Who were the absolute best rookie offensive linemen in the NFL this year by position? Let's take a look at what an all-rookie first and second team would look like at tackle, guard, and center.
Offensive Tackle First Team
Joe Alt, Los Angeles Chargers
Someone I considered to be the safest offensive line prospect ever, Joe Alt was everything we thought he’d be, and more. Alt hung his hat on his consistency all season long, logging 1,010 snaps in the regular season, with starts on both sides. There may not be another rookie lineman like Alt for a long time.
Taliese Fuaga, New Orleans Saints
Questions arose in the pre-draft process about Taliese Fuaga’s ability to be a blindside protector in the NFL. Fuaga quickly erased those doubts, showing the Saints organization why he was worth a top-15 selection. Fuaga carries the torch as the next great Saints lineman after a fantastic rookie season.
Offensive Tackle Second Team
JC Latham, Tennessee Titans
When JC Latham’s draft stock skyrocketed last year, the biggest questions were whether he could handle the blindside and maintain consistency throughout games. Latham proved to be exactly the kind of high-floor, high-ceiling player Titans offensive line coach Bill Callahan has always coveted.
Roger Rosengarten, Baltimore Ravens
Roger Rosengarten quickly caught on to the speed of the NFL, taking strides in his performance early on in the season, he’s been a crucial part of an offensive line that accounted for 3,189 rushing yards, second most all-time. The 62nd overall pick took notable strides in his composure and hands in protection, as well as shining his athletic abilities in the run game.
Offensive Guard First Team
Dominick Puni, San Francisco 49ers
Dominick Puni took this rookie class by storm early on with the 49ers. Playing in a scheme that complements his combination of power and movement skills, he quickly found a groove in the dynamic 49ers run game. Although injuries derailed the 49ers' championship hopes, they filled a crucial spot for the next decade in Puni.
Jackson Powers-Johnson, Las Vegas Raiders
Jackson Powers-Johnson was a bright spot throughout a rebuilding season for the Las Vegas Raiders. Transitioning to guard, Powers-Johnson showed why he was considered one of the best interior linemen in last year's class. His mass, power, and football character helped him put together a really solid rookie campaign, despite his team struggling.
Offensive Guard Second Team
Mason McCormick, Pittsburgh Steelers
Mason McCormick exceeded my expectations this year. A player I thought was some time away from being a starting guard came in during an injury and ran with the Steelers' starting RG duties. With Zach Frazier to his left, they formed a dynamic pairing that boosted the Steelers' run game in the back half of the season.
Layden Robinson, New England Patriots
The Patriots' offensive line was considered among the worst in the league, but all is not lost after the rookie season Layden Robinson had. Among some lapses and adjustments to the speed and strength of the NFL, Robinson showed flashes of high-level play, ones that we often correlate with the top lineman in the league. His ceiling appears to be much higher than initially thought after an encouraging first year.
Center First Team
Zach Frazier, Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s not often we see linemen completely replicate their college film during their rookie year, but Zach Frazier did exactly that. Not only was he lethal in the run game, but despite length concerns, Frazier was spectacular in protection all season long. Frazier looked like a veteran within the first weeks of the year. Since then, he’s helped lead the Steelers back to the playoffs.
Center Second Team
Graham Barton, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
There’s a bit of a 1A-1B conversation between Graham Barton and Frazier for the best rookie center in 2024. Nevertheless, after being one of my favorite prospects in last year's draft, Barton showed why he was taken in the first round. Spearheading a group that finished the regular season among the best in the league, Barton has shown to be a force multiplier for a red-hot Buccaneers squad.
