Offensive Line Rankings: Breaking down the NFL's best/worst protection units

Fantasy football might be powered by skill-position stars, but offensive lines are the driving force that set most week-winning performances in motion.

As you prepare for your drafts, it's crucial to consider how lines have changed heading into the new season and how those changes impact the players they're blocking for.

Below, we rank all 32 offensive lines, taking into account past performance, offseason upgrades, overall depth, and the very underrated element of continuity.

Offensive Line Rankings
32-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

32. Seattle Seahawks

Depth: Mark Glowinski, Rees Odhiambo, Patrick Lewis, Bradley Sowell, Terry Poole, Kristjan Sokoli

In the past, the Seahawks could take pride in having Russell Okung anchor the left edge, but those days are over in Seattle. The current iteration of their line not only lacks star power, it lacks reliable talent. Russell Wilson's been able to overcome the failings of his blockers, but the running game could struggle to find daylight behind this group.

31. Los Angeles Rams

Depth: Isaiah Battle, Andrew Donnall, Garrett Reynolds, Darrell Williams, Demetrius Rhaney

Perhaps the Rams' investments in the offensive front will yield the desired results sooner than later. As it currently stands, though, this line remains one of the NFL's least inspiring. Robinson needs to start playing like the tackle the Rams thought they were getting at No. 2 overall in 2014.

30. Chicago Bears

Depth: Nate Chandler, Nick Becton, Jason Weaver, Cornelius Edison, Amini Silatolu, Hroniss Grasu (IR)

Long and Massie can form a strong duo on the right side, but Chicago has the potential to struggle from center to left tackle. Whitehair, a second-round rookie, needs to make an immediate impact to keep this unit from again being a problem.

29. Denver Broncos

Depth: Connor McGovern, Michael Schofield, Sam Brenner, James Ferentz, Robert Myers

Stephenson is a liability at right tackle, but if Okung can stay healthy and their young trio of interior linemen coalesces, the Broncos' line will outperform this ranking.

28. San Francisco 49ers

Depth: Anthony Davis, Brandon Thomas, Marcus Martin, Trent Brown, John Theus, Fahn Cooper, Ian Silberman

Just a few years ago, the 49ers had one of the better lines in football, but stud left tackle Staley is their only constant now. Beyond him, this is an extremely weak unit, unless first-round run-mauler Garnett can step up immediately and/or Davis can return to form after taking a year off.

27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Depth: Evan Smith, Gosder Cherilus, Garrett Gilkey, Kevin Pamphile, Caleb Benenoch

The Buccaneers have invested plenty of resources into solidifying the offensive line. Whether that pays off at any point in the near future is anyone's guess. There are too many unknowns heading into 2016, particularly when it comes to replacing Logan Mankins after he opted for retirement.

26. New York Jets

Depth: Dakota Dozier, Ben Ijalana, Wesley Johnson, Brandon Shell, Jarvis Harrison

The Jets aren't getting any points for past reputation here. Perennial Pro Bowl center Mangold is on the backside of his career and D'Brickashaw Ferguson retired abruptly in the offseason. Clady, Ferguson's replacement, has missed two of the last three seasons due to injury and is coming off a torn ACL.

25. Kansas City Chiefs

Depth: Jah Reid, Jordan Devey, Zach Fulton, Jarrod Pughsley, Reid Fragel

Schwartz stepping in as the free-agent prize could go a long way toward addressing the protection issues the Chiefs have dealt with of late. There's still too much uncertainty on the interior, however, and it's a little early to feel certain that Fisher's completely past his early career struggles.

24. Indianapolis Colts

Depth: Jonotthan Harrison, Denzelle Good, Le'Raven Clark, Joe Haeg, Austin Blythe

The Colts are finally putting the pieces together in an effort to keep Andrew Luck upright. Five years after taking Castonzo in the first round, the Colts found a franchise center by selecting Kelly 18th overall. Even as a rookie starter, Kelly will help move this line in the right direction.

23. Cleveland Browns

Depth: Shon Coleman, Spencer Drango, Alvin Bailey, Garth Gerhart, Kaleb Johnson

Losing a pair of top-tier starters to free agency makes for a disastrous situation up front. Not only is there far less talent in place, but Alex Mack and Mitchell Schwartz moving on forces Cleveland to hit the reset button in terms of continuity. One of the few bright spots, of course, is that Thomas has only continued playing at a Hall of Fame level.

22. New York Giants

Depth: Byron Stingily, Bobby Hart, Brett Jones, Ryan Seymour, Shane McDermott

The Giants' line is an unspectacular group that gets the job done thanks to the sum of its parts, not individual performances. Flowers didn't play like a top 10 pick during his rookie season, and if that trend continues, the team may regret passing on Laremy Tunsil in this year's draft.

21. Jacksonville Jaguars

Depth: Mackenzy Bernadeau, Brandon Linder, Josh Wells, Jeff Linkenbach, Tyler Shatley

Landing Beachum in free agency was one of the best moves of the offseason. If healthy, he'll be a significant upgrade in pass protection on the left side. Joeckel excelling in a transition to guard would make for a decent line across the board, but there's certainly no guarantee he will.

Offensive Line Rankings
32-21 | 20-11 | 10-1