NFL FREE AGENCY: TOP 5 AVAILABLE OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

BY ADAM GREENE

With the free agent surge subsiding, there’s still plenty of talent out there. As usual, when it comes to guys not snapped up in the first week of free agency, there’s some caveats, age and injury concerns.

Still, this is a solid group. Here’s the five best available (as of this writing).

1. TAYLOR LEWAN, OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Age: 31

Size: 6-7, 309 pounds

2022 PFF Grade: 67.3

Taylor Lewan played just 64 snaps over two games this season before suffering a knee injury and missing the entire season. It was the second time in three years that Lewan missed significant snaps this was after starting and playing in just 13 games in 2021 and 12 in 2019. Before that, Lewan started all but two games in which he was eligible from 2015-2018. Lewan has said he might call it a career and hang up his spurs, but he’s still young, just 31 and, if he can get completely healthy, can still produce a solid ending to his career.

Where he should end up: Cincinnati Bengals

Lewan doesn’t need to be in a hurry. He can work out and remain out of harm’s way as the season progresses and sign on with a contender needing offensive line help later in the season. I’ve picked the Bengals, as they have shown that they’ll tinker with their O-line as much as they have to. Other options are the Los Angeles Rams, Buffalo Bills or Kansas City Chiefs. Lewan, since the idea of grabbing his fishing rod and hitting the local pond isn’t the worst thought, can take his time and really gauge how much he wants to come back and for whom he wishes to play.

2. RODGER SAFFOLD, GUARD

Age: 34

Size: 6-5, 325 pounds

2022 PFF Grade: 43.7

Roger Saffold has experienced every side of the NFL. From being drafted in the second round by the St. Louis Rams in 2010, Saffold got to see dysfunction and losing for seven solid seasons until Sean McVay arrived in 2017 and the team moved to Los Angeles. With McVay and the Rams, Saffold started a playoff streak he took to the Tennessee Titans in 2019 and then the Buffalo Bills last year. He’s been consistently healthy and one of the league’s better run blockers, earning two consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl here at the latter part of his career.

Where he should end up: Los Angeles Chargers

Saffold never got to play in SoFi Stadium as a Ram, but he can take the field as a Charger, helping shore up one of the weaker areas of the team and blow open run lanes for whoever they decided to replace Austin Ekeler with come opening weekend.

3. DONOVAN SMITH, OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Age: 29

Size: 6-6, 338 pounds

2022 PFF Grade: 58.1

Our second consecutive former Super Bowl offensive lineman, this time a guy that actually hoisted the Vince Lombardi Trophy, shows up on the list as Donavan Smith was a surprise cut by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as they continue their post Tom Brady purge. Smith started all but six games for the Bucs since they drafted him in the second round of the 2015 NFL Draft. While he never made the Pro Bowl, he was good enough to land a contract extension a year ago, likely because of Brady’s return. With Brady gone, his “guys” (and their salary cap hits) have exited the building as well.

Where he should end up: Carolina Panthers

The Panthers traded up for the No. 1 pick in the draft and need to make up for the loss of draft capital in free agency. The quickest way to build a winning team is to add winning players. Whether Carolina goes with CJ Stroud out of Ohio State of Bryce Young from Alabama (or everyone in Charlotte suffers a massive head injury or is the victim of some kind of alien brain parasite and takes Anthony Richardson), that rookie deserves the best line that the Panthers can put in from of him.

4. JASON PETERS, OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Age: 41

Size: 6-4, 328 pounds

2022 PFF Grade: 70.3

Like Taylor Lewan, there’s always the chance Jason Peters could retire. Unlike Lewan, it won’t be injuries that cut his career short. Peters has already put 18 years in the league. At this point, he could just go for the all time offensive lineman games played record. He’s currently sitting at 244 counting playoff games. Which puts him only behind former Atlanta Falcons great Mike Kenn, former Los Angeles Ram and Hall of Famer Jackie Slater, former Detroit Lion Lomas Brown, Cleveland Browns great and Hall of Famer Lou Groza (who was also a pretty great kicker, which shouldn’t be a surprise since the College Football Punter of the Year trophy is called the Lou Groza Award) and former Houston Oiler/Tennessee Titans and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews. Not bad company.

Where he should end up: Jacksonville Jaguars

Like Smith and Saffold, Peters has played on the biggest stages and in the Super Bowl. Like Smith, he won it, with the Philadelphia Eagles back in 2017-18. As I mentioned with Smith’s entry, up and coming teams need locker room leaders. Peters, for his talent level, wouldn’t be that expensive and could start or be the Jags first bullpen option off the bench like was for the Dallas Cowboys last year. In 235 snaps, at the age of 40, he allowed only one sack and did not record a penalty.

5. GEORGE FANT, OFFENSIVE TACKLE

Age: 30

Size: 6-5, 322 pounds

2022 PFF Grade: 48.4

George Fant spent most of last year injured, only playing in September and December for the New York Jets. On the field, he didn’t have that great a year either, but you could probably blame injuries for that. For an offensive lineman, he’s still relatively young and has plenty of experience playing both right and left tackle for the Jets and the perennial playoff version of the Seattle Seahawks from 2016-2019.

Where he should end up: Tennessee Titans

The Titans’ offensive line is in shambles and they need to add bodies. Fant could be a good fit in a run first scheme like he excelled in back in Seattle. He offers the ability to play both tackle spots and probably wouldn’t be the worst guard to trot out in a pinch.

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

Connect with us our socials on Twitter and Instagram for the latest sports news, viral moments, betting odds and the occasional memes.