Post 39 - Top 10 Offensive Linemen of 2015
Hello! And welcome to my corner!
In the coming weeks I'll be revealing my top 10 at each position and eventually my top 100 players in the NFL. Unlike the traditional rankings, though, I'm basing these rankings entirely on the 2015 season and the 2015 season only. Not looking further than that and without influence from their name alone.
Earlier this month I got this series underway when I revealed my Top 10 Kickers and Punters of 2015. I've now unveiled the Safeties, Corner, Inside Linebackers, Outside Linebackers, Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles and now it's time for the big uglies, the Offensive Linemen.
Before I start, I will just say that I am by no means an offensive line expert, so I this ranking is made purely from what I assumed looked like good offensive line play.
Without further ado, then, here are my Top 10 Offensive Linemen of 2015:
10. Trent Williams, T, Washington Redskins
Williams has long been the offensive linchpin for the Redskins and this year was just another year of the same for him. Williams paved the way for the Redskins to bounce back and into the playoffs and he was a big reason Cousins was able to play the way he did in the second half of the season.
9. Zach Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
Martin performed like an All-Pro from the day he was drafted two years ago. Though the Cowboys definitely regressed this year, Martin didn't and the blame cannot be placed on him. He, and the entire o-line, we possibly the reason the Cowboys managed to win the 4 games that they did.
8. Travis Frederick, C, Dallas Cowboys
Another member of the modern 'Great Wall of Dallas' and the brain of it. Frederick remains one of the best centers in the league and his role in the Cowboys offense is crucial.
7. Richie Incognito, G, Buffalo Bills
The Bills were criticised for signing Incognito thanks to his reputation of being a bully, little did they know that his personality and the skills he's always shown would be huge for their offense. With Incognito, the Bills offense were pretty productive - along with their other additions, of course - and Incognito made the Pro Bowl.
6. Ryan Kalil, C, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have several key players - Newton, Olsen, Stewart, Kuechly and others - all of which have obviously received a lot of attention due to the Panthers success , but Kalil often gets left out of that discussion, but that doesn't make him any less important that those other players.
5. Andrew Whitworth, T, Cincinnati Bengals
Whitworth has long been one of the best tackles in the NFL but has also long been forgotten about when people talk about great offensive tackles. He has been a cornerstone of the Bengals team in every year that he has played, and continues to outshine the replacements the Bengals draft, despite his age.
4. David DeCastro, G, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a clear identity; they're mean, tough and old-school. Well, DeCastro is all of those things. The Steelers have been without Maurkice Pouncey for plenty of games of the past few seasons, but that hasn't mattered too much thanks to DeCastro. DeCastro has been a consistent beast for the Steelers.
3. Tyron Smith, T, Dallas Cowboys
Yet another member of the Cowboys o-line. Smith is the pick of the bunch for the simple fact that he is pretty much a perfect left tackle. Smith was locked down by the Cowboys for 6 more years for a reason, and he continued to show why last year.
2. Joe Thomas, T, Cleveland Browns
Thomas is about the only thing that the Browns were able to admire last season, and for the last 9 seasons, in fact. Despite the Browns awful season, Thomas remained at the elite level he has always been at and his miraculous durability and consistency also remained.
1. Marshal Yanda, G, Baltimore Ravens
Much like DeCastro, Yanda perfectly fits the Ravens way and the way of the AFC North. He continued his dominance at guard last year and once the Ravens were struck with injury along their offensive line, he stepped out to tackle when needed and showed the same skills he did at guard. He was unquestionable the best Raven last year and he is crucial to the Ravens success going forward.
In the coming weeks I'll be revealing my top 10 at each position and eventually my top 100 players in the NFL. Unlike the traditional rankings, though, I'm basing these rankings entirely on the 2015 season and the 2015 season only. Not looking further than that and without influence from their name alone.
Earlier this month I got this series underway when I revealed my Top 10 Kickers and Punters of 2015. I've now unveiled the Safeties, Corner, Inside Linebackers, Outside Linebackers, Defensive Ends, Defensive Tackles and now it's time for the big uglies, the Offensive Linemen.
Before I start, I will just say that I am by no means an offensive line expert, so I this ranking is made purely from what I assumed looked like good offensive line play.
Without further ado, then, here are my Top 10 Offensive Linemen of 2015:
10. Trent Williams, T, Washington Redskins
Williams has long been the offensive linchpin for the Redskins and this year was just another year of the same for him. Williams paved the way for the Redskins to bounce back and into the playoffs and he was a big reason Cousins was able to play the way he did in the second half of the season.
9. Zach Martin, G, Dallas Cowboys
Martin performed like an All-Pro from the day he was drafted two years ago. Though the Cowboys definitely regressed this year, Martin didn't and the blame cannot be placed on him. He, and the entire o-line, we possibly the reason the Cowboys managed to win the 4 games that they did.
8. Travis Frederick, C, Dallas Cowboys
Another member of the modern 'Great Wall of Dallas' and the brain of it. Frederick remains one of the best centers in the league and his role in the Cowboys offense is crucial.
7. Richie Incognito, G, Buffalo Bills
The Bills were criticised for signing Incognito thanks to his reputation of being a bully, little did they know that his personality and the skills he's always shown would be huge for their offense. With Incognito, the Bills offense were pretty productive - along with their other additions, of course - and Incognito made the Pro Bowl.
6. Ryan Kalil, C, Carolina Panthers
The Panthers have several key players - Newton, Olsen, Stewart, Kuechly and others - all of which have obviously received a lot of attention due to the Panthers success , but Kalil often gets left out of that discussion, but that doesn't make him any less important that those other players.
5. Andrew Whitworth, T, Cincinnati Bengals
Whitworth has long been one of the best tackles in the NFL but has also long been forgotten about when people talk about great offensive tackles. He has been a cornerstone of the Bengals team in every year that he has played, and continues to outshine the replacements the Bengals draft, despite his age.
4. David DeCastro, G, Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have a clear identity; they're mean, tough and old-school. Well, DeCastro is all of those things. The Steelers have been without Maurkice Pouncey for plenty of games of the past few seasons, but that hasn't mattered too much thanks to DeCastro. DeCastro has been a consistent beast for the Steelers.
3. Tyron Smith, T, Dallas Cowboys
Yet another member of the Cowboys o-line. Smith is the pick of the bunch for the simple fact that he is pretty much a perfect left tackle. Smith was locked down by the Cowboys for 6 more years for a reason, and he continued to show why last year.
2. Joe Thomas, T, Cleveland Browns
Thomas is about the only thing that the Browns were able to admire last season, and for the last 9 seasons, in fact. Despite the Browns awful season, Thomas remained at the elite level he has always been at and his miraculous durability and consistency also remained.
1. Marshal Yanda, G, Baltimore Ravens
Much like DeCastro, Yanda perfectly fits the Ravens way and the way of the AFC North. He continued his dominance at guard last year and once the Ravens were struck with injury along their offensive line, he stepped out to tackle when needed and showed the same skills he did at guard. He was unquestionable the best Raven last year and he is crucial to the Ravens success going forward.
There we have it, my Top 10 Offensive Lineman from the 2015 NFL season. What do you think? Think I've got it right or am I completely wrong? Let me know!
Next up? The Top 10 Tight Ends of 2015.
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