It’s hard to find help on the offensive line. So free agency costs a lot of money.
Last offseason, Mike McGlinchey (5 years with the Denver Broncos, $87.5 million), Ja’Wuan Taylor (4 years with the Kansas City Chiefs, 80 years), Orlando Brown Jr. (4 years with the Kansas City Chiefs) offensive lineman (2019, $64 million). Cincinnati). Bengals) received a huge contract in free agency. This class of free agent offensive linemen isn’t very strong, but due to supply and demand, many of them will earn high salaries quickly. Guard Kevin Dotson has already received a three-year, $48 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Rams, eliminating his major free agent options.
Here are the top five offensive linemen in free agency:
1. Dallas Cowboys OT Tyron Smith
Smith is still very excellent when he plays. The problem is that he hasn’t participated in a complete season of play since 2015, and at age 33, durability often doesn’t improve. Many teams are in need of offensive line support, and some are ready to take a chance on an injury in order to sign one of the top left tackles in this generation in the hopes that Smith would play closer to the 13 games he did in 2023 than the combined six he played in 2020 and 2022.
2. New England Patriots OT Trent Brown
Brown is still a valuable tackle since he can still play the position. Age and injuries are concerns for Brown (who turns 31 the next season), but he’s still a top-tier run blocker with 93 career starts under his belt, so if he stays healthy, he can be a reliable member of an offensive line.
3. New England Patriots OT Mike Onwenu
Onwenu could earn a big salary. Unlike other offensive linemen in free agency, he has age on his side. He is only 26 years old. He started at guard and tackle and spent most of his time at right tackle last season, where he had a good season. The former sixth-round pick has great size at 350 pounds and will be a priority for many teams with cap space and offensive line needs.
4. Miami Dolphins G Robert Hunt
Hunt was selected by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and spent most of his career as a right guard. He also has some experience as a tackle. Despite only playing 11 games due to a hamstring injury last season, he was ranked as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-best guard. With his 28th birthday being right before the upcoming season, he should have many more great seasons ahead of him.
5. Baltimore Ravens G Kevin Zeitler
In 2017, Zeitler signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Cleveland Browns, making him the highest-paid guard in NFL history at the time. He won’t be on a record-breaking contract this time around, but he’s a reliable player who just made his first Pro Bowl appearance. Zeitler will be 34 next season, but he could help a team looking to fill a hole on defense.
