Free Agent Offensive Linemen 2017
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2016 7:35 pm
While I realize the season is at least two weeks from being over, let's be realistic ... the season is exactly two weeks from being over.
That means it will soon be time to get busy upgrading the offensive line. As far as I'm concerned, there are no other positions of concern because if we don't improve here, it doesn't matter what we do at other positions.
Here is a list of PFF's top linemen who will potentially be free agents after the season.
Shout it out ... who are you going after?
That means it will soon be time to get busy upgrading the offensive line. As far as I'm concerned, there are no other positions of concern because if we don't improve here, it doesn't matter what we do at other positions.
Here is a list of PFF's top linemen who will potentially be free agents after the season.
Shout it out ... who are you going after?
Pro Football Focus wrote:Terron Armstead, LT, New Orleans Saints
After receiving the starting job late in the 2013 season, Armstead (90.9) has improved each year to become one of the best left tackles in the NFL. In 2015 pass-protection, he recorded a pass-blocking efficiency of 97.2—only bested by Joe Thomas. He’s also improved as a run-blocker each year, with a PFF grade of 92.8 in run-blocking last season, second-best for tackles behind only Dallas’ Tyron Smith. It should only be a matter of time before he makes the Pro Bowl every year.
Pro Football Focus wrote:Ryan Schraeder, RT, Atlanta Falcons
Currently, Schraeder (87.0) is a restricted free agent who was given a second-round tender. Assuming he signs it and doesn’t get a long-term deal, he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2017. Schraeder was our highest-graded right tackle of the 2015 season; he matched Armstead in pass-blocking efficiency (97.2) after allowing just three sacks, two hits, and 20 hurries.
Pro Football Focus wrote:Cordy Glenn, LT, Buffalo Bills
Like [Alshon] Jeffery, Cordy Glenn (85.0) has been given the franchise tag. This means he will either sign a long-term deal with the Bills, or it’s unlikely he will get the franchise tag again. The Bills’ left tackle allowed a sack or hit on one in every 138.8 pass-blocks, which was the second-best rate for left tackles in 2015 (just behind Joe Thomas).
Pro Football Focus wrote:Kevin Zeitler, G, Cincinnati Bengals
After being drafted in the first round in 2012, Zeitler (84.6) has played at least 800 snaps in all four years with the Bengals. Cincinnati picked up his fifth-year option this offseason, which will push him to 2017’s free-agent market. In all four seasons, he has graded above-average as a run-blocker and improved each year. He was the only right guard in 2015 with 500 or more pass-blocks and no sacks allowed.
Pro Football Focus wrote:David DeCastro, RG, Pittsburgh Steelers
While DeCastro (83.4) had a slow start to the season (as well as a slow end), he was the third best guard in football for the middle 12 weeks of the 2015 season, behind only Marshal Yanda and Richie Incognito. He is solid in both run- and pass-blocking situations, and is one of just 10 active guards with a PFF grade above 80.0 in both of those facets of play.