Free agency:
Football's Future always has a nice list, but it's broken up by position. So I will too.
Let's start with the meat, the OL, the spots I assume most Raider fans would love to see a new face. Bear in mind, a lot of these names are potential FA, some are restricted, etc.
2011 NFL Free Agent Offensive Linemen
By: Roshan Bhagat
Tyson Clabo (ATL) – Clabo has formed one half of Atlanta’s dominant run-blocking right side. He’s a nasty, physical run blocking tackle who has developed into a steady pass blocker as well. Though the Falcons have several key components of their offensive line set to hit free agency this offseason, none will be more important than ensuring that Ryan stays upright than Clabo. Entering the league as an undrafted free agent, Clabo will be set to strike a lucrative deal.
Doug Free (DAL) – After parting ways with lifelong Cowboy, Flozell Adams, the Cowboys may have found their left tackle for the next decade in Doug Free. He isn’t quite the same run blocker, but he’s proven to be a significant upgrade in pass protection over what Adams has been the last several years. Free has 7 false starts this year, but has also only allowed 5 sacks. If he can clean up the mental problems, he should be a great blindside pass protector for many years in Dallas.
Jared Gaither (BAL) – Though rumors last offseason had Jared Gaither on the trade block, Gaither has proclaimed his desire to return to the Ravens next season. A back injury sidelined him for the entirety of this season and allowed Michael Oher to move into left tackle, where he’ll likely settle in. The injury may potentially allow the Ravens to pay Gaither as a right tackle, increasing the likelihood the organization brings him back.
Jammal Brown (WAS) – With rookie Trent Williams playing the left side, Jammal Brown has started on the right side for the first time since his rookie year. He struggled early in the season as he recovered from injury, but has since turned around his play. He’s a far cry from where he was in his prime, but the Redskins have had success running the ball behind him. The organization hasn’t shied away from spending money on players, but they could get a bargain in Brown, if he continues his upward ascension from injury.
Matt Light (NE) – Light will be 33 next season and coming off his worst season in several years giving up double digit sacks on the left side. 2nd year right tackle Sebastian Vollmer is coming off an All-Pro caliber season at right tackle and has proven capable of stonewalling pass rushers from the left side as well. The aging Matt Light finally seems expendable after giving Tom Brady nearly a decade of great protection.
Jermon Bushrod (NO) – Bushrod hasn’t been nearly as effective at left tackle this season as he was as a fill-in for Jammal Brown a season ago. He’s been average in both pass protection and run-blocking and has 6 false start penalties as well. With offensive guard Carl Nicks set to hit free agency as well, the Saints will likely worry more about their Pro Bowl caliber left guard before getting to Bushrod, especially if they believe Charles Brown is the eventual left tackle for the offense.
Willie Colon (PIT) – Colon had started 50 consecutive games for the Steelers at right tackle with improvement each year before missing all of 2010 with a torn Achilles. He was the team’s best blocker in 2009 and has surprisingly traveled with the organization for each of their games. With an offensive line that has been decimated by injury, the reunion of Colon and Pittsburgh in 2011 seems likely.
Other Notable Free Agents:
Alex Barron (DAL)
Ryan Harris (DEN)
Corey Hilliard (DET)
Rashad Butler (HOU)
Charlie Johnson (IND)
Ryan O'Callaghan (KC)
Pat McQuistan (MIA)
Ryan Cook (MIN)
Zach Strief (NO)
Wayne Hunter (NYJ)
Khalif Barnes (OAK)
Langston Walker (OAK)
Mario Henderson (OAK)
Trai Essex (PIT)
Jonathan Scott (PIT)
Jeromey Clary (SD)
Barry Sims (SF)
Sean Locklear (SEA)
Adam Goldberg (STL)
John Greco (STL)
Jeremy Trueblood (TB)
Stephon Heyer (WAS)
INTERIOR LINEMEN:
Carl Nicks (NO) – Both Jahri Evans and Nicks made it to the Pro Bowl this year, but it was Nicks who had the better season. The Saints run game was best when backs ran it up the middle and over left tackle, both partially attributed to Nicks’ success. The organization also just recently made Jahri Evans the league’s highest paid guard so it’ll be interesting to see if New Orleans also has the highest offer on the table for Nicks if he becomes an unrestricted free agent. They also have Bushrod and Jonathan Goodwin becoming free agents, so if they re-sign Nicks, it almost definitely will mean letting go of Bushrod at left tackle.
Logan Mankins (NE) – The return of Logan Mankins has reinstalled some more nasty into the offensive line and bolstered protection for Tom Brady who has been able to sit back in the pocket and not force throws. With his return, the Patriots have sustained success in the run game with Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead, an unlikely tandem. Though he isn’t playing at quite the same level he was the past three seasons, Mankins continues to be one of the top guards in the league and will be handsomely rewarded this offseason.
Davin Joseph (TB) – Davin Joseph was playing terrific football for the Buccaneers before he fractured his foot in November, sending him to the IR. He’s an excellent run blocker and a good pass blocker, who will one of the top guards if the Buccaneers allow him to reach free agency. Don’t expect them to just let their best offensive linemen go without a fight though.
Harvey Dahl (ATL) – Ask opposing players who have faced Harvey Dahl and they’ll tell you that the right guard brings some extra nasty with him every week. He and Clabo combine to form a physical, dominant right side for the Atlanta Falcons, which allows the offense to control the line of scrimmage. Expect both to re-sign in Atlanta.
Ryan Kalil (CAR) – The Panthers have an uphill battle to return to the playoffs and seemingly have holes at nearly every position. However, center is not one of them, with Ryan Kalil playing consistently good football for them for the entirety of his rookie contract. Re-signing Kalil is the biggest no-brainer the Panthers have this year outside of drafting Andrew Luck if he decides to come out. Just don’t expect the team to use the franchise tag on him as offensive linemen are grouped together for the tag values, which means he’d be making the money of an offensive tackle.
Daryn Colledge (GB) – Colledge has been a bit up and down this season. The Packers have struggled to run the ball with any semblance of consistency and some of that can be attributed to the offensive line. Colledge isn’t able to move defenders off the ball with regularity, but is pretty good in pass protection. With TJ Lang and several other potential prospects vying for left guard, the Packers may not have the money to commit to Colledge after they negotiate with more pivotal free agents.
Other Notable Free Agents:
Alan Faneca (ARZ)
Deuce Lutui (ARZ)
Lyle Sendlein (ARZ)
Justin Blalock (ATL)
Chris Chester (BAL)
Marshal Yanda (BAL)
Olin Kreutz (CHI)
Evan Mathis (CIN)
Kyle Cook (CIN)
Nate Livings (CIN)
Kyle Kosier (DAL)
Jason Spitz (GB)
Kasey Studdard (HOU)
Mike Brisiel (HOU)
Kyle DeVan (IND)
Mike Pollak (IND)
Rudy Niswanger (KC)
Casey Wiegmann (KC)
Richie Incognito (MIA)
Nate Garner (MIA)
Jonathan Goodwin (NO)
Kevin Boothe (NYG)
Samson Satele (OAK)
Reggie Wells (PHI)
Scott Mruczkowski (SD)
David Baas (SF)
Chris Spencer (SEA)
Leroy Harris (TEN)
Will Montgomery (WAS)