Who is the best Offensive Tackle?

The 2024 NFL schedule is just around the corner as we sit at just about 100 days remaining before the opening kickoff of the season. While the off-season has been exciting for every team around the NFL while adding top tier stars to build them reshape their rosters both through free agency and the 2024 NFL Draft, the offensive tackle position however is one of the most important but most overlooked positions among the fans of the NFL. A great offense starts with great play up front on the offensive line while having a left and right tackle to protect the quarterback position. One of those great left tackles in the NFL is Trent Williams of the San Francisco 49ers who lands atop the Top 10 NFL Offensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list.

The 35-year-old left tackle has anchored down one of the top offensive lines in the NFL with the 49ers while continuing to rank among the best tackles in the NFL since arriving during the 2010 NFL draft.

As Williams is a key staple to the success of the 49ers including a deep postseason run last season that featured a trip to the Super Bowl, expectations are high for the 49ers entering the upcoming season.

Joining Williams among the best offensive tackles in the NFL include Penei Sewell of the Detroit Lions, Tristan Wirfs of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jordan Mailata of the Philadelphia Eagles, and Laremy Tunsil of the Houston Texans.

Here is a look at the Top 10 NFL Offensive Tackles 2024 Rankings:

Honorable Mention

Kolton Miller

Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Position: Left Tackle

Just missing the Top 10 NFL Offensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the Las Vegas Raiders left tackle Kolton Miller. Miller is coming off a 2023 NFL season allowing pressure on just four percent of the Raiders quarterback drop backs while ranking among the top five in the NFL over that stretch.

While his health limited him to just 705 total snaps last season, it is hard to look past how solid the veteran tackle has been since being selected during the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft by the Raiders when they were in Oakland. Look for the Raiders to take a big stride forward during the upcoming season.

Andrew Thomas

Team: New York Giants

Position: Left Tackle

Like a few of the other top tackles in the NFL, Andrew Thomas battled injuries during the 2023 NFL season and will be looking to bounce back during the upcoming season.

The former fourth overall pick during the 2020 NFL Draft was limited to just 576 total snaps last season. When healthy it is hard to find another tackle as talented as Thomas who was a Second Team All-Pro selection after his strong 2022 NFL season that earned him a 90.3 ranking from PFF.

The Giants are expecting a bounce back healthy season in 2024 from Thomas who will look to return to All Pro form. 

Top 10 NFL Offensive Tackles Power Rankings

10. Taylor Moton

Team: Carolina Panthers

Position: Right Tackle

Sliding in at number 10 on the Top 10 NFL Offensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the Carolina Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton.

While the Panthers continue to rebuild after trading away stars such as Christian McCaffrey and DJ Moore on offense, the team has failed to secure a top talent at the quarterback position which has hampered their overall success.

Despite the rebuild efforts, Moton continues to be as consistent as any tackle in the NFL each season since joining the Panthers back during the 2017 NFL season. Moton is coming off a strong 2023 NFL season allowing just one sack over 1148 snaps played at the position.

9. Christian Darrisaw

Team: Minnesota Vikings

Position: Left Tackle

One offensive tackle that is often overlooked at the position is the Minnesota Vikings Christian Darrisaw.

Much of that is due to health issues surrounding the former Virginia Tech Hokies lineman that limited him to just eight games last season and 34 total over the three NFL seasons.

However, despite being limited, the six-foot five-inch left tackle finished the season posting an 85.3 pass blocking grade while ranking third among all qualified tackles in the NFL to go along with just six total sacks allowed. 

Christian Darrisaw vs. Logan Hall
pic.twitter.com/92NZ6kbWlq

— Sean Borman (@SeanBormanNFL) September 11, 2023

8. Rashawn Slater

Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Position: Left Tackle

The Los Angeles Chargers enter the 2024 NFL season with a new head man in charge after turning to Jim Harbaugh to take over as head coach.

A Chargers team that features not only one of the top young quarterbacks in the NFL in Justin Herbert but also a top ranked left tackle in Rashawn Slater.

The former Northwestern Wildcats star has been as dominant as any left tackle in the NFL over the past three seasons since being drafted 13^th overall during the 2021 NFL draft. Slater enters the 2024 NFL season coming off a season allowing just three total sacks while playing in 1154 total offensive snaps.

Sunday was #Chargers best pass pro game since Week 3. Good example here. Interior successfully passes off stunt. Stout on edges, including great rep and finish from Rashawn Slater. Allows Justin Herbert to get to his check down for first on third-and-6. pic.twitter.com/QcflZb9kfK

— Daniel Popper (@danielrpopper) November 1, 2023

7. Lane Johnson

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Right Tackle

As the Philadelphia Eagles look to a new center with the retirement of Jason Kelce, veteran right tackle Lane Johnson will return to help form one of the top tackle duos in the NFL alongside left tackle Jordan Mailata.

The former fourth overall pick during the 2013 NFL Draft, has helped anchor down one of the top lines in the NFL over the past few seasons. His strong play at the position has secured Johnson two First Team All Pro selections as well as two Second Team All Pro selections with one coming during the 2023 NFL season.

While his play has taken a small stride back, his overall play has been strong while finishing ranked among the best blocking tackles both against the run and pass while also allowing just three sacks over 981 snaps played.

WOW: #Eagles T Lane Johnson just DOMINATED All-Pro Nick Bosa

😳😳😳
pic.twitter.com/kwT5e8ab04

— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) December 3, 2023

6. Tyron Smith

Team: New York Jets

Position: Left Tackle

The 33-year-old veteran left tackle Tyron Smith will look to continue his success at the left tackle position during the upcoming season with the New York Jets.

Smith who has been an anchor on the Dallas Cowboys offensive line since being drafted ninth overall during the 2011 NFL Draft, signed with the Jets this off-season to help solidify their line while allowing protection for former NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

While his production has taken a small stride back, Smith finished the season posting one of the top overall pass blocking grades in the NFL (89.3) on a Cowboys team that finished the season ranked fifth in the NFL in yards per game (371.6), third in the NFL in passing yards per game (258.6), and first in points per game (29.9). 

5. Laremy Tunsil

Team: Houston Texans

Position: Left Tackle

Rounding out the Top 5 on the Top 10 NFL Offensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the Houston Texans left tackle Laremy Tunsil. The eight-year NFL veteran continues to play at a high-level year in and year out.

As the Texans took a huge step forward while emerging as one of the top young teams within the AFC conference, the team’s strong play on the offensive line allowed rookie quarterback CJ Stroud to have time within the pocket as well as an opportunity to make plays.

One of those stars on the line was Laremy Tunsil who posted a strong overall performance while earning his fourth selection to the NFL Pro Bowl team. In addition, Tunsil continues to rank among the best pass blocking tackles in the NFL each season.

4. Tristan Wirfs

Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Position: Left Tackle

It is hard not to like what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs brings to the table at both the left and right tackle position.

Wirfs, who made the transition from right tackle to the left tackle position last season did not miss a beat while displaying his athleticism and strength at the position.

Since arriving in the NFL during the 2020 NFL Draft, Wirfs has been named to three NFL Pro Bowl teams while also being selected as a Second Team All-Pro in 2022 and a First Team All-Pro in 2021. Despite the transition, Wirfs ranked in the top five of all offensive tackles according to PFF after posting an 83 overall grade at the position.

3. Jordan Mailata

Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Position: Left Tackle

The Philadelphia Eagles offensive line continues to rank among the best in the NFL and the same can be said as we start to get set for the upcoming 2024 NFL schedule.

One of those talented players anchoring down the offensive line is left tackle Jordan Mailata who ranks among the best left tackles in the NFL. With Mailata anchoring down the left side of the line, the Eagles finished the season ranked eighth in the NFL in yards per game (354.4) while averaging 25.5 points per game.

The former seventh round pick during the 2018 NFL season is coming off a stellar 2023 NFL season after posting an overall grade of 84.8 from PFF. Over the course of 1147 snaps last season, the Eagles veteran tackle allowed just three total sacks.

2. Penei Sewell

Team: Detroit Lions

Position: Right Tackle

The Detroit Lions took a huge step forward during the 2023 NFL season while making a run to the NFC Championship game. Despite falling to the San Francisco 49ers and failing to reach the Super Bowl, the Lions displayed their talents on both sides of the football as well as up front on both the defensive and offensive lines.

One of those offensive tackles who took a huge step forward is right tackle Penei Sewell who was as strong as any tackle in the NFL last season.

Sewell who is entering his fourth season with the Lions was regarded as one of the top tackles within the 2021 NFL Draft and has lived up to it while producing the top overall grade (92.8) according to PFF as well as the top overall run blocker at the tackle position (95.1). 

1. Trent Williams

Team: San Francisco 49ers

Position: Left Tackle

In at number one on the Top 10 NFL Offensive Tackles 2024 Rankings list is the three-time First Team All-Pro left tackle Trent Williams.

Williams, who was traded to the 49ers prior to the start of training camp leading into the 2020 NFL season, has blossomed into the best tackle in the league with maximum protection against the pass as well as ranking among the best running blockers in the NFL.

Trent Williams finished ranked second in the NFL in overall PFF grade at the tackle position while also posting grades above 84 in both run blocking and pass blocking.

With Williams on the line the 49ers finished the season ranked second in the NFL in yards per game (398.4) as well as third in scoring (28.9 ppg). To go along with those numbers Williams allowed zero sacks during the 2024 NFL season.

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