2025 NFC West: Offensive Line Comparisons

How does the Cardinals’ offensive line stack up against their division rivals?

As is a yearly tradition here at ROTB, we compare the Cardinals’ projected starters on the offensive line to those of the Rams. 49ers and Seahawks. Typically, heading into training camp the Cardinals’ offensive line has gotten little love from NFL pundits.

This year —- there has been a change in point of view, according to 10-year NFL scout, Scott Barrett!

Ranking All 32 Offensive Lines in the NFL

2025 NFC West Projected Offensive Line Starters:

LT:

1. SFO —- Trent Williams —- 85.6* (10 games started in 2024)
2. SEA —- Charles Cross —- 82.5
3. ARI —- Paris Johnson Jr. —- 80.8
4. LAR —- D.J. Humphries —- 44.8* (UFA 2025, Joe Noteboom left in FA, Alaric Jackson on IR)

LG:

1. LAR —- Steve Avila —- 66.1
2. ARI —- Evan Brown —- 65.9
3. SFO —- Ben Bartch —- (74.8 in 3 games for SFO in 2024)
4. SEA —- Grey Zabel —- R

C:

1. ARI —- Hjalte Froholdt —- 76.1
2. LAR —- Coleman Shelton —- 66.4* (UFA 2025 CHI)
3. SFO —- Jake Brendal —- 65.0
4. SEA —- Olu Oluwatami —- 64.2

RG:

1. SFO —- Dominick Puni —- 80.5
2. LAR —- Kevin Dotson —- 78.2
3. ARI —- Isaiah Adams —- 58.4
4. SEA —- Christian Haynes —- 48.5

RT:

1. LAR —- Rob Havenstein —- 75.8
2. SFO —- Colton McKivitz —- 72.2
3. ARI —- Jonah Williams —- 70.7* (6 games in 2024)
4. SEA —- Abraham Lucas —- 61.9 (7 games in 2024)

2024 Run Blocking NFC West Rankings:

1. SFO—- #3
2. LAR —- #6
3. ARI —- #14
4. SEA —- #24

2024 Pass Blocking NFC West Rankings:

1. ARI —- #4
2. SFO —- #11
3. SEA —- #26
4. LAR —- #30

2024 Offense NFC West Rankings:

1. SFO —- #5
2. ARI —- #7
3. LAR —- #9
4. SEA —- #16

2024 Passing Offense NFC West Rankings:

1. SEA —- #7
2. ARI —- #8
3. LAR —- #19
4. SFO —- #20

2024 Rushing Offense NFC West Rankings:

1. SEA —- #6
2. ARI —- #9
3. SFO —- #13
4. LAR —- #22

2024 Offensive DVOA NFC West Rankings:

1. LAR —- #9
2. ARI —- #12
3. SFO —- #14
4. SEA —- #18

2025 Continuity —- combined 2024 starts for returning starters:

1. ARI —- 65
2. SFO —- 54
3. SEA —- 41
4. LAR —- 40

Total Points:

1. ARI —- 35
2. SFO —- 34
3. LAR —- 28
4. SEA —- 22

Scott DiBenedetto’s 2025 NFL Offensive Line Rankings

2025 NFL Offensive Line Rankings | Fantasy Points

What makes a good offensive line?

Scott’s criteria with my 2025 grades for Cardinals:

• Continuity — I can’t stress enough how important continuity is for an offensive line. Yes, teams have seen quick improvements after bringing in a new player, but the more a unit plays together, the better the communication and overall quality of play.

(Mitch’s OL continuity grade for 2025 Cardinals: A-. The Cardinals are returning all 5 starters last season, save for G Will Hernandez. Yet Isaiah Adams was able to take 462 snaps as a rookie 10-game starter last season).

• Depth — OL injuries can derail any team (Trent Williams last year), but having quality replacements can keep a team competitive. With the Browns in 2020, I learned that you can never have too many linemen, but they have to be capable.

(Mitch’s depth grade for 2025 Cardinals: A-. To being with, re-signing T Kelvin Beachum was outstanding. Monti then added solid depth players in UFA G Royce Newman and UFA G/T Jake Curhan, to add to returners T Christian Jones R5-24, G/C Jon Gaines II R4-23, C Sincere Haynesworth, G Nick Leverett SFA24 and McClendon Curtis SF2A5. plus what excites me perhaps the most is the Cardinals’ drafting of Texas mauler G Hayden Conner R6-25 and a trio of talented undrafted tackles in Ohio St. starting RT Josh Fryer, UConn starting LT Valentin Senn and Florida St. starting RT Jeremiah Byers).

• Quality additions — There’s typically turnover every year with OL groups. Adding the right veteran or draft pick could be the missing piece to becoming an elite unit.

(Mitch’s OL quality additions grade for 2025 Cardinals: A-. Same reasons as above).

• Veteran/Youth split — Playing offensive line as a rookie or second-year player is incredibly difficult, so having helpful vets can speed up a young player’s development.

(Mitch’s Veteran/Youth split grade for 2025 Cardinals: A-. A Day 1 LT and Day 2 RG, with solid veterans at LG and RT, plus an emerging NFC Pro Bowler veteran at C).

• Coaching — OL is such a technique-heavy position. Having the right person in charge of the meeting room is crucial. I had first-hand experience with this in Cleveland. We hired Bill Callahan in 2020 after years of questionable coaching, and a good unit became one of the league’s best.

Mitch’s Coaching grade for 2025 Cardinals: TBD. The Cardinals lost arguable the best coach on their staff when Klayton Adams signed on to be the Cowboys’ new OC/OLC where new HC Brian Schottenheimer will be calling the plays. In Adams’ place comes national Champion Ohio St. AHC/OLC Justin Fry, who has coached elaborate, Pro-style offenses under Ryan Day (OSU) and Chip Kelly (UCLA, OSU).

• Scheme fit — GMs and Head Coaches have to realize which players fit the schemes they’re trying to run. If body types and playstyles don’t mesh, then the OL will struggle.

(Mitch’s Scheme fit grade for 2025 Cardinals; A-. It’s difficult to draft offensive linemen for a run-heavy, smashmouth type of offense and still be able to do a good job of pass blocking for the QB. All in all, Monti Ossenfort should be commended for the job he is doing in this regard).

Scott DiBenedetto’s 2025 NFL Offensive Line Rankings

8. Arizona Cardinals – 2024 Preseason Ranking – 30

Projected Starting Lineups

LT Paris Johnson / Kelvin Beachum

LG Evan Brown

C Hjalte Froholdt

RG Isaiah Adams / Royce Newman $

RT Jonah Williams

The Cardinals’ offensive line overperformed in 2024. I had them down at No. 30 heading into last season, and they ended up in my “Good” tier at each check-in. Arizona faded down the stretch, but this offensive line was arguably the most consistent unit on the team.

Paris Johnson was exceptional at LT, as was Jonah Williams when he was healthy. Evan Brown and Hjalte Froholdt were solid all season and proved that they can be effective NFL starters. The big change and weak link is at RG. Isaiah Adams and the newly acquired Royce Newman will battle for the starting job, but both guys have issues.

As I said last year, this team will go as Kyler Murray goes, but he won’t have the excuse of a weak offensive line to hide behind as the 2025 season kicks off. Yes, there will be one new piece, but this unit’s quality continuity at the other four spots will make them effective once again.

9. Los Angeles Rams – 2024 Preseason Ranking – 9

Projected Starting Lineup

LT Alaric Jackson

LG Steve Avila

C Coleman Shelton $ / Beaux Limmer

RG Kevin Dotson

RT Rob Havenstein

The Rams’ offensive line went through the ringer last season. I buried them after injury woes and a rough start, but the unit rebounded to be one of the more productive units, no matter who was playing.

Alaric Jackson played really well in both phases after being suspended for the first two games. Rob Havenstein had another strong year, but was in and out of the lineup with injuries. When healthy and not suspended, these two are an effective pair of edge protectors.

The interior is where any questions could be. Steve Avila and Kevin Dotson return at both guard spots, and Coleman Shelton returns after a sabbatical in Chicago to be the new center. Avila played in 10 games and had a down year run blocking, but was still good overall. Dotson was consistently above average despite a foot injury. Shelton was slightly above average in his one year with the Bears, and his familiarity with the offense should mitigate any issues he may encounter upon returning to the OL room. I’m high on the Rams heading into the season again.

16. San Francisco 49ers – 2024 Preseason Ranking – 2

Projected Starting Lineup

LT Trent Williams

LG Ben Bartch

C Jake Brendel / Matt Hennessy $

RG Dominick Puni

RT Colton McKivitz

I went out on a limb ranking the 49ers’ offensive line No. 2 heading into last season. That limb snapped off early, and I fell flat on my face. 2024 was the season from hell for San Francisco, so it’s not surprising that the offensive line struggled, but I didn’t expect as much of a drop-off.

Let’s start with the returning starters. Trent Williams is still a force and the anchor of this unit. He returns after an ankle injury ended his season early. Colton McKivitz is underrated since he plays opposite Williams, but he’s a quality edge protector on the right side. Jake Brendel was much better as a run blocker last season and can stabilize the interior, which went through some changes.

Ben Bartch takes over at LG after being inactive for most of 2024. He saw extended action in only one game, so it’s hard to expect a lot from him in 2025. However, the 49ers should expect a lot from second-year RG Dominick Puni. He had an impressive rookie season run blocking and was better than expected overall. I can’t in good conscience put San Francisco that high in this year’s rankings, but don’t be surprised if this unit sneaks up on you.

30. Seattle Seahawks – 2024 Preseason Ranking – 28

Projected Starting Lineup

LT Charles Cross

LG Grey Zabel * / Anthony Bradford

C Olu Oluwatimi

RG Christian Haynes

RT Abraham Lucas

Charles Cross was exceptional last season, but he was cancelled out by how much of a mess the rest of the unit was. Abraham Lucas and Olu Oluatimi were serviceable when on the field, but this group is very unproven heading into 2025.

The big addition is this year’s 18th overall pick, Grey Zabel. Cross and Zabel should keep Sam Darnold’s blindside well protected, but this unit can’t have the same roller coaster season that they did last year.

Seattle’s OL was all over the map for me in 2024, but they were clearly towards the bottom by the end of the season. The offense has undergone a significant overhaul, with the offensive coordinator, quarterback, and top receiver all departing. John Benton takes over as OL coach, which is another factor that could delay this unit’s development.

With a new era beginning in Seattle, will the offensive line be the unit that keeps this team out of the playoffs again?

Summary:

Brava, Joanna!

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