Ranking The Top Ten Tackles In The NFL – 2023

Offensive Linemen in football don’t often get talked about in the media. It is one of the most fascinating positions in the sport and is worth ranking the top ones. I will be ranking the top Tackles in the NFL as that is the most important one on the O-Line. A lot goes into playing Tackle, and I analyze every top Tackle’s strengths and weaknesses. A plus sign is given to those expected to improve, and an exclamation mark is given for injury risks. An honorable mentions list will be given to those who didn’t make the cut. Use promo code TREYSCHNEIDER on Underdog Fantasy to match your deposit up to $100. Please gamble responsibly and leave your feedback on Twitter @FBIntellect.

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Grading scale: 1-7

OVR Scale: 20-108

10. Terron Armstead

Terron Armstead has been a well-known name for those paying attention to football over the past eight years. He was a longtime saint and recently became a Dolphin. Armstead dramatically impacts the game when he’s been healthy, especially in pass-pro. He is one of the most intelligent and athletic players in the league. As a pass-protector, he has stellar balance and does an exceptional job of mirroring opponents. Even at his age, he gets a terrific kick slide. One fascinating thing noticed was he was significantly better in untraditional pass sets than in traditional ones. That isn’t something you’d expect out of a veteran like Armstead. He also is inconsistent in the run game, but when he wants to, he can surely pave a lane. As a Left Tackle, he may be aging but is the ideal starter for a team looking to make it to the Super Bowl.

9. Ryan Ramczyk

Ryan Ramczyk is perhaps the most unique Tackle on this list. At 6’6, he has 33′ 3/4″ arms which are just enough to work at Tackle. His most significant flaw is his lack of burst which occasionally gets him in trouble. However, he does a fantastic job compensating for his lack of athletism with elite processing skills and awareness. Additionally, he has massive hands, which shows his grip strength. That allows him to have tremendous drive as a run blocker. He has adequate agility to mirror pass rushers, making him a versatile player. He has enough get-off to reach block and does a lot of damage when he’s on the second level. His mediocre kick slide allows faster-speed rushers to get the edge on him. However, he has the agility and flexibility to handle bend well. He is well-versed as a pass-protector and as a run-blocker. His skillset limits him to RT, but he is undeniably a lovely piece for New Orleans.

8. Tyron Smith

Tyron Smith is a favorite of mine and is easily the second-best run blocker in the NFL. He’s suffered several injuries over the years, but he is a monstrous player when he’s on the field. His skill set is similar to Trent Williams though Trent is a much freakier athlete and is a bit more dominant. As a run blocker, he gets an excellent get-off and is one of the most potent finishers in the league. He has the technique to get in the proper position and the power to bulldoze through defenders. Smith has outstanding awareness when blocking in space and can sustain blocks on the move. His anchor is steady and consistent as a pass-protector, though it got worse in 2022. However, that was likely due to his injury. He isn’t the best pass protector, but he is plenty good enough to protect the blindside. Hopefully, he will be fully healthy in 2023 and returns to his dominant self.

7. Ronnie Stanley

Ronnie Stanley is another injury-prone guy, but he is everything you’d hope out of a franchise Left Tackle. He isn’t a freak athlete but has proper size and powerful arms. His kick slide is adequate to handle the speed rush. He also has plenty of agility to do a remarkable job mirroring in pass-pro. Stanley isn’t the most impactful run blocker, but he doesn’t hurt the run game, either. You see him make some nice blocks on the move. However, blocking inline, he doesn’t generate much push. He is a rock in pass-pro primarily due to his dominant anchor. The balance he has combined with his upper body strength makes for a tough man to go through. There’s a good reason he got paid an enormous contract, and Ravens fans should be happy about it.

6. Andrew Thomas

I had faith Andrew Thomas would thrive in the NFL, even when he looked rough to start. Coming out of college, he had little experience in true pass sets. Well, he’s been a dominant player since he’s gotten accustomed to true pass sets. Thomas is everything you could want in a franchise Left Tackle. He’s got length, athletism, power, and technique. He is excellent at timing the kick slide, which gives him a massive advantage. The power in his hands also allows him to generate force in the run game.
Furthermore, he is a devastating blocker in space. With a tremendous anchor and elite footwork, getting around him as a pass rusher is nearly impossible. He is still just 24 years old and will only get better from here. That is a franchise cornerstone worth paying a massive contract.

5. Laremy Tunsil

Laremy Tunsil may not be an entertaining watch, but he is one of the most impactful players in football. The effort isn’t there as a run blocker and leaves for an underwhelming watch. However, he brings every bit of effort as a pass protector. The chances you’re beating him, no matter your play style, are slim. He effortlessly mirrors defenders and gets perfect depth in his kick slides.
Moreover, he has staggering footwork and incredible balance, allowing him to anchor down easily. Great hand placement and excellent strength will enable him to grab ahold of the opponent’s chest plate and not let go. He is good enough as a run blocker to make a notable impact; it’s just not consistently seen. To protect the blind side, you couldn’t find a better young Tackle currently in the league.

4. Tristan Wirfs

There’s a good chance in a few years, Tristan Wirfs will be the best Tackle in football. He is still very young and is ascending. The incremental growth over his career has been quite remarkable. He went from being a raw developmental Tackle to becoming a franchise cornerstone piece. The raw traits were clearly there when he came out – the refinement of his game took him to the next level. In pass pro, he gets a stellar kick slide and easily anchors down. He doesn’t have long arms but is a beefed-up player, so it’s hard to knock him off balance. His agilty and footwork are nothing noteworthy, but plenty suffice in pass pro. He gets an excellent get-off as a run blocker and can wreak havoc at times in the second level. Being an elite pass-protector and one of the best run blockers is highly impressive. Wirfs makes blocking look easy, and he will only get better from here on out.

3. David Bakhtiari

David Bakhtiari gets the crown as the best pass protector but ranks lower due to his lack of run-blocking skills. There’s undoubtedly no other player you’d want protecting your blind side currently in the NFL. He may not be the ideal athlete at his age, but he compensates well with some of the best agility and footwork in football and a high IQ. There are better anchors out there, but he does a fantastic job with hand placement and mirroring pass rushers. It is incredibly challenging to win with finesse or bend against Bakhtiari. Even if you want to bullrush him, he will likely get his hands on your chest and not let go. As a run blocker, he is sufficient; he just won’t elevate the run game like some of these other Tackles would. However, you can live with that, as he’s a world-class pass-protector.

2. Lane Johnson

Lane Johnson has always been a star at Tackle, but recently, he’s emerged as one of the most dominant players in the league. What he did playing against Nick Bosa in the playoffs was simply incredible. He also stepped up against multiple other big-time opponents. While his power isn’t anything special, his athletism is elite. Additionally, he times the snap better than anyone in football. Johnson is so quick off the snap – it looks like he’s taking a false start most of the time. His quickness also allows him to recover if he initially loses. The speed in his hands is arguably the best in the league. That will enable him to handle power and finesse as he can gain a leverage advantage. Very few Tackles pick up stunts as well as Johnson does. He has exceptional awareness and good tenacity to finish blocks when blocking on the move. Even at his age, he is still a player you feel great about having.

Honorable Mentions: Kolton Miller (85.0), Brian O’Neil (83.8), Christian Darrisaw (83.4), Garett Bolles (83.0), Rashawn Slater (82.7)

Kolton Miller has been a consistent centerpiece of the Las Vegas offense for quite some time. He’s one of the most efficient pass protectors on this list. Brian O’Neil is a balanced Right Tackle with outstanding mobility. He is a staple in that Minnesota offense. Chrisitan Darrisaw is a young, ascending Left Tackle who has prototypical traits. He could very well be an elite Tackle soon. Garett Bolles broke out a few years ago and hasn’t looked back since. He’s getting up there in age but is still a valuable player. Rashawn Slater was having a terrific year before he tore his Bicep. He may be undersized, but he has an excellent kick slide with elite agility.

1. Trent Williams

There is a legitimate argument to be made that Trent Williams is the best player in the NFL. He’s been dominant as a run blocker for quite some time, but recently he’s been one of the best pass protectors in the league. To be one of the most dominant run blockers ever and also be a lockdown pass protector is simply unheard of. His get-off is bar none the best in the NFL. He is lightning-quick out of stance and is practically a wrecking ball in space. The raw power is elite, and the technique with his hands is tremendous. That makes for an unstoppable force in the run game. His kick slide is up there for some of the best around, and his footwork is also stellar. He is an enormous player, and that, combined with his explosiveness, makes for extraordinary force. He genuinely must be one of the most daunting players to line up against on Sunday. There’s a valid reason he got paid the highest Tackle contract at the time while he was in his 30s.