What are Offensive Tackles In American Football?
The offensive tackle is a significant part of an American football team. Offensive tackles are a part of the offensive line, which watches the quarterback and makes paths for the running back to move through.
Here at Cleats Hub, we’ll discuss what offensive tackles are, the way they play the game, and what capacities they should be compelling.
What are Offensive Tackles?
The two players positioned on the offensive line’s periphery are offensive tackles. They often make up the offensive line’s tallest and heaviest players.
Secondly, they are crucial in shielding the quarterback from approaching defensive players.
Moreover, offensive tackles are in charge of making openings in the defense for passing plays.
Role of Offensive Tackles
In American football, offensive linemen are fundamental individuals on the team since they safeguard the quarterback and open up paths for the running back.
Protecting the Quarterback
The offensive tackle’s main responsibility is to defend the quarterback from the opposition. The offensive team’s quarterback is its most esteemed player, thus safeguarding him is of most extreme significance.
It is important here that the defensive end or outside linebacker, who is much of the time the most athletic and speedy defender in the rival group, should be impeded by the offensive tackle.
In order to block the defense from getting close to the quarterback, offensive tackles use their size and muscle to form a barrier.
Creating Running Lanes
As well as safeguarding the quarterback, the offensive tackle should likewise open up paths for the running back.
To do this, they help to make openings in the defensive line so the running back has more space to propel the ball.
To create running opportunities for their team, offensive tackles block the defensive line using their technique and physicality.
Second-level blocking
Offensive tackles are additionally responsible for obstructing linebackers at the subsequent level in the wake of impending at the line of scrimmage.
To hinder safeguards who are not initially at the line of scrimmage, one should move downfield.
Besides, second-level blocks are vital for offering the running back additional chances to run, expanding their possibilities of acquiring extra yards and potentially scoring a score.
Types of Offensive Tackles
Offensive tackles are fundamental players who monitor the quarterback and keep protectors from getting to the ball carrier.
They regularly can be categorized as one of two classifications:
Left Tackle: Since they are accountable for watching the quarterback’s blindside, the left tackle is customarily the most significant individual from the offensive line.
The blind side of the quarterback is the side opposite his throwing arm. Hence, the left tackle needs to be an expert pass blocker to stop the opposition.
Right Tackle: In general, the right tackle is less significant than the left tackle and is in charge of run blocking. The best pass rusher on the defense may occasionally need to be blocked.
Therefore, he still needs to be proficient at pass blocking.
It is worth mentioning that offensive tackles regularly stand up to probably the most genuinely forcing players of the opposition. Along these lines, they should be large, strong, and fast.
Likewise, they should have fast reflexes and have the option to change their impeding strategies depending on the situation in light of the call of the play and the defensive alignment.
Skills Necessary for Offensive Tackles
Players need to have a specific set of abilities to be good offensive tackles in their position.
The following are some of the fundamental abilities needed for offensive tackles:
- Size and Strength: The biggest players on the field are typically the offensive tackles. They have the typical NFL lineman standing over 6’5″ and weighing over 300 pounds. They need to be powerful enough to push other players aside and shield the quarterback.
- Footwork: To stay aware of the speed of the game, offensive tackles need to have quick feet. To monitor the quarterback’s blindside, they should have the option to quickly go aside or retreat.
- Technique: To efficiently block opponents, offensive tackles need to have strong blocking techniques. This entails proper foot placement, leverage, and hand placement.
- Vision: To properly block the defensive players, offensive tackles need to be able to swiftly recognize them and anticipate their moves.
- Intelligence: It’s essential for offensive tackles to have good football Intelligence and the quickness to read and respond to defensive actions. They must also have the flexibility to change their blocking tactics as the game goes on.
Offensive Tackle Training
To acquire the abilities required to excel at their job, offensive tackles receive extensive training.
Weightlifting, footwork drills, and blocking technique drills are all included in this workout in order to increase agility, speed, and strength.
In addition to physical conditioning, offensive tackles receive mental training to raise their football IQ.
Furthermore, they watch game films to analyze the tendencies of the opposition’s players and learn how to spot and respond to various defensive strategies.
Top NFL Offensive Tackles
There have been numerous unbelievable offensive tackles who massively affect the game in the NFL.
However, we’ll discuss the best five offensive tackles in American football history.
Anthony Munoz
The vast majority concur that Anthony Munoz is the best offensive tackle in NFL history. He devoted his career to the Cincinnati Bengals.
During his sparkling career, he was picked for the First Team All-Pro nine times and the Pro Bowl 11 times.
Besides, Munoz was a strong blocker who was eminent for his expertise, power, and mind. He was drafted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998 and helped direct the Bengals to two Super Bowl trips.
Forrest Gregg
Over his career, Forrest Gregg played for both the Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys. He was chosen to nine Pro Bowls and seven First-Team All-Pro teams.
In addition, he had a critical impact in safeguarding quarterback Bart Starr and making room for running back Jim Taylor in the Packers’ title groups of the 1960s.
In 1977, Gregg was cherished in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Walter Jones
One of the top offensive tackles of his time, Walter Jones played his whole career for the Seattle Seahawks. He was picked for the First Team All-Pro nine times and the Pro Bowl nine times.
Besides, Jones was a pass-and-run blocker who was notable for his physicality, spryness, and strength. Accepted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2014, he helped direct the Seahawks to the Super Bowl in 2005.
Jonathan Ogden
One of the top offensive tackles of his time, Jonathan Ogden enjoyed his entire career with the Baltimore Ravens. He was picked for the First Team All-Pro four times and played in the Pro Bowl 11 times.
Ogden, who was renowned for his size, power, and quickness, was an incredible blocker.
In addition, enlisted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2013, he assisted the Ravens in winning the Super Bowl in 2000.
Jim Parker
Jim Parker spent his whole playing career with the Baltimore Colts, where he was picked for eight Pro Bowls and seven First-Team All-Pro teams.
Also, he was a refined blocker who was prestigious for his size, power, and expertise. Parker is a 1973 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He assisted the Colts with coming out on top for two NFL titles.
These unbelievable competitors will continuously be viewed as probably the best players in the archives of American football.
Top Offensive Tackles in NFL (2023)
| Rank | Player | Team |
| 1 | Trent Williams | San Francisco 49ers |
| 2 | Lane Johnson | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 3 | Tristan Wirfs | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| 4 | Andrew Thomas | New York Giants |
| 5 | Jordan Mailata | Philadelphia Eagles |
| 6 | Ryan Ramczyk | New Orleans Saints |
| 7 | Rashawn Slater | Los Angeles Chargers |
| 8 | Laremy Tunsil | Houston Texans |
| 9 | Christian Darrisaw | Minnesota Vikings |
| 10 | Penei Sewell | Detroit Lions |
Why are Offensive Tackles Valued More Than The Guards in NFL?
When passing the football, offensive linemen, especially those on the left, guard the quarterbacks’ “blindside” on the backside. It is a difficult position to play given the fast, quick, powerful, agile defensive linemen of today.
Moreover, when there is an obvious requirement for passing plays or long yardage, offensive tackles are scrutinized on the majority of pass plays. They are supposed to defend themselves against a full-on rush or blitz.
Meanwhile, NFL guards are not seen as being as important as offensive tackles because most do not need to be as athletic or quick-footed. Guards manage the interior of the line and typically match up against less-quick players. They are typically selected later in the draught and make less money than OTs do.
Conclusion
To conclude, the ultimate bodyguards in American football are the OTs. This set of players are the ones who guard the quarterback against being sacked more quickly than a stack of pancakes.
On the football pitch, they are the ones that defend the main player.
Give a shout-out to the offensive tackles whenever you’re watching a game. They probably won’t get as much consideration as different players, yet they are in any case similarly significant.
