This point in the NFL offseason is the season of lists and rankings. Every Tom, Dick, and Harry in the sports universe is using the absence of football for the impossible task of ranking players.
ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler is currently in the middle of a series where several NFL executives, coaches, and scouts are voting for the top 10 best players at each of their respective positions.
So far, the Dallas Cowboys have landed two players on these lists. QB Dak Prescott ranks as the 10th best quarterback while WR CeeDee Lamb lands as the fourth-best wide receiver according to the survey.
Fowler’s rankings inspired me to take a look at the Cowboys’ 2024 schedule and rank the top three position groups based on the teams Dallas will be facing. I have a few articles published on the website already. Here are the links for your pleasure:
Quarterbacks
Rushing Attack
Wide Receivers
Tight Ends
A hot topic surrounding the Dallas Cowboys this offseason has been the state of their offensive line. It appears inevitable that two of the five offensive linemen starting week 1 will be rookies.
Barring any surprises, first round pick Tyler Guyton will be starting at left tackle to protect Dak Prescott’s blindside. With C Tyler Biadasz fleeing for Washington, there will also be a new center. The favorite is third round pick Cooper Beebe.
While the Cowboys’ offensive line seems to be in a state of flux, our focus today will be the offensive lines that they will be facing this season.
In the same style as my previous articles in this series, I will identify the top three offensive lines on the Cowboys’ 2024 schedule. The top three should come as no surprise.
3. San Francisco 49ers — Trent Williams, Aaron Banks, Jake Brendel, Jon Feliciano, Colton McKivitz
I don’t have to write an article to let you know that the San Francisco 49ers will be one of the toughest challenges for the Cowboys’ defensive line. We have all seen how the 49ers have dominated the line of scrimmage in the past three matchups, including a 42-10 shellacking of the Cowboys in primetime last year.
The line is anchored by veteran LT Trent Williams. He’s mean. He’s nasty. He’s a master of fundamentals and a difficult opponent for even the best defensive ends in the league.
The rest of the names on the list don’t jump out at you, but collectively, they are a strong unit that is the catalyst for RB Christian McCaffrey’s success. I ranked CMC as the #1 running back the Cowboys will face this season, and for good reason.
Behind this offensive line, McCaffrey has accumulated 3,233 total yards and 31 touchdowns in just 27 games with San Francisco. The collective effort of this unit is tough to handle.
2. Philadelphia Eagles — Jordan Mailata, Landon Dickerson, Cam Jurgens, Tyler Steen, Lane Johnson
The only factor keeping the Eagles‘ offensive line out of the top spot on this list is C Jason Kelce’s retirement. Kelce is arguably the best center of the past decade. Losing him will not only affect Jalen Hurts, but the entire offense.
Don’t be fooled by Kelce’s departure, though. There are some players left on this offensive line that defensive coordinators circle on the gameplan. Jordan Mailata played 100% of the snaps last season, ranking as the NFL’s third-best tackle according to Pro Football Focus.
Opposite Mailata is veteran RT Lane Johnson, who ranked as the 13th-best tackle on the same grading system. The interior players are young but coached well. Reports out of Philadelphia are that Kelce will be present during training camp to help mentor those players.
They also have a new running back to block for. Saquon Barkley left New York for Philadelphia and fell into the best offensive line he’s ever played for. Barkley’s athleticism will help mask any early struggles the offensive line might have.
Once they gel towards the end of the season, the Eagles will have one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
1. Detroit Lions — Taylor Decker, Graham Glasgow, Frank Ragnow, Kevin Zeitler, Penei Sewell
The Detroit Lions are the only team in the NFL to have each member of their offensive line rank in the top 15 of PFF’s grades for the 2023 season.
RT Penei Sewell and C Frank Ragnow both graded at the top of the NFL last season, leading the way for one of the best rushing attacks in the league. Running backs David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs combined for nearly 2,000 yards rushing in 2023.
Countless times they weren’t touched by a defender until reaching the second or even third level of the defense on their way to a combined average of 4.8 yards per carry.
Taylor Decker and Penei Sewell are the best tackle duo in the NFL, backed by PFF’s grades that landed them both in the top 10. Guards Graham Glasgow and Kevin Zeitler ranked at nine and 15, respectively.
The Lions have the most complete offensive line in the NFL, and will surely pose a tough challenge for the Cowboys in 2024.
Honorable Mention
- Atlanta Falcons
- Baltimore Ravens
- Cleveland Browns
