The NFL offseason is in full swing and teams know you better be solid up front. Here are the top offensive linemen that could test free agency on March 13.
Being secure on the offensive front goes a long way to winning a championship. Ask the New England Patriots via this past season. How about the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles, whose depth up front was a big factor in winning Super Bowl LII.
Here’s a look at some quality blockers who could hit the open market in less than a month. It’s worth noting that opposed to other position groups, offensive line play is always a little tougher to evaluate due to the fact that these units really rely on cohesion. Hence you will see a lot of analysis from the fine people at Pro Football Focus (subscription required) throughout this piece.
5. C Mitch Morse (Kansas City Chiefs)
You can make a pretty good case that the AFC West from top to bottom is loaded at the center position and may own the best quartet in the league. The Oakland Raiders boast two-time Pro Bowl pivot Rodney Hudson (2016-17), who has not missed a game or start each of the past three seasons. In his first season with the Los Angeles Chargers, center Mike Pouncey was named to the Pro Bowl in ’18.
In the Mile High City, it’s quality performer Matt Paradis (more on him later), who saw his 2018 season cut short due to a broken leg. And for the reigning division champion Kansas City Chiefs, four-year pro Mitch Morse has been the main man up the middle. The one-time collegiate tackle comes off a season in which he missed five outings due to being in concussion protocol. But he was an 11-game starter for Andy Reid’s club in ’18 and was in the lineup for the playoffs.
The four-year performer is the 13th-ranked center via Pro Football Focus. And when it comes to pass blocking, only seven players at this position have a higher grade.