Ranking the league's offensive lines.
The Players
First I'm going to give you a brief overview of all of the prospects. There were 11 eligible offensive linemen in this year's draft. Given that there were 30 offensive line positions available in the league, it was clear that there was a dearth of talent at the position. With so few people available to fill so many slots, one may have expected general managers to go after linemen early and often in the draft, but that was not the case. Before we dive in further, lets meet the players.
Angus Winchester, Athletic Lineman
On paper Angus Winchester is one of the best linemen in the league. He was at the top of this class in activity on the boards, which is a positive indicator of long-term development. His 204 posts blew most of the competition out of the water.
Winchester has a whopping 103 TPE and shows strongest in the passing game with a rating of 70.4. He is also as strong as an ox, with a total strength of 76. His run blocking skills are nothing to shake a stick at, where he's putting up a very respectable 64.5 rating.
In a team game, Winchester has shown he's a loyal team player that is willing to put the success and achievements before his own. We anticipate that with his activity on the boards and desire to win championships over personal accolades, he'll develop into whatever kind of player his coaches, general managers, and teammates need to win.
Winchester has had some concerns about his motivation, particularly with stories coming out before the draft regarding his weight. He was the second lineman off of the board, with the Otters selecting him with the 25th pick overall, showing that believed he was a difference maker on offense. We anticipate he'll be a solid starter at the left tackle position for years to come.
Marcus Boyd, Run Blocker
Marcus Boyd is an above average lineman with an uncertain future in the league. He's a massive man that favors the nickname “The Mountain.” Since joining the league Boyd has posted 14 times. Perhaps his interest will spike as the season approaches or he'll simply remain a solid, but not incredible player.
Boyd is sitting at 61 TPE, his strongest showing is in the run game with a rating of 70. Boyd's skill in the run game will only be aided by his unnatural strength, a rating of 75.
While Boyd is a mauler in the run game there is some to be desired in the passing game. Boyd is near the back of the pack with a rating of 55. In addition to the concerns surrounding his commitment to the game, Boyd also appears to live up to his namesake off of the field. Leading up the draft Boyd made headlines brawling through the night and being arrested.
Despite his off the field concerns Boyd is going to be one one of the top run blockers in the league. The Otters took a chance on him with the 61st pick in the draft, in the 11th round. He'll be a solid fit at right tackle and could really make an impact at guard in a power run scheme that wants to control the clock and pound the ball down the opposing defense's throat.
Jogn Floggity, Technician
Jogn Floggity is a character. He's shown skills in money management, a love for Disney, and a pasion for summer weather. There were questions of character leading up the draft, but in a shallow pool of offensive line talent and several peers with their own issues, it wasn't surprising Floggity heard his silly name called early in the draft. The Wraiths selected him 26th overall in the 5th round. What was surprising about his draft, was him being shipped of to the team with the least conducive climate to what he was hoping for.
The Wraiths are based in Yellowknife, in the Great White North, where Jogn is going to have to make an adjustment from the Orange County weather and Disneyland trips he was dreaming about in pre-draft interviews. If the Wraiths can convince him to stick around, he should make for a solid contributor on the team.
Floggity is an extremely active member and I will believe this will translate into long-term success and improvement of his game. Even without serious commitment, he's already a talented player. Floggity's measurables are particularly impressive in the passing game where he's rated 70. His run blocking could use some work, where he's sitting at just a 62 rating. However, with 85 TPE and the motivation to improve, his other attributes may make up for what's lacking in the run game. Jogn is likely to be a solid contributor at any position on the line, especially in a pass-first offense.
Ben Longshaw, Pass Blocker
Ben Longshaw is a the self-proclaimed best offensive lineman in the league, perhaps rightfully so. Statistically, Longshaw is the best offensive lineman in the league. He's strong (71 rating), great at pass blocking (72 rating), and proficient in the run game (66 rating). To further the case for Longshaw being the best player at his position, he's an active member with 92 posts, many of which are his own profitable topics as a member of the media. At least one general manager agreed with Longshaw's assessment that he was the best player in the draft, the SaberCats selected him with the 16th overall pick, making him the first offensive lineman that came off the board and in the 3rd round.
There aren't a lot of negatives to say about Longshaw. Though there are rumors that he an fellow offensive lineman Angus Winchester have had spats regarding their skill on the field, only time will tell who has the more impressive career. There might be potential for clashes if another offensive lineman stepped up on the SaberCats and pushed Longshaw for his position, which is likely to be anchoring the left side of the line.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it seems unlikely the SaberCats will have any other lineman of Longshaw's level to challenge him in the locker room.
Daniel Robicheaux, Pass Blocker
Daniel Robicheaux is a relatively unknown quantity with a name that I do not like to type out. He has had some media interaction with the media, showing he does have some drive to be a good player in this league. He appears to have a friendly relationship with teammate and fellow offensive lineman Ben Longshaw and was drafted relatively early by the SaberCats at number 40, which was late in the 7th round. If the SaberCats are lucky Longshaw will take him under his wing and make him into a greater player for the team.
Daniel does not impress on paper, but he does enough to positively impact his team. He's only sitting on 59 TPE and 23 posts, but with a relatively high draft position and a very strong pass blocking rating of 70, it looks like the general management of the SaberCats are confident that he can be a solid contributor to their future.
Mat Ekelson, Technician
If it weren't for his early draft position, 35th overall in the late 6th round, I might say Ekelson is the most underrated offensive lineman in the draft. Personally, Ekelson is everything I look for in an offensive lineman. He shows up to work everyday, doesn't make big splashes with the media, and has a mean streak that makes him want to hit people. He's not going to batter people off the field, he's just looking to get some pancakes on it.
Ekelson is good at everything. His stats are as follows: Strength 70, pass blocking 70, and run blocking 70. This guy is an offensive lineman that's work on everything.. Ekelson is sitting at 95 TPE and and 69 posts. He puts in the work and looks like he'll have long term success.
It's early in the season and I don't know where the Wraiths plan to put him on their line, but I could see a strong fit anywhere, though I particularly like him at center helping orchestrate the offense.
Bender Rodriguez, Run Blocker
Bender is another one of the top offensive line prospects that went early in the draft. Selected 34th overall in the 6th round, the Yeti were able to grab who I think is currently the best run blocking offensive lineman in the league.
Bender's measurables are impressive. He's got 72 strength and 72 run blocking, as well as an above average 70 pass blocking. The guys a force in the trenches. If you're looking to be the next star running back in the league, you'd love having this guy open up holes for you.
Off the field Bender doesn't have any red flags. He's a fairly active community member with 58 posts, a few of his own topics, a sense of humor, and his content lives and breathes offensive line. I don't know if he'll ever transcend his peers and be the best offensive lineman in the league, but I think he'll regularly be in the discussion for being very good year to year. He'll likely play tackle for the Yetis.
Jordan Weal, Technician
Jordan Weal is the Andy Dalton line of offensive lineman in the league. If your guy plays worse than Weal you probably don't want him on your team, if he's any better he's a solid player for you.
Nothing Weal does really impresses you, he's just “meh.” He's sitting at 50 TPE, a 65 run blocking grade, a 60 pass blocking grade, an only 7 posts. His activity hints that he's probably not going to put in too much work to get better like the top starters in the league.
I don't like to put a young guy down early in his career but Weal is likely the biggest offensive lineman reach in this draft. If somebody is going to be considered a bust, he just might fit the bill.
I'm not sure what the Hawks general mangers were thinking taking Weal in the 8th round, 44th overall when there were still solid starters elsewhere on the board. My only thought was they saw a run on offensive lineman and needed to grab a body to fill a need.
Obviously, I'm not in touch with everyone in this league and maybe Weal will prove me wrong. If that's the case, more power to him in the Hawks. Only time will tell.
D'Brickshaw Ferguson, Technician
Ferguson is another guy that there just isn't a lot on this early in the season. I will give you his measurables: 70 run blocking, 70 pass blocking, 56 TPE, and 5 posts. He isn't particularly strong but has been relatively active at snagging the easy work for TPE.
If he continues to maintain his current level of activity, I think he'll be a steal with the 86th pick in the 15th round for the wraiths. If he drops off his activity, he still might have been worthwhile. Time will tell.
Saggitariutt Jefferspin, Athletic Lineman
Saggitariutt Jefferspin is another guy that there isn't a lot on. Currently he's got average stats and there isn't a lot of information on him. He's sitting at ratings of 60 for pass blocking and 60 for run blocking, though he does have an impressive strength of 72. In addition, he's only looking at 10 posts.
He is a new player, and might be a sleeper that can really develop into a solid offensive lineman in the league. I wouldn't be surprised to see him ending up paying dividends for the Arizona Outlaws general managers who selected him with the 67th pick, waaay back in the 12th round, the second to last offensive lineman selected.
While he doesn't have a lot of posts, those that he has made show a desire to improve and win.
Alex Thomas, Technician
If Weal doesn't end up being the biggest reach in the draft I think it may end up being Alex Thomas.
Thomas was selected early by the Outlaws, with the 30th overall pick in the 5th round. Like Weal, I think the general managers may have gotten caught up in the offensive lineman frenzy at that time in the draft and went and grabbed a guy they could plug in.
Thomas has shown potential on the boards, actively pursuing financial endeavors and getting some TPE. He's currently sitting on 56 TPE with a 70 rating in strength, a 61 rating in pass blocking and a 61 rating in run blocking.
Thomas has publicly stated that his interest in the game and the league may not be up there with what it takes to be the best at the position, thought he does have the mind and experience of somebody who has definitely dabbled in the arena of simulation. If he puts in the effort, I expect him to be a solid player for his team. However, if he loses interest and chases greener pastures, he just might be the biggest bust of the offensive lineman class.
The Bot, Sack of Garbage
The final player is the most abundant in the league, hopefully that will eventually change. But because of the absence of offensive lineman over half of them are going to be played in the sim by bots.
The bots are not going to be better than any players in any measurable attribute and very likely to be worse in the most important ones to the position. Their statistics are going to be:
Strength: 65
Agility: 45
Arm: 1
Intelligence: 55
Throwing Accuracy: 1
Tackling: 35
Speed: 35
Hands: 20
Pass Blocking: 50
Run Blocking: 55
Endurance: 60
Kick Power: 1
Kick Accuracy: 1
The Units
You could probably read through the information above and have some idea of which lines are good and which are bad, but I am going to give you a few more details. We're going to compare the lines based on their run blocking, pass blocking, and potential to develop their current players.
A few notes: player development is not going to take into account adding new human players to teams, that will have a positive impact on any team that has an opening filled by a bot. Also, teams with bots are going to be slightly worse than reflected here in their pass blocking rating because of a tweak in the bots stats. Players that only posted in TPE threads but did post in update thread do not have that TPE reflected here.
First, here's a quick breakdown of each offensive line and who's on them.
Hawks:
Jordan Weal
The average rating of the Hawks is not good. Statistically they're the worst line in the league in every category. They have one lineman that is not great at anything, is not very active, and a bunch of bots.
Wraiths:
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
Matt Ekelson
Jogn Floggity
Opposite the Hawks are the Wraiths. The assembled a very solid offensive line that comes out to the best in the league on paper, simply by being fielded by the most human players. They don't have any offensive lineman that are superstars yet, but they've got 2 above average lineman and one that is better than a bot. They're the best in every category but activity per person.
Yeti:
Bender Rodriguez
The Yeti also only took one lineman, but they choose to go with a relative superstar. They'll have one bright spot in their trenches alongside four piles of garbage.
Outlaws:
Alex Thomas
Saggitarutt Jefferspin
The Outlaws currently have two lineman that are above the bot level, but by much. Sure two people are better than bots, and they have potential to improve, but they're going to have to start hopping on the boards and putting in the work.
Otters:
Marcus Boyd
Angus Winchester
The Otters have one superstar lineman and one guy that is right around average. Nothing crazy to write home about here. They are the most active team per person, but mostly because their superstar offensive lineman is one of the most active players in the league.
SaberCats:
Daniel Robicheaux
Ben Longshaw
The Sabers are a team that grabbed a superstar offensive lineman earlier and then snagged another guy a bit later that isn't super impressive, but again, better than a bot. Taking the arguably best player at the position was a good start, but they didn't do a whole lot else.
Now here are the official “rankings” which take into account the statistics for every member of the line.
Run Blocking
1. Wraiths – 62.4
2. Otters – 59.8
3. SaberCats – 59
4. Yeti – 58.4
5. Outlaws – 57.2
6. Hawks – 57
Pass Blocking
1. Wraiths – 64
2. SaberCats – 61.4
3. Otters – 58.1
4. Yeti – 58
5. Outlaws – 57.2
6. Hawks – 56
Activity Per Person (Anticipated Development)
1. Otters – 109
2. Wraiths – 61
3. SaberCats – 57.5
4. Yeti – 57
5. Outlaws – 13.5
6. Hawks – 7
Overall
1. Wraiths
2. SaberCats
3. Otters
4. Yeti
5. Outlaws
6. Hawks
So the overall rankings are there. The Wraiths at one are the obvious choice, as they're well above the rest of the league.
I ranked the SaberCats ahead of the Otters, though you could make a case for either. My logic was based on the #2 lineman for each team. I think Daniel Robicheaux is more likely to develop his player and get better than Marcus Boyd, Angus Winchester is almost all of the activity for Otter's offensive lineman, and the SaberCats gap above the Otters in pass blocking was greater than the Otters gap above the SaberCats in run blocking.
The Yeti are currently the clear number 4 offensive line, despite only having drafted one at the position. Bender Rodriguez is just that good relative to some of the guys on the two teams below the Yeti.
The Outlaws drafted two players, but neither have spent a lot of time developing their players or posting on the boards. For the sake of the Outlaws and some significant draft stock, they better hope they can turn that around.
Finally, the Hawks decided to go and ignore their offensive line almost completely. They'd do well to pick up another player here, but maybe they're loaded enough at other positions to make a run without a solid line.
I expect these lines to see significant changes as the pre-season progresses. I anticipate several teams convincing players at positions of abundance to try their hand at offensive line where there simply aren't enough guys and of course, because there is not shortage of skilled players on the defensive side of the ball that will be lining up across a bunch of unskilled bots.
As the season rolls on we'll see just how important the offensive line is for success of an offense, and a team, in the league. If the general managers have their way, new players will be encouraged to create players in the category of offensive line and they'll likely be the most popular free agents on the waiver wires. Only time will tell.
The Players
First I'm going to give you a brief overview of all of the prospects. There were 11 eligible offensive linemen in this year's draft. Given that there were 30 offensive line positions available in the league, it was clear that there was a dearth of talent at the position. With so few people available to fill so many slots, one may have expected general managers to go after linemen early and often in the draft, but that was not the case. Before we dive in further, lets meet the players.
Angus Winchester, Athletic Lineman
On paper Angus Winchester is one of the best linemen in the league. He was at the top of this class in activity on the boards, which is a positive indicator of long-term development. His 204 posts blew most of the competition out of the water.
Winchester has a whopping 103 TPE and shows strongest in the passing game with a rating of 70.4. He is also as strong as an ox, with a total strength of 76. His run blocking skills are nothing to shake a stick at, where he's putting up a very respectable 64.5 rating.
In a team game, Winchester has shown he's a loyal team player that is willing to put the success and achievements before his own. We anticipate that with his activity on the boards and desire to win championships over personal accolades, he'll develop into whatever kind of player his coaches, general managers, and teammates need to win.
Winchester has had some concerns about his motivation, particularly with stories coming out before the draft regarding his weight. He was the second lineman off of the board, with the Otters selecting him with the 25th pick overall, showing that believed he was a difference maker on offense. We anticipate he'll be a solid starter at the left tackle position for years to come.
Marcus Boyd, Run Blocker
Marcus Boyd is an above average lineman with an uncertain future in the league. He's a massive man that favors the nickname “The Mountain.” Since joining the league Boyd has posted 14 times. Perhaps his interest will spike as the season approaches or he'll simply remain a solid, but not incredible player.
Boyd is sitting at 61 TPE, his strongest showing is in the run game with a rating of 70. Boyd's skill in the run game will only be aided by his unnatural strength, a rating of 75.
While Boyd is a mauler in the run game there is some to be desired in the passing game. Boyd is near the back of the pack with a rating of 55. In addition to the concerns surrounding his commitment to the game, Boyd also appears to live up to his namesake off of the field. Leading up the draft Boyd made headlines brawling through the night and being arrested.
Despite his off the field concerns Boyd is going to be one one of the top run blockers in the league. The Otters took a chance on him with the 61st pick in the draft, in the 11th round. He'll be a solid fit at right tackle and could really make an impact at guard in a power run scheme that wants to control the clock and pound the ball down the opposing defense's throat.
Jogn Floggity, Technician
Jogn Floggity is a character. He's shown skills in money management, a love for Disney, and a pasion for summer weather. There were questions of character leading up the draft, but in a shallow pool of offensive line talent and several peers with their own issues, it wasn't surprising Floggity heard his silly name called early in the draft. The Wraiths selected him 26th overall in the 5th round. What was surprising about his draft, was him being shipped of to the team with the least conducive climate to what he was hoping for.
The Wraiths are based in Yellowknife, in the Great White North, where Jogn is going to have to make an adjustment from the Orange County weather and Disneyland trips he was dreaming about in pre-draft interviews. If the Wraiths can convince him to stick around, he should make for a solid contributor on the team.
Floggity is an extremely active member and I will believe this will translate into long-term success and improvement of his game. Even without serious commitment, he's already a talented player. Floggity's measurables are particularly impressive in the passing game where he's rated 70. His run blocking could use some work, where he's sitting at just a 62 rating. However, with 85 TPE and the motivation to improve, his other attributes may make up for what's lacking in the run game. Jogn is likely to be a solid contributor at any position on the line, especially in a pass-first offense.
Ben Longshaw, Pass Blocker
Ben Longshaw is a the self-proclaimed best offensive lineman in the league, perhaps rightfully so. Statistically, Longshaw is the best offensive lineman in the league. He's strong (71 rating), great at pass blocking (72 rating), and proficient in the run game (66 rating). To further the case for Longshaw being the best player at his position, he's an active member with 92 posts, many of which are his own profitable topics as a member of the media. At least one general manager agreed with Longshaw's assessment that he was the best player in the draft, the SaberCats selected him with the 16th overall pick, making him the first offensive lineman that came off the board and in the 3rd round.
There aren't a lot of negatives to say about Longshaw. Though there are rumors that he an fellow offensive lineman Angus Winchester have had spats regarding their skill on the field, only time will tell who has the more impressive career. There might be potential for clashes if another offensive lineman stepped up on the SaberCats and pushed Longshaw for his position, which is likely to be anchoring the left side of the line.
Fortunately or unfortunately, it seems unlikely the SaberCats will have any other lineman of Longshaw's level to challenge him in the locker room.
Daniel Robicheaux, Pass Blocker
Daniel Robicheaux is a relatively unknown quantity with a name that I do not like to type out. He has had some media interaction with the media, showing he does have some drive to be a good player in this league. He appears to have a friendly relationship with teammate and fellow offensive lineman Ben Longshaw and was drafted relatively early by the SaberCats at number 40, which was late in the 7th round. If the SaberCats are lucky Longshaw will take him under his wing and make him into a greater player for the team.
Daniel does not impress on paper, but he does enough to positively impact his team. He's only sitting on 59 TPE and 23 posts, but with a relatively high draft position and a very strong pass blocking rating of 70, it looks like the general management of the SaberCats are confident that he can be a solid contributor to their future.
Mat Ekelson, Technician
If it weren't for his early draft position, 35th overall in the late 6th round, I might say Ekelson is the most underrated offensive lineman in the draft. Personally, Ekelson is everything I look for in an offensive lineman. He shows up to work everyday, doesn't make big splashes with the media, and has a mean streak that makes him want to hit people. He's not going to batter people off the field, he's just looking to get some pancakes on it.
Ekelson is good at everything. His stats are as follows: Strength 70, pass blocking 70, and run blocking 70. This guy is an offensive lineman that's work on everything.. Ekelson is sitting at 95 TPE and and 69 posts. He puts in the work and looks like he'll have long term success.
It's early in the season and I don't know where the Wraiths plan to put him on their line, but I could see a strong fit anywhere, though I particularly like him at center helping orchestrate the offense.
Bender Rodriguez, Run Blocker
Bender is another one of the top offensive line prospects that went early in the draft. Selected 34th overall in the 6th round, the Yeti were able to grab who I think is currently the best run blocking offensive lineman in the league.
Bender's measurables are impressive. He's got 72 strength and 72 run blocking, as well as an above average 70 pass blocking. The guys a force in the trenches. If you're looking to be the next star running back in the league, you'd love having this guy open up holes for you.
Off the field Bender doesn't have any red flags. He's a fairly active community member with 58 posts, a few of his own topics, a sense of humor, and his content lives and breathes offensive line. I don't know if he'll ever transcend his peers and be the best offensive lineman in the league, but I think he'll regularly be in the discussion for being very good year to year. He'll likely play tackle for the Yetis.
Jordan Weal, Technician
Jordan Weal is the Andy Dalton line of offensive lineman in the league. If your guy plays worse than Weal you probably don't want him on your team, if he's any better he's a solid player for you.
Nothing Weal does really impresses you, he's just “meh.” He's sitting at 50 TPE, a 65 run blocking grade, a 60 pass blocking grade, an only 7 posts. His activity hints that he's probably not going to put in too much work to get better like the top starters in the league.
I don't like to put a young guy down early in his career but Weal is likely the biggest offensive lineman reach in this draft. If somebody is going to be considered a bust, he just might fit the bill.
I'm not sure what the Hawks general mangers were thinking taking Weal in the 8th round, 44th overall when there were still solid starters elsewhere on the board. My only thought was they saw a run on offensive lineman and needed to grab a body to fill a need.
Obviously, I'm not in touch with everyone in this league and maybe Weal will prove me wrong. If that's the case, more power to him in the Hawks. Only time will tell.
D'Brickshaw Ferguson, Technician
Ferguson is another guy that there just isn't a lot on this early in the season. I will give you his measurables: 70 run blocking, 70 pass blocking, 56 TPE, and 5 posts. He isn't particularly strong but has been relatively active at snagging the easy work for TPE.
If he continues to maintain his current level of activity, I think he'll be a steal with the 86th pick in the 15th round for the wraiths. If he drops off his activity, he still might have been worthwhile. Time will tell.
Saggitariutt Jefferspin, Athletic Lineman
Saggitariutt Jefferspin is another guy that there isn't a lot on. Currently he's got average stats and there isn't a lot of information on him. He's sitting at ratings of 60 for pass blocking and 60 for run blocking, though he does have an impressive strength of 72. In addition, he's only looking at 10 posts.
He is a new player, and might be a sleeper that can really develop into a solid offensive lineman in the league. I wouldn't be surprised to see him ending up paying dividends for the Arizona Outlaws general managers who selected him with the 67th pick, waaay back in the 12th round, the second to last offensive lineman selected.
While he doesn't have a lot of posts, those that he has made show a desire to improve and win.
Alex Thomas, Technician
If Weal doesn't end up being the biggest reach in the draft I think it may end up being Alex Thomas.
Thomas was selected early by the Outlaws, with the 30th overall pick in the 5th round. Like Weal, I think the general managers may have gotten caught up in the offensive lineman frenzy at that time in the draft and went and grabbed a guy they could plug in.
Thomas has shown potential on the boards, actively pursuing financial endeavors and getting some TPE. He's currently sitting on 56 TPE with a 70 rating in strength, a 61 rating in pass blocking and a 61 rating in run blocking.
Thomas has publicly stated that his interest in the game and the league may not be up there with what it takes to be the best at the position, thought he does have the mind and experience of somebody who has definitely dabbled in the arena of simulation. If he puts in the effort, I expect him to be a solid player for his team. However, if he loses interest and chases greener pastures, he just might be the biggest bust of the offensive lineman class.
The Bot, Sack of Garbage
The final player is the most abundant in the league, hopefully that will eventually change. But because of the absence of offensive lineman over half of them are going to be played in the sim by bots.
The bots are not going to be better than any players in any measurable attribute and very likely to be worse in the most important ones to the position. Their statistics are going to be:
Strength: 65
Agility: 45
Arm: 1
Intelligence: 55
Throwing Accuracy: 1
Tackling: 35
Speed: 35
Hands: 20
Pass Blocking: 50
Run Blocking: 55
Endurance: 60
Kick Power: 1
Kick Accuracy: 1
The Units
You could probably read through the information above and have some idea of which lines are good and which are bad, but I am going to give you a few more details. We're going to compare the lines based on their run blocking, pass blocking, and potential to develop their current players.
A few notes: player development is not going to take into account adding new human players to teams, that will have a positive impact on any team that has an opening filled by a bot. Also, teams with bots are going to be slightly worse than reflected here in their pass blocking rating because of a tweak in the bots stats. Players that only posted in TPE threads but did post in update thread do not have that TPE reflected here.
First, here's a quick breakdown of each offensive line and who's on them.
Hawks:
Jordan Weal
The average rating of the Hawks is not good. Statistically they're the worst line in the league in every category. They have one lineman that is not great at anything, is not very active, and a bunch of bots.
Wraiths:
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
Matt Ekelson
Jogn Floggity
Opposite the Hawks are the Wraiths. The assembled a very solid offensive line that comes out to the best in the league on paper, simply by being fielded by the most human players. They don't have any offensive lineman that are superstars yet, but they've got 2 above average lineman and one that is better than a bot. They're the best in every category but activity per person.
Yeti:
Bender Rodriguez
The Yeti also only took one lineman, but they choose to go with a relative superstar. They'll have one bright spot in their trenches alongside four piles of garbage.
Outlaws:
Alex Thomas
Saggitarutt Jefferspin
The Outlaws currently have two lineman that are above the bot level, but by much. Sure two people are better than bots, and they have potential to improve, but they're going to have to start hopping on the boards and putting in the work.
Otters:
Marcus Boyd
Angus Winchester
The Otters have one superstar lineman and one guy that is right around average. Nothing crazy to write home about here. They are the most active team per person, but mostly because their superstar offensive lineman is one of the most active players in the league.
SaberCats:
Daniel Robicheaux
Ben Longshaw
The Sabers are a team that grabbed a superstar offensive lineman earlier and then snagged another guy a bit later that isn't super impressive, but again, better than a bot. Taking the arguably best player at the position was a good start, but they didn't do a whole lot else.
Now here are the official “rankings” which take into account the statistics for every member of the line.
Run Blocking
1. Wraiths – 62.4
2. Otters – 59.8
3. SaberCats – 59
4. Yeti – 58.4
5. Outlaws – 57.2
6. Hawks – 57
Pass Blocking
1. Wraiths – 64
2. SaberCats – 61.4
3. Otters – 58.1
4. Yeti – 58
5. Outlaws – 57.2
6. Hawks – 56
Activity Per Person (Anticipated Development)
1. Otters – 109
2. Wraiths – 61
3. SaberCats – 57.5
4. Yeti – 57
5. Outlaws – 13.5
6. Hawks – 7
Overall
1. Wraiths
2. SaberCats
3. Otters
4. Yeti
5. Outlaws
6. Hawks
So the overall rankings are there. The Wraiths at one are the obvious choice, as they're well above the rest of the league.
I ranked the SaberCats ahead of the Otters, though you could make a case for either. My logic was based on the #2 lineman for each team. I think Daniel Robicheaux is more likely to develop his player and get better than Marcus Boyd, Angus Winchester is almost all of the activity for Otter's offensive lineman, and the SaberCats gap above the Otters in pass blocking was greater than the Otters gap above the SaberCats in run blocking.
The Yeti are currently the clear number 4 offensive line, despite only having drafted one at the position. Bender Rodriguez is just that good relative to some of the guys on the two teams below the Yeti.
The Outlaws drafted two players, but neither have spent a lot of time developing their players or posting on the boards. For the sake of the Outlaws and some significant draft stock, they better hope they can turn that around.
Finally, the Hawks decided to go and ignore their offensive line almost completely. They'd do well to pick up another player here, but maybe they're loaded enough at other positions to make a run without a solid line.
I expect these lines to see significant changes as the pre-season progresses. I anticipate several teams convincing players at positions of abundance to try their hand at offensive line where there simply aren't enough guys and of course, because there is not shortage of skilled players on the defensive side of the ball that will be lining up across a bunch of unskilled bots.
As the season rolls on we'll see just how important the offensive line is for success of an offense, and a team, in the league. If the general managers have their way, new players will be encouraged to create players in the category of offensive line and they'll likely be the most popular free agents on the waiver wires. Only time will tell.
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