One constant through the Nick Saban era at Alabama has been consistent offensive line play.

But which of Saban’s eight Crimson Tide teams has had the best offensive line?

Since we’re not grading the film of Saban’s 103-game tenure at Alabama, much of this is open to interpretation. To narrow things down, we have isolated some information on Alabama’s offensive line in the last eight seasons.

First, here’s a quick glance at some of the key members of each of Saban’s offensive lines:

2007 OL contributors
Andre Smith
Justin Britt
Evan Cardwell
Mike Johnson
Antoine Caldwell

2008 OL contributors
Andre Smith
Mike Johnson
Antoine Caldwell
Marlon Davis
Drew Davis

2009 OL contributors
James Carpenter
Mike Johnson
William Vlachos
Barrett Jones
Drew Davis

2010 OL contributors
James Carpenter
Chance Warmack
William Vlachos
Barrett Jones
D.J. Fluker

2011 OL contributors
Barrett Jones
Chance Warmack
William Vlachos
Anthony Steen
D.J. Fluker

2012 OL contributors
Cyrus Kouandjio
Chance Warmack
Barrett Jones
Anthony Steen
D.J. Fluker

2013 OL contributors
Cyrus Kouandjio
Arie Kouandjio
Ryan Kelly
Anthony Steen
Austin Shepherd

2014 OL contributors
Cameron Robinson
Arie Kouandjio
Ryan Kelly
Leon Brown
Austin Shepherd

Next, let’s take a look at some rushing stats. A good sign of a productive offensive line is an ability to consistently run the football.

Here is a quick glance at the rushing yards per game for each season under Saban:

2007: 149.2
2008: 184.6
2009: 215.1
2010: 182.9
2011: 214.5
2012: 227.5
2013: 205.6
2014: 206.6

Perhaps predictably, the Crimson Tide’s best three seasons running the football were also the three seasons Alabama won a national championship under Saban.

Here is a quick glance at the number of sacks allowed per game for each season under Saban:

2007: 25
2008: 25
2009: 20
2010: 32
2011: 17
2012: 23
2013: 17
2014: 16

Below is a list of Associated Press All-America performances on the Crimson Line offensive line since Saban arrived.

AP All-American selections under Nick Saban’s watch
2008: Antoine Caldwell
2008: Andre Smith
2009: Mike Johnson
2011: Barrett Jones
2012: Barrett Jones
2012: Chance Warmack
2013: Cyrus Kouandjio

Finally, here is a list of Alabama offensive linemen that were selected in the NFL Draft after playing for Saban:

Offensive lineman drafted under Nick Saban’s watch
2009: Andre Smith, 1st round, Cincinnati Bengals
2009: Antoine Caldwell, 3rd round, Houston Texans
2010: Mike Johnson, 3rd round, Atlanta Falcons
2011: James Carpenter, 1st round, Seattle Seahawks
2013: Chance Warmack, 1st round, Tennessee Titans
2013: D.J. Fluker, 1st round, San Diego Chargers
2013: Barrett Jones, 4th round, St. Louis Rams
2014: Cyrus Kouandjio, 2nd round, Buffalo Bills
2015: Arie Kouandjio, 4th round, Washington Redskins
2015: Austin Shepherd, 7th round, Minnesota Vikings

So which were the Top 3 offensive lines of the Saban era?

2012: It is hard to argue against any of the lines that featured first-round picks Chance Warmack and D.J. Fluker. Warmack and Barrett Jones turned in All-America performances on this BCS National Championship-winning team. Cyrus Kouandjio, a second-round pick in his own right, was also on this line.

2010: While breaking in Jones, Fluker and Warmack, who were just youngsters at the time, the Crimson Tide also featured first-round pick James Carpenter at tackle. It is hard to argue against the talent assembled on this team, in spite of the lack of a championship.

2009: In front of every Heisman-winning running back, there is typically a strong offensive line clearing the way for him. Crimson Tide RB Mark Ingram had Carpenter, Jones and All-American Mike Johnson, among others, paving the running lanes for him that season.

What do you think? What was your favorite version of the Crimson Tide offensive line under Saban?