Every team in the NFC East shares one thing in common — they will start the 2024 season with different offensive lines than those with which they ended the 2023 season.
All four teams in the NFL’s NFC East division have large question marks hanging overhead as the season begins. How these changes, in particular, play out will have the largest impact on their seasons.
As far as which team has improved most, that remains to be determined. In the meantime, let’s look at each team and the changes they have made to their roster.
Maybe we’ll even figure out which team has the best offensive line going into the season while we’re at it.
Dallas Cowboys Offensive Line
Current OL Roster for 2024:
- LT — Tyler Guyton, Chuma Edoga
- LG — Tyler Smith, T.J. Bass, Nathan Thomas
- C — Brock Hoffman, Cooper Beebe, Dakoda Shepley
- RG — Zack Martin, Asim Richards, Josh Ball
- RT — Terence Steele, Matt Waletzko, Earl Bostick Jr.
2023 Starters:
- LT — Tyron Smith
- LG — Tyler Smith
- C — Tyler Biadasz
- RG — Zack Martin
- RT — Terence Steele
The Dallas Cowboys let a pro-bowl tackle walk in the offseason — Tyron Smith. Considering his price tag and injury history, it was the right move.
However, it left the Cowboys trying to figure out how to replace the 12-year veteran left tackle.
It looks like they’ve decided to turn to a rookie to get the job done, and that’s a huge gamble Dallas is taking.
Tyler Guyton played right tackle at Oklahoma, which was his quarterback’s blind side, but still the other side of the line. How the rookie adjusts to playing left tackle in the NFL is going to play a huge role in how the Cowboys’ season plays out.
Guyton may not be the only rookie starter on the Cowboys line either.
Right now, Brock Hoffman is listed as the starting center. He’s replacing the also recently-departed Tyler Biadasz. Losing Biadasz wasn’t necessarily bad news for Dallas; his play in the 2023 season wasn’t all that great.
Hoffman should be an upgrade, assuming he doesn’t lose his slot to rookie Cooper Beebe. Beebe was a third round draft pick in April who played mostly at guard, but he can also play center.
He is expected to push Hoffman hard for the starting center spot. Like Guyton, his success will translate heavily into the Cowboys’ success this fall.
The good news is that Tyler Smith and Zack Martin are locked in at guard.
Fingers are being firmly crossed at The Star that Terence Steele has finally fully recovered from his injury and can become worthy of his large contract.
New York Giants Offensive Line
Current OL Roster for 2024:
- LT — Andrew Thomas, Yodny Cajuste, Marcellus Johnson
- LG — Jermaine Eluemunor, Joshua Ezeudu, Jalen Mayfield
- C — John Michael Schmitz Jr., Austin Schlottmann, Jimmy Morrissey
- RG — Jon Runyan, Aaron Stinnie, Marcus McKethan, Jake Kubas
- RT — Evan Neal, Matt Nelson, Joshua Miles
2023 Starters:
- LT — Andrew Thomas
- LG — Justin Pugh
- C — John Michael Schmitz
- RG — Ben Bredeson
- RT — Tyre Phillips
If the season were to start today, the New York “Football” Giants would only have two returning starters from 2023: Center John Michael Schmitz and left tackle Andrew Thomas.
They will have three new starting teammates in 2024. As if the Giants didn’t have enough problems.
Twelve-year veteran Justin Pugh is being replaced by eight-year journeyman Jermaine Eluemunor at left guard.
Jon Runyan, a free agent signed away from the Packers, replaces Ben Bredeson at right guard.
Tyre Phillips was the starter at left tackle in 2023. Phillips is now a free agent and Evan Neal is currently penciled in atop the Giants’ depth chart at the position.
In short, the Giants are a team in serious rebuild mode and the offensive line is a huge work in progress. It’s going to be a long season in New York.
Philadelphia Eagles Offensive Line
Current OL Roster for 2024:
- LT — Jordan Mailata, Fred Johnson, Anim Dankwah, Laekin Vakalahi
- LG — Landon Dickerson, Trevor Keegan, Darian Kinnard
- C — Cam Jurgens, Dylan McMahon, Brett Toth
- RG — Tyler Steen, Matt Hennessy, Max Scharping, Jason Poe
- RT — Lane Johnson, Mekhi Becton, Gottlieb Ayedze
2023 Starters:
- LT — Jordan Mailata
- LG — Landon Dickerson
- C — Jason Kelce
- RG — Cam Jurgens
- RT — Lane Johnson
The Philadelphia Eagles technically only lost one starter from last year, but it was their starting center and Jason Kelce was a huge part of their success over the past 13 years.
Not to mention a big reason why the “Tush Push” worked so well.
Philadelphia is moving Cam Jurgens from right guard to center this season.
Second-year player Tyler Steen appears to be the starting right guard this fall for the Eagles.
The rest of the Eagles’ line remains intact.
Jordan Mailata will remain at left tackle and Landon Dickerson will be next to him at guard.
Lane Johnson will play his 11th season. He’ll be the starting right tackle for the Eagles again this fall.
The Eagles have the least turmoil among their offensive line of all the teams in the NFC East division. The loss of Kelce is going to be difficult to overcome, though.
How well Philadelphia does this will determine where they finish this winter.
Washington Commanders Offensive Line
Current OL Roster for 2024:
- LT — Cornelius Lucas, Brandon Coleman, Braeden Daniels, Alex Akingbulu
- LG — Nick Allegretti, Chris Paul, Mason Brooks
- C — Tyler Biadasz, Ricky Stromberg
- RG — Sam Cosmi, Michael Deiter, Julian Good-Jones
- RT — Andrew Wylie, Trent Scott, David Nwaogwugwu
2023 Starters:
- LT — Charles Leno Jr.
- LG — Saahdiq Charles
- C — Nick Gates
- RG — Samuel Cosmi
- RT — Andrew Wylie
The good news for the Washington Commanders? They will start the same two players on the right side of the line in 2024 that they did in 2023. Samuel Cosmi at right guard and Andrew Wylie at right tackle. Their return provides stability on the line.
The bad news?
They have three brand-new starters everywhere else, including former Cowboys’ starting center Tyler Biadasz.
In addition to Biadasz, Cornelius Lucas is the new left tackle and Nick Allegretti is the new left guard.
How this new line gels is going to have an impact on rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels’ play. And his health, for that matter.
Not to mention how many wins the Commanders record in 2024.
Which NFC East Team Has The Strongest Offensive Line?
Right now, it looks like the Cowboys and Eagles have the best offensive lines in the division, but a lot can – and will – change as camp plays out. We’ll have a better idea once we’ve arrived at the end of the preseason.
The Eagles have an edge in continuity, having the least upheaval among the four teams. Philadelphia’s loss is of such magnitude, however, that it allows the Cowboys to at least enter training camp with a slight edge at the position.
How Dallas holds onto that edge is going to be a factor in how the 2024 NFC East standings look after Week 18.