Throughout his six-year career, Chris Lindstrom has largely remained under the radar while playing for an Atlanta team that hasn’t seen postseason action since 2017.
However, Lindstrom’s performance deserves far more recognition, as his ability to open running lanes and protect quarterbacks is crucial to Atlanta’s offensive output.
For three consecutive seasons, Lindstrom has been recognized as the highest-graded guard by Pro Football Focus and has been named the top interior offensive lineman in the league by The Associated Press.
An AP Pro Football Writers panel of eight ranked the top five players among guards and centers, with selections reflecting current performance as they head into the 2025 season. First-place votes were valued at 10 points, while votes from second to fifth places were worth 5, 3, 2, and 1 point respectively.
Lindstrom received three first-place votes, two second-place votes, and one third-place vote, securing his top position. Joe Thuney, traded from Kansas City, received two first-place votes, one second, three thirds, and one fourth-place vote to finish in second.
Kansas City center Creed Humphrey garnered two first-place votes, landing in third, while Denver’s Quinn Meinerz picked up the remaining first-place vote and took fourth.
Completing the top five is Indianapolis’ Quenton Nelson. Other players receiving votes include Baltimore’s Tyler Linderbaum, Philadelphia’s Landon Dickerson and Cam Jurgens, Baltimore’s Daniel Faalele, and the recently retired former Detroit center Frank Ragnow.
1. CHRIS LINDSTROM, Atlanta Falcons
Lindstrom has surrendered merely three sacks and 37 pressures on true pass sets over the past three seasons, as indicated by PFF, maintaining a reliable presence on Atlanta’s offense. His real excellence shines in run blocking, where his ability to maneuver on zone runs has significantly contributed to Bijan Robinson’s triumphs.
2. JOE THUNEY, Chicago Bears
Since being drafted by New England in 2016, Thuney has established himself as one of the premier guards in the league. He earned first-team All-Pro honors for the past two seasons while with Kansas City, playing a pivotal role in the Chiefs and Patriots reaching the Super Bowl six times across his nine-season career. Thuney had to shift to tackle late last season for Kansas City, but will return to guard as an essential part of Chicago following the offseason trade.
3. CREED HUMPHREY, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs decided to part ways with Thuney partly due to their strength at other interior positions, with Humphrey leading the charge at center. Humphrey has taken over from Jason Kelce as the premier center in the league, earning first-team All-Pro status for the first time last season. He has not missed a game in four seasons and excels in both run and pass blocking.
4. QUINN MEINERZ, Denver Broncos
Since being drafted in the third round from Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in 2021, Meinerz has shown consistent improvement and earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2024. He allowed only 12 pressures last season, according to PFF, and is known for his aggressive blocking style in the run game.
5. QUENTON NELSON, Indianapolis Colts
While Nelson’s performance has dipped slightly in recent years, the 29-year-old remains one of the top guards in the league. He achieved All-Pro status during his first three years after being drafted sixth overall in 2018 and garnered second-team All-Pro honors for the second time last season. Nelson has made the Pro Bowl in all seven of his seasons.
Image Source: Chris Lindstrom @ Instagram
