NFL free agent offensive linemen rankings: Plenty of interior options, but tackle group is thin

With NFL free company contract negotiation window opening March 9 at midday ET, CBS Sports is offering a position-by-position take a look at the free agent panorama. This season and postseason each confirmed simply how a lot the offensive line issues. Just two of the NFL’s 10 worst pass-blocking items made the postseason, and people two groups — the Chargers and the Texans — fell by the wayside rapidly, dominated by the New England Patriots‘ protection. Even in these wins, the Patriots’ offensive line obtained uncovered, and finally it caught as much as them in superbowl 60, the place the Seattle Seahawks wreaked havoc. With lots of expertise accessible, contenders and rebuilders alike will probably be searching for reinforcements alongside the offensive line.

2025 crew: Ravens

2025 stats: 2 sacks allowed; PFF’s No. 4 middle (twentieth in move blocking, 4th in run blocking)
Age: 25

Tyler Linderbaum he performed in all 17 video games in three of his 4 seasons, and he performed in 15 within the one season he did not (2023). He allowed simply three sacks over the previous three seasons mixed, and he stays one of the sport’s best run blockers. ESPN graded him with a 97% pass block win ratefourth amongst interior offensive linemen and second amongst facilities. A 3-time Pro Bowler, Linderbaum needs to be a precedence for any crew searching for middle assist.

2025 crew: Bills

2025 stats: 3 sacks allowed; PFF’s No. 22 guard (twelfth in move blocking, thirtieth in run blocking)
Age: 29

David Edwards held down the Bills’ left guard job ably for a second straight season and, at 29, is in line for a pleasant payday. Although he is not essentially the most highly effective within the run recreation, he is a dependable choice there and even higher when defending the passer.

2025 crew: Steelers

2025 stats: 3 sacks allowed; PFF’s No. 16 guard (seventh in move blocking, twenty sixth in run blocking)
Age: 32

Trying to order the gamers after Linderbaum is a tricky job, and their touchdown spots will possible be decided by model and perceived match greater than the rest. Still, it is onerous to go too far astray with Isaac Seumaloa grinding, bodily guard who continues to carry out properly. ESPN ranked him third in move block win charge and fourth in run block win charge amongst interior offensive linemen. I’ve missed a while with accidents every of the previous two seasons, but he is a high-floor participant exhibiting few if any indicators of slowing down.

2025 crew: Packers

2025 stats: 5 sacks allowed; PFF’s No. 53 tackle (forty first in move blocking, 68th in run blocking)
Age: 26

There’s a robust likelihood Walker is essentially the most handsomely paid free agent offensive lineman on this class, and that largely has to do along with his age, his place and the dearth of different gamers at his place. Walker performed each recreation the final three seasons, defending Jordan Love’s blindside. He could be up-and-down at instances and wrestle with penalties, but his development from former seventh-round decide to left tackle for one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses is encouraging. ESPN had him eleventh in offensive tackle move block win charge.

2025 crew: titans

2025 stats: 4 sacks allowed; PFF’s No. 11 guard (ninth in move blocking, 18th in run blocking)
Age: 35

2025 crew: Browns

2025 stats: 2 sacks allowed; PFF’s No. 21 guard (eighth in move blocking, twenty fifth in run blocking)
Age: 34

These two ageing veterans discover themselves in the identical group right here; each are getting a bit lengthy within the tooth, but each proceed to play strong soccer. Joel Bitonio’s a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All Pro who could possibly be leaving Cleveland for the primary time. Kevin Zeitlerin the meantime, has bounced from the Ravens to the Lions to the Titans the previous three years but continues to carry out admirably. Both ought to have fits on a brief deal.

2025 crew: Jets

2025 stats: Did not play (torn triceps)
Age: 26

Vera-Tucker represents the other of Zeitler and Bitonio. You know what you are getting out of these two. Vera-Tucker, then again, appeared in simply 43 video games since being the 14th general decide in 2021, and he bounced across the offensive line, principally at each guard spots. He was, nonetheless, exhibiting very sturdy returns in 2024, when he performed proper guard. Trying to determine precisely what Vera-Tucker is and what contract he may get is almost inconceivable given his damage historical past (dangerous), age (good) and indicators of strong play (additionally good).

Five groups to look at

• No crew for the reason that 1970 AFL-NFL merger has changed its complete beginning offensive line. The Browns are likely to become the first.
• The Chargers want a makeover alongside the interior of the road, and given how replacements carried out after bookend tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt suffered season-ending accidents, they want tackle depth, too.
• The Raiders‘Offensive line play was unexpectedly as properly, and Las Vegas must improve possible No. 1 decide Fernando Mendoza’s environment. Getting extra out of Ashton Jeanty will probably be essential, too, after final yr’s abysmal run blocking.
• Should they lose Linderbaum, the Ravens could possibly be taking a look at three new interior starters as properly after guards Andrew Vorhees and Daniel Faalele struggled in 2025.
• The Lions‘Offensive line taking a step again in 2025 was one of the largest causes the crew as a complete did, too. Detroit wants higher interior blocking and will have to switch left tackle Taylor Decker if he withdraws.

One large query

How large do large spenders go?

The Chargers and the Raiders undertaking to have the second- and third-most efficient cap area, respectively, solely behind the Titans. Both Los Angeles and Las Vegas might spend closely on the prime of the free agent bin. How closely?

Well, the Chargers look to switch left guard Zion Johnson (free agent) and middle Bradley Bozeman (retirement) on the very least. Linderbaum could possibly be the man at middle; he performed underneath John Harbaugh — Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh’s brother — in Baltimore. The Chargers might additionally take a look at each guard spots, particularly after Mekhi Becton’s 2025 struggles. Again, it is time (and possibly previous time) for Los Angeles to deal with the offensive line in earnest.

The Raiders might simply overhaul their line, too. Even earlier than accidents derailed the 2025 group, it wasn’t ok. Every single spot apart from left tackle Kolton Miller could possibly be up for grabs in 2026, particularly with a brand new teaching employees coming in. Expect a number of strikes from Los Angeles and Las Vegas.