NFL free agency 2021: Top 10 NFL offensive linemen available
Here's a look at the top 10 NFL offensive linemen available in free agency this offseason. By Dave Zangaro
He’s missed some games because of injury over the last few seasons but when he’s on the field few are better than Washingtons’ right guard. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and got his first All-Pro nod in 2020.
He’ll be 33 by the start of the 2021 season and maybe he’s not as good as he used to be but Williams is still playing at an extremely high level. After missing the entire 2019 season, Williams started 14 games at left tackle for the 49ers last season and got back to the Pro Bowl. He has been a Pro Bowler eight times and has made the team in every year he’s played since 2012.
After playing the 2020 season on a franchise tag, Thuney is a free agent again. The former 3rd-round pick has started all 16 games in all five of his seasons in the NFL. He’s a valuable part of the Patriots’ offense.
The Panthers’ starting tackle has been a very consistently good player since entering the NFL. He has started all 16 games over the last three seasons and if the Panthers can’t reach a long-term deal with Moton, they ought to slap a franchise tag on him.
The Packers’ long-time center finally got some recognition in 2020, getting named to the AP All-Pro team. He missed three games in 2020 but those are the only three games he’s missed in the last four seasons. He’s dependable and good.
It’s hard to place Okung, who has played in just 13 total games over the last three seasons. Because of those concerns, he probably won’t break the bank but if he’s able to stay healthy, he could be a huge signing for some team. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of the best left tackles in the business when healthy.
Now 32, Villanueva hasn’t played up to his Pro Bowl level from 2017-18 but he’s still a very solid left tackle and doesn’t missed games. He started all 16 for the Steelers again in 2020.
The six-time Pro Bowler is 35 now and on the decline. That’s why the Falcons will probably be willing to cut ties but he could be a nice piece to shore up an offensive line for a contending team. He played in 14 games in 2020 and has been extremely dependable during his career. He has played all 16 games in 10 of his 12 NFL seasons.
The Patriots’ center missed the 2019 season but came back and played at a high level for 12 starts in 2020. He’s been a top 15 center in the NFL for a while.
The big starting right tackle had a big bounce back season with the Bills in 2020 after five seasons with the Panthers to start his career. Williams was in Buffalo on a cheap deal in 2020 and if the Bills want to keep him, they’re going to have to pay more.
