Big men don't get the glory. They just don't. While your favorite fantasy manager is screaming about a garbage-time touchdown catch, the left tackle is out there basically playing a 60-minute wrestling match against a 270-pound mutant who runs a 4.5 forty. If the tackle wins, nobody says a word. If he loses once? The quarterback is in the dirt, and the tackle is trending on Twitter for all the wrong reasons.
Honestly, ranking these guys is getting harder because the "traditional" tackle mold is dead. You’ve got human glaciers like Trent Williams who can still move like tight ends, and then you’ve got the new breed—guys like Penei Sewell—who treat run blocking like a personal vendetta against the defensive line.
The Current State of nfl offensive tackle rankings
If we’re looking at the top of the mountain right now in 2026, the conversation starts and ends with a few names that have separated themselves from the pack.
Jordan Mailata has somehow turned a "cool story" about an Australian rugby player into a legitimate case for the best tackle in football. In the 2024 season, he was the only tackle to post PFF grades above 90.0 in both pass protection and run blocking. Think about that. Usually, you’re either a dancing bear who protects the blind side or a road grader who clears lanes. Mailata is both. He finished that year with a staggering 95.2 overall grade.
Then there’s Tristan Wirfs. People questioned if he could flip from right to left tackle. He didn't just flip; he dominated. In 2024, he didn’t give up a single sack. Not one. He allowed pressure on just 1.9% of his pass-blocking snaps. That’s essentially a "no-fly zone" for edge rushers.
Why Penei Sewell is the Most Valuable Asset
You’ve probably seen the highlight clips of Penei Sewell out in space. It’s terrifying. The Lions’ right tackle isn’t just a blocker; he’s a weapon.
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While PFF actually ranked him 6th among tackles heading into 2025, many scouts and coaches think that’s a joke. ESPN’s poll of NFL executives had him at No. 2, right behind Wirfs. The reason? Versatility and sheer violence in the run game. Since 2023, Sewell has been the most valuable offensive lineman in the league according to Wins Above Replacement (WAR) metrics.
His 95.7 run-blocking grade over the last couple of seasons is the highest at the position. He makes the Detroit offense work because he can pull, lead, and erase linebackers at the second level. If you're building a team from scratch, you take the 25-year-old Sewell over almost anyone else.
The Aging Elites and the Injury Bug
We have to talk about Trent Williams. He’s the gold standard. Or he was.
Trent is 37 now. He had a bit of a "down" year by his standards in 2024 and dealt with some nagging injuries that kept him off the field. Even a "bad" Trent Williams is better than 90% of the league, but the gap is closing. He still sits in the top five of most nfl offensive tackle rankings, but we’re officially in the twilight of one of the greatest careers ever.
Christian Darrisaw is another one. When he’s healthy, he’s a top-three talent. He’s got the smoothest feet in the league. But that "when he's healthy" is a massive asterisk. He’s missed time in basically every season of his career, including a major knee injury that derailed his 2024 campaign.
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- Jordan Mailata (PHI): The most complete tackle in the game right now.
- Tristan Wirfs (TB): The elite pass protector who doesn't allow sacks.
- Rashawn Slater (LAC): Finally back to his All-Pro form after the bicep injury.
- Penei Sewell (DET): The most physically dominant run blocker in the NFL.
- Trent Williams (SF): The GOAT who is finally showing a little bit of age.
The Underrated and the Rising Stars
Nobody talks about Bernhard Raimann in Indianapolis, and it’s kinda weird.
Raimann has quietly become one of only five tackles to earn 80.0+ grades in both phases. He doesn't have the "name brand" of a Lane Johnson or a Laremy Tunsil, but the film doesn't lie. He’s a brick wall for Anthony Richardson.
Speaking of Lane Johnson, he’s still the king of the right side in Philadelphia. He and Mailata form the best duo in the league, period. Lane is one of the few guys who can keep up with the speed-rushers of the modern era without breaking a sweat.
The Rookie Impact: Joe Alt and Will Campbell
The 2024 and 2025 draft classes have injected some serious juice into the position. Joe Alt for the Chargers looked like a seasoned veteran from Week 1. By the end of his rookie year, he was ranking in the top 16 of all tackles. His pass-blocking grade from Week 10 onwards was second only to Lane Johnson among right tackles.
And then there's Will Campbell. He was the No. 4 overall pick in 2025 and has already been a massive upgrade for the New England Patriots. As of early 2026, he’s only allowed one sack on over 200 pass-blocking snaps. That’s insane for a kid basically fresh out of college.
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What Actually Matters When Ranking Tackles?
If you're looking at these rankings and wondering why some "star" names are lower than expected, it usually comes down to consistency. Laremy Tunsil is a great example. Tunsil is arguably a top-three pass protector. He’s a dancing bear. But his run blocking? It’s... fine. It’s above average. When you compare him to guys like Mailata or Sewell who dominate in both phases, he slips a few spots.
Then you have guys like Andrew Thomas. When Thomas is on, he's a top-five lock. But the Giants' offensive line has been such a disaster around him that it’s hard to evaluate him fairly sometimes. Plus, like Darrisaw, he’s had trouble staying on the field.
Surprising Names in the Top 20
- Zach Tom (GB): A technician who doesn't get enough credit for how he anchors that Packers line.
- Charles Cross (SEA): He took a massive leap in 2024, especially in the run game.
- Paris Johnson Jr. (AZ): The move to left tackle in 2024 suited him perfectly before his injury.
The 2026 outlook is basically a transition of power. The old guard—Trent Williams, Lane Johnson, Tyron Smith—is making way for the Sewells and Mailatas of the world.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're trying to figure out which team has the best edge protection, don't just look at "sacks allowed." That stat is noisy and often depends on the quarterback holding the ball too long.
Instead, look at:
- Pressure Rate Allowed: This tells you how often the tackle actually lost his rep.
- True Pass Set Grades: PFF tracks this to see how tackles perform when they don't have help from a chip block or a quick release.
- Adjusted Line Yards: This shows how much of the rushing success is actually due to the tackle's displacement of the defender.
The most important takeaway for the 2026 season is that the Philadelphia Eagles and Detroit Lions currently own the trenches. If you have an elite tackle duo, you have a floor for your offense that most teams can only dream of. Keep an eye on the 2026 draft class as well, where guys like Francis Mauigoa and Spencer Fano are already being touted as the next generation of blindside protectors.