There is generally a lot of lip service paid to offensive lines in the fantasy community. For the most part, fantasy analysts and managers overwhelmingly tend to reach the following conclusions about teams as it relates to offensive lines:

1) They must have a good pass-blocking line if the quarterback doesn't take a lot of sacks and

2) They must have a good run-blocking line if multiple backs on the same team run "well" consistently.

As is typically the case in this industry, such analysis is far too simplistic and far from 100 percent true. So why does that logic seem to reign supreme? Analyzing offensive line play is not glamorous or easy and requires a high degree of football intelligence. Most analysts would rather resort to their models and hope for the best when it comes to the health or performance of NFL offensive lines.

There are also no well-established stats (or easily) available to the public - other than those that players accumulate at other positions - to inform the general fan as to how those five linemen are performing play after play. A nuanced film watcher's educated guess might be right about 90 percent of the time, but only each team's offensive line coach can legitimately claim he knows what each of his linemen should be doing - and who they should be blocking - on every play.

Shockingly, offensive line coaches are not going to share that information with Joe Q. Fan anytime soon.

Why does any of this matter? If "it all starts up front" as coaches have been saying for decades, then getting a sense of how proficient an offensive line is at their job should mean quite a bit to the fantasy game. Many people could care less about the hot dog is made. They care a lot more about how the hot dog tastes. Those fantasy managers need to understand that line of thinking only increases the chances of a potential bust landing on our fantasy teams this summer.

Below you will find a team-by-team breakdown of the projected five starting linemen for each AFC team at their likely spots. A new feature this season: I am giving each starter and the starting group as a whole a run- and pass-blocking projected score to illuminate how I expect the lines to perform in 2023. At the end of next week's article, I will rank each team's offensive line (1 to 32) as a run-blocking unit, pass-blocking unit and by overall score.

As I did last season, I am including backup linemen. I am doing this to 1) illustrate the depth each team appears to have and 2) account for potential camp battles in which the "underdog" overtakes the "favorite." Pro Football Focus' run-blocking grade (RBG) from last season is included in the second-to-last column, while PFF's pass-blocking grade (PBG) from last season is in the last column.

Green box - Player graded 80 or higher in that particular discipline per PFF (100-point scale)
Blue box - Player graded between 70 or 79.9 in that particular discipline
Yellow box - Player graded between 60 or 69.9 in that particular discipline
Red box - Player graded 59.9 or lower in that particular discipline
Black box - Rookie or did not play in 2022

23 R-Rating - Projected run-blocking grade
23 P-Rating - Projected pass-blocking grade

Reason(s) for optimism: Moses has been a very good lineman for the bulk of his nine-year pro career. Age (32) is going to become a factor soon, but he is still playing at a very high level. Likewise, Zeitler is 33 years old but has been consistently very good or great throughout his distinguished career. The cliff is coming for both soon, but they are aging like fine wine at this point.

Potential question mark(s): How much can Baltimore expect from Cleveland, who has turned in two middling NFL seasons since entering the league in 2021? Also, how great of a fit will the 370-pounder be in a more pass-heavy offense?

Reason(s) for concern: Depth. Seventh-round draft choice Andrew Vorhees was a savvy selection and a player who should help this unit in a big way eventually, but he tore his ACL during the NFL Scouting Combine and is expected to miss this season. Mekari filled in well for an injured Stanley last year at left tackle, but most of the rest of the backups may end up being too big for Baltimore's offense under new OC Todd Monken (380-pound Faalele, 330-pound Simpson and 332-pound Mustipher).

Reason(s) for optimism: Second-round selection Torrance, who was one of his draft class' best run-blockers and could/should challenge presumed starting LG McGovern and RG Bates. Backup Boettger gives the Bills four quality guards.

Potential question mark(s): Brown

Reason(s) for concern: Brown and what would happen if Dawkins goes down. Buffalo has Quessenberry and Tommy Doyle backing up at tackle, but there just is not a lot of reason to believe either one could hold up for more than a game or two based on their track records.

Cornerstone(s): None. (Brown Jr. could get there at some point.)

Reason(s) for optimism: The tag team of LT Williams and RT Collins did not work as well as expected in 2021, so securing Joe Burrow's blindside with Brown should upgrade that spot. Cappa has seemingly leveled off as a slightly above-average run-blocker but continues to grade out better each year as a pass-blocker. The same is mostly true for Karras as well.

Potential question mark(s): Volson. The question mark here is due almost entirely to Volson's inexperience. He struggled in 2022 - as many rookie linemen do - and should benefit greatly from playing between Brown and Karras for the foreseeable future.

Reason(s) for concern: Williams. The addition of Brown this spring did not set well with Williams, who almost immediately requested a trade because he knew Brown would bump him over to the right side. Williams has graded out progressively worse each season as a pass-blocker.

Cornerstone(s): Bitonio, Teller, Conklin (although he graded out poorly as a run-blocker last year)

Reason(s) for optimism: Pocic held up and graded out well in his first season as a Brown after five years with the Seahawks. OL coach Bill Callahan is considered the best in the business at what he does. Each member of the starting five is 28 years old or younger - except for Bitonio - and Cleveland just added some solid prospects in Ohio State alums Jones and Wypler.

Potential question mark(s): Wills has not taken the next step in his development and yielded 41 pressures in 2022 after surrendering 48 over his first two seasons combined.

Reason(s) for concern: None, barring a rash of injuries. As long as Jones and Wypler develop quickly, Cleveland is equipped to handle one injury to each position better than most teams.

Cornerstone(s): Bolles

Reason(s) for optimism: Powers was one of the best pass-blockers in the league last year with the Ravens. McGlinchey is a huge improvement over what Denver had at his position in 2022 (Fleming and Billy Turner). Meinerz appears to be on the verge of becoming one of the best interior linemen in the league after grading out well in the running and passing game in each of his first two seasons.

Potential question mark(s): Cushenberry took a step back last season before he was lost for the season in Week 8 with a groin injury.

Reason(s) for concern: Denver did a great job of addressing its starting five this spring, but the depth is lacking. Fuller may be the top backup at every spot, yet he has graded in red as both a run- and pass-blocker in each of the last four seasons. (He has played less than 80 snaps in three of those four years.)

Cornerstone(s): Tunsil

Reason(s) for optimism: Mason fell off a bit from his usual standards in 2022 with the Bucs, but he should get the benefit of the doubt given how consistently great he was throughout his first seven years as a Patriot. The Texans should have enough talent up front now to leave Howard at his current spot for a while. Howard played almost exclusively at right tackle last season and easily enjoyed his best season.

Potential question mark(s): The combination of a rookie quarterback (C.J. Stroud) and rookie center (Scruggs) suggests Houston will encounter some rough patches early in 2022.

Reason(s) for concern: Green. It is common for rookie o-linemen to struggle. Additionally, blame for linemen rarely rests solely on one individual, especially when a player next to him either struggles himself or gets hurt (as was the case last year). With that said, Green's run- and pass-blocking grades were bad enough - specifically as a pass-blocker - that Houston could be having some doubts about spending a first-round pick on him last year. Having just turned 22 years of age in March, however, time is on his side to turn things around. The Texans also have some recognizable names in reserve, but Heck may be the only one that inspires much confidence.

Cornerstone(s): Despite a down year by his standards in 2022, Nelson. Smith continues to play at a very high level as well.

Reason(s) for optimism: Although he did not play much early in the season, Raimann graded out extremely well after becoming a full-timer in Week 9. He did give up seven sacks over the second half of the season, however.

Potential question mark(s): Kelly's early-career upward ascent has seemingly stalled over the last three years. Returning to his previous standard of play would be huge in the overall line play returning to the form it once enjoyed.

Reason(s) for concern: Fries was drafted in the seventh round in 2021 and has played at about that level in each of his first two seasons. Last year was his first as a full-time player and 2023 could be his last if he does not improve dramatically. Fourth-round draft choice Freeland will be a starter in the league soon, but there is not much else to get excited about coming off the bench in Indy.

Cornerstone(s): None. The closest thing Jacksonville has to a cornerstone offensive lineman is Scherff, although his level of play dipped last year.

Reason(s) for optimism: First-round draft choice Harrison should end up proving to be the long-term answer at left tackle, perhaps as early as the first month of the season or so while Robinson is serving his PED suspension.

Potential question mark(s): Robinson is a solid anchor, but his multi-game suspension to open the season puts Harrison (or Little) into a tough spot as a rookie - protecting Trevor Lawrence's blind side. He will almost certainly be a downgrade from Robinson early on.

Reason(s) for concern: Harrison's presence on the left side for the first few games almost certainly locks Little into the starting job on the right side (or vice versa), replacing the departed Jawaan Taylor. Little has played sparingly through two seasons and appears to be capped as a swing tackle and not the potential starter he was drafted to be in 2021 (second round).

Cornerstone(s): Humphrey, Thuney

Reason(s) for optimism: Smith was a first- or second-round talent that was drafted in the sixth round in 2021 due to a health scare in college (blood clots in his lungs). He has played at a high level in each of his first two seasons and could be on the cusp of joining Humphrey and Thuney above. Taylor improved in each of his first four seasons with Jacksonville and was paid $20 million per season to lock down one of the tackle spots.

Potential question mark(s): Smith maintained his usual high standard as a pass-blocker in 2022, but he was a near-liability in the run game with Tampa Bay. While the former is much more important to Kansas City than the latter in a Patrick Mahomes-led offense, the Chiefs are taking a bit of a risk that last year was not the start of his decline as he enters his age-30 season.

Reason(s) for concern: If Smith works out, there is very little reason for concern among the starters. If he doesn't, there is plenty of uncertainty. Taylor has played a mere 18 snaps at left tackle during his four-year career. The Chiefs probably do not want third-round pick Morris taking many high-pressure snaps as a rookie. Similarly, Kansas City seemingly showed a lack of faith in Niang's viability as a starter by addressing the tackle position three times this offseason (Taylor, Smith and Morris).

Cornerstone(s): Miller has established himself as one of the better - or at least one of the more consistent - left tackles in the game.

Reason(s) for optimism: Eluemunor enjoyed easily the best of his six NFL seasons in 2022 - his first year as a full-time player. He will get pushed by Parker, however. Despite struggling as a pass-blocker, Parham showed enough in his rookie campaign last year to make Las Vegas believe it might have something to work with inside.

Potential question mark(s): The Raiders have sung James' praises for a while now, dating back to the Mike Mayock-Jon Gruden regime. Entering his third full season as a starter in the pivot, time is running out for the 26-year-old to fulfill the promise that the organization believes he has.

Reason(s) for concern: The depth on this offensive line is weak at best, but the biggest concern is likely starting Bars. Between former Bronco part-timer Muti and journeyman Van Roten, expect one of the two to overtake Bars in camp. How much difference it will end up making is debatable.

Cornerstone(s): Slater, Linsley.

Reason(s) for optimism: Johnson held up well as a rookie in 2022 - especially in the run game - despite getting only two-plus games to work alongside Slater. His continued development will likely give Los Angeles one of the best left sides in the league. Salyer spent the bulk of his rookie campaign filling in effectively for Slater. It would be an utter shock if he were not at least a modest upgrade over the departed Matt Feiler.

Potential question mark(s): Pipkins has flashed at times, but he is easily the weak link on the starting five. He has also missed at least three games in each of his first four NFL seasons.

Reason(s) for concern: Depth and Linsley's age (32 when the season starts). When a team has four studs or above-average options up front, there will usually be an obvious drop-off if they miss time. The Chargers have the option of replacing Pipkins with Salyer if the former struggles, but all that would do is open up a hole at guard if fifth-round draft choice McFadden is not ready. Clapp is a capable backup at center, but he is the only reserve that has proven much of anything.

Cornerstone(s): Armstead

Reason(s) for optimism: Before experiencing a big drop-off with the rest of the New England offense, Wynn appeared to be emerging as a key piece of the Patriots' future. Landing him in free agency was a huge get for this offense. Even though he faded a bit down the stretch, Williams took his game to another level in 2022. Hunt has shown gradual improvement in each of his first three seasons and could be in for a career year in 2023 assuming Wynn holds up well at right tackle.

Potential question mark(s): Left guard. Eichenberg has been nothing short of an abject disaster through his first two NFL seasons. Projected backup Jones played at a much higher level after taking over for an injured Eichenberg (knee) in Week 9, but he has graded out at an average level through two years as a pro.

Reason(s) for concern: Armstead has missed multiple games in all but one season. Miami has a couple of players (Kendall Lamm and Geron Christian) who have logged some decent time in the NFL, but both players are journeymen. The Dolphins could have an even bigger issue if Wynn is not the answer at right tackle because Jackson has mostly been a disappointment through three NFL seasons.

Cornerstone(s): David Andrews, Onwenu

Reason(s) for optimism: As long as Brown can stay healthy and motivated, he is more than capable of handling his business at either tackle spot. Strange had a rough patch around the midpoint of his rookie campaign in 2022, but he played well enough otherwise to be a long-term fixture in Foxboro. Fourth-round draft choice Sow is a ridiculous athlete for a man standing 6-5 and 324 pounds. He still needs some help on some of the finer points of the art of blocking, but his upside is immense.

Potential question mark(s): Brown's durability. Anderson was added in free agency and is a nice depth piece, but it would be a stretch to believe he could hold the fort down for very long if Brown misses multiple games. After Anderson, the other three projected backups are all rookies.

Reason(s) for concern: Right tackle. Reiff still deserves to be working in the NFL, but there is a reason the 34-year-old is playing for his fourth team in as many seasons.

Cornerstone(s): Vera-Tucker

Reason(s) for optimism: Tomlinson fell off dramatically in the run game last year, but he has been too good for too long in that discipline to believe he just lost it. (A rough September also did not help his cause.) McGovern has been a steady presence in the pivot in each of the last two years and should have another good year or two left in him. The Jets spent a second-round pick on Tippmann, which could allow McGovern to serve as quality depth at all three interior spots. Ditto for Colon-Castillo.

Potential question mark(s): Becton appears to be taking this offseason seriously and wants to reclaim the left tackle spot. If he can do that (or even man right tackle capably) AND stay healthy, then New York's line could go from decent to very good. (Having Aaron Rodgers under center will help as well.) However, Becton has not been able to stay on the field for any length of time through three NFL seasons.

Reason(s) for concern: RT Max Mitchell had a decent first year, but he will need to earn his job this year with Turner joining the team. The concern here is not that the Jets have enough depth up front (they do), but rather if they can get the right five players on the field at the same time and keep them there.

Cornerstone(s): Even though he has to play a snap for the team, former Eagle Seumalo enters 2023 as easily the team's best lineman.

Reason(s) for optimism: While Seumalo is the best Pittsburgh lineman right now, another newcomer - first-round draft choice Jones - could get there in the next year or two. The Georgia product was awesome in his final college season, allowing zero sacks and a mere nine pressures. Assuming Jones adapts to the pro game quickly, the combination of him and Seumalo gives the Steelers the kind of hope they have not had in the left side of their line in a few years. Daniels was in 2022 in Pittsburgh what he was for four seasons in Chicago, steady.

Potential question mark(s): Cole was solid in his first season in the pivot for the Steelers last year, although it was his third NFL stop in as many years. Perhaps playing next to Seumalo is just what his career needs to go from good to very good, but the jury is still out on the 27-year-old.

Reason(s) for concern: Okorafor enters his fourth season as the clear starter at right tackle, but he is probably the best bet to get replaced early in the season now that Pittsburgh has some depth. The problem for the Steelers is that they still do not have a viable alternative if he struggles. Moore has only played almost exclusively on the left side throughout his adult life and Clark is a journeyman working in his fourth different NFL city in as many years.

Cornerstone(s): None.

Reason(s) for optimism: First-round draft choice Peter Skoronski was considered by many to be the best offensive tackle available in the 2023 draft, but there is some thought he could be an All-Pro level guard. That is where it appears he will start his career (at left guard). He could be a cornerstone soon, but it would be premature to put him there before taking a snap in the NFL.

Potential question mark(s): Dillard was a good enough pass protector in college to warrant a first-round pick in 2019, but a slow start and the revelation that became Jordan Mailata kept him on the bench. This season will mark the first time he has had a real chance to hold down a starting job in four years. Sixth-round draft choice Duncan is a very good athlete with a wealth of left tackle experience and could end up replacing Dillard, but one of the knocks on Duncan is that he is more finesse than power. Brunskill's 2022 campaign as a 49er was his best since his first year, but it would be a lot to ask for a player approaching 30 years of age to be anything more than what he has been to this point - a versatile yet average blocker.

Reason(s) for concern: The Titans desperately needed to overhaul their line, but the current arrangement of Brewer taking over for C Ben Jones could be disastrous. Swapping out Radunz for Nicholas Petit-Frere should benefit the run game and give Tennessee some quality depth at guard, but it feels like a wash overall for a team that may have no choice but to pass more often in 2023.