Detroit Lions offensive line unsurprisingly projected as elite run blocking unit

The Detroit Lions had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL last season, and after replacing Jonah Jackson with Kevin Zeitler in free agency it's quite possible (likely?) they are even better heading into this year.

Zeitler's presence will move Graham Glasgow from right guard over to left guard, a position he has played though it's been awhile. But Pro Football Focus graded Glasgow as the eighth-best guard in the league last year (tied), so if you're moving him you better be upgrading. Glasgow's PFF run blocking grade last year (82.1) was fifth-best at the position. Zeitler's run blocking grade (88.4) was second-best.

Lions' center Frank Ragnow was PFF's highest-graded center last year (88.8), with the top run blocking grade at the position (91.3).

Lions' offensive tackles Penei Sewell and Taylor Decker were PFF's No. 1 and No. 9 offensive tackles respectively last year. Sewell had the No. 1 run blocking grade at the position (95.1), with Decker coming in top-20 (73.9 run blocking grade).

Lions offensive line takes lofty spot as a run blocking unit

So it's no surprise, charted by Football Insights and using PFF's run blocking grades from last year, that the Lions' projected starting offensive line for this year is projected as the top run blocking offensive line in the league by a noticeable margin.

The No. 2 Atlanta Falcons are more than five points behind the Lions. Detroit is the only unit with an total grade over 80.

With arguably the best running back duo in the league (David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs), the run game will continue to be the engine that drives the Lions' offense this year. The offensive line is of course the core from which everything else comes from for the entire offense, given how important protecting Jared Goff is.

The Lions' line, assuming health, is going to push some people around up front on the ground this year. We knew that already, of course, but it's always nice to see data that backs something up. And in this case, it also backs up that Zeitler is an upgrade over Jackson.