Ranking The Top Five Offensive Line Draft Classes in NFL History- The Unsung Heroes of the Trenches

1. The Legends of the Line: The 1983 Offensive Linemen Class

The 1983 NFL Draft class produced a remarkable group of offensive linemen who would go on to leave their mark on the league for years to come. Here are some of the most notable offensive linemen from the 1983 class:

• Bruce Matthews - Selected 9th overall by the Houston Oilers, Matthews went on to play 19 seasons in the NFL, earning 14 Pro Bowl selections and seven First-Team All-Pro honors. Matthews was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
• Jimbo Covert - Drafted 6th overall by the Chicago Bears, Covert was a key member of the Bears' legendary 1985 Super Bowl team. During his eight-year career, Covert earned two Pro Bowl selections and was named a First-Team All-Pro once.
• Chris Hinton - Chosen 4th overall by the Denver Broncos, Hinton played 13 seasons in the NFL, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honors. Hinton was later traded to the Indianapolis Colts, where he became a cornerstone of their offensive line.

2. The Wall Builders: The 1992 Offensive Linemen Class

The 1992 NFL Draft brought forth a group of exceptional offensive linemen who went on to enjoy successful and lengthy careers in the league. Some of the top offensive linemen from this class include:

• Willie Roaf - Drafted 8th overall by the New Orleans Saints, Roaf quickly established himself as one of the premier left tackles in the league. Over his 13-year career, Roaf earned 11 Pro Bowl selections and seven First-Team All-Pro honors, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.
• Kevin Mawae - Selected in the 2nd round (36th overall) by the Seattle Seahawks, Mawae played 16 seasons in the NFL, earning eight Pro Bowl selections and three First-Team All-Pro honors. Mawae was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.
• Nate Newton - Chosen in the 6th round (153rd overall) by the Dallas Cowboys, Newton was a key member of the Cowboys' dominant offensive line during their Super Bowl runs in the 1990s. During his 14-year career, Newton earned six Pro Bowl selections and was named a First-Team All-Pro once.

3. The Dominant Force: The 2000 Offensive Linemen Class

The 2000 NFL Draft produced a group of exceptional offensive linemen who quickly established themselves as dominant forces in the league. Here are some of the most notable offensive linemen from the 2000 class:

• Steve Hutchinson - Drafted 17th overall by the Seattle Seahawks, Hutchinson played 12 seasons in the NFL, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and five First-Team All-Pro honors. Hutchinson was later traded to the Minnesota Vikings, where he continued to dominate as one of the best guards in the league.
• Marvel Smith - Selected in the 2nd round (38th overall) by the Pittsburgh Steelers, Smith played nine seasons in the NFL, earning one Pro Bowl selection and helping the Steelers win two Super Bowl championships.
• John Tait - Chosen 14th overall by the Kansas City Chiefs, Tait played 10 seasons in the NFL, earning one Pro Bowl selection and playing a pivotal role in the Chicago Bears' Super Bowl run in 2006.

4. The Brick Wall: The 2007 Offensive Linemen Class

The 2007 NFL Draft produced a group of outstanding offensive linemen who have gone on to enjoy successful careers in the league. Here are some of the most notable offensive linemen from the 2007 class:

• Joe Thomas - Drafted 3rd overall by the Cleveland Browns, Thomas quickly established himself as one of the premier left tackles in the league. Over his 11-year career, Thomas earned 10 Pro Bowl selections and six First-Team All-Pro honors, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2020.
• Ryan Clady - Selected 12th overall by the Denver Broncos, Clady played nine seasons in the NFL, earning four Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors. Clady was one of the most dominant left tackles in the league during his prime.
• Jake Long - Chosen 1st overall by the Miami Dolphins, Long played eight seasons in the NFL, earning four Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor. Long was a dominant left tackle during his early years in the league, before injuries took a toll on his career.

5. The Young Guns: The 2013 Offensive Linemen Class

The 2013 NFL Draft brought forth a new crop of talented offensive linemen who have already made a significant impact in the league. Here are some of the most prominent offensive linemen from the 2013 class:

• Lane Johnson - Drafted 4th overall by the Philadelphia Eagles, Johnson has emerged as one of the best right tackles in the league. Thus far in his career, Johnson has earned three Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor, helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LII.
• Travis Frederick - Selected 31st overall by the Dallas Cowboys, Frederick played six seasons in the NFL, earning five Pro Bowl selections and one First-Team All-Pro honor. Frederick was known for his exceptional intelligence and leadership on the field, and was a key member of the Cowboys' dominant offensive line during their successful 2010s run.
• David Bakhtiari - Chosen in the 4th round (109th overall) by the Green Bay Packers, Bakhtiari has emerged as one of the best left tackles in the league. Over his eight-year career, Bakhtiari has earned four Pro Bowl selections and two First-Team All-Pro honors, helping the Packers win Super Bowl XLV.