Should Drafters Be Worried About Patrick Mahomes’ Protection? The Fantasy Impact of Offensive Line Continuity Entering 2021

Thomas Emerick
September 6, 2021

Thomas Emerick takes a final look at offensive line continuity before the start of the regular season. Which teams can expect strong offensive line play in the early going?

The top offenses and best run-blocking lines tend to return most of their offensive line starters. Those finishing near the bottom replace more starters on average from the previous year.

Great scheme and personnel still remain the biggest factors – and we’ll see Kansas City test to what degree. They are the only team to replace its entire starting offensive line or start three rookies entering Week 1 over the past five years. This comes after a period since 2017 where no team had returned more members of its starting offensive line than the Chiefs’ average of four incumbents on the starting unit.

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Thomas Emerick

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Does Joe Alt’s Return Make Justin Herbert a Top Fantasy Option? Offensive Lines and Their Fantasy Impact, Week 9

Thomas Emerick October 30, 2025

The tip of the Chargers’ spear had been dulled without both Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater. Passing efficiency had slowed in late September and October for a unit that produced bona fide fantasy starters through the league’s first month in Justin Herbert, Keenan Allen, and Quentin Johnston. Slater is done for 2025, but Alt’s return last Thursday generates a sustainable second wind for a Bolts offense now helping…...