Ranking NFC East Starters: Interior Offensive Linemen

Ranking NFC East Starters: Interior Offensive Linemen

It’s important to compare the Philadelphia Eagles to their division rivals, as those teams will be their main competition for a playoff spot. This series will compare the starting rosters of the four NFC East teams, continuing with interior offensive linemen.

Centers:

1. Jason Kelce, Philadelphia Eagles

Kelce displays unreal athletic ability for an offensive lineman of any position. His athleticism sets him apart from other centers and is a major reason why he’s been selected as a first-team All-Pro in consecutive seasons. He maintained his status as the NFL’s premiere center after playing all 16 games while dealing with a sprained MCL, a torn elbow, and a broken foot. He also delivers a speech like no other.

2. Travis Frederick, Dallas Cowboys

Frederick may be right behind Kelce in the league’s center hierarchy, but he missed all of last season due to Guillain–Barré syndrome. He’s made the Pro Bowl in four of the five seasons that he’s played, and is also a 3x All-Pro. He has been limited in workouts so far but is almost due to return to full action.

3. Chase Roullier, Washington Redskins

Roullier was one of the few bright spots on an injury-marred Redskins line last season. He’s no Kelce or Frederick by any means, but he’s steadily improved in his two seasons as a pro. He should continue his ascent with the aid of healthy linemen surrounding him.

4. Jon Halapio, New York Giants

After stints with three other teams, Halapio has finally settled down with the Giants. He came into the 2018 season as the starting center, but a broken leg shelved him for most of the season. He resigned with New York on March 8.

Offensive Guards:

1. Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys

Arguably the NFL’s finest guard, Martin has been selected as a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro in every season of his career. He’s started all 78 games he’s played in since his rookie season, and it’s no coincidence that Dallas running backs have been outstanding ever since his arrival. Ever since he was drafted, there’s only been one season where a Dallas RB hasn’t hit 1,000 yards, and it was 2017, when Ezekiel Elliott fell 17 yards short thanks to a six-game suspension.

2. Brandon Brooks, Philadelphia Eagles

In only three seasons, Brooks has proven himself to be one of the best free agent signings in Eagles history. The former third-round pick of the Houston Texans has been named to back-to-back Pro Bowls and was a staple on Philadelphia’s Super Bowl team. He’s another one of those highly athletic linemen that the Eagles love.

3. Brandon Scherff, Washington Redskins

Another player in the impressive collection of guards in this division, Scherff is also a back-to-back Pro Bowler (‘16 & ‘17). He’s more than lived up to his fifth overall pick status and only missed two career games prior to the pectoral injury that cost him half of 2018. His health is vital to the development of rookie QB Dwayne Haskins.

4. Kevin Zeitler, New York Giants

Zeitler was the most notable addition for the Giants from the infamous Odell Beckham trade. He’s been a solid player his entire career, although he hasn’t been named to any All-Pro teams or selected to any Pro Bowls. A former first-round pick of Cincinnati, the Browns temporarily made him the league’s highest-paid guard.

5. Will Hernandez, New York Giants

Hernandez stepped in as a rookie and became one of the very few bright spots on the Giants offensive line. He is primed to become a top guard in the league for years to come, a positive sign for rookie QB Daniel Jones.

6. Isaac Seumalo, Philadelphia Eagles

Seumalo is versatile and can play all over the line, but there isn’t any one thing he does too well. The Eagles could do much worse at the position.

7. Connor Williams, Dallas Cowboys

The second round pick from Texas started the season for Dallas but was later benched for Xavier Su’a-Filo. He isn’t last on this list because Ereck Flowers is now a guard.

8. Ereck Flowers, Washington Redskins

Flowers received a position change along with a team change this offseason. He’s been ineffective ever since he was selected ninth overall in 2015, and the Redskins hope they can change that.

-By: Micah Jimoh