The NFL’s 11 best offensive tackles

You need to protect the quarterback in today’s NFL, and if you’re going to be a great tackle start there. Here are the est in the game.

10. Taylor Lewan, Tennessee Titans

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Drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Taylor Lewan has been a good-to-great left tackle for the Tennessee Titans for the bulk of his six years in the league. As he enters his seventh season in the NFL, Lewan is coming off one of his best years in the league. Last season he allowed just two sacks and a seven quarterback hurries, which was his lowest mark since his rookie season, when he saw just 353 snaps overall.

Lewan has a bit of a brawler’s mentality, which serves him well in the running game. He can work combination blocks and down blocks with ferocity and power, and in Tennessee’s diverse running scheme he handles everything that is asked of him conceptually quite well.

As a pass blocker, Lewan can be susceptible to some quicker moves around the arc of the pocket, and there are times on film when you can see him get crossed up on more creative stunts and twists. But he also does some things extremely well in protection. Watch how well his feet and hands works in concert on this play from the AFC Championship Game:

The hand placement and counter-strike ability is impressive. But you also have to appreciate the footwork. Lewan slides and maneuvers the arc to perfection here, and even mirrors a late change-of-direction move well for an offensive tackle. He might not be everyone cup of tea, but Lewan is quite good at what he does.