The offensive line is one of the most underrated parts when looking to find fantasy production while you are drafting and deciding who to start each week.  If you look at almost all of the prolific offenses over the years, they all have something in common -- a quality offensive line.  A running back who gets to the second level is going to put big numbers.  The quarterback who gets time to throw will pick apart just about any NFL defense.  It seems so easy, don’t you think?

We start with, "why does everyone love Ezekiel Elliot?" He was very good college football player who played at a major program and put up some big numbers, but that is not the reason why he will likely be a first round pick in fantasy drafts (or it shouldn’t be). It should be because he will be running behind what has been the best offensive line in football the last two seasons and will very likely be the top unit once again this season.  We remember how everyone thought Darren McFadden was garbage before last season and he suddenly put up solid numbers.  It was the offensive line.  DeMarco Murray didn’t have the same success last season did he?  The answer is in part that Murray didn’t get to bring his offensive line with him to Philadelphia.

The offensive line and the scheme they play will also help uncover those fantasy sleepers or busts for that matter.  A few seasons ago, Chris Johnson was everyone’s love child after a monster season.  Everyone expected the same success the following season but a change of coaches and blocking scheme didn’t produce the same results.  This could have been uncovered by more people (draft guide subscribers and those who listen to the Fantasy Alarm show already knew it) if they would have followed the offensive line.  A change in personnel and scheme did not suit the running style of Johnson.  Other guys who have become fantasy superstars from out of nowhere and had not been perceived as anything before breaking out include Priest Holmes, Arian Foster and every Denver running back under Mike Shanahan. All of them benefitted from running behind some of the best lines and schemes in football.  The life of a NFL running back is much easier when, on a regular basis, they do not get touched until five yards past the line of scrimmage.

The running back position tends to get the most notable attention when we look at offensive line play, but it can also help quarterbacks which goes hand in hand with the wide receiver’s production.  The record-breaking seasons we saw from Tom Brady and Peyton Manning were both helped by superior offensive line play.  When it comes to New England specifically, we know Tom Brady is a great QB but the last couple seasons the offense has not been quite as prolific.  Why is that?  A big reason why is that the New England offensive line play as fallen off a bit the last few seasons after a good five-year run where they were one of the best in the league.  Troy Aikman is another example of a quarterback who played behind a great line. He was a very solid QB but never would have achieved what he did without those offensive lines in the early 1990’s.

It is also important to keep tabs on the injuries as they happen for everyone on the offense, not just the skill players.  We have seen teams starting guys off the street on the offensive line as the season goes on due to injuries and that causes problems in the running and passing games.  It can even be important for the tight end position.  If the Patriots are forced to use Rob Gronkowski in pass blocking, it will surely cut into this receiving numbers.  Some teams have more depth than others so they can withstand an injury or two but almost every team in the NFL will have quite the drop off when forced to start back-up lineman.

Every player in the NFL has talent (except Andre Williams) so much of the success of skill players is based on the ability of their offensive lines.  If you follow the offensive lines, you may be able to find those sleepers that can lead you to championships.