#offensive-line

#offensive-line

Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana* The Raiders haven't drafted a QB in the first round since 2007 (JaMarcus Russell). They're in desperate need of a franchise quarterback after the Geno Smith trade didn't work out, and Mendoza provides a long-term solution for a franchise that has been looking for a QB since Derek Carr was released following the 2022 season. Mendoza's poise, toughness and accuracy stood out in his lone season with the Hoosiers, as he won the Heisman Trophy while leading them to a 14-0 record. With tight end Brock Bowers and running back Ashton Jeanty, the Raiders have building blocks on offense that would help Mendoza thrive right away.

Across 948 snaps and 694 pass-blocking reps, he's been charged with only 23 pressures, six QB hits and one sack, that's very clean for a first-year right guard. His overall PFF grade sits at 72.0 with a 62.4 pass-block grade and strong run-block numbers at 77.4, which ranks seventh among all guards this year. He's already a plus people-mover in the run

That's what happens when you step in for a future Hall of Fame left tackle after the first snap of the game and maintain a seemingly unattainable level of play. The standard is the standard, Pleasants said in the raucous 49ers' locker room Sunday night after a 42-38 win over the Chicago Bears. Everybody's done a great job setting that standard. Kyle (Shanahan), Brock (Purdy), George (Kittle), Trent (Williams). They built this during this standard.

Herbert certainly felt the thunder against the Texans. The NFL's top defense recorded 26 pressures as it swarmed through the Chargers' offensive line en route to a 20-16 win Saturday. And Herbert saw the lightning, best represented by second-string defensive end Derek Barnett's back-to-back sacks to halt the Chargers' first drive of the second half. The latter of Barnett's takedowns - part of the Texans' five sacks and eight tackles for loss - came when he spun past Bobby Hart and brought down Herbert for a seven-yard loss.

Allegretti has been seldom seen in the starting lineup since getting benched after just two games. Most fans thought the free-agent signing in 2024 would be a prime salary-cap candidate during the offseason. That might still be the case, but he did his chances of seeing out the deal a tremendous amount of good versus the Cowboys on Christmas Day.

In pass protection, the story was less about Booker repeatedly losing one-on-one and more about the Vikings' pressure looks overwhelming Dallas collectively. None of the sacks allowed came from Bookers assignment and individually he allowed only two pressures during the game. With Prescott hurried 14 times on the night, there were inevitably a few snaps where the right side was part of crowded pockets, even if Booker wasn't the primary culprit on the worst breakdowns.

Many fans didn't want to see Daniels back at all this year, which is ridiculous. He's still a developing second-year pro, and as long as he's 100 percent healthy, it serves both him and Washington well to have him on the field. The only positive of shutting him down is that you could guarantee he wouldn't get injured again. He can also not get injured again while he's playing, and objective No. 1 for the next five weeks becomes ensuring that is the case.

To date, Thomas has played a total of 199 offensive snaps for the Cowboys and has started twice so far this season. He's played 176 of the snaps at left tackle and 23 at right tackle, committing only two penalties and surrendering just one QB sack according to Pro Football Focus. As an injury fill-in and spot starter, he's been invaluable.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Jacksonville Jaguars have lost starting left tackle Walker Little and starting receiver/punt returner Parker Washington to injuries against the Tennessee Titans. Little was evaluated for a concussion late in the first half while Washington suffered a hip injury on an incomplete pass from Trevor Lawrence. Cole Van Lanen moved from right guard and replaced Little at left tackle while rookie Wyatt Milum replaced Van Lanen at right guard.

Quarterback Kirk Cousins' 83.3 PFF grade against the Saints was the third-highest of his tenure as a Falcon. Therefore, we can be thankful that he did not forget how to play quarterback, as the Falcons evolved their offense into a play-action, under-center-heavy attack for the first time.

The Buffalo Bills will be without pivotal pieces of the offense when the team plays the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday as both starting offensive tackles -- Dion Dawkins and Spencer Brown -- have been ruled out by coach Sean McDermott. They are dealing with injuries stemming from the team's Week 12 loss to the Houston Texans. Brown suffered a shoulder injury in the game and tried to play through it, but was unable to finish the game, sitting out the final drive.

I have no timetable on James Daniels," coach Mike McDaniel said Monday, as his team returned from the bye week that followed an overseas trip to Madrid, Spain. "I don't want to arbitrarily say he is or he isn't (playing this season), but I don't really know if he will return or not. So that's kind of where I'm at.