By Zicpraiz 
The Philadelphia Eagles’ dominant performance in Super Bowl LIX highlighted the importance of offensive line play in the NFL. The Eagles’ offensive line, which was built through the draft, was a key factor in their championship season.
Building through the draft is crucial for offensive line success. The Eagles, Detroit Lions, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, three of the best offensive lines in football, were built through the draft in the early rounds.
The Eagles drafted four of their five starters, including left tackle Jordan Mailata, who was selected in the seventh round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Mailata became PFF’s highest-graded player in the league this season.
The Lions and Buccaneers also built their offensive lines through the draft, with the Lions drafting four of their five starters and the Buccaneers drafting four of their five starters.
While acquiring free-agent offensive linemen can be beneficial, it’s essential to prioritize building through the draft. The success rate of offensive linemen drafted in the early rounds is significantly higher than those drafted in the later rounds.
In the last five years, 96 offensive linemen drafted in Rounds 1-3 played at least one snap, with 66 of those rookies playing 500-plus snaps. Thirty-six of those rookies played 1,000-plus snaps, and 29 graded higher than 65.0.
In contrast, 122 offensive linemen drafted in Rounds 4-7 or signed as undrafted free agents played at least one snap, with only 19 playing 500-plus snaps. Seven of those rookies played 1,000-plus snaps, and only six graded higher than 65.0.
The data shows that drafting offensive linemen in the early rounds significantly increases their chances of becoming above-average starters. It’s crucial for teams to prioritize building their offensive lines through the draft.
Other teams, such as the Los Angeles Chargers, are following the same approach. The Chargers drafted Joe Alt fifth overall and have three first-round picks on their offensive line.
The importance of continuity along the offensive line cannot be overstated. Teams that prioritize building their offensive lines through the draft and have continuity at the position group tend to have more success.
In conclusion, building a successful offensive line requires prioritizing the draft, particularly in the early rounds. Teams that follow this approach tend to have more success and are better equipped to compete for championships.