NFL Free Agency 100: Top 9 Offensive Linemen
We love to rank things in the NFL world, and ranking free agents is no different. But this time, they’re being ranked with a scouting emphasis to give a full picture of what type of player each team is getting with a free-agent contract.
The goal of the NFL Free Agency 100 is to look at each player the way an NFL front office will look at him. By evaluating on-field play (production), past injuries (durability), off-field and locker room behavior (intangibles), his potential as a player (upside) and then the type of contract expected (value), we’re able to get a complete image of the player.
In the case of ties, I have asked myself, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.
Subjective? Yes. But ties are no fun.
Each player was scouted by me and a team of experienced evaluators with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study from our team.
All statistics from Pro Football Focus. Players' heights, weights and seasons from NFL.com.
9. Doug Free, Dallas Cowboys
1 of 9
Production
The Dallas Cowboys asked Doug Free to make the move from left tackle to right tackle before the 2012 season, and it’s a move that extended his career and his time as a starter. Free played well in 2014, powering a strong right-handed run game, but he did show signs of regression in the passing game.
Durability
Free missed five games in 2014, but the eight-year veteran hadn't missed a single start in the four previous seasons.
Intangibles
Free’s experience and durability are an immediate boost to any locker room. He’s a capable right tackle starter or a high-level swing tackle.
Upside
Free’s age (31 years old) is a factor when looking at his upside. He’s likely not a long-term solution at either tackle spot.
Value
As a free-agent signing, Free offers good value and a high return on investment for a team needing a stable veteran at tackle.
Overall
8. King Dunlap, San Diego Chargers
2 of 9
Production
At 6’9” and 330 pounds, King Dunlap is a massive man. With that size comes power and the ability to stonewall defenders on the edge, but he also struggles with leverage and mobility compared to other players. Dunlap has excellent length, but when he’s asked to move his feet, he can get into trouble. With just three sacks allowed this year, he did play well enough to hold down the starting job.
Durability
Dunlap has been banged up throughout his six-year career but heads into 2015 with a clean bill of health.
Intangibles
Dunlap has experience and positional versatility. He’s a quality locker room player and is not likely to be an issue on or off the field.
Upside
Dunlap doesn’t look like he's in a position to become more than who he is right now. A move to right tackle may increase his positional ranking some, but he’s a mid-level starter at tackle.
Value
The San Diego Chargers got two solid years of left tackle play from Dunlap, and another team could too. He has power, length and experience and could be a nice answer for a short-term fix.
Overall
7. James Carpenter, Seattle Seahawks
3 of 9
Production
A college offensive tackle, James Carpenter has moved inside to guard for the Seattle Seahawks and has had his best production. In the pass game, he’s powerful and can be explosive off the ball to protect space. In the run game, he can overextend at times and struggle to hold his blocks without penalty. Carpenter could benefit from added strength and mobility in the run game.
Durability
Injuries have been an issue for Carpenter since leaving Alabama. He’s yet to start all 16 games in a season during his four-year career.
Intangibles
Carpenter has been a quiet, unassuming player since entering the league. He has no off-field or on-field baggage.
Upside
Carpenter is who he is—a good guard but not an offense-changing player. He’ll be good in pass protection and has the tools to be better in the run game, but injuries cannot be overlooked.
Value
As a second-tier offensive lineman on the open market, Carpenter could be a low-cost starter option for many teams. It is telling that Seattle declined to pick up his fifth-year option from his rookie contract.
Overall
6. Orlando Franklin, Denver Broncos
4 of 9
Production
After struggling during the Super Bowl at right tackle, Orlando Franklin made a nice rebound in 2014 playing left guard. Franklin’s power and mobility were on display in the passing game, but also notably in the run game once the Broncos leaned on C.J. Anderson. Penalties (10) were an issue, but Franklin allowed just one sack all year.
Durability
Franklin suffered a concussion in the 2014 playoffs, but he has missed just one game in four seasons otherwise.
Intangibles
Franklin has been on winning teams and a rebuilding club, so he knows what it takes to win in the NFL. He’s also gone from starting right tackle to potential backup to a starting guard, so his ego won't get in his way.
Upside
Franklin’s weaknesses are more due to athletic limitations, but he’s a very solid and balanced player.
Value
Franklin offers good value as a tackle or guard but can also be a swing tackle with the skill set to help all over the line. He’s not a top-tier starter, but he is still capable of being an impactful player and top-10 left guard.
Overall
5. Michael Oher, Tennessee Titans
5 of 9
Production
Michael Oher was famous before he ever hit the NFL, and early in his career he lived up to the huge promise seen in him coming out of Ole Miss. But in 2014 he struggled on a very bad Tennessee Titans team and was released after the season in a salary cap move. Oher is a natural right tackle, but he needs a good right guard beside him in pass protection. He's a massive athlete, but can be inconsistent in pass protection.
Durability
Oher was placed on Injured Reserve with a toe injury late in the season. Teams will need to check out his health thoroughly before signing him.
Intangibles
Oher has no issues worth reporting on or off the field dating back through his days in college.
Upside
Oher still projects as a starter at right tackle, and you have to consider that his regression in 2014 was a result of the team around him as much as any individual issues in his game.
Value
Oher being released by Tennessee could drive his value down on the market, and it's very unlikely he'll make the same salary in 2015 on another team. But he's still a starting-caliber right tackle with good upside and value.
Overall
4. Stefen Wisniewski, Oakland Raiders
6 of 9
Production
Stefen Wisniewski was a second-round draft pick in 2011 and has NFL bloodlines, which may build his reputation. On the field, he’s been inconsistent but has flashed huge moments of potential. Wisniewski has power and intelligence and can work in a power or zone scheme. He’s also versatile enough to play center or guard and be a top-10 starter at either spot.
Durability
With just three missed games in his career, Wisniewski doesn’t carry any injury risks or concerns. He’s seen only the usual bumps and bruises in his four-year career.
Intangibles
There are no lingering issues on or off the field that would give a team pause with signing Wisniewski.
Upside
As a pass-blocker, he still has room to improve his power and ability in combination blocks. That’s the most promising aspect of signing Wisniewski—he’s played on some very bad lines and has room to improve still.
Value
Signing Wisniewski won’t cost as much as signing Rodney Hudson, and you’re still getting a quality starter with durability and upside.
Overall
3. Rodney Hudson, Kansas City Chiefs
7 of 9
Production
Rodney Hudson was the glue that held the Kansas City offensive line together in 2014, and he enters 2015 as the best center on the free-agent market. Hudson is a top-tier athlete with the moving skills and agility to excel in a zone-blocking scheme. He lacks the size and power—and experience—for a more traditional power game.
Durability
Hudson broke a bone in his leg in 2012 and played in just three games. The four-year veteran looks to have recovered and isn’t more at risk for future injury than any other player.
Intangibles
A leader on the offensive line and in the locker room, Hudson is the type of player you can build around.
Upside
Hudson really hit his rhythm in 2014 and may be playing his best football right now. Whether he’s maxed out physically is a legitimate question.
Value
Centers don’t break the bank on the free-agent market often, but Alex Mack set a precedent last year and could push Hudson to a high ceiling if he isn’t signed back in Kansas City.
Overall
2. Bryan Bulaga, Green Bay Packers
8 of 9
Production
Bryan Bulaga consistently grades out as one of the best right tackles in football when healthy. In 2014, he allowed just four sacks in the regular season and was a major boost for the Green Bay run game. If Bulaga hits the open market, he’ll be one of the best tackles available in the past several years.
Durability
Injuries have been a big issue for Bulaga in his five-year career. He has never started all 16 games in a season and missed all of 2013 with a torn ACL.
Intangibles
Bulaga has a clean on- and off-field history. He has leadership qualities and would be a positive add to the locker room.
Upside
Only injuries limit Bulaga’s upside and impact. If he’s healthy, Bulaga could anchor an offensive line and has the versatility to play left or right tackle.
Value
Expect to pay to get Bulaga if he leaves Green Bay, but know you’re getting one of the best at his position.
Overall
1. Mike Iupati, San Francisco 49ers
9 of 9
Production
A three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro, Mike Iupati has been one of the NFL’s best left guards since moving into the starting lineup in his rookie season (2010). Iupati is very athletic, very powerful and an ideal fit for a power-blocking scheme. As a pass-blocker, he’s been good but not great protecting mobile quarterbacks Alex Smith and Colin Kaepernick.
Durability
Iupati missed four games in 2013 and one in 2014 due to injuries. He should enter the 2015 season with a clean slate, but small injuries must be considered.
Intangibles
It’s tough to gauge Iupati’s role in the 49ers’ meltdown in 2014, but he’s never been suspended or arrested in his five NFL seasons.
Upside
Did the 49ers’ power run game make Iupati, or did he make it work? That’s what teams will be wondering, as Iupati is set to be the highest-ranked guard on the open market. If healthy and in the right scheme, he could make a major impact in 2015.
Value
Iupati won’t be cheap, but he’s also one of the best left guards in football. His impact matches his price tag.
.jpg?w=480 "Rams Eagles Football")
.jpg?w=480 "STEELERS-RODGERS")
.jpg?w=600 "Jameis to Cover World Cup for Fox")
