PlayerProfiler is home to award-winning dynasty rankings and tools. Our Dynasty Deluxe package includes complete Dynasty Rankings, Rookie Rankings, Trade Analyzer, Draft Planner, Mock Drafts, and more. Check it out! Below, Dan Fornek is back with his Fantasy Football Winners & Losers: OL Edition.
Fantasy football is played with skill players (and quarterbacks). However, offensive linemen make up at least 45 percent of the players on the field on any given play. Understanding how different moves along the offensive line can help fantasy managers identify players to target and avoid in their drafts.
There were a lot of significant moves this offseason that will be directly impacted by offensive line play in 2025. Some involve actual linemen switching or being drafted to teams. Others involve players finding themselves in new surroundings with a different supporting cast. All of them have some relevance to fantasy football.
Which players were winners and losers based on the offensive line moves around them? Read below to find out.
Winners
Cam Ward
Some of Will Levis‘s struggles in 2024 can be chalked up to poor offensive line play. Levis had the sixth-highest pressure rate of any quarterback in 2024 (32.3 percent) and the sixth-lowest time to throw (2.52 seconds). Tennessee tried to mitigate that issue by drafting Cam Ward with the first overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. But it was clear the offense needed other upgrades as well.
For the second straight season, the Titans spent valuable resources to upgrade their offensive line. First, the team signed free agent left tackle Dan Moore Jr. to a four-year, $82 million contract. Moore is coming off his best career season (67.2 PFF grade). He allowed a 6.6-percent pressure rate in his final season with Pittsburgh. The move allows the Titans to move 2024 first-round pick J.C. Latham back to his natural position at right tackle after an uneven rookie season on the left side.
JC Latham Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The Titans also bolstered their interior offensive line by signing veteran right guard Kevin Zeitler. The veteran guard allowed a career-high five sacks in his lone season with Detroit. But he has four straight seasons with fewer than 20 pressures allowed. He’s had a 74.0 or higher PFF grade in 11 of 13 seasons.
Tennessee’s offensive line will go into 2025 as a strength with these additions, especially if center Lloyd Cushenberry III can return to full strength quickly after tearing his Achilles in 2024. This group will have things to prove as run blockers. But there should be a clear improvement in pass protection in 2025.
R.J. Harvey and J.K. Dobbins
Denver’s running back room left a lot to be desired in 2024. Denver’s three leading rushers (Javonte Williams, Jaleel McLaughlin, and Audric Estime) combined for 326 carries, 1,319 yards, and seven rushing touchdowns.
A lot of that blame should not fall on the offensive line. Denver’s returning starters combined for the 15th-best PFF run-blocking grade in 2024 (69.6). The Broncos had the 12th most yards before contact rushing the ball (2.1). Despite that, their top three rushers finished 27th in yards per carry (4.0). The Broncos also had the 20th-ranked stuffed run rate (19.7 percent) of their backs.
Denver has a good run-blocking offensive line, but they struggled to create rushing lanes for their plodders in the backfield. We will get to see their impact on the ground in 2025 with talent upgrades in rookie R.J. Harvey and veteran running back J.K. Dobbins.
Dobbins had a strong season with the Chargers despite a subpar run-blocking offensive line. He tallied a 13.4-percent explosive run rate (10+ yard runs) despite averaging just 1.9 yards before contact. Harvey, the team’s 2025 second-round pick, finished fourth in the NCAA in yards per attempt (minimum 63 attempts) with 6.8 yards and had the second most 10+ yard runs (54) in his final season at UCF.
The Broncos’ offensive line has a strong reputation as one of the best pass-protection units in the NFL. In 2025, we will see their reputation grow as a run-blocking unit with running backs who can take advantage of rushing lanes.
The Chicago Bears
Expectations were exceptionally high for the Bears’ offense in 2024 with Caleb Williams under center and D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze, and Keenan Allen at wide receiver. The Bears didn’t come close to meeting those expectations.
Chicago’s offense struggled with a bad scheme, but more importantly, the passing attack was frequently stifled thanks to pressures and sacks generated by opposing defenses.
The Bears surrendered an NFL-leading 68 sacks and the ninth-most pressures (200) in 2024. Williams was pressured on 29.2 percent of his dropbacks and had a 9.8 percent sack rate. To be fair, a lot of this fell on Williams holding the ball too long (2.64 seconds before pressure, 6th best in the NFL), but the offensive line was far from blameless.
Chicago’s interior offensive linemen were credited with 18 sacks and 94 pressures. Things weren’t much better in the run game. The Bears’ running backs averaged just 2.17 yards before contact on the interior offensive line.
Coaching Change
The Bears’ offense will benefit from new head coach Ben Johnson‘s upgraded offensive scheme. But arguably the most important additions came along the offensive line.
Ozzy Trapilo Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Chicago signed center Drew Dalman in free agency and traded for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. Dalman and Thuney allowed two sacks and 35 pressures combined in 2024. If you include Jackson’s 2023 season with Detroit (he was injured most of 2024), those numbers increase to four sacks and 59 pressures. The Bears also used a second-round pick on Boston College tackle Ozzy Trapilo. At worst, Trapilo creates depth at tackle. However, he should immediately compete at left tackle to upgrade incumbent starter Braxton Jones.
More importantly, this group will have a real impact on the run game. Thuney, Dalman, and Jackson (2023) helped their respective running backs earn an average of 3.9 yards before contact in their gaps. Of course, the talent surrounding these players matters in that context, but all three are far better run blockers than anything Chicago had in 2025.
Caleb Williams should have more time in the pocket to find his weapons in 2025. Even more importantly, Chicago’s backfield should enjoy much bigger run lanes next season. Things are looking up for Chicago, and it starts in the trenches.
The Minnesota Vikings
Minnesota had a fantastic season with Sam Darnold under center, but the offensive line left a lot to be desired. The Vikings had the seventh-highest pressure rate (31. 6 percent) and the fifth-lowest clean pocket rate (61.9%) in 2024. Minnesota also had a bottom 10 rushing success rate (38.9 percent) despite getting a career-best season from Aaron Jones.
The issue with Minnesota’s offensive line was mostly confined to the interior, although things certainly got worse when Christian Darrisaw suffered a torn ACL in Week 8.
The combination of center Garrett Bradbury and guards Ed Ingram, Dalton Risner, and Blake Brandel allowed 16 sacks and 118 pressures. The Vikings desperately needed this group to perform better, especially with second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy set to debut in 2025.
Reinforcements
Minnesota massively upgraded its interior offensive line during the offseason, although there are risks. The Vikings signed former Indianapolis center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries in free agency. Kelly is an above-average center with an extensive history of injury issues. Fries was in the middle of his best career season (86.9 PFF grade on 268 snaps) before suffering a season-ending injury.
The Vikings also used their first-round pick on Ohio State guard Donovan Jackson. Jackson was the top interior offensive lineman in his recruiting class, but never developed into that tier of prospect. However, he’s an excellent run blocker and had a stellar run as Ohio State’s left tackle after Josh Simmons was injured.
Donovan Jackson Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
These moves, plus the return of Darrisaw, turn Minnesota’s offensive line into a strength heading into 2025. The group will need to stay healthy for the offense to truly hit its potential. However, there is no doubt that Minnesota’s line will be much better equipped as pass protectors and run blockers next season. Both the run game and pass game should benefit greatly from these offseason additions.
Losers
Patrick Mahomes
On the surface, the Chiefs worked hard to address the gaping hole at left tackle that contributed to them losing the Super Bowl to the Philadelphia Eagles. Kansas City signed former 49ers backup left tackle Jaylon Moore to a two-year, $30 million contract to add experience to the position. The team also drafted Ohio State left tackle Josh Simmons in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Both moves address the key issue in Kansas City, but they also have considerable risk in 2025. Moore has been tabbed as the heir apparent to Trent Williams in San Francisco since being drafted in 2021. Unfortunately, Williams remained one of the best left tackles in the NFL and rarely came off the field.
Moore looked good in limited sample sizes, but also has just 826 career snaps at left tackle. He has allowed a 6.9 percent pressure rate when given opportunities. But we have no idea what he will look like if he is thrust into a full-time role in 2025.
There is a world where Josh Simmons would have been the first tackle drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft thanks to his blend of athleticism, size, and finishing ability. Unfortunately, Simmons tore his patellar tendon in Ohio State’s sixth game of the season. His blocking numbers look stellar (one hurry on 158 pass-blocking snaps), but he didn’t match up against many of the premium pass rushers on Ohio State’s schedule.
Josh Simmons Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
A patellar tendon is also a very complicated injury that has ended several NFL careers, so time will tell how well he is able to recover in 2025 (him being cleared for training camp is a good start).
Departures
Additionally, the Chiefs traded away long-time left guard Joe Thuney during the offseason. During his four seasons in Kansas City, Thuney never played fewer than 999 snaps or finished with a PFF grade below 74.0 and a pass-blocking grade below 82.0. He allowed just four sacks and 89 pressures as a Chief, with 14 of those coming in his stint as a left tackle in 2024.
That leaves the Chiefs with potentially two new starters on the left side of the offensive line, with a chance that either Moore or Simmons could take over at right tackle for the inconsistent Jawaan Taylor (12 sacks and 84 pressures allowed in two seasons with Kansas City). Additionally, Trey Smith remains one of the best run-blocking guards in the NFL, but has struggled in pass protection throughout his career (141 pressures allowed in four seasons).
Kansas City did its best to upgrade the offensive line, but there are still plenty of questions about just how effective this group will be, especially in pass protection. Fantasy managers hoping that Kansas City will return to their big-play form may once again be subjected to watching Patrick Mahomes run for his life and make plays outside of structure.
Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold was a league winner at quarterback in 2024, finishing as the QB9 in fantasy points per game (18.8) during his lone season with the Minnesota Vikings. Darnold completed 66.2 percent of his passes for 4,319 yards, 35 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions, leading the Vikings to a 14-win season.
The strong year allowed Darnold to sign a three-year, $100.5 million contract with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason. Seattle believes that Darnold can repeat his excellent performance without the benefit of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, and Aaron Jones.
Darnold’s supporting cast will certainly be worse next season, but the downgrade will be felt along the offensive line. Minnesota didn’t have the best unit in pass protection (24 sacks and 192 pressures allowed on 548 pass attempts), but they were still better across the board than Seattle (34 sacks and 232 pressures on 593 pass attempts).
Like most quarterbacks, Darnold struggles as a passer under pressure. When passing in a clean pocket in 2024, Darnold completed 73.7 percent of his passes. He accumulated 3,092 yards and 22 touchdowns with just seven interceptions (376 attempts). When pressured, he completed just 49.7 percent of his passes for 1,227 yards, 13 touchdowns, and five interceptions (236 attempts). That completion percentage under pressure was over three percentage points higher than any other season in Darnold’s career (minimum 100 attempts).
Seattle has a solid (but oft-injured) tackle tandem in Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas. They also drafted Grey Zabel in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft to be their left guard. However, this is still a questionable unit that will need to prove it can stay healthy and hold up in pass protection in 2025.
Grey Zabel Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Quinshon Judkins
Quinshon Judkins was the third running back drafted in the 2025 NFL Draft. He was selected in the second round by the Cleveland Browns. Judkins was highly productive in his first two seasons at Ole Miss (545 carries for 2,725 yards and 31 touchdowns with 37 receptions for 281 yards and three receiving scores) before transferring to Ohio State in 2024 to pursue a National Championship.
Judkins also performed well in a split backfield with TreVeyon Henderson in his final college season. He was frequently used as the early down back and late-game closer, racking up 194 carries for 1,060 yards and 14 touchdowns while adding 22 receptions for 161 yards and two receiving scores.
On the surface, Cleveland is a great landing spot. For years, we got to witness Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt rack up big rushing totals behind one of the most imposing offensive lines in the NFL. However, the situation Judkins is entering is far different.
Cleveland’s once dominant offensive line has gotten old in a hurry, which has led to regression in the run game. The Browns’ offensive line allowed just 1.9 rushing yards before contact in 2024, the 14th-best mark of any team. However, they were a bottom-10 offensive line in terms of success rate (38.4 percent), stuffed run rate (21.0 percent), and expected points added (-41.9).
The Browns had just two offensive linemen (right guard Wyatt Teller and center Ethan Pocic) finish 2024 with a PFF run blocking grade above 60.0. Neither had a grade above 64.0. The Browns will also have one new starter on the offensive line after letting Jedrick Wills Jr. walk in free agency.
Quinshon Judkins can still have a good season. However, it will have to be on volume instead of big plays behind a strong offensive line.
David Montgomery
For the first time in a long time, the Lions are facing an overhaul across their offensive line. Detroit allowed right guard Kevin Zeitler to leave in free agency. Center Frank Ragnow also elected to retire after the NFL Draft. That leaves a substantial hole in the middle of the offensive line.
Initially, it looked like Detroit was going into 2025 with an inexperienced left guard (2024 sixth-round pick Christian Mahogany) and a rookie right guard (second-round pick Tate Ratledge). In that scenario, veteran Graham Glasgow would go back to a depth role after an inconsistent 2024 at left guard (57.9 PFF grade).
Now, Glasgow will need to remain a starter at either guard or center (2,611 career snaps played). During minicamp, the Lions experimented with Ratledge at center. That’s a position he had never played during his time with Georgia.
Tate Ratledge Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
The upheaval on the interior offensive line poses more of a problem for David Montgomery than it does for Jahmyr Gibbs.
Over the last two seasons, 63.5 percent of David Montgomery‘s rushing attempts have been between the B-gaps (outside shoulder of each guard). He’s averaged 4.5 yards per carry on interior runs with 21 carries of 10+ yards in those gaps. By comparison, just 53 percent of Jahmyr Gibbs‘s rushing attempts have been inside the tackles since being drafted in 2023.
The changes to the offensive line (along with the loss of offensive coordinator Ben Johnson) could create issues in Detroit’s highly efficient rushing attack. That could spell problems for David Montgomery‘s typical efficiency behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.
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