Week 10 of the NFL season is here, and so are our OL rankings. This week, we’re looking ahead to the 2023 free agent offensive line class. Which players have positioned themselves to cash in next spring, and which teams will be involved in the free agent OL market?
Week 10 NFL OL Rankings | 2023 Free Agent Market
Trent Williams hit free agency in 2020 and re-signed with the 49ers on a massive six-year extension, but the NFL’s top offensive linemen usually never reach the open market. Teams don’t necessarily search for star linemen in free agency — instead, they aim to fill holes with average-to-above-average players at reasonable costs.
Let’s run through the best free agents at each position before assessing which clubs will move the OL market in 2023.
Offensive Tackles
Orlando Brown Jr. and Cam Robinson were both franchise-tagged in March. While Robinson eventually worked out a three-year, $52.75 million extension with the Jaguars, Brown didn’t agree to a new deal with the Chiefs and is playing the year on a $16.662 million franchise tender.
He’s scheduled to hit free agency again in 2023, and Kansas City could franchise him for a second consecutive season. Brown hasn’t necessarily lived up to the terms of the trade that sent him from the Ravens to the Chiefs in 2021, but he’s a starting-caliber left tackle — and those don’t often hit the open market.
If Kansas City retains Brown, Jets veteran George Fant would likely be the best left tackle available. Former first-round disappointments Isaiah Wynn and Andre Dillard might also attract interest from OL-starved teams. Still, it’s hard to imagine any club counting on them as unquestioned starting left tackles.
As is typical, the right tackle market is far more plentiful. The Browns’ Jack Conklin is one of the most talented RTs in football, but injuries caused him to miss 10 games last year and the first two contests of 2022. He’s still only 28 years old, though, so he could target a three-year deal.
Former top-35 picks Mike McGlinchey, Kaleb McGary, and Jawaan Taylor all offer benefits. McGlinchey probably has the best overall track record of the group. McGary has been the most impressive this season, but teams might wonder how much Atlanta’s play-action and run-heavy scheme helps the Falcons’ OL. Taylor, meanwhile, is just 24 despite having four NFL campaigns under his belt.
Guards
The Packers’ Elgton Jenkins is among the league’s best guards when he’s at full strength. But like Conklin, he’s been sidelined over the past two seasons. The fact that Jenkins can moonlight at tackle is a plus, but a team should stick him at guard and let him play one position.
After Jenkins, I’d expect the Titans’ Nate Davis to land the largest contacts among guards. Always an excellent run blocker, Davis has shown development in pass protection. He’s allowed just five pressures this season, third-fewest among guards with at least 300 snaps, per PFF.
MORE: Week 10 NFL Power Rankings
Teams can generally find guards in free agency, and next year’s class is abundant even after Jenkins and Davis. Dalton Risner has been a Broncos starter since Day 1, while Ben Powers has come into his own over the past year-plus with the Ravens.
Isaac Seumalo plays on the NFL’s best line in Philadelphia and should garner interest, and even lesser-known names like Phil Haynes (Seahawks) and Nate Herbig (Jets) will have suitors.
Center
The 2023 center market doesn’t look all that bountiful, but there will be starters available. The Browns’ Ethan Pocic continues to be a revelation week in and week out. Cleveland’s Bill Callahan is one of the best OL coaches in the NFL and has helped Pocic turn his career around in Year 6.
The Vikings’ new regime didn’t draft former first-rounder Garrett Bradbury, but the coaching staff seems happy with his performance. He’s looked stronger at times this year, and I’d guess he re-signs with Minnesota.
Connor McGovern has started all but two games for the Jets since inking a three-year, $27 million deal in 2020. He’s been a constant on a New York offensive line that’s been forced to reshuffle at nearly every other spot, and I’d be surprised if Gang Green lets him walk.
Which Teams Will Be Targeting OL in Free Agency?
Nearly every team could stand to make OL improvements, but a few stick out as clubs that will be heavily involved in next year’s free agent market.
The Bears currently project to have $123 million in 2023 cap space, nearly $50 million more than the second-place Falcons. Chicago acquired Chase Claypool to shore up Justin Fields’ weaponry, and they can use next year’s free agent pool to improve their front five.
Even if left tackle Braxton Jones and right guard Teven Jenkins are locked in place, the Bears could seek reinforcements at center and right tackle. Left guard Cody Whitehair is still solid, but Chicago will have to decide whether he’s worth a $9.8 million salary heading into his age-31 season.
The Giants hope they have 10-year tackles in Andrew Thomas and Evan Neal, but they could use their ample 2023 funds to reset their interior. 2022 free agent signings Jon Feliciano and Mark Glowinski haven’t worked out — Feliciano is on a one-year deal, but Glowinski’s guarantees will probably keep him on Big Blue’s roster. Help at center and left guard could be on the way.
Finally, the Raiders have used ever-changing combinations up front, but left tackle Kolton Miller should be the only lineman guaranteed a starting spot next year. Even if Las Vegas feels comfortable continuing with Dylan Parham and Thayer Munford in their second seasons, they could still add at least two veterans in free agency.
Week 10 NFL OL Rankings | Tiers 1-4
Now that we’ve taken a deeper look at some of the more notable offensive line groups around the NFL, let’s lay out how they rank based on tiers.
OL Rankings: Tier 1
Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, New England Patriots
OL Rankings: Tier 2
Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Baltimore Ravens, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
OL Rankings: Tier 3
New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Arizona Cardinals, Carolina Panthers, Washington Commanders, Pittsburgh Steelers
OL Rankings: Tier 4
Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams