For a very long time, the NFL was ruled by the offensive and defensive lines. Nothing else mattered as much as controlling the line of scrimmage. As the years have gone on and the rules have changed, for safety and entertainment purposes, the quarterback has become head and shoulders above the most important part of a roster.
That doesn’t mean line play is not important but, the way the NFL is setup, it can’t be as important as the guy throwing the football.
The Cleveland Browns have invested heavily on both sides of the line of scrimmage led by DE Myles Garrett and OL Joel Bitonio. Those are far from the big names as Za’Darius Smith, Dalvin Tomlinson and Ogbonnia Okoronkwo were bit time acquisitions, along with smaller moves for Shelby Harris and Maurice Hurst, for the defensive line last year.
On offense, Jack Conklin, Wyatt Teller and Ethan Pocic have joined Bitonio as among the highest-paid at their positions while a first-round pick was spent on Jedrick Wills and Dawand Jones surprised everyone with a big rookie season.
With that investment, there is no surprise that the Browns lines are among four teams ranked within the top five by Pro Football Focus:
Of the four teams listed above, only the New York Jets missed the playoffs but their offensive line ranking is based on what PFF expects in 2024.
While line play is no longer enough to make for a Super Bowl-level team, Cleveland road theirs, despite poor quarterback play, to an 11-win season and a playoff birth.
Are you surprised by where the Browns lines rank? Do you think any other teams deserve to be top five on both sides?