Generally viewed as one of the top guards in the league, Brandon Scherff of the Washington Football Team is set to potentially become a free agent in 2022, but where are his possible landing spots? Let’s take a look at what Scherff’s market value looks like and which teams might be able to acquire the veteran guard this offseason.
Brandon Scherff free-agent stock
It is going to be interesting to see how the market plays out for Scherff this offseason. Injuries have been a big part of his career, and he has not played a full season since 2016. This year, he missed four weeks due to injury and then missed more time due to COVID. In the past four years, Scherff’s been sidelined for 20 games due to injury, which is not insignificant.
Further complicating matters is that Scherff has played on the franchise tag over the past two years. This has inflated his contract up to $18 million per year. He likely will not end up getting anywhere near that as a free-agent guard. However, he is likely going to want to be somewhere around the top of the market, which currently resides at $16 million per year.
Scherff has also struggled somewhat this season. He hasn’t been a disaster, but his star has certainly waned since the last offseason. Spotrac has Scherff projected for a five-year deal at just over $12.5 million per year based on his comparables.
There are also some other intriguing guards due to become free agents. That includes Andrew Norwell and A.J. Cann, who will make this an interesting market for the guard position.
Brandon Scherff landing spots
Let’s take a look at which teams could be in the market for Scherff this offseason.
The Jacksonville Jaguars will likely be in the market for a guard this offseason
Those other two guards mentioned above are members of the Jacksonville Jaguars, which will leave them in the market for an interior offensive lineman. With more than $70 million in cap space, they have the clout to get involved in the market for Scherff or to bring back either Norwell or Cann.
The problem for the Jaguars is that they have a lot of needs they could address. However, protecting their young QB and ensuring they have success in the run game needs to be key. That is why this would be a fascinating landing spot for Scherff, especially if Cann and Norwell both hit free agency.
The Miami Dolphins could benefit from adding Scherff this offseason
The Miami Dolphins will be linked to several free agents this offseason. The team has plenty of needs to address, but the offensive line might be the biggest. Arguably, their larger needs are at either tackle or center. Nevertheless, they could consider an upgrade at guard.
It feels like the tackle market is lacking the “superstar” power of the guard position. Thus, the Dolphins may decide to spend their free-agency money upgrading the interior of the line and then look towards the draft for a tackle. With more than $75 million in projected cap space, Miami certainly has the ability to go and get a veteran in the middle of that line.
The Los Angeles Chargers have a need at guard this offseason
With around $70 million in projected cap space, the Chargers are a potential destination for a number of free agents this offseason. When you look across their offensive line, guard stands out as a need. LA has the tackle and center positions set, but they have four pending free agents at guard.
In the acquisitions of Corey Linsley, Bryan Bulaga, and Rashawn Slater, they have demonstrated a willingness to invest in the offensive line. If they went and added the likes of Scherff — or even Norwell or Cann — Justin Herbert would be protected by one of the best line groups in the league in 2022.
Scherff could be a valuable addition for the Cincinnati Bengals to protect Joe Burrow
The Bengals’ offensive line has not been the problem many expected entering the year. However, they still need to ensure Joe Burrow is well-protected. Cincinnati’s relied heavily on Quinton Spain this season, who is set to be a free agent.
While they could just roll back Spain at left guard, Scherff would present an upgrade. The Bengals have other needs, especially on defense, but they should not overlook protecting Burrow. Additionally, securing the inside of that line could further improve a run game that has impressed at times this season.
The Houston Texans need a significant upgrade at guard
The Texans are not as flush with cap space as the other teams on this list. But they have a major need to upgrade their offensive line this offseason. No line has struggled more this season than the Texans, especially in the run game.
The problem for Houston is going to be deciding where to prioritize given the number of needs on their roster. With that said, the offensive line has to be near the top.
That is magnified if the team feels they can roll with Davis Mills. Putting the young QB behind a patchwork offensive line will not allow them to see his true skills. It is tough to invest big money in an interior offensive lineman for an incomplete team, but they need to start winning games in the trenches.