How much does an offensive tackle matter in today’s NFL? As is the case with a lot of linemen on both sides of the ball, the true effect of a great offensive tackle can really be seen in his absence. Let’s take the Kansas City Chiefs as one of 2020’s most compelling examples. In the 2019 postseason, right tackle Mitchell Schwartz came very close to pitching a series of perfect games. On the way to Kansas City’s win over the 49ers in Super Bowl LIV, Schwartz had 142 pass-blocking reps in three playoff games, and allowed no sacks, no quarterback hits, and just one quarterback hurry. It was a highly important performance for a right-handed offense.
Fast forward to the 2020 season, and Schwartz missing all but the first six games with a back injury. Schwartz allowed two sacks, one quarterback hits, and five quarterback hurries in his 242 pass-blocking reps, and things really fell apart after he got hurt. Kansas City’s sack rate went from 2.7% to 3.8% without Schwartz, its blown block pressure rate went from 13.5% to 15.5%. Most notably, without Schwartz and left tackle Eric Fisher in Super Bowl LV against Tampa Bay’s malevolent front, Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was pressured on 31 of his 56 dropbacks, completing just nine of 26 passes under pressure for 78 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception.
It’s one example of an NFL truism — in today’s league, if you don’t have good edge protection, your quarterback is living on borrowed time (literally and figuratively), and things will often fall apart in the worst possible moments.
Here are the 11 best offensive tackles in the NFL today.
(All metrics courtesy of Pro Football Focus and Sports Info Solutions unless otherwise indicated).