The NFL spotlighted six finalists for the inaugural honor to crown the top offensive lineman in the league.
The Denver Broncos’ Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz, Miami Dolphins’ Aaron Brewer, Kansas City Chiefs’ Creed Humphrey, Detroit Lions’ Penei Sewell and Chicago Bears’ Joe Thuney are all up for Protector of the Year.
Offensive linemen are named to the Pro Bowl and get All-Pro designations like every other position. Beyond that, the accolades can be lacking for the players who do the dirty work up front.
An O-lineman is never going to be crowned the MVP of the league, and one has yet to be singled out for Offensive Player of the Year.
Contrast that to defensive linemen and edge-rushers, who can at least see their sack numbers rewarded by winning Defensive Player of the Year.
Buffalo Bills guard Dion Dawkins asserted that Protector of the Year “is finally giving the big boys up front the respect we deserve.”
“I’ve been knocking on doors and spearheading this movement because offensive linemen are the true foundation of every team’s success,” he said in May when the award was announced. “We might not have all the fancy stats as the skinnies or end up on a highlight reel every week, but without us, there’s no rushing titles, passing titles, or touchdowns. This award is for all the unsung heroes who put in work every snap. I won’t stop fighting to give offensive linemen the respect and recognition we deserve.”
Protector of the Year takes stats such as sacks allowed and blocking win rates into account. It also factors in a player’s “leadership,” which is obviously more difficult to quantify.
A panel of former linemen will vote on the winner. The group includes seven-time Pro Bowler Jason Kelce and Hall of Famers Will Shields and Orlando Pace.