2015-16 NFL Pre-Season Position Rankings: Offensive Tackles (AFC)

We are about halfway through the NFL's off-season. OTA's have already started. Players are already getting injured. And the 2015-16 NFL season is getting so close, we can hear the footsteps coming up to the door and someone's just about ready to knock. With that said, it's time to look ahead at next season.

Now that NFL rosters are pretty much finalized (besides numerous upcoming cuts of course), it's time to start giving you guys an idea of how your team is shaping up for next season. What better way to do that than to start power ranking the starters at every position on each roster? It only makes sense.

Up next? The most important position on the offensive side of the football, that's not named "quarterback"......

Ultimate Football Blog's

2015-16 Pre-Season Position Rankings

Offensive Tackles (AFC)

KEY NOTE: This is a POWER RANKINGS. That means it's a "what have you done for me lately?" list. This is not an ALL-TIME greatest list. If the NFL commissioner came up to me tomorrow and said:

"Hey, you can have any starting offensive tackles currently playing in the AFC....who do you want?"


It would (most likely) go in this order.......


(PS: PFF grade means "Pro Football Focus Grade". For those of you who don't know, ProFootballFocus.com is an football analytics website that grades players based on a certain criteria and it's a criteria that I've come to love. It's a pretty simple grading formula to figure out as well. The more negative score the player has, the least effective he was on-the-field last season. For example a "-24.8" grade would be absolutely awful, but a "24.8" grade means the player was outstanding. See, I told you it was easy to figure out)

*Please note that I'm also ranking guys as if I was building a franchise for the future. Therefore, I tend to favor age a lot in these rankings. It's why the Indianapolis Colts traded Peyton Manning when they drafted Andrew Luck. In the NFL, age is KING!

32. Seantrel Henderson (Buffalo Bills)

Age: 23

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 6

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 12

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -19.4

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -11.8

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -29.9

31. Ja'Wuan James (Miami Dolphins)

Age: 22

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 6

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 12

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -11.4

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -17.5

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -28.4

30. Michael Schofield (Denver Broncos)

Age: 24

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: Didn't play (coaches decision)

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: Didn't play (coaches decision)

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: Didn't play (coaches decision)

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: Didn't play (coaches decision)

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: Didn't play (coaches decision)

29. Gosder Cherilus (Indianapolis Colts)

Age: 30

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 6

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 15

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -5.4

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -13.2

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -16.8

28. Eugene Monroe (Baltimore Ravens)

Age: 28

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 3

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 6

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -10.7

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -1.0

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -12.9

27. Austin Howard (Oakland Raiders)

Age: 28

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 5

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 4

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -3.9

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -11.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -12.8

26. Donald Stephenson (Kansas City Chiefs)

Age: 26

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 2

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 0

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -0.4

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -2.2

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -3.6 

25. Eric Fisher (Kansas City Chiefs)

Age: 24

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 7

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 11

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -3.2

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -11.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -17.5

24. Luke Joeckel (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Age: 23

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 8

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 7

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -4.3

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -14.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -15.8

23. Breno Giacomini (New York Jets)

Age: 29

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 3

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 7

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -2.8

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -1.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -6.5

22. D.J. Fluker (San Diego Chargers)

Age: 24

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 7

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 5

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -0.9

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -7.0

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -8.8

21. Andre Smith (Cincinnati Bengals)

Age: 28

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 4

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 1

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -1.9

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -0.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -5.4

20. Nate Solder (New England Patriots)

Age: 27

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 7

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 10

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -0.1

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -6.2

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: -3.9

19. D'Brickashaw Ferguson (New York Jets)

Age: 31

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 1

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 9

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -5.3

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 3.1

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 0.0

18. Jeremiah Poutasi (Tennessee Titans)

Age: 20

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: Rookie

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: Rookie

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: Rookie

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: Rookie

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: Rookie

17. Ty Sambrailo (Denver Broncos)

Age: 23

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: Rookie

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: Rookie

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: Rookie

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: Rookie

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: Rookie

16. Mitchell Schwartz (Cleveland Browns)

Age: 25

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 7

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 6

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -6.6

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 6.3

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 0.5

15. King Dunlap (San Diego Chargers)

Age: 29

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 3

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 5

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 4.5

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -2.0

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 6.8

14. Marcus Gilbert (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Age: 27

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 7

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 4

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 5.1

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 2.8

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 6.2

13. Cordy Glenn (Buffalo Bills)

Age: 25

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 8

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 4

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -2.1

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 8.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 6.5

12. Taylor Lewan (Tennessee Titans)

Age: 23

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 4

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 2

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 5.2

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -0.3

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 2.2

11. Derek Newton (Houston Texans)

Age: 27

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 2

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 6

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 13.4

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: -6.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 8.9

10. Jermey Parnell (Jacksonville Jaguars)

Age: 28

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 0

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 1

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -3.9

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 4.4

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 8.2

9. Donald Penn (Oakland Raiders)

Age: 32

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 4

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 3

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 2.3

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 15.6

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 19.3

8. Sebastian Vollmer (New England Patriots)

Age: 30

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 4

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 6

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -2.8

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 12.0

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 14.6

7. Branden Albert (Miami Dolphins)

Age: 30

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 3

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 1

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 6.3

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 12.6

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 17.5

6. Duane Brown (Houston Texans)

Age: 29

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 2

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 9

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 6.4

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 9.9

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 16.1

5. Rick Wagner (Baltimore Ravens)

Age: 25

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 2

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 1

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -3.9

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 14.1

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 12.5

4. Anthony Castonzo (Indianapolis Colts)

Age: 26

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 2

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 10

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: -2.1

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 18.1

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 18.5

3. Kelvin Beachum (Pittsburgh Steelers)

Age: 25

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 7

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 4

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 1.2

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 18.2

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 20.7

2. Andrew Whitworth (Cincinnati Bengals)

Age: 33

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 0

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 1

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 11.5

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 23.9

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 37.8

1. Joe Thomas (Cleveland Browns)

Age: 30

Number Of QB Sacks Allowed Last Season: 2

Number of QB Hits Allowed Last Season: 3

2014-15 PFF Run Blocking Grade: 13.9

2014-15 PFF Pass Blocking Grade: 20.8

2014-15 PFF Overall Grade: 33.5