NFL’s most underrated: Baltimore Ravens offensive line
As we examine the most underrated players in the NFL, it was interesting to take a look at a Baltimore Ravens roster that was one of the highest graded in the league last year per Pro Football Focus and see what I could find.
On both the offensive and defensive side of the ball, I don’t think I was as surprised to see anything as I was when I saw that the top three graded players for them offensively were offensive linemen.
Marshal Yanda, who is perhaps the best offensive guard in the NFL that people don’t talk about that much, led the Ravens’ offense with a +45.0 rating from Pro Football Focus. He leads the underrated players on the Ravens’ offensive line but not only that, he was far and away the highest graded offensive guard in the NFL last season.
His run block grade of +34.2 was nearly double that of the next highest player on Pro Football Focus’ list, Mike Iupati (now of the Arizona Cardinals).
Yanda has been recognized as a Pro Bowl player and in the NFL’s top 100, but it seems like he and his teammates on the Ravens’ offensive line don’t get that much credit for the work they do paving the way for players like Justin Forsett, who had a major breakout season in 2014.
Along with Yanda among the underrated Ravens offensive line is former Iowa State guard Kelechi Osemele, who is nearly due for a new contract, and is playing some of his best football. Osemele graded out as the 6th best guard in football per Pro Football Focus with a final grade of +21.6.
Osemele, since playing left tackle at Iowa State, has developed into a top flight offensive guard in the NFL like many thought he would be. Combined, he and Yanda allowed just three sacks and seven QB hits.
Osemele and Yanda were joined last year among the NFL’s highest rated linemen (per Pro Football Focus grades) with right tackle Ricky Wagner. The former mauler from Wisconsin has developed into a very solid pass protector, ranking 7th among tackles last year with his +14.1 grade.
If Eugene Monroe can get himself healthy for a full season, the Ravens will have one of the best offensive lines in the game by a landslide, perhaps up there with the Dallas Cowboys. This is a very good blend of players who will be adjusting to a new scheme, but I think they have the talent to prove to the rest of the NFL that last year was no fluke.