Bold NFL Offseason Predictions for Where 6 Top OL in NFL Free Agency Land

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Bold NFL Offseason Predictions for Where 6 Top OL in NFL Free Agency Land

Bold NFL Offseason Predictions for Where 6 Top OL in NFL Free Agency Land — Barry Reeger-Imagn Images

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Tue, Feb 17, 2026 ·

4 min read

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NFL free agency is right around the corner, and there are quite a few high-end skill players available this offseason on both sides of the ball. However, it is more important than ever to win in the trenches; that is why some of the best offensive linemen in NFL free agency will land lucrative contracts this offseason.

Let's dive into our NFL offseason predictions for where the top offensive linemen in NFL free agency land.

Rasheed Walker , OT: Pittsburgh Steelers

There seems to be an increasing likelihood of Aaron Rodgers returning as the Pittsburgh Steelers starting quarterback in 2026. If that comes to fruition, it would be wise for the club to upgrade at left tackle. Things just never worked out with Broderick Jones , so we cannot count on the Steelers to bring in someone and develop him. Instead, they can go after the best offensive tackle in NFL free agency. Rasheed Walker is a bit like Dan Moore Jr. , though probably better in pass protection. It is going to cost $20-plus million AAV to land him, but the Steelers have the cap space to pull it off.Plus, it can be a long-term fit since he just turned 26.

Braden Smith: Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams certainly have the option of using one of their first-round picks on an offensive tackle to replace Rob Havenstein . However, it is a far safer bet for a Super Bowl contender to go after the sure thing. Braden Smith is an above-average starter at right tackle, offering stability both in pass protection and as a run blocker. Durability is his biggest issue, but the Rams have a backup plan in place, as Warren McClendon Jr. proved he can more than hold his own as a fill-in starter this past season.

Isaac Seumalo , iOL: Las Vegas Raiders

The Las Vegas Raiders will absolutely be splurging in NFL free agency; it is only a question of which offensive lineman they go after. Not only does guard Isaac Seumalo bring the playing style and mentality that new head coach Klint Kubiak likely wants in the trenches, but he also offers something else Las Vegas needs. Seumalo finished last season with the third-highest ESPN pass-block win rate (97 percent) in the NFL; the veteran is exactly who the Raiders should want at left guard protecting Fernando Mendoza.

David Edwards , iOL: Houston Texans

NFL Offseason Predictions, NFL Free Agency — Robert Deutsch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Houston Texans must do a lot more this offseason to protect C.J. Stroud . It would also help if the front office would invest more to improve the ground game. Signing David Edwards helps in both regards. Edwards finished 2025 ranked 10th among interior linemen in ESPN run-block win rate (75 percent), and he allowed just one quarterback hit while earning the 14th-best PFF pass-blocking grade among guards. This is the kind of investment that is desperately needed in Houston, and it would be a major step toward a more consistent and well-rounded offense in 2026 and beyond.

Connor McGovern , C: Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers can find a quality starting guard in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Unfortunately for the club, this year's prospect pool is alarmingly thin at center. That leaves NFL free agency as the best avenue to upgrade at the position. It is going to take beating the Buffalo Bills in a bidding war to land Connor McGovern, as he ranked third among all centers in ESPN pass-block win rate (97 percent) this past season. It is worth it. Going from Bradley Bozeman to McGovern would be a monumental upgrade for the interior Chargers offensive line and do wonders to help Justin Herbert and Mike McDaniel.

Read More: 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Tyler Linderbaum , C: Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens will not use the franchise tag to prevent Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum from reaching NFL free agency. However, we cannot envision the club losing him to the open market. Baltimore already had a bottom-10 offensive line in 2025, with the interior being the biggest reason for the unit's struggles. Losing Linderbaum would be putting Lamar Jackson under even more pressure next season in worse circumstances. Baltimore might not like the price it has to pay to re-sign Linderbaum, but it is worth it; there is a reason why interior offensive linemen of his caliber rarely leave the team that drafted them when they are entering the prime of their careers.

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