The 2025 NFL season highlighted the incredible value of elite offensive tackles, particularly showcasing Penei Sewell as the top-rated player at his position, reaffirming his status as the league’s leading tackle. Sewell, playing for the Detroit Lions, secured the highest overall PFF grade among qualified tackles, reflecting a rare combination of exceptional run blocking and strong pass protection. This season also saw standout performances from duos across several playoff contenders, emphasizing the critical role tackles play in team success as the league prepares for the 2026 NFL Draft.
Top Performing Tackles According to PFF Grades
To be eligible for this ranking, tackles had to participate in at least 700 snaps, ensuring consistent starters were recognized for their sustained impact throughout the season. Below is a detailed overview of the 20 highest-graded offensive tackles from the 2025 campaign, measured by their Pro Football Focus overall score.
1. Penei Sewell, Detroit Lions – 95.2
Penei Sewell once again established himself as the premier tackle in the NFL during the 2025 season, marking the second time in three years he has earned this distinction. His overall PFF grade of 95.2 was a personal best and tied with Jordan Mailata for the second-highest grade recorded at the position in the past decade. Sewell led all qualified offensive linemen with a 96.8 run-blocking grade and was formidable in pass protection, conceding only 19 pressures on 601 pass-blocking snaps.
2. Tristan Wirfs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 92.7
Despite contending with knee and oblique injuries that limited him to a career-low 778 snaps, Tristan Wirfs posted the best overall PFF grade of his six-year career. His run-blocking grade of 91.6 was also a personal high, complemented by solid pass protection wherein he allowed just two sacks on 441 attempts. Wirfs’ resilience and elite performance when healthy underscored his importance to Tampa Bay’s offensive line.
3. Trent Williams, San Francisco 49ers – 91.1
At 37 years old and coming off an injury-shortened season, Trent Williams proved his enduring excellence in 2025. He achieved his fifth 91.0 or better overall grade in the last six years, with top-seven rankings in both run- and pass-blocking categories. Williams remains one of the defining tackles of his generation, continually exceeding expectations through his longevity and high-level play.
4. Garett Bolles, Denver Broncos – 90.4
Garett Bolles delivered a breakout campaign marked by his elite pass-blocking ability. He surrendered a pressure rate of just 3.0%, the lowest among qualified tackles, and uniquely avoided allowing a sack throughout the entire season. Bolles also excelled in the ground game, posting an 82.3 run-blocking grade and a 12.4% impact block rate that helped solidify Denver’s offensive line dominance.
5. Andrew Thomas, New York Giants – 90.3
After missing the initial weeks of the season due to a foot injury, Andrew Thomas returned with renewed vigor. Achieving a career-high 90.3 overall grade, he performed strongly in both pass and run blocking, ranking within the top eight at his position in these areas. Thomas was particularly effective in pass protection, giving up just a 3.1% pressure rate, second only to Bolles among tackles.
6. Jordan Mailata, Philadelphia Eagles – 87.7
Jordan Mailata followed up his 2024 standout season with another solid year, finishing sixth among tackles. He achieved at least an 82.3 grade in both passing and run blocking, ranking sixth in each category. Despite allowing eight more pressures than the previous year, Mailata remained stout, conceding only two sacks and four hurries on an increased workload of 566 pass-blocking snaps.
7. Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders – 84.7
In his first year with the Commanders, Laremy Tunsil justified his high-profile acquisition by posting the best overall grade of his career. His pass protection stood out, with only 15 pressures and two sacks allowed on 490 pass-blocking attempts, leading to an 88.9 pass-blocking grade, the second-best mark among all tackles behind Bolles.
Tied for 8th: Colton McKivitz and Alaric Jackson
Colton McKivitz of the 49ers earned a three-year, $45 million contract extension before the season and arguably exceeded expectations, registering career highs in overall (84.2) and run-blocking grades (90.4). His impact run-block rate of 16.4% was among the top five. Despite allowing four sacks and 38 pressures, his 740 pass-blocking snaps ranked sixth highest among tackles, demonstrating his durability and reliability.
Alaric Jackson, recently re-signed by the Los Angeles Rams, also posted an 84.2 overall grade, marking a personal best. Jackson improved in run blocking with an 86.1 grade and maintained a strong pass-blocking efficiency of 96.7, continuing to protect quarterback Matthew Stafford’s blindside effectively.
10. Bernhard Raimann, Indianapolis Colts – 82.0
Young and ascending, Bernhard Raimann secured a major contract and proved the Colts’ investment was prudent. He maintained at least an 82.0 overall grade for the third consecutive year and balanced his pass and run blocking with a minimum of 78.7 in each. While allowing eight sacks tied him for sixth most among tackles, his 5.6% pressure rate ranked 23rd, indicating he was rarely overwhelmed consistently.
11. Brian O’Neill, Minnesota Vikings – 81.6
Though injuries hindered the Minnesota Vikings’ offensive line overall, Brian O’Neill maintained consistent production when active. His 81.6 overall grade was the second best of his career, and his 84.5 run-blocking score ranked ninth among qualified tackles. O’Neill’s 5.0% pressure rate positioned him 15th among tackles with 400 or more pass-blocking snaps, marking him as a steady and reliable starter.
Tied for 12th: Taylor Moton and Abraham Lucas
Taylor Moton delivered one of the most underrated performances, contributing significantly to the NFC South-champion Carolina Panthers. His 81.0 grade was his best in three years, with solid marks in both passing and run blocking. Moton’s ability to limit pressure and create impact blocks placed him in the top 15 for those metrics, emphasizing his all-around skill as a right tackle.
Abraham Lucas’ improvement paralleled the Seattle Seahawks’ Super Bowl run. After modest early seasons, Lucas posted an 81.0 PFF grade and an 84.1 run-blocking grade. His playoff performance was exceptional, earning a 91.0 overall grade while allowing just two pressures over three games, helping Seattle to the Lombardi Trophy.
14. Darnell Wright, Chicago Bears – 80.8
Darnell Wright, a former top-10 draft pick, strongly displayed his potential in his second year under coach Ben Johnson. He maintained an overall grade above 79.3 with an outstanding 3.4% pressure rate that ranked fourth among tackles. Wright was formidable in run blocking, posting an 82.8 grade alongside an 18.3% impact block rate, the third-best among his peers.
15. Warren McClendon Jr., Los Angeles Rams – 78.7
Initially lesser-known, Warren McClendon Jr. asserted himself after becoming the Rams’ starting right tackle mid-season. He emerged as a powerful run blocker with an 81.9 grade and limited pressures to 4.5%, ranking 10th among qualified tackles. His breakout play during 2025 positions him as a likely long-term fix on the Rams’ offensive line.
16. Mike McGlinchey, Denver Broncos – 78.1
Mike McGlinchey complemented teammate Garett Bolles in anchoring the Broncos’ dominant offensive line. He reached his highest overall PFF grade since 2020 and ranked 14th in run blocking with an 81.7 grade. Though he allowed 42 pressures, only two resulted in sacks over a league-high 806 pass-blocking snaps, highlighting his endurance and effectiveness.
17. Charles Cross, Seattle Seahawks – 77.6
As one of the top-paid tackles, Charles Cross justified his contract by improving his pass-blocking efficiency. He posted a 77.6 overall grade and ranked ninth in pass blocking at his position. Despite missing some playing time due to injury, Cross raised his pass-blocking efficiency score from 96.0 to 97.1, underscoring continued progress.
18. Spencer Brown, Buffalo Bills – 76.7
Spencer Brown remains a key component of Buffalo’s strong offensive front. While his pass-blocking grade fell to 61.7 due to a 7.5% pressure rate, Brown demonstrated significant effectiveness in run blocking with a 14.2% impact block rate. His performance was marked by variability, with games featuring few pressures contrasted by some showing elevated pressure rates, yet he remained a steady presence overall.
19. Paris Johnson Jr., Arizona Cardinals – 76.6
Despite ongoing turmoil within the Cardinals, Paris Johnson Jr. was a consistent performer. He managed grades above 72.9 in both pass and run blocking for the second consecutive year and ranked solidly in run-blocking metrics relative to peers. Johnson, the sixth overall pick, is expected to receive a significant contract extension shortly, rewarding his reliability and potential.
20. Morgan Moses, New England Patriots – 76.1
Veteran Morgan Moses brought valuable experience to a rebuilt Patriots offensive line. He bounced back from a disappointing 2024 with a 78.7 run-blocking grade and 71.0 in pass protection, giving up only two sacks and five hurries throughout the regular season. Moses maintained steady play in the playoffs despite the team’s offensive struggles, surrendering just one sack and five pressures over 160 snaps.
Impact of Top Tackles on Team Success and Future Outlook
The prominence of tackles like Penei Sewell at the top of PFF’s rankings underscores the increasing importance of dominant offensive linemen in the modern NFL, a trend reflected in soaring salaries and strategic focus. Several playoff teams, including the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams, and Seattle Seahawks, benefited greatly from the presence of high-performing starting tackle tandems, highlighting how vital strong edge protection and run blocking are to team performance.
As the league approaches the 2026 NFL Draft, the elevated talent level and competitive nature of the tackle position will remain a focal point for franchises seeking to bolster their offensive lines. Players such as Sewell and others on this list set a high standard for rookies and veterans alike, signaling that premium tackles will continue to shape the success of NFL teams in the coming years.
