If you can win in the trenches in the NFL, it raises the floor of your team significantly.
Entering the 2026 NFL season, which teams have the best trench play on both sides of the ball? We're going to attempt to sort out the top 10 teams in the league right now based on the combined play (and projection for 2026) of both the offensive and defensive lines.
Which teams have the biggest advantage in the trenches right now in the NFL? Let's take a look at the top 10 units ahead of the 2026 season.
NFL Power Rankings: Top OL and DL units in the NFL for 2026
10. Detroit Lions: B
Lions' OL grade: B
Lions' DL grade: B
There is quite a bit of projection happening here for the Detroit Lions, but I'm pretty confident in the young players they added this offseason.
First, you have to acknowledge the star power for this team. Penei Sewell and Aidan Hutchinson are two of the best at their respective positions in the NFL, even with Sewell making the switch from right tackle to left tackle this season.
The Lions also found a stud in Tate Ratledge at the guard position last year, and Blake Miller was one of my favorite tackle prospects in the 2026 class.
If their recent investments in players like Miller, Tyleik Williams (1st round, 2025), and Derrick Moore (2nd round, 2026) can come through, the Lions could make a huge jump in the trenches on both sides of the ball this season.
9. New Orleans Saints: B/B+
Saints' OL grade: B
Saints' DL grade: B+
The New Orleans Saints are quietly building something. The offensive line already has a number of huge investments (1st-round picks at both tackle positions, big-money free agent David Edwards at left guard, second-contract players Cesar Ruiz and Erik McCoy). That's a unit poised to take a huge step forward if Kelvin Banks and Taliese Fuaga can take those next steps individually.
The defensive front is what's really underrated for this team. They ranked 6th in the NFL last season in yards per carry allowed on the ground, and they were tied for 10th in the NFL with the Rams in total sacks.
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