2025 NFL Free Agent Market Report: Offensive Guards

Like at OT, the Steelers seem to be ready to go at Guard for 2025. While they could lose James Daniels, the Steelers have Isaac Seumalo and Mason McCormick returning. However, No. 73’s deal ends after next season and McCormick had some rookie struggles down the stretch, so they could look to bring Daniels back with a projected $60m-plus space under the cap and could benefit from a of available bargain veterans as depth.

Below is a list of the Top Ten NFL Free Agent Offensive Guards as ranked by Pro Football Focus. No matter if Pittsburgh could afford these guys, be willing to pay market value or whether it would be unwise, in your opinion, to bring any of these players in, they are on the list to be considered. Read and decide for yourself.

Most Notable Free Agent Offensive Guards

Trey Smith – Kansas City Chiefs

Age: 25.6, Height: 6’6”, Weight: 321 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 4 years/$20.5m per year

Smith has won two rings in KC and despite the inability of the Chiefs O-line to protect Patrick Mahomes in the Super Bowl, Smith is still considered a standout at the position despite being drafted in Round 6 after blood clots made buyers nervous. Since then, Smith has started 80 games for the Chiefs and with a tall build and a powerful ability to drive pass rushers away, the former Tennessee Volunteer warrants the big bag that awaits on the open market with KC not putting the franchise tag on him.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 17, Offensive Snaps Played: 1,288

Sacks Allowed: 1, Penalties: 9

Overall Grade: 75.1 (Good)

Pass Blocking: 65.7 (Above Average), Run Blocking: 77.9 (Good)

PFF Position Ranking: 14

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 2

Free Agency Position Rank: 1

Will Fries – Indianapolis Colts

Age: 26.8, Height: 6’6”, Weight: 305 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 4 years/$14.31m per year

Despite a lack of length, Fries has relied on balance and power to keep defenders at bay. The former Penn State Nittany Lion has made amazing progress each year of his rookie deal and was on track for a blockbuster 2024 before a fractured tibia ended a great campaign. Healed and ready to go, Fries is a good bet to cash in handsomely and reward the team that picks up the bill.

2024 Stats

Games Played: 5, Offensive Snaps Played: 268

Sacks Allowed: 2, Penalties: 1

Overall Grade: 86.9 (High Quality)

Pass Blocking: 74.9 (Above Average), Run Blocking: 84.9 (High Quality)

PFF Position Ranking: 4

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 24

Free Agency Position Rank: 2

Teven Jenkins – Chicago Bears

Age: 26.9 Height: 6’6”, Weight 321 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$13.33m per year

Jenkins is a fantastic lineman when he’s healthy but that hasn’t been the case as the big man drafted in 2021 from Oklahoma State has missed 23 games in his pro career from a myriad of injuries. Drafted as an OT, Jenkins is now firmly entrenched in the trenches at Guard and has thrived when in the lineup with a powerful upper-body and leg strength to drive defenders away from ball carriers and keep them from his QB.

2024 Stats: Games Played: 14, Offensive Snaps Played: 738

Sacks Allowed: 4, Penalties: 4

Overall Grade: 75.4 (Good)

Pass Blocking: 75.8 (Good) Run Blocking: 74.3 (Above Average)

PFF Position Ranking: 13

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 25

Free Agency Position Rank: 3

Kevin Zeitler – Detroit Lions

Age: 34.9 Height: 6’4”, Weight 340 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$6.25m per year

Here’s a guy that continues to get better with each season in a long and prosperous career. Last season in Detroit, Zeitler had one of his best years protecting the passer and creating lanes for runners. Even at the age of 35, teams will line up to add the proven inside presence that Zeitler provides at a bargain deal.

2024 Stats: Games Played: 16, Offensive Snaps Played: 1,047

Sacks Allowed: 5, Penalties: 2

Overall Grade: 86.8 (High Quality)

Pass Blocking: 71.8 (Above Average), Run Blocking: 87.2 (High Quality)

PFF Position Ranking: 3

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 27

Free Agency Position Rank: 3

James Daniels – Pittsburgh Steelers

Age: 27.4 Height: 6’6”, Weight 321 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$5.5m per year

It’s hard to believe that Daniels, going into his eighth season as a pro out of Iowa, is only 27. A veteran of the Bears and Steelers, Daniels was excelling as a run blocker again in 2024 when he tore is Achilles late in Week 4 at Indy. Big James is powerful in driving defenders to the side, opening holes and creating opportunities, as well as serving as an able pass protector. The Steelers have cap space and could welcome No. 78 back, for he is not projected to have a steep price tag. Either way, a healthy Daniels and his 2025 team will mutually benefit one another.

2024 Stats: Games Played: 4, Offensive Snaps Played: 209

Sacks Allowed: 1, Penalties: 0

Overall Grade: 92.9 (Elite)

Pass Blocking: 66.5 (Above Average), Run Blocking: 92.5 (Elite)

PFF Position Ranking: 2

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 28

Free Agency Position Rank: 5

Mekhi Becton– Philadelphia Eagles

Age: 25.8 Height: 6’7”, Weight 363 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$9m per year

Mekhi Becton finally arrived in 2024, but it took for a position switch from OT to OG to flip the script from draft bust to a productive protector that can now call himself a Super Bowl Champion after one season with the Eagles. With fantastic wingspan, power and position flexibility, Becton could be a force in this league for years to come. But there is the worry that being in a fantastic system in Philly was the reason for the dramatic turnaround.

2024 Stats: Games Played: 4, Offensive Snaps Played: 1,158

Sacks Allowed: 3, Penalties: 4

Overall Grade: 70.7 (Above Average)

Pass Blocking: 60.1 (Average), Run Blocking: 70.3 (Above Average)

PFF Position Ranking: 20

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 41

Free Agency Position Rank: 6

Brandon Scherff – Jacksonville Jaguars

Age: 33.1, Height: 6’5”, Weight 315 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$6m per year

Scherff has carved out quite the resume’ for himself as an All Pro early on in the league, but a four-year rash of injuries starting in 2018 threatened to shorten a great career. Since signing with Jacksonville in 2022, the former top-5 pick has been a picture of health. Scherff is not the dominating force he was in younger days, but he offers stability at a reasonable price to any line that can benefit from a veteran.

2024 Stats: Games Played: 17, Offensive Snaps Played: 1,013

Sacks Allowed: 0, Penalties: 2

Overall Grade: 64.7 (Average)

Pass Blocking: 74.5 (Above Average), Run Blocking: 57.3 (Average)

PFF Position Ranking: 36

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 59

Free Agency Position Rank: 7

Patrick Mekari – Baltimore Ravens

Age: 27.5, Height: 6’4”, Weight 305 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$8.68m per year

In Baltimore, Mekari has played both OT and OG for one of the finest offenses in football over the last couple of years. With position flexibility and a great skill set, the Raven could be a nice signing for any team.

2024 Stats: Games Played: 17, Offensive Snaps Played: 1,131

Sacks Allowed: 1, Penalties: 14

Overall Grade: 59.0 (Average)

Pass Blocking: 71.6 (Above Average), Run Blocking: 56.0 (Average)

PFF Position Ranking: 51

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 64

Free Agency Position Rank: 9

Aaron Banks – San Francisco 49ers

Age: 27.4, Height: 6’5”, Weight 325 lbs.

Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$8.5m per year

Banks has put together good tape in the league, especially as a run blocker, and has started 43 games over the last three seasons for a dynamic 49ers offense. However, injuries have plagued him and some pundits believe that 2024 may have been a step back for the former second-rounder out of Notre Dame in 2021 with more missed blocks than desired. The hope is that Banks can return to form.

2024 Stats: Games Played: 13, Offensive Snaps Played: 775

Sacks Allowed: 1, Penalties: 5

Overall Grade: 65.4 (Above Average)

Pass Blocking: 60.5 (Average), Run Blocking: 68.9 (Above Average)

PFF Position Ranking: 33

Overall PFF Free Agency Rank: 73

Free Agency Position Rank: 10

Most Notable Steelers Free Agent Offensive Tackles

James Daniels – See Above

Max Scharping

Other Notable Free Agent Offensive Tackles

Evan Brown – Arizona Cardinals

Trystan Colon – Arizona Cardinals

Ben Cleveland – Baltimore Ravens

Austin Corbett – Carolina Panthers

Matt Pryor – Chicago Bears

Netane Muti – Detroit Lions

Kendrick Green Houston Texan

Mark Glowinski – Indianapolis Colts

Blake Hance – Jacksonville Jaguars

Andrus Peat – Las Vegas Raiders

Cody Whitehair – Las Vegas Raiders

Isaiah Wynn – Miami Dolphins

Robert Jones – Miami Dolphins

Liam Eichenberg – Miami Dolphins

Dalton Risner – Minnesota Vikings

Landon Young – New Orleans Saints

Lucas Patrick – New Orleans Saints

Aaron Stinnie – New York Giants

Greg Van Roten – New York Giants

Wes Schweitzer – New York Jets

Jake Hanson – New York Jets

Jack Driscoll – Philadelphia Eagles

Ben Bartch – San Francisco 49ers

Jon Feliciano – San Francisco 49ers

Ben Bredeson – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Iosua Opeta – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Royce Newton – Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Dillon Radunz – Tennessee Titans

Laken Tomlinson – Seattle Seahawks

Michael Deiter – Washington Commanders