The Average Line for Every Position, Where does your team stand?

By: NFLHeads

I get that the title is a little confusing, allow me to explain the purpose of this segment. The average line basically outlines which player is the most average starter for each position. So what is the purpose of writing this? If your team’s starter is better than the average line, then you have a starter, and no issues at the position. If your team’s starter is below the line, then you have a problem. 

Now that we know this, let’s get started.

QB: Teddy Bridgewater

Bridgewater to me is sort of a rich man’s Alex Smith, I don’t go out of my way to watch him because he’s not that fun, but he does his job and he does it well. Bridgewater is a perfect person for the average line, and teams should use him as an evaluation for their quarterback search.

RB: James Conner

Conner looks pretty good in spots, and looked stellar in 2018 in the absence of Le’Veon Bell. Conner has really bad games, and if you sum up his success in all of his 2020 starts I bet it’d be about average. 

WR: Brandin Cooks

Cooks might not always last long on the teams he goes to, but wherever he goes he gets his job done, maybe not as the number one receiver but that’s why he is on this list. If your WR can play better than Cooks, no problem at all. If not, I think it’s time to start worrying.

TE: Jack Doyle

I think he could actually be over the line, but I think he works well enough here. Doyle has enough of a big play ability to make a difference, but that is not going to come out on a week to week basis. Again, there is an argument to be made that he is over the line, but I like him here.

OL: Kelechi Osemele

You can totally call me out and correct me on this because I am no offensive line genius by any stretch, but Osemele seems like a semi-effective player who’s going to protect your quarterback well enough, and therefore is my winner for this award.

DL: Dante Fowler

I held out hope that Fowler would be a great signing for Atlanta, but no he was overpaid like everyone said, and made a fool out of people like me who desperately wanted him to be good. Fowler isn’t terrible by any stretch, and any above average players will be above him.

LB: Jerome Baker

Baker has actually had pretty decent games, but there’s a reason the Dolphins’ defense isn’t exactly heralded as a powerhouse. Baker is a perfect player to be used as the average line, and I think the Dolphins like this young player that they have. There is definitely plenty of room to grow for this guy.

DB: Desmond Trufant

I get that Trufant was overpaid on the Falcons, but that doesn’t change that it was a mistake to let him go. Trufant had been playing at a good level for the Falcons, and had not been killing them by any stretch. He is still that way with the Lions, and is a great pick as the average line of cornerbacks.

ST: Ka’imi Fairbairn

There’s a kicker on this list? You bet there’s a kicker on the list, we have even made a full Kicker Index which you can check out at nfldraftdiamonds.com, and Fairbairn is the perfect average kicker. He does his job, and has had a couple nasty misses in his career. As long as your starter is better than Faibairn, you’re set. Fun fact about Fairbairn, his full name is Kaʻiminoeauloamekaʻikeokekumupaʻa.