There are a number of starters on this 12 months’s offensive guard class of free brokers, whether or not you’re on the lookout for a higher-end choice or only a man. The NFL Draft additionally has a couple of choices that might go within the first spherical, so it’s an thrilling time for groups who want inside linemen.
We polled a gaggle of writers from round SB Nation to assemble consensus rankings in regards to the gamers. Whereas there aren’t any unanimous picks among the many bunch as people worth totally different WR traits, our teams stands out into some outlined tiers.
We’ll take away gamers from the record as they re-sign with their present groups all the way in which as much as the opening of free company in March.
Pending free agent guards heading into 2025
Receiving votes
Mekhi BectonAaron Banks- Will Hernandez
- Matt Pryor
- Jon Feliciano (could also be medically retired)
- Brandon Scherff
7. Zack Martin, Dallas Cowboys
One of many extra well-known names on the record, Martin has performed 11 seasons for the Dallas Cowboys and as just lately as 2023 was an All-Professional first-team member and Professional Bowler. At his age, it’s most likely unlikely he will get one other $18 million-per-year contract, however he can positively be a plug-and-go starter for somebody regardless of the ankle harm that ended his 2024 marketing campaign. UPDATE: Martin introduced he intends to retire.
6. Greg Van Roten, New York Giants
The definition of a replacement-level starter, Van Roten has been on 4 groups in 4 years. He’s began each sport for the Giants and Raiders within the final two seasons, however was the highest reserve lineman for the Payments in 2022. He made $2 million in 2024, however was on the league minimal for the 2 years previous to that. UPDATE: GVR signed a deal to return to the Giants.
5. Will Fries, Indianapolis Colts
Fries suffered a fractured leg in Week 5 of 2024, nevertheless it shouldn’t influence his means to be signed. He has 27 begins over the previous three seasons for the Colts, who drafted him within the seventh spherical in 2020. UPDATE: Fries agreed to an enormous contract with the Vikings.
4. James Daniels, Pittsburgh Steelers
Daniels is coming off a torn Achilles which can little doubt decrease the sum of money he earns in 2025. (He additionally missed a bit of 2020 with a torn pectoral.) Nonetheless, he made $26.5 million in three seasons with the Steelers, so he’s a candidate for a short-term prove-it deal at age 27. UPDATE: Daniels signed with the Dolphins to guard Tua.
3. Kevin Zeitler, Detroit Lions
The most important knock on Zeitler is his age as he turns 35 this coming March. He made a Professional Bowl in 2023 with the Ravens and simply has a ton of expertise. He’s been the starter for slightly below 200 NFL video games. He made $6 million in 2024, so perhaps he’s in line for that once more? UPDATE: Zeitler heads to Tennessee on a one-year deal.
2. Teven Jenkins, Chicago Bears
A 2021 NFL Draft second-round decide, Jenkins has moved from deal with to protect within the NFL. He has 36 begins over the past three seasons since shifting inside, and has handled a number of accidents throughout his time in Chicago. UPDATE: Jenkins signed with the Browns.
1. Trey Smith, Kansas Metropolis Chiefs
Smith has been within the beginning lineup for the Chiefs since being drafted within the sixth spherical of the 201 NFL Draft, when he was named to the All-Rookie Staff. He’s missed only one sport in 4 years. He made a cameo within the Hallmark Authentic Movie Vacation Landing: A Chiefs Love Story. He’s an immediate plug-and-play starter however we will’t touch upon his appearing chops. He might command as much as $20 million per season as the highest lineman no matter place. UPDATE: Smith has been franchise-tagged by the Chiefs, so any staff that indicators him must fork over two first-round picks.
Different free agent offensive guards
- Xavier Newman-Johnson (RFA)
- Kayode Awosika (RFA)
- Cade Mays (RFA) – tendered at authentic spherical RFA determine
- Austin Corbett
- Nate Herbig
- Cody Whitehair
- Dalton Risner
- Evan Brown
- Liam Eichenberg
- Iosua Opeta
- Dan Feeney
- Lucas Patrick
- Aaron Stinnie
- Brady Christensen
- Fred Johnson
- Hakeem Adeniji
- Netane Muti
- Danny Pinter
- Royce Newman
- Cole Van Lanen
Blake HanceBen BredesonRobert JonesMichael DeiterCody FordKendrick InexperiencedLaken TomlinsonBen BartchBen ClevelandWes SchweitzerLester Cotton (RFA)Zach Thomas (RFA)Kyle Hinton (RFA)
Lately launched guards
These guards had been launched after our rankings had been put collectively within the lead as much as the 2025 league 12 months.
Alex Cappa
The Bengals launched Cappa to create cap area. He’s a veteran with 96 NFL begins to his identify and he’s solely missed one sport within the final 5 seasons. He was due $8 million in Cincy. UPDATE: Cappa signed with the Raiders a day after being launched. The brand new Vegas GM was a part of the entrance workplace that drafted him in Tampa.
Shaq Mason
Mason was launched by the Texans regardless of 15 begins in 2024. Houston didn’t need to pay him $10.55 million for 2025 at age 32. He’s identified extra for his cross blocking than run blocks, however did enable a ton of sacks in line with PFF. He’ll seemingly get or compete for a beginning job someplace quickly.
Free agent guards who had been signed to new offers
- Ben Bartch re-signed with the San Francisco 49ers
- The Chiefs place the franchise tag on Trey Smith
- Alex Cappa signed with the Las Vegas Raiders
- Cade Mays was tendered to an RFA deal by the Panthers however can nonetheless signal with one other staff
- Cody Ford signed a two-year extension with the Bengals
- Ben Bredeson signed a three-year deal to remain in Tampa
- Aaron Banks heads to the Packers from the 49ers
- James Daniels and the Dolphins agreed to phrases on a three-year deal
- Robert Jones is in Dallas on a one-year contract
- Will Fries signed a monster take care of the Minnesota Vikings
- Laken Tomlinson agreed to a one-year deal in Houston
- Blake Hance signed a one-year take care of the Titans
- Zach Thomas signed a contract with Houston
- Kevin Zeitler signed with the Titans on a one-year deal
- Lester Cotton was assigned the suitable of first refusal tender as an RFA however can negotiate with different groups
- Kyle Hinton signed a one-year take care of the Falcons
- Greg van Roten re-upped with the Giants
- Michael Deiter signed with the Commanders
- Wes Schweitzer signed a one-year take care of the Patriots
- Kendrick Inexperienced signed a one-year contract in Buffalo
- Ben Cleveland re-upped with the Ravens
- Mekhi Becton signed a take care of the Chargers
- Teven Jenkins signed with the Browns