You hear it said all the time in the NFL. Winning starts in the trenches.
The big men up front dictate how successful or unsuccessful an offense functions before skill players can even make an impact.
All four teams in the NFC East have key pieces on their offensive line that make life easier for their quarterbacks.
My NFC East position rankings series continues today, examining the hogs up front for each of the four teams in the division.
To catch yourself up, utilize the following links.
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Tight ends
Wide receivers
Analysis will be completed in team alphabetical order with rankings revealed at the end of the article.
Dallas Cowboys
Projected starters: Tyron Smith, Tyler Smith, Tyler Biadasz, Zack Martin, Terence Steele
Key depth: Matt Farniok, Matt Waletzko
Tyron Smith
The oldest member of the Cowboys’ offensive line, Tyron Smith is undoubtedly towards the end of his storied career.
Oft-injured over the past few seasons, Tyron is still in the conversation for the top left tackle in the league when healthy.
Despite filling in at right tackle in 2022, the best place for him is protecting Dak Prescott’s blindside for as long as his body holds up.
Tyler Smith
Tyler Smith was drafted in the 1st round of the 2022 NFL Draft as the eventual replacement for the elder Smith.
His number was called before the season even started with Tyron’s injury in training camp.
In his short time playing left guard, he played at a high level.
Dallas believes he has the potential to be one of the best left guards in the NFL.
At least until he is inevitably needed to fill in at left tackle.
Tyler Biadasz
Tyler Biadasz was drafted out of Wisconsin with the unfair expectations of filling the shoes of the retired Travis Frederick.
Although they went to the same college, it was a steep drop off in talent and production on the NFL field.
Biadasz has progressed, and made his first Pro Bowl in 2022.
Maintaining that high level of play is paramount for Dallas’ success in 2023.
Zack Martin
The most decorated member of the Cowboys offensive line is nine year veteran Zack Martin.
Martin’s six All-Pro seasons, eight Pro Bowls, and his selection to the 2010’s All-Time team speaks volumes, and he shows no signs of slowing down yet.
Terence Steele
Rounding out the offensive line is right tackle Terence Steele.
Still recovering from an ACL tear, Steele hopes to be ready for the beginning of the season.
The Cowboys believe in Steele, and are impressed with his development since he arrived to Dallas.
Should he not be ready for Week 1, that’s where the depth behind him comes into play.
Matt Farniok/Matt Waletzko
While the Cowboys have a couple of Tylers in the starting lineup, their top two depth pieces are both named Matt.
Matt Farniok could very well end up being the starting left guard at some point in the season.
Until then, he provides flexibility at the center and right guard positions as well.
Matt Waletzko had his rookie season cancelled by a shoulder injury that required surgery.
He is back to full strength, and projects as the possible starting right tackle should Steele not be fully recovered for the initial game of the year.
This offseason, he has worked at both tackle spots, and even at left guard.
New York Giants
Projected starters: Andrew Thomas, Ben Bredeson, John Michael Schmitz, Mark Glowinski, Evan Neal
Key depth: Matt Peart, Shane Lemieux
Andrew Thomas
Andrew Thomas is entering his fourth year in the NFL.
After struggling a little to start his career, he earned 2nd team All-Pro honors in 2022.
New York’s expectations of Thomas being the cornerstone of their offensive line were given validation following his improvement.
Ben Bredeson
Ben Bredeson was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens, but only appeared in 10 games, mainly on special teams.
Last season he started eight games for the Giants.
He doesn’t jump off the screen on film, but he is a solid piece that can hold his ground.
John Michael Schmitz
The newest piece of the Giants offensive line, John Michael Schmitz was drafted in the 2nd round of this year’s draft.
The Giants plan for him to be the anchor of their offensive line for the next 10 years.
Mark Glowinski
The 2022 season was the first that veteran Mark Glowinski spent with the Giants.
An eight year veteran, Glowinski spent his first seven seasons with the Seahawks and Colts.
He is a veteran presence, but could be pushed for playing time by a younger player.
Evan Neal
Evan Neal is an athletic freak who surprisingly fell to the Giants at 7th overall in the 2022 NFL Draft.
If he hits his potential, the Giants could have the best duo of starting tackles in the NFL.
Matt Peart/Shane Lemieux
Matt Peart started 26 games at right tackle over his first two seasons, but was relegated to a backup role in 2022.
He provides valuable starting depth as a swing tackle.
Shane Lemieux is a former 5th round pick in 2020 who was forced into action for 12 games his rookie season.
He has since only played in two games, and is merely depth in case of injury.
Philadelphia Eagles
Projected starters: Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Jason Kelce, Cam Jurgens, Lane Johnson
Key depth: Jack Driscoll, Tyler Steen
Jordan Mailata
Jordan Mailata is a 7th round pick going into his fourth year as starting left tackle for the Eagles.
In 2022 he played every single offensive snap, allowing 38 QB pressures and six sacks on the season.
It’s not every day a franchise can turn a 7th round pick into their left tackle of the future, but the Eagles have managed to do so.
Landon Dickerson
The Eagles spent a 2nd round pick in 2021 on Alabama product Landon Dickerson.
All he has done since then is start 30 games at left guard, and earn his first Pro Bowl berth in 2022.
He and Mailata make quite the tandem on Jalen Hurts’ blindside.
Jason Kelce
Jason Kelce considered retirement, but just can’t remove himself from the game.
Who can blame him? Despite entering his 13th season in 2023, Kelce is still widely considered the best center in all of football.
Cam Jurgens
With the rumors of Kelce’s retirement, the Eagles drafted his projected replacement Cam Jurgens in the 2nd round of the 2022 draft.
Jurgens only saw the field on special teams in his rookie season, and is projected to start at right guard until Kelce actually does decide to hang them up.
Lane Johnson
Drafted 4th overall in the 2013 draft, Lane Johnson has started all 127 games he’s played in at right tackle since then.
Johnson may be nearing the end of his career, but he is still considered one of the best tackles in the league.
Hurts does not have to worry about pressure from the right with Johnson manning that side.
Jack Driscoll/Tyler Steen
Beyond swing tackle Jack Driscoll, the Eagles have very questionable depth behind their starters.
Driscoll is a steep drop off in talent from Mailata or Johnson. The Eagles are best suited hoping those two stay healthy.
Tyler Steen is an interesting prospect out of Alabama who was drafted by Philadelphia in the 3rd round of this year’s draft.
A tackle in college, Steen is listed at guard on the Eagles depth chart, hinting that they value him more for interior depth.
Washington Commanders
Projected starters: Charles Leno Jr., Andrew Norwell, Nick Gates, Sam Cosmi, Andrew Wylie
Key depth: Cornelius Lucas, Ricky Stromberg
Charles Leno Jr.
Charles Leno Jr. has started every game at left tackle for the past seven seasons.
Five of those seasons with the Chicago Bears, and the past two with the Commanders.
He was tied for 5th in the NFL with only eight sacks allowed on the season, and is a valuable leader in the locker room.
Andrew Norwell
Andrew Norwell played the first eight seasons of his career in Carolina and Jacksonville, earning All-Pro honors in 2017.
He is a disciplined player who is slightly above average in both pass blocking and run blocking.
Nick Gates
Nick Gates was allowed to test the free agent market after the rival New York Giants didn’t offer him a new contract.
He landed with the Commanders, and is projected to start at center after playing center and left guard in a reserve role in New York last season.
Sam Cosmi
The offensive line shuffle continues for Washington with third year pro Sam Cosmi bumping inside to guard after spending his first two years at right tackle.
With no better options, Washington is taking a shot in the dark here.
Andrew Wylie
Andrew Wylie was just signed to a free agent deal after five years with the Kansas City Chiefs.
He started 59 games with the Chiefs, and is an upgrade over Cosmi, who held the right tackle spot the past two years.
Cornelius Lucas/Ricky Stromberg
The addition of Wylie has pushed Cornelius Lucas down to a depth piece at swing tackle.
With 43 career starts, the Commanders could do much worse as far as contingency plans go.
Ricky Stromberg is a rookie out of Arkansas who primarily played center in college.
The Commanders look to have him provide depth at all three interior positions of the offensive line.
Final Rankings
Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas Cowboys
New York Giants
Washington Commanders