The NFL free agency class isn’t what it was a season ago, but that doesn’t mean teams are without options. The same goes for the offensive line free agency rankings. There may be no Trent Williams in the class this season, but there are plenty of NFL starters who can help propel a team to the next level.
2023 OL Free Agency Rankings
In fact, both of the offensive tackles that won Super Bowl 57 — in which Patrick Mahomes was not sacked throughout the game — against one of the best pass-rushing units we’ve ever seen made the list. See where the offensive linemen on the list rank in PFN’s Top 100 Free Agents.
1) Orlando Brown
Orlando Brown famously produced one of the worst NFL Combine performances ever. He failed to eclipse the third percentile in any of his speed or explosiveness tests, and he only hoisted 225 pounds 14 times.
The two-time Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year and unanimous All-American tumbled to the 83rd pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Five years into his NFL career, he’s made the Pro Bowl four times as both a left and right tackle.
There are better offensive tackles in the NFL, but Brown has proven a consistent pass protector throughout his career. The big man came into the league as a technically refined blocker, allowing him to succeed despite his athletic limitations.
2) Isaac Seumalo
On an offensive line filled with impressive personalities, Isaac Seumalo was the exception. That doesn’t mean he has no personality; it simply means that he mimicked what we’re used to seeing and hearing from the 300-plus-pound behemoths on the front line.
But when Seumalo talked in the Philadelphia Eagles’ meeting room, everybody listened. Because it meant what he was about to say was incredibly important.
MORE: Best Offensive Tackles in the NFL
Seumalo has always been a solid piece on the front line. However, he’s struggled to remain healthy in recent seasons, playing only 12 games in 2020 and 2021 combined. He had his best and healthiest season in 2022 when he played in all 17 games between Jason Kelce and Lane Johnson.
That’s the rub. The Eagles thrived on double-teams at the line of scrimmage in their downhill attack. NFL scouting departments must find a way to separate Seumalo from his uniquely helpful situation to find exactly how much the guard should be worth on the open market.
3) Terence Steele
Terence Steele went from drawing the ire of most Dallas Cowboys fans to being a devastating loss when he went down in Week 13 with a season-ending knee injury.
Steele was first inserted into the starting lineup as an undrafted rookie. The Red Raider tested well as an athlete and had insanely long arms, but much to improve from a technical standpoint before he could be effective at the NFL level.
That showed as a rookie. Steele was horrible as a rookie. Although he improved in Year 2 with the Cowboys, many were still upset that Dallas decided to part ways with La’el Collins in favor of Steele.
But the Cowboys were proven right. The improvement we saw from Steele in Year 2 continued into Year 3. He rounded into an outstanding run blocker and allowed just a single sack in over 430 pass-blocking snaps.
Steele is a restricted free agent who the Cowboys have already invested a lot into, so he probably won’t be going anywhere. But if Dallas does allow him to walk, it may say something as to the severity of his knee injury.
4) Mike McGlinchey
Speaking of drawing the ire of fans, Mike McGlinchey is no stranger to that feeling. But like Steele, McGlinchey is on the path toward redemption. It’s not often McGlinchey had to deal with the likes of Aaron Donald or Chris Jones on the outside. However, powerful edge rushers caused the San Francisco 49ers’ offensive tackle issues.
Outside of games against Kansas City and Los Angeles, the right tackle only allowed two sacks all season. McGlinchey has always been lauded for his athletic ability for the position. If he doesn’t return to San Francisco, any team that lives in wide zone and runs pulling tackles should consider McGlinchey’s services.
5) Ben Powers
Ben Powers is boring. However, there may be no more endearing term to use to describe an offensive lineman on the field than boring. We all love watching Quenton Nelson send a linebacker into the shadow realm. But a boring blocker is always in the right place at the right time, which is exactly what Powers does.
MORE: Quarterback Free Agency Rankings 2023
In the Baltimore Ravens’ downhill rushing attack, Powers isn’t necessarily the mauling run blocker you’d expect, but he’s no less effective for his finessing style. The guard doesn’t lack the strength to consistently win at the point of attack. He holds up plenty fine against defensive linemen and can walk linebackers back into the third level when he gets the itch.
Powers simply refused to get out over his skis, which far too often is what happens when an offensive lineman smells blood in the blocking waters.
Rest of OL Free Agency Rankings
6) Jawaan Taylor
7) Kaleb McGary
8) Ethan Pocic
9) Connor McGovern (NYJ)
10) Kelvin Beachum
11) Dalton Risner
12) Garrett Bradbury
13) Bradley Bozeman
14) Andrew Wylie
15) George Fant
16) Nate Davis
17) Jake Brendel
18) Yosuah Nijman
19) Sam Mustipher
20) Austin Blythe
