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2011 NFL Free Agent Offensive Linemen
By: Roshan Bhagat
Jared Gaither, BAL – Rumors out of Baltimore suggest that Gaither is very much on the block if the right offer comes around this offseason. With the Ravens looking to move Oher to the left and Gaither out for the right price, there’s a good possibility that Gaither moves on in free agency next year if he survives the season with Baltimore.
Marcus McNeill, SD – As an unsigned restricted free agent slapped with the highest tender, Marcus McNeill seems serious about a holdout in hope of gaining a long-term extension. The Chargers have a number of key players in the same boat as McNeill, but one would believe that re-signing a key component of an unstable offensive line would remain a priority. If the Chargers can strike a deal with McNeill, one of the better left tackles in the game would be off the market next offseason.
Matt Light, NE – Matt Light will be 32 this season and entering the last year of his deal. With Brady, Mankins, and Moss set to become free agents next year as well, Light may become expendable, especially after the performance of rookie Sebastian Vollmer a year ago. A stop-gap left tackle could still stand to make a lot of money on the open market given the believed importance of the position.
Donald Penn, TB – Prior to last year, Penn had emerged as one of the league’s most underrated left tackles. However after a season of mild inconsistency, the Buccaneers seem reluctant in securing his services long-term. Penn has held out through the voluntary workouts and threatens to carry on into mandatory camp in hopes of leveraging the team into a new deal. If the Bucs don’t cave in, Penn’s holdout could backfire if it affects his on-field play, where he’ll need to be reestablish himself before earning a lucrative long-term deal.
Jermon Bushrod, NO – Bushrod was a commendable fill-in for Jammal Brown a season ago and figures to be his back-up this season. Ultimately, the Saints will likely have to decide between keeping Brown or Bushrod, especially with top-tier guard Carl Nicks also facing an expiring contract. A solid 26 year-old left tackle on the open market would certainly have several suitors lining up.
Willie Colon, PIT – Colon has started 50 consecutive games for the Steelers at right tackle and continues to get better each year. After tendering him at the 1st round level this year, the Steelers will most likely give Colon an extension at the end of the year if he can continue to build off of his 2009 campaign.
Nick Mangold, NYJ – Over the past two years, Mangold has unquestionably emerged as the league’s most dominant center. After Revis, Mangold figures to be the next most important extension the Jets will iron out prior to the season’s end.
Carl Nicks, NO – The Saints made Jahri Evans the league’s highest paid guard just recently, so it’ll be interesting to see what price tag Carl Nicks commands. Nicks is a good notch below Evans, though still one of the league’s best guards. If Nicks continues his annual improvement, can the Saints really afford to have two of the highest paid guards in the game and afford to re-sign one of their two left tackles?
Logan Mankins, NE – Most pundits believe that after Tom Brady, Mankins is second in line for a new deal this offseason, taking precedence over Randy Moss. He’ll almost definitely be retained by the Patriots to keep some continuity on the offensive line.
Ryan Kalil, CAR – The Panthers will surely attempt to re-sign Kalil next offseason, but don’t expect the team to use the franchise tag on him. Offensive linemen are grouped together for the tag values, which mean Kalil would likely be making an average of the top 5 left tackles, the highest paid position on the line. Still, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the two sides to reach a deal.
Daryn Colledge, GB – With annual draft investments into the offensive line, the Packers figure to be protected if Daryn Colledge walks. Quite possibly the Packers best lineman in 2008, he regressed a year ago and will now have to compete for his left guard position. If Colledge wins the position and performs near a 2008 level, it will be an interesting decision the Packers will have to make in the offseason. If they part ways, Colledge – due to his age and athleticism – will be a hot ticket.
Evan Mathis, CIN – Mathis was a welcome surprise to the Bengals’ interior line as a power run blocker for Cedric Benson a year ago. If he can replicate that for a full season, Mathis will surely be a good extension candidate for the Bengals.
Alan Faneca, ARI – Faneca may be approaching the end, but he’s still been an effective guard for the last several years. He’s not longer playing at an All-Pro level, but he still has the strength and savvy to hold his own in the middle. The Cardinals have struggled to field a consistent line over the past few years, so pairing Faneca back with Russ Grimm could give him a nice surge that could let him play out his career in Arizona.
Other Notable Free Agents:
Tyson Clabo, ATL
Doug Free, DAL
Ryan Harris, DEN
Jon Jansen, DET
Charlie Johnson, IND
Tony Ugoh, IND
Ryan O'Callaghan, KC
Mario Henderson, OAK
Khalif Barnes, OAK
Jeromey Clary, SD
Ray Willis, SEA
Jeremy Trueblood, TB
Stephon Heyer, WAS
Reggie Wells, ARI
Deuce Lutui, ARI
Lyle Sendlein, ARI
Quinn Ojinnaka, ATL
Justin Blalock, ATL
Harvey Dahl, ATL
Marshal Yanda, BAL
Chris Chester, BAL
Josh Beekman, CHI
Olin Kreutz, CHI
Nate Livings, CIN
Kyle Cook, CIN
Kyle Kosier, DAL
Manuel Ramirez, DET
Jason Spitz, GB
Uche Nwaneri, JAC
Casey Wiegmann, KC
Rudy Niswanger, KC
Richie Incognito, MIA
Jonathan Goodwin, NO
Chris Morris, OAK
Samson Satele, OAK
Max Jean-Gilles, PHI
Nick Cole, PHI
David Baas, SF
Chris Spencer, SEA
John Greco, STL
Mark Setterstrom, STL
Davin Joseph, TB
Leroy Harris, TEN
By: Roshan Bhagat
Jared Gaither, BAL – Rumors out of Baltimore suggest that Gaither is very much on the block if the right offer comes around this offseason. With the Ravens looking to move Oher to the left and Gaither out for the right price, there’s a good possibility that Gaither moves on in free agency next year if he survives the season with Baltimore.
Marcus McNeill, SD – As an unsigned restricted free agent slapped with the highest tender, Marcus McNeill seems serious about a holdout in hope of gaining a long-term extension. The Chargers have a number of key players in the same boat as McNeill, but one would believe that re-signing a key component of an unstable offensive line would remain a priority. If the Chargers can strike a deal with McNeill, one of the better left tackles in the game would be off the market next offseason.
Matt Light, NE – Matt Light will be 32 this season and entering the last year of his deal. With Brady, Mankins, and Moss set to become free agents next year as well, Light may become expendable, especially after the performance of rookie Sebastian Vollmer a year ago. A stop-gap left tackle could still stand to make a lot of money on the open market given the believed importance of the position.
Donald Penn, TB – Prior to last year, Penn had emerged as one of the league’s most underrated left tackles. However after a season of mild inconsistency, the Buccaneers seem reluctant in securing his services long-term. Penn has held out through the voluntary workouts and threatens to carry on into mandatory camp in hopes of leveraging the team into a new deal. If the Bucs don’t cave in, Penn’s holdout could backfire if it affects his on-field play, where he’ll need to be reestablish himself before earning a lucrative long-term deal.
Jermon Bushrod, NO – Bushrod was a commendable fill-in for Jammal Brown a season ago and figures to be his back-up this season. Ultimately, the Saints will likely have to decide between keeping Brown or Bushrod, especially with top-tier guard Carl Nicks also facing an expiring contract. A solid 26 year-old left tackle on the open market would certainly have several suitors lining up.
Willie Colon, PIT – Colon has started 50 consecutive games for the Steelers at right tackle and continues to get better each year. After tendering him at the 1st round level this year, the Steelers will most likely give Colon an extension at the end of the year if he can continue to build off of his 2009 campaign.
Nick Mangold, NYJ – Over the past two years, Mangold has unquestionably emerged as the league’s most dominant center. After Revis, Mangold figures to be the next most important extension the Jets will iron out prior to the season’s end.
Carl Nicks, NO – The Saints made Jahri Evans the league’s highest paid guard just recently, so it’ll be interesting to see what price tag Carl Nicks commands. Nicks is a good notch below Evans, though still one of the league’s best guards. If Nicks continues his annual improvement, can the Saints really afford to have two of the highest paid guards in the game and afford to re-sign one of their two left tackles?
Logan Mankins, NE – Most pundits believe that after Tom Brady, Mankins is second in line for a new deal this offseason, taking precedence over Randy Moss. He’ll almost definitely be retained by the Patriots to keep some continuity on the offensive line.
Ryan Kalil, CAR – The Panthers will surely attempt to re-sign Kalil next offseason, but don’t expect the team to use the franchise tag on him. Offensive linemen are grouped together for the tag values, which mean Kalil would likely be making an average of the top 5 left tackles, the highest paid position on the line. Still, it shouldn’t be too difficult for the two sides to reach a deal.
Daryn Colledge, GB – With annual draft investments into the offensive line, the Packers figure to be protected if Daryn Colledge walks. Quite possibly the Packers best lineman in 2008, he regressed a year ago and will now have to compete for his left guard position. If Colledge wins the position and performs near a 2008 level, it will be an interesting decision the Packers will have to make in the offseason. If they part ways, Colledge – due to his age and athleticism – will be a hot ticket.
Evan Mathis, CIN – Mathis was a welcome surprise to the Bengals’ interior line as a power run blocker for Cedric Benson a year ago. If he can replicate that for a full season, Mathis will surely be a good extension candidate for the Bengals.
Alan Faneca, ARI – Faneca may be approaching the end, but he’s still been an effective guard for the last several years. He’s not longer playing at an All-Pro level, but he still has the strength and savvy to hold his own in the middle. The Cardinals have struggled to field a consistent line over the past few years, so pairing Faneca back with Russ Grimm could give him a nice surge that could let him play out his career in Arizona.
Other Notable Free Agents:
Tyson Clabo, ATL
Doug Free, DAL
Ryan Harris, DEN
Jon Jansen, DET
Charlie Johnson, IND
Tony Ugoh, IND
Ryan O'Callaghan, KC
Mario Henderson, OAK
Khalif Barnes, OAK
Jeromey Clary, SD
Ray Willis, SEA
Jeremy Trueblood, TB
Stephon Heyer, WAS
Reggie Wells, ARI
Deuce Lutui, ARI
Lyle Sendlein, ARI
Quinn Ojinnaka, ATL
Justin Blalock, ATL
Harvey Dahl, ATL
Marshal Yanda, BAL
Chris Chester, BAL
Josh Beekman, CHI
Olin Kreutz, CHI
Nate Livings, CIN
Kyle Cook, CIN
Kyle Kosier, DAL
Manuel Ramirez, DET
Jason Spitz, GB
Uche Nwaneri, JAC
Casey Wiegmann, KC
Rudy Niswanger, KC
Richie Incognito, MIA
Jonathan Goodwin, NO
Chris Morris, OAK
Samson Satele, OAK
Max Jean-Gilles, PHI
Nick Cole, PHI
David Baas, SF
Chris Spencer, SEA
John Greco, STL
Mark Setterstrom, STL
Davin Joseph, TB
Leroy Harris, TEN