Top free-agent offensive tackles
Who will be the offensive tackles on the market during the 2017 NFL free-agency period? Andrew Mason gives you his overview. (AP Images)
Durable and technically sound, the 35-year-old Whitworth has missed just two games in the past eight seasons while protecting the blind side of Bengals quarterbacks. He isn't going to be a long-term answer, but for a team in win-now mode, he could be an ideal final piece of the puzzle.
The three-year starter became one of the league's best right tackles last season, building off what Ravens head coach John Harbaugh called "a lot of really high-effort practices" that he was able to translate into solid game-day work. In 2016, he was called for just three penalties and allowed only three sacks, according to ProFootballFocus.com. Baltimore would like to bring back Wagner, but just four teams have less projected 2017 salary-cap space, according to OvertheCap.com.
After working at left tackle, Reiff moved to right tackle last season, but he could still project as a guard depending on where he lands in free agency. Although Reiff has been a capable run blocker throughout his career, he's occasionally struggled against fast edge rushers, which helped lead to his move away from left tackle last year.
After bouncing from Minnesota to Jacksonville, Pasztor finally settled in with the Browns after joining the team in 2015, replacing Mitchell Schwartz at right tackle and responding with a solid year after a rough opening three weeks. Pasztor needs to improve against edge rushers; according to ProFootballFocus.com, he allowed 39 quarterback hurries last year.
One year after trading for the long-time Bronco and former All-Pro selection, the Jets opted to not exercise the option on the 30-year-old Clady's contract. Shoulder, lisfranc and knee injuries took their toll on Clady the last four seasons and likely limit his potential on the market.
Another projected free agent who has lengthy injury concerns, Vollmer missed the 2016 campaign with hip and shoulder injuries. He hasn't made it through a full 16-game season since 2010 -- when he was a second-team All-Pro at right tackle -- and has missed 38 regular-season games in the last six seasons.
As with Clady, Beachum will hit the market after his team elected to not exercise the option on his contract. Beachum joined the Jaguars last year after suffering a torn ACL the previous season in Pittsburgh and did not look back up to speed, and nowhere close to his dominant 2014 form. Given that it often takes one full year after recovery before returning to form, Beachum could be worth a roll of the dice on an incentive-heavy, prove-it contract.
Although Kalil made a Pro Bowl as a rookie, he has never matched that form and hasn't lived up to the promise that caused the Vikings to use the No. 4 pick in the 2012 draft on him, and he missed nearly all of the 2016 season because of a hip injury. Could another team unlock the potential the Vikings could not?
Hubbard delivered some solid work in four starts last year, particularly in a dominating performance against the New York Jets at right tackle. What makes Hubbard's situation interesting is that as an undrafted player, the Steelers would have to tender him as a second-round player.
He's not as bad as he appeared in Super Bowl 50 and the regular-season opener last year working against Von Miller, but the former Broncos training-camp player has struggled with penalties the last two years.
Having emerged as a valuable swing backup, Fleming did not allow a sack in four starts to open the 2016 season -- three at left tackle, one at right tackle -- before returning to his reserve role.
Ijalana held his own filling in for Clady down the stretch, and appears to have found his professional footing with the Jets after struggling in Indianapolis.
In four of his 16 starts last year, Mills allowed five or more quarterback pressures, according to ProFootballFocus.com. He's cleaned up his game in terms of taking penalties after struggling in that department in 2015, but at this point probably projects as a backup.
He declared himself "finally healthy" last year after being limited to 11 games the previous two seasons, but remained on the market last year until October, when the Vikings signed him to replace the injured Matt Kalil. Long started just three games before tearing his Achilles tendon. Realistically, he will remain unsigned for a while as he rehabilitates from his injury.
The 33-year-old veteran has struggled to recapture his prime form in the last four seasons, three of which were spent as a backup, and he has just six starts in the last three years.
Although a veteran of just four seasons, Watson is 28, having not taken up American football until 2011 after starting his college career as a forward at Marist College. An Achilles tendon injury cost him his entire 2015 season, and he struggled in the starting lineup late in 2016, allowing sacks in two of the Raiders' final three games.
He's still a big name, but was inconsistent as a backup last year with the Buccaneers and hasn't gotten the same push he used to get off the snap as a run blocker.
Conditioning has always been an issue for Smith, and it caught up to him the last two years as he struggled in pass protection.
Sowell was the Seahawks' starter at left or right tackle for nine games last year -- which, given the state of Seattle's offensive line, isn't necessarily a line you want on your resume. If Seattle brings him back, it seems likely to be at a near-minimum contract, and with another player brought in to compete.
Adams was released by the Steelers with the failed-physical designation last May, and then suffered a back injury last year in Chicago, forcing him to injured reserve. At this point, Adams is probably an insurance policy, and nothing more.
