Fantasy Football Offensive Line Rankings: The Top Half

Here lies one of the lesser known wildcards to study in prepping for your fantasy draft: the offensive line rankings for all 32 NFL teams. A less savvy fantasy player is probably thinking, "Who in their right mind would ever care about the offensive line rankings? Nobody drafts offensive lines."

While the quality of the offensive line is in fact one degree removed from an actual fantasy decision, it can make a significant impact on the quality of draft-day decision-making, particularly at the running back and quarterback positions. To be clear, it's not absolutely critical to draft skill players from only teams with elite offensive lines, but rather, it's more important to try to avoid the train wrecks. In other words, understanding the quality of the offensive line can provide a nice supplement to the decision-making process.

For part one of this two-part series, we'll highlight the top dogs ranked No. 1 through 16. Knowing your studs are playing behind quality blockers should give you that extra boost of confidence that both consistency and production will be in line with expectations.

1. Baltimore - Our top pick comes with a degree of predictive confidence, as you will notice the 2009 stats do not boast clear-cut dominance. Yet, the preseason manhandling of the Giants' highly-touted defense should be evidence enough. With Michael Oher moving to left tackle -- to protect Flacco's blindside -- and equally studly Jared Gaither on the right, this is your top dog. Finally, center Matt Birk shores up the middle. Draft Baltimore players like Ray Rice and Joe Flacco knowing you'll sleep like a baby.

2009 YPC Average: 4.7
2009 Sacks Allowed: 36

2. Tennessee - Most pundits pick Tennessee as the top-ranked unit on account of their ridiculous 2009 production, highlighted by a 2,000-yard season for Chris Johnson and just 15 sacks allowed. The group has been all consistency, but takes a minor dip due to the departure of center Kevin Mawae. Michael Roos and David Stewart at the tackles are as good as it gets. Chris Johnson is the best fantasy player out there for a reason and there's no need to second guess it.

2009 YPC Average: 5.2
2009 Sacks Allowed: 15

3. New Orleans - Here's a little secret: Drew Brees is good, but these guys are really good. The Saints epitomize the whole being greater than the sum of its parts. The lone question mark comes with Jammal Brown's departure to Washington. However, Brown did miss all of 2009 with an injury, and everybody else started every game, so there really is no reason to doubt drafting skill players from New Orleans. Clearly, they can get it done without Brown.

2009 YPC Average: 4.5
2009 Sacks Allowed: 20

4. New York (Jets) - I hate that the Jets let their anchor go in Alan Faneca, but the front office felt their line was so dominant, they didn't need his hefty price tag. Nick Mangold, D'Brickashaw Ferguson and company still provide a mean base, but Faneca's replacement and chemistry are key questions marks. All returning starters played 16 games last season. Hence, the dominant run game should still pack a punch.

2009 YPC Average: 4.5
2009 Sacks Allowed: 30

5. Atlanta - Atlanta boasts a mean, scrappy, and highly underrated O-line behind the smash-mouth play of Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo. They need to stay healthy (Dahl missed five games last season), but all signs point to a return of the lauded 2008 running game (and the 2008 Michael Turner).

2009 YPC Average: 4.2
2009 Sacks Allowed: 27

6. Minnesota - Minnesota boasts some elites in Steve Hutchinson and Bryant McKinnie, so look for more left side dominance for Peterson. The line as a whole returns intact, after making 77 of 80 collective possible starts a year ago. If their receivers were healthy, we'd tell you to draft Brett Favre, but at least Adrian Peterson owners are in good hands.

2009 YPC Average: 4.1
2009 Sacks Allowed: 34

7. New York (Giants) - The Giants unit is getting a little old, but if Pro Bowl center Shaun O'Hara (already suffering from tendinitis and ankle soreness) and guard Rich Seubert can stay healthy, they should be pretty tough. I think we'll definitely see better run production from the G-Men in 2010.

2009 YPC Average: 4.1
2009 Sacks Allowed: 32

8. Cincinnati - The offseason re-signing of Bobbie Williams keeps an overachieving unit from 2009 intact. Look for good, consistent play to lead to more big games from Cedric Benson and a big improvement in the passing game. The Bengals offense looks to be for real.

2009 YPC Average: 4.1
2009 Sacks Allowed: 29

9. New England - While the running game is again a bit confusing in New England, the offensive line should continue to get the job done. It's an old bunch with Stephen Neal and Matt Light, but Logan Mankins is a stud and second-year man, Sebastian Vollmer continues to emerge. Somebody's going to put up yards for the Pats; figuring out who is the hard part.

2009 YPC Average: 4.1
2009 Sacks Allowed: 18

10. San Diego - What everybody likes to point to as the twilight of LaDainian Tomlinson's career was also a result of a very banged-up offensive line. Three of five starters missed time last season. With a healthy group, rookie Ryan Matthews should have a great situation.

2009 YPC Average: 3.3
2009 Sacks Allowed: 26

11. Arizona - An already decent unit, coached by the legendary Russ Grimm, just got a lot better with the addition of Alan Faneca from the Jets. Center Lyle Sandlein is underrated and very solid in the middle. With a decent line blocking for him (and Matt Leinart already likely benched), the sky is the limit for Beanie Wells.

2009 YPC Average: 4.1
2009 Sacks Allowed: 26

12. Philadelphia - It's still a transition period away from Jon Runyan and Tra Thomas, but the Eagles get it done, in large part due to Pro Bowler Jason Peters. The passing game will continue to be the real threat here, but that's more because of the talent at the skill positions, not the blocking.

2009 YPC Average: 4.3
2009 Sacks Allowed: 38

13. Carolina - Three shining stars, center Ryan Kalil, right tackle Jeff Otah, and left tackle Jordan Gross, anchor this unit. Gross returns this season from a broken leg, so expect to see some more upside in 2010.

2009 YPC Average: 4.8
2009 Sacks Allowed: 33

14. Dallas - Dallas enjoyed nice consistency and health last season, but left tackle Flozell Adams has since been released. Assuming Doug Free can step in as a suitable replacement, the Cowboys line should be serviceable. Consistency from the skill positions might be an issue against very good defenses, but you can consider this group a modest positive.

2009 YPC Average: 4.8
2009 Sacks Allowed: 34

15. Cleveland - This unit burns me on these preseason rankings every year, because I love Joe Thomas. The fact is, the left side is dominant and the right side is pretty soft. Last season's rookie starter, Alex Mack, performed above all expectations, so I still like the group as a whole, but we need to finally see ground results. And a touchdown now and then wouldn't hurt either.

2009 YPC Average: 4.2
2009 Sacks Allowed: 30

16. Tampa Bay - It's hard to really gauge the skill of this group, since there has been so much movement everywhere else around the ball, but the coaches swear by the offensive line. Pro Bowl right guard Davin Joseph is very good, and the veteran Jeff Faine is a heady, able-bodied center. Consider this unit at worst a neutral in any draft decisions.

2009 YPC Average: 4.0
2009 Sacks Allowed: 33