions offensive line is at the top spot for both data sites.

Looking at Sharp Football, they’ve got the Lions ranked number one with the following reasoning behind it:

“The Lions signed 12-year veteran Kevin Zeitler in the offseason to replace Jonah Jackson on their offensive line. Zeitler is coming off his first Pro Bowl season and will join a unit that we ranked No. 1 in the NFL. Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker both ranked in the top 10 in ESPN’s pass block win rate while guard Graham Glasgow finished second in run block win rate.”

As for Pro Football Focus, they had this to say about the Lions offensive line:

“When healthy, the Lions’ offensive line was arguably the best unit in the NFL last season. Right tackle Penei Sewell was the league’s highest-graded offensive lineman, and Frank Ragnow earned the top spot among centers. Although the unit lost right guard Jonah Jackson in free agency, the Lions signed veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who ranked 15th in PFF grade among guards in 2023.”

Additionally, the PFF article shows the offensive grades for the Lions offensive line. It shows the following:

LT: Taylor Decker — 81.1 (9th out of 81 offensive tackles ranked)

LG: Graham Glasgow — 74.9 (8th out of 79 offensive guards ranked)

C: Frank Ragnow — 88.8 (1st out of 36 centers ranked)

RG: Kevin Zeitler — 71.6 (15th out of 79 offensive guards ranked)

RT: Penei Sewell — 92.8 (1st out of 81 offensive tackles ranked)

Having the top ranked offensive tackle and center in the NFL shows up on tape every single week for the Lions. It’ll be interesting to see if the Lions can maintain this top spot all season long. With the addition of Kevin Zeitler and draft capital spent on the offensive line, it appears likely for the Detroit Lions to be dominant in the trenches once again.

Lions earn the NFL’s top OL rating in aggregate rankings

Lions earn the NFL’s top OL rating in aggregate rankings heading into the 2024 season

There is no doubt about the ability of the Detroit Lions offensive line. It’s been a focal point for the team’s surge upward in the standings. The investment in the trenches has really paid off for Detroit.

But are they the best O-line in the league, even after losing Pro Bowl left guard Jonah Jackson to free agency?

Based on a combined aggregate ranking recently compiled, the answer is yes. Adding vet Kevin Zeitler and snagging sixth-round draft steal Christian Mahogany for upgraded depth posits the Lions on top of the OL heap.

Texans Wire editor Cole Thompson compiled the rankings by combining several different offseason offensive line ratings,

To arrive at our composite, we made an average of the most recent offensive line rankings at Footballguys, FTN Fantasy and Pro Football Network.

In doing so, the Lions came out on top. Detroit finished ahead of the Falcons, Eagles, Browns and Chiefs in the top five. Note that four of those teams were in the postseason after 2023.

At the other end of the spectrum, the Washington Commanders bring up the rear. New Orleans, Tennessee, Arizona and New England round out the bottom five. None of those teams finished 2023 with a winning record.

Detroit Lions offensive line the top-ranked unit from PFF

The Detroit Lions offensive line is the top-ranked unit from PFF through Week 9

During the second half of last season, it was evident that the Lions offensive line was playing some of their best football together. The run game was working and Jared Goff was standing upright.

Going into this season, there was concern at right guard and who the starter was going to be for Detroit. However, the Lions have mixed and matched different combinations at both guard and center throughout the season and have been just fine.

Graham Glasgow has been able to play center and guard for Detroit and he’s played well. Meanwhile, rookie Colby Sorsdal earned his first career start against the Raiders and played 86 snaps. Additionally, he was part of the unit that paved the way for the Lions to run for over 220 yards on the ground against Las Vegas.

Even with injuries to Halapoulivaati Vaitai, Frank Ragnow and Jonah Jackson, they’ve made it work with Kayode Awosika and Dan Skipper as well. Much of the credit goes to players and the leadership from Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker but let’s tip the hat to offensive line coach Hank Fraley. He’s one of the most underrated coaches in the league and he’s got his unit clicking on all cylinders. It doesn’t matter who’s on the field.

According to Pro Football Focus, the Lions have the top ranked offensive line unit after nine weeks of football. They’ve had a steady grip on the number one spot due to their offensive line ranking third in the NFL in pass-blocking efficiency. They’ve only allowed 72 pressures on 311 drop backs.

Adding to that, the Lions best player up front is Penei Sewell. The third-year tackle has earned an 82.4 overall grade and is ranked fourth among tackles. Whether he’s playing left or right tackle, Sewell is an absolute stud. Meanwhile, he’s always getting the team fired up before every game.

In the article, the projected offensive line starters for Detroit in week 10 are the following:

LT Taylor Decker
LG Jonah Jackson
C Frank Ragnow
RG Halapoulivaati Vaitai — Dan Campbell states Graham Glasgow has earned the right to start at RG.
RT Penei Sewell

This unit will have their hands full in week 10 against the Los Angeles Chargers. They’ll need to find ways to slow down Derwin James, Khalil Mack, Joey Bosa and Tuli Tiupulota.

Fortunately, all of the projected starters for the Lions offensive line are expected to be back for this game. It will be interesting to see who starts at right guard as Dan Campbell spoke to the media today and suggested that Graham Glasgow has “earned the right to start at RG.” For the full article on the PFF OL Rankings, you can read it here.