Here at Player Profiler, we have already broken down some of the top rookie options in the 2024 draft class. Now, we shift our focus to the top 10 NFL Free Agent Offensive Linemen options heading into the offseason.
There are some very interesting names heading into free agency ahead of the 2024 season. This class offers a unique blend of youth and experience with some top options that are excellent players who have struggled with injuries. Teams with available cap space can add impact players in the trenches to fine-tune their needs heading into the draft.
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Check out the top free-agent options in the 2024 class below.
1. Tyron Smith, Tackle
Tyron Smith showed in 2023 that he remains one of the best-left tackles in the NFL when he is on the field. Smith finished with PFF’s second-highest pass-blocking grade (88.6) thanks to a 4.2-percent pressure rate. Smith has taken a step back as a run blocker but can still provide plenty of push in gap schemes where he is getting downhill fast.
Tyron Smith Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Tyron Smith does have a lengthy injury history (he’s played fewer than 300 snaps in two of his last four seasons), but he can still have a massive impact and just turned 33. Even with his best years behind him, Smith would be an upgrade for many teams in the league and should be coveted on the open market. It remains to be seen if he will prioritize winning a championship or securing one last payday during his free agency.
2. Mike Onwenu, Tackle/Guard – *Re-Signed with the New England Patriots
Mike Onwenu‘s career with the Patriots has been under the radar as he has been stuck in New England during the post-Brady years. The former Michigan Wolverine bounced around the offensive line during his tenure, playing 402 snaps at left guard, 1,425 snaps at right guard, and 1,548 snaps at right tackle.
During his first three seasons in the league, Onwenu had at least a 79.3 PFF grade while allowing three or fewer sacks and 14 or fewer pressures. The veteran offensive linemen struggled to play through injuries in 2023, giving up 23 pressures while recording a 71.5 PFF grade. When healthy, he has the ability to provide an upgrade both on the interior of the offensive line or right tackle.
Onwenu enters free agency as a strong offensive lineman with positional versatility at age 26 and should be highly sought out given his strength as a run blocker.
3. Robert Hunt, Guard – *Signed with the Carolina Panthers
Robert Hunt was drafted in the second round of the 2020 draft as the Dolphins’ right tackle of the future. Hunt struggled at right tackle in his first season, which prompted Miami to kick him inside to right guard. Since then, he has gradually developed into one of the better interior offensive linemen in the NFL.
Robert Hunt Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Hunt’s development looked to have taken a solid step in 2023 before suffering hamstring injuries that limited him to just 10 games. Hunt allowed just five pressures on 329 pass-blocking snaps and finished with a career-high PFF grade (77.1).
Hunt has shown that he can thrive in either a gap or zone-blocking scheme and seemingly cleaned up his pass-protection issues heading into free agency. He will be a very appealing option for teams looking to get an experienced veteran on their offensive line who is in the middle of their prime (Hunt turned 27 this past year).
4. Lloyd Cushenberry, Center – *Signed with the Tennessee Titans
Lloyd Cushenberry is coming off the best season of his NFL career just as he hits free agency. According to PFF, Cushenberry posted career-best marks in overall grade (73.2), run blocking grade (72.4) and pass blocking grade (76.4). The veteran center also had grades over 70.0 in zone and gap-blocking schemes while posting a strong 4.5-percent pressure rate in the final season of his contract.
Cushenberry, 26, enters free agency as a player who has gotten better each season of his career and has developed into one of the better young centers in the NFL. Having a consistent player in the middle of the offensive line is very valuable, which should make Cushenberry a priority-free agent for any team looking to upgrade the interior of the line.
5. Connor Williams, Center/Guard
If Connor Williams hadn’t suffered a torn ACL in December, he would probably be second on the list of free-agent offensive linemen. Even with the injury, Williams enters free agency coming off an age-26 season that saw him affirm his status as one of the best centers in the NFL.
Connor Williams Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Miami gambled by moving Williams to center after acquiring him in 2022 after four years of playing left guard. That gamble paid off. Williams played 1,553 snaps at center during his tenure with the Dolphins, giving up just four sacks and 21 pressures in 956 pass-blocking reps. He also posted consecutive seasons of an 85+ PFF run-blocking grade during that time.
That play, combined with the fact that Williams also has four solid seasons as a left guard with the Dallas Cowboys, makes Williams well worth the risk for a team willing to be patient with his rehab. He may not contribute much coming off his injury in 2023, but he can be an anchor in the trenches when healthy.
6. Kevin Dotson, Guard – *Re-Signed with the Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams traded for Kevin Dotson before the 2023 season after he posted three solid, yet unspectacular, seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Dotson rewarded them with arguably the best season of any guard in the NFL in 2023.
Dotson posted an 85.2 PFF grade in his lone season with the Rams, dominating as a run blocker (88.8 grade), and specifically standing out on gap plays (90.4 grade). There is still room for growth for Dotson as a pass blocker (four sacks and 20 pressures surrendered on 520 pass-blocking reps). Prior to 2023, Dotson’s strength was his pass blocking, so if that can return to form, then he could be developing into a formidable guard.
Dotson should have plenty of suitors among teams that run gap scheme-run attacks who believe in his ability to return to form as a pass protector. He should secure a solid contract in the free agent market.
7. Andre James, Center – *Re-Signed with the Las Vegas Raiders
Andre James isn’t the flashiest name on this list, but he’s hitting free agency at the right time relative to his play. James has been the team’s starting center each of the last three seasons and has never posted a PFF grade below 62.0 during that time. Unfortunately, he has given up eight sacks and 60 pressures during that stretch.
Andre James Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Still, James is coming off a season that saw him produce a 74.6 PFF grade at center, which was a top-10 mark in 2023. At the very least, he will be a solid center that won’t cost you games. At best, he will continue his upward trajectory as he enters his prime (he will turn 27 during the 2024 season) and develop into a staple of a team’s offensive line.
8. Jonah Williams, Tackle – *Signed with the Arizona Cardinals
The Cincinnati Bengals kicked Jonah Williams over to right tackle after acquiring Orlando Brown Jr. before the 2023 season. Williams initially requested a trade before ultimately biting the bullet and making the switch. The results weren’t great.
Williams posted career lows in PFF grade (58.5), run blocking grade (54.0) and pass blocking grade (57.9) in his lone season on the right side of the line. However, these problems weren’t exactly new for Williams. The veteran tackle has given up at least eight sacks and 41 pressures in each of his last three seasons.
Still, there are reasons why teams might be in on Williams heading into free agency. Williams just turned 26 years old and has 3,866 career snaps under his belt. While there isn’t much of a chance for him to develop into a top-10 tackle in the NFL, he can still be a solid contributor on an offensive line and could even kick into guard if needed.
9. Trent Brown, Tackle
Trent Brown enters free agency as a nine-year veteran who has yet to turn 31 (he will be 31 before the 2024 season). Brown held down the left side of the Patriots’ offensive line the last two seasons but has ample experience playing on the right side of the line as well.
Trent Brown Advanced Stats & Metrics Profile
Brown has always been an above-average pass protector (seven straight seasons with a 72+ pass-blocking grade) and is coming off his best season as a run blocker in his career. However, he has struggled with injuries in his career and is on the wrong side of 30. At worst, he’s a swing tackle for teams in the market for offensive line depth. At best, he can hold down a tackle spot for a few more seasons at an above-average level.
10. Graham Glasgow, Center/Guard – *Resigned with the Detroit Lions
Graham Glasgow was signed as a depth piece for the Detroit Lions before the 2023 season but wound up starting 15 games due to a litany of injuries across the offensive line. The veteran lineman posted a career-best season in Detroit, although some credit has to go to the talented players around him.
Glasgow offers plenty of versatility along the offensive line and has played 1,219 career snaps at left guard, 2,559 snaps at center, and 3,053 snaps at right guard. He can be a solid starter in a pinch but offers the most value as depth at all three interior line positions. He enters free agency on the cusp of turning 32 (so he shouldn’t cost much) but could work his way into a starting spot with a good training camp.
Just Missed the Cut
Aaron Brewer, Center – *Signed with the Miami Dolphins
Brewer enters free agency coming off his best season at center for the Tennessee Titans. Brewer has two years of starting experience but gave up over 30 pressures and four sacks in those seasons. Still, he is at least a league-average center who has some good flashes in the run game.
Kevin Zeitler, Guard
Kevin Zeitler hits free agency after turning 34 and is still providing strong play as a right guard. The veteran posted three straight seasons with at least 520 pass-blocking snaps. He gave up fewer than three sacks and 20 pressures in each of those seasons.
Dalton Risner, Guard
Dalton Risner joined the Vikings’ starting lineup after Week 5 and put together a solid season, finishing with a 57.1 PFF grade. He allowed 30 pressures but didn’t surrender a sack during his tenure with the Vikings. Risner, 28, is still on the right side of 30 and is a competent starter on the interior offensive line.
Jonah Jackson, Guard – *Signed with the Los Angeles Rams
Jonah Jackson posted a career-low in pressures (24) while starting for the Lions in 2023, but regressed as a run blocker. He has four years of starting experience for one of the best offensive lines in the league and just turned 27.
Chukwuma Okorafor, Tackle – *Signed with the New England Patriots
Chukwuma Okorafor is a solid but unspectacular right tackle who posted six straight seasons with a PFF grade under 64.0 with the Steelers. Okorafor never developed past being a league-average tackle and was benched for rookie Broderick Jones midway through the 2023 season. Still, he has all the physical tools needed to play right tackle and could be a good gamble for teams needing stability or depth on the right side of the offensive line.
If you enjoyed this article, check out Dan’s Top Rookie Offensive Linemen article by clicking – here!
