Offensive linemen are sometimes thought-about the inspiration of a powerful soccer staff. Whether it is an athletic guard, a strong tackler or a middle with a excessive IQ, each dominant staff in NFL historical past has had a prolific high 5.
But who’re the perfect offensive linemen in NFL historical past?
Since the league’s first season in 1920, numerous abilities have graced the sphere, however just a few have had the mix of on-field ability, longevity and profitable to earn the title of among the many better of all time.
FOX Sports Research crunched the numbers and ranked the ten finest offensive linemen in NFL historical past.
While there are some apparent decisions on the high, there are additionally some shocking names that made it to our record when analyzing their performances. Where does your favourite offensive lineman slot in?
Let’s have a look:
1.Larry Allen
One of the primary causes Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time main rusher, Larry Allen began 121 video games at left guard, 45 at proper guard, 20 at left deal with and 11 at proper deal with, making seven All-Pro groups and incomes 11 Pro Bowl choices for the Cowboys. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 and is taken into account probably the most dominant guard in NFL historical past.
2. Anthony Muñoz
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, Anthony was chosen to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro 11 consecutive instances from 1981 to 1991. He was additionally named Offensive Lineman of the Year 3 times and NFL Players of the Year 4 instances Association Lineman of the Year. He began in 184 of his 185 profession video games and is likely one of the biggest left tackles in NFL historical past, spending his complete 13-year profession with the Cincinnati Bengals.
3. Jonathan Ogden
A nine-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowl, Jonathan Ogden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 for his dominant profession. The Ravens used their first draft choose on him in 1996, and he went on to spend all 12 years within the NFL with them, anchoring an offensive line that helped win the Super Bowl within the 2000 season. He began 176 of his 177 profession video games and was the perfect left deal with of the twenty first century. The solely yr he did not make the Pro Bowl was his rookie season.
4.Orlando Pace
The anchor of the offensive line for a Rams staff nicknamed “the best present on turf,” Orlando Pace was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016 after a 13-year profession that included 5 All-Pro choices, seven Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl title. It opened holes for Hall of Fame operating again Marshall Faulk, who was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player after scoring a league-record 26 touchdowns within the 2000 season. Pace began 165 of his 169 profession video games and is taken into account one of many biggest left tackles ever.
5.Jim Otto
Perhaps the best middle in NFL historical past, Jim Otto spent 15 seasons with the Raiders from 1960 to 1974, the place he earned 10 All-AFL choices and two All-Pro choices. He was one in every of three gamers to play in every of his staff’s 140 video games throughout the ten-year AFL from 1960 to 1969. By the time he retired after the 1974 season, he had began 210 consecutive common season video games and had performed in 308 video games like Raider. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980.
6. Walter Jones
Walter Jones performed and began 180 video games for the Seahawks over 14 seasons, incomes six All-Pro choices and 9 Pro Bowl nominations earlier than being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Notably, his most dominant season Jones’ left deal with got here in 2005, when he helped Shaun Alexander file a franchise file 1,half of 1 mile and set the then-NFL file for touchdowns in a single season (28).
7.Bruce Matthews
One of probably the most versatile offensive linemen in NFL historical past, Bruce Matthews performed guard, deal with and middle in his 19-year profession for the Oilers/Titans. He performed in 14 consecutive Pro Bowls (tied for probably the most ever) from 1988 to 2001 and in addition earned 9 All-Pro choices. Matthew was a three-time NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year and began 293 of his 296 video games performed within the common season and began all 15 playoff video games by which he performed. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
8. John Hannah
John Hannah was named All-Pro for 10 consecutive seasons as a guard for the Patriots from 1976 to 1985. He gained the NFL Players Association Offensive Lineman of the Year Award 4 consecutive years from 1978 to 1981, and was additionally named to 9 Pro Bowls throughout his 13-year profession with the Patriots. Hannah was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
9. Mike Webster
After sharing time with one other participant for the primary two years of his profession as middle, Mike Webster began the ultimate sport of the 1975 season after which made 150 consecutive appearances for the Steelers till 1986. He gained 4 Super Bowl titles with Pittsburgh and was chosen to eight All-Pro groups together with 9 Pro Bowl choices. Webster was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.
Zack Martin has arguably been the Cowboys’ finest participant since being taken with the sixteenth total choose within the 2014 NFL Draft. In 10 seasons earlier than 2024, he earned seven First Team All-Pro choices and in addition two Second Team choices. The solely season he did not earn an All-Pro choice was in 2020, when he missed six video games attributable to damage. He’s proper behind Allen as the best Cowboys offensive lineman ever.
Honorable point out
- Forrest Gregg
- Gene Upshaw
- Jackie Slater
- Alan Faneca
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