Offensive lineman are often considered the foundation of a strong football team. Whether it’s an athletic guard, a powerful tackle, or a high-IQ center — every dominant team in NFL history has had a prolific front five. 

But who are the best offensive linemen in NFL history? 

Since the league’s first season in 1920, countless talents have graced the field, but only a few have had the combination of on-the-field prowess, longevity, and wins to earn the designation as some of the best ever.

FOX Sports Research broke down the numbers and ranked the 10 best offensive linemen in NFL history.

While there are some obvious choices near the top, there are also some surprising names that made our list when analyzing their performances. Where does your favorite offensive lineman rank? 

Let’s take a look:

1. Larry Allen

A huge reason Emmitt Smith is the NFL’s all-time leading rusher, Larry Allen started 121 games at left guard, 45 at right guard, 20 at left tackle and 11 at right tackle en route to making seven All-Pro teams and earning 11 Pro Bowl selections for the Cowboys. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, and is considered the most dominant guard in NFL history.

2. Anthony Muñoz

Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998, Anthony was selected to 11 consecutive Pro Bowls and was named All-Pro 11 consecutive times from 1981 through 1991. He was also named the NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year three times and the NFL Players Association Lineman of the Year four times. He started in 184 of his 185 career games and is one of the greatest left tackles in NFL history, and spent his entire 13-year career with the Cincinnati Bengals.

3. Jonathan Ogden

A nine-time All-Pro and 11-time Pro Bowl selection, Jonathan Ogden was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013 for his dominant career. The Ravens used their first ever draft pick on him in 1996, and he went on to spend all 12 of his years in the NFL with them, anchoring an offensive line that helped win the Super Bowl in the 2000 season. He started 176 of his 177 career games and was the best left tackle of the 21st century. The only year he didn’t make the Pro Bowl was his rookie season.

4. Orlando Pace

The anchor of an offensive line for a Rams team that was dubbed the “Greatest Show on Turf,” Orlando Pace was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2016 after a 13-year career that included five All-Pro selections, seven Pro Bowl nods and a Super Bowl title. He opened up holes for Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, who was named the NFL’s Most Valuable Player after scoring a league-record 26 touchdowns in the 2000 season. Pace started in 165 of his 169 career games and is considered one of the greatest left tackles ever. 

5. Jim Otto

Possibly the greatest center in NFL history, Jim Otto spent 15 seasons with the Raiders from 1960-1974, where he earned 10 All-AFL selections and two All-Pro selections. He was one of three players to play in every one of his team’s 140 games during the AFL’s 10-year run from 1960 to 1969. When he retired after the 1974 season, he had started in 210 consecutive games in the regular season and had played in 308 games as a Raider. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1980. 

6. Walter Jones

Walter Jones played and started in 180 games for the Seahawks over 14 seasons, earning six All-Pro selections and nine Pro Bowl nods before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Most notably, Jones’ most dominant season as a left tackle came in 2005, when he helped Shaun Alexander record a franchise-record and league-high 1,880 yards while establishing the then NFL record for touchdowns in a single season (28).

7. Bruce Matthews 

One of the most versatile offensive lineman in NFL history, Bruce Matthews played guard, tackle and center in his 19-year career for the Oilers/Titans. He made a whopping 14 consecutive Pro Bowls (tied for the most ever) from 1988 to 2001 and also earned nine All-Pro selections as well. Matthew was a three-time NFL Offensive Lineman of the Year and started 293 of his 296 games played in the regular season and started all 15 playoff games in which he played. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

8. John Hannah

John Hannah was named an All-Pro in 10 consecutive seasons as a Patriots guard from 1976 to 1985. He won the NFL Players Association’s Offensive Lineman of the Year award four straight years from 1978 to 1981, and was also named to nine Pro Bowls during his 13-year career with the Patriots. Hannah was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.

9. Mike Webster

After splitting time with another player for the first two years of his career as a center, Mike Webster started the final game of the 1975 season and then went on to make 150 consecutive starts for the Steelers until 1986. He won four Super Bowl titles with Pittsburgh and was selected to eight All-Pro teams along with nine Pro Bowl selections. Webster was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1997.

Zack Martin has arguably been the best player on the Cowboys since he was drafted with the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. In 10 seasons prior to 2024, he earned seven First Team All-Pro selections and two Second Team selections as well. The only season in which he did not earn an All-Pro selection was in 2020, when he missed six games due to injury. He is right behind Allen as the greatest Cowboys offensive lineman ever.

Honorable Mention

• Forrest Gregg
• Gene Upshaw
• Jackie Slater
• Alan Faneca

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