The backbone of every offense is the offensive line. The running backs, wide receivers, tight end and quarterbacks get the majority of the credit for moving the ball and scoring touchdowns, but none of that what would be possible without diligent effort and effective play from the offensive line as a whole.

Unlike other positions and units, the offensive line has to work together as a whole. If one offensive lineman is not in sync with the others, it will lead to the whole unit failing on any given play. Playing on the offensive line is not for the unintelligent as you have to recognize and understand a variety of looks, blitzes and stunt from defenses.

Furthermore, not only does an offensive lineman have to be extremely intelligent, they must also be incredibly strong and deceptively athletic. Also, an offensive lineman has little room for error from a technique standpoint. On almost every pay, an offensive lineman will line up against a player who is much more athletic then them and it some cases just as strong. Therefore, if they are extremely technical, they will get beaten repeatedly by opposing defensive linemen.

When a team has a great offensive line, it makes everything they do on offense easier. The quarterback has more time to find his receivers and the running backs have bigger holes to run through. It isn’t impossible to have a good offense with a below-average offensive line, but it makes things a lot more difficult.

Without further ado, let’s rank all 32 offensive lines in the NFL and see how it shakes out.

We looked at the worst units in the NFL in our first volume, the below-average units in our second volume, the slightly below-average units in our third volume and the average units in our fourth volume, now we’re moving on to those that are a small step above.

12. Denver Broncos

Best Player: Louis Vasquez

Player Who Needs To Improve: Chris Clark

The Denver Broncos will have a much different offensive line 2015 than they had in 2014. They lost stalwarts such as Manuel Ramirez, Orlando Franklin and Ryan Clady for various reasons, which leaves a lot of uncertainty up front for the Broncos.

Louis Vasquez is a very good player who has good position flexibility to play guard or tackle. However, after Vasquez there isn’t a ton of experience on the offensive line. Chris Clark has experience, but he has been anything but consistent.

Rookies Ty Sambrailo and Max Garcia have the opportunity to push for starting jobs, but they will have to do extremely well in training camp. Luckily for them, they have a quarterback, Peyton Manning, who will get them in good position on every play.

Overall, the Broncos offensive line is a huge question mark, but with Manning at the helm it is hard to bet against them as he has made offensive lines look great his whole career.

11. Jacksonville Jaguars

Best Player: Brandon Linder

Player Who Needs To Improve: Luke Joeckel

The Jacksonville Jaguars offensive line is very underrated and surprisingly deep. If they get a couple players to improve in 2015, they could have a top-eight offensive line in the entire NFL. Acquiring Jermey Parnell will be a big upgrade for the Jaguars this season.

Parnell is an athletic offensive tackle who is fluid in pass protection and a solid run blocker. He and Brandon Liner will give the Jaguars a great right side on the offensive line. Linder is another young guard who was fantastic in his rookie year. He fits the Jaguars’ scheme perfectly and meshes well with his teammates.

The one huge disappointment on the Jaguars offensive line has been former No. 2 overall pick, Luke Joeckel. He hasn’t been able to develop the core strength to really develop into a good left tackle in the NFL.

Joeckel is the key; if he improves the Jaguars’ offensive line could improve by leaps and bounds over 2014.

10. New England Patriots

Best Player: Sebastian Vollmer

Player Who Needs To Improve: Nate Solder

New England’s offensive line doesn’t get enough credit because of the fact that they block for Tom Brady. Football pundits give Brady way too much credit for how well the offense runs and not enough to how well the offensive line allows Brady to be great.

Sebastian Vollmer is an elite right tackle in the NFL. He has went and help his own against some of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. he is a fluid athlete who also can also play with a ton of strength. Nate Solder has been a great left tackle, but he took a noticeable step back last season. The Patriots need him to return to his old self this year, especially with Brady’s advanced age.

Rookie’s Tre Jackson and Shaquille Mason have an opportunity to compete right away, but they will have to compete for every snap they get.

Overall, the Patriots offensive line is a very solid unit that doesn’t get enough credit for the Super Bowl champs’ run last year.

9. Washington Redskins

Best Player: Trent Williams

Player Who Needs To Improve: Spencer Long

The Washington Redskins had a below-average unit last season, but they figure to take a big step forward this season with some key additions up front.

No. 5 overall pick, Brandon Scherff, should be a huge upgrade at right tackle this season for the Redskins. He is a road grader in the run game who has the ability to hold his own out at right tackle. He may struggle with speed early on, but he is the type of player who should be to adjust rather quickly.

Arie Kouandjio is another rookie offensive line who has the potential to make an early impact. He is a stiff player who doesn’t move laterally very well, but with the Redskins switching to a gap-tyle run game, he should be just fine.

Trent Williams is a top-five offensive tackle in the NFL as he makes it look easy against some of the best pass-rushers in the NFL. The Redskins offensive line will likely be the most improved from 2014 to 2015.