NFL Top 10 Series: Offensive Tackles

The Top 10 Series is finally moving on past the unfortunately long and tired process of going through the quarterbacks. I apologize for how long that took and how long this process is taking. I eventually do promise to have this done by the beginning of the season (which is a grand total of 75 days away). Nonetheless, now that we have moved past that, it’s time to continue the process. Today’s position: offensive tackles. They’re largely important and without them, quarterbacks would be reduced to mince meat. Here’s my Top 10. Critique it and complain as much as you want.

1. Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns: The best offensive tackle in the league checks in and he's been the very best ever since he set foot on an NFL field after being drafted in 2007. Joe Thomas comes from OLine U (Wisconsin) and ever since he's a rookie he's been dominating edge rushers every time he's on the field. From 2008-10 his Pass Blocking Efficiency rate according to Pro Football Focus was 3.17 which was fourth best in the league, and in 2010 his efficiency rate was 3.48, also fourth. But 2011 was a big, big season for Thomas. He finished second in the NFL in PBE, and given that Harvey Dahl had only 200 snaps at tackle to Thomas 654, you could say he was by far the better tackle. He allowed just 21 pressures last year and through the first 15 weeks of the season, allowed just 3 sacks. His run blocking has dipped a bit since 2009 but he still remains the best. 

2. Jason Peters, Philadelphia Eagles: The Philadelphia Eagles will sorely miss Peters next year after he tore his achilles tendon not once, but twice. Admittedly I think I overrated him a bit but he had an incredible 2011 season to back it up. He helped the Eagles offensive line be ranked as the best run blocking line in the NFL last year according to PFF and held his own in the passing game. His protection skills are beneficial for an offense that has a quarterback who is always on the move. He fit like a glove in Howard Mudd's system and his skills will be missed. 

3. Jake Long, Miami Dolphins: Since being drafted #1 overall in 2008, Jake Long has been the real deal. The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro quickly made his presence felt by being a stalwart for the most part no matter who came out of the revolving door of quarterbacks that the Dolphins have had. He's protected their blindsides very well and especially in 2010 when he finished with the lowest PBE of anybody (2.71) on 637 snaps. His production tailed off a bit in 2011, and hopefully he can rebound well in 2012. 

4. D’Brickashaw Ferguson, New York Jets: The Brick has been a very, very good tackle for the New York Jets. If Wayne Hunter could be half as good as him Jets fans would not have such a problem with him. Great in run-blocking and his pass protection is far from shoddy. It was somewhat middle of the road from how he did in 2010 when he came away with the third best blocking efficiency for left tackles on 687 snaps. From 2008 to 2010, his PBE was 8th best, and only allowed 75 pressures through those three seasons. Very good, and also has the best name in football too. 

5. Michael Roos, Tennessee Titans: An incredibly underrated tackle, and I'm perplexed as to why this is the case. Roos is very good at what he does and deserves a lot more recognition than he gets. He allowed just 87 pressures from 2008-10 and last year he only allowed 35. Given that he has faced the likes of Mario Williams, Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis twice a year for the past four seasons, it's an incredible accomplishment to be as good as he is. He was one of the focal points for Chris Johnson's 2000-yard campaign as well. The 3-time All-Pro definitely needs to be in the common and casual discussion and needs to be recognized as an elite talent. 

6. Jordan Gross, Carolina Panthers: A mainstay for the Panthers the last couple of seasons, Jordan Gross continues to play very well at the left tackle position. Gross' play did downgrade slightly in 2011 but we'll continue to give him the benefit of the doubt and call it an anomaly. His play in 2010 was rather stellar, picking up the sixth best PBE in the NFL on 573 pass blocking snaps. Gross is also one of the many reasons that the Panthers have had an elite run blocking line. He's one of the most dependable guys in the league and gets the job done in the trenches. Cam Newton will be sure to continue to appreciate him and his play as time goes on. 

7. Andrew Whitworth, Cincinnati Bengals: Now here is a guy that is rising up the charts with his play. Since his rookie year in 2006, he has only missed six games as the full time starter and besides that, has played every single game of his career. Whitworth's numbers speak for themselves. He came in sixth among tackles in PBE from 2008-10 on 1644 pass blocking snaps when he only allowed 66 pressures through those three seasons. Last year was his best season yet. He allowed 20 pressures on 582 snaps, so merely 3.4% of the time he was on the field, he was allowing a pressure. Just insanely good numbers. The most underrated tackle in football right now, by far.

8. Branden Albert, Kansas City Chiefs: With new teammate Eric Winston joining the Chiefs in the offseason, Albert + Winston could very well be the best tackle tandem in the league. I like Albert as he's incredibly solid at pass protection and run blocking and is one of the driving forces for Kansas City's line being very good. His 2011 season was worth recognition as he allowed just 24 pressures on 545 snaps. Through December 15, he only allowed 5 tackles, 5 hits, and 12 hurries, which, of course, adds up to 22. So from then on, he finished the season strong without letting up anything. Note that the Chiefs played the likes of the Packers, Broncos and Raiders, three teams with some solid pass rushers on them. Up and coming tackle on the rise? You bet.

9. Eric Winston, Kansas City Chiefs: When the Texans cut Eric Winston in the offseason, I was honestly perplexed as to why they would do this. Over the last three seasons, he has been very good at pass blocking in the zone-blocking scheme that the Texans use. He allowed only 20 sacks, 13 hits, and 57 hurries on 1,756 snaps. Winston has had incredible consistency over that time so you have to wonder what the Texans were thinking cutting him. Nonetheless, the Chiefs are going to reap the rewards of Winston and it should keep Matt Cassel very happy, upright, and protected in the pocket. 

10. Tyson Clabo, Atlanta Falcons: If the Falcons were lucky to have two Tyson Clabo's at tackle instead of one Tyson Clabo and one Sam Baker, then they might be in a better position than they are in now. Unfortunately they are in that position, and they do have a weak link at the left tackle position. Nonetheless, Tyson Clabo has been a very good right tackle for them during his tenure with Atlanta. From 2008-10, on 1,877 pass blocking snaps, he only let up 95 pressures, for a PBE of 4.01. In other words, 95% of the time he was on the field, he was doing the right thing and protecting Matt Ryan. In 2011, Clabo kept that level of play up when he only allowed 28 pressures on 635 snaps, so 95.6% of the time he was doing the right thing on the field. Very good, very underrated, and the brightest of spots on a mediocre offensive line.