NFL offensive line market likely to include two big names

One of the best players set to hit the NFL free agent market at OL, Jawaan Taylor, is expected to command a deal worth at least $17M on average, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com notes. While the Jaguars used their franchise tag on Evan Engram, the organization is reportedly still attempting to bring back Taylor.

The former second-rounder has never missed a start as a pro and although Pro Football Focus viewed Taylor as one of the league’s worst run-blockers last season, the advanced metrics site rates him as the eighth-best pass-protecting right tackle over the past two years. The Jags already have Cam Robinson tied to a top-10 deal at left tackle, which will make keeping Taylor difficult. A deal at $17M AAV would move Taylor into the top five at the position.

Another of the top right-siders set to be hit the market, Mike McGlinchey is not expected to return to the 49ers. The Bears would be in position to outmuscle other suitors for the five-year starter’s services should they so choose, holding a huge lead in cap space over competitors. McGlinchey should be expected to join Taylor on a deal north of $17M per year, per Adam Jahns of ‘The Athletic.’

Kaleb McGary could profile as a slightly cheaper alternative, with Jahns noting additionally that Bears offensive line coach Chris Morgan was the Falcons’ O-line coach when Atlanta initially drafted the Michigan product in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft. The Bears have cycled through several options at right tackle since releasing Bobby Massie in 2021. This free agent crop represents a nice opportunity for the team to address the position.

Elsewhere on the line rumor mill, excepting their 2017 Stephon Gilmore payment and the 2021 spending frenzy, the Patriots are not known for deep dives into free agency pools. But they also look set to investigate the right tackle market. New England is seeking an upgrade here, with Ben Volin of the Boston Globe noting that the team seems content on the interior and on the left side.

Among the options at right tackle further down from the big money boys, Trey Pipkins, Kelvin Beachum and Andrew Wylie are ticketed for free agency. The Pats hold more than $32MM in cap space, giving them some capital to use at this need area.

Currently carrying Lamar Jackson’s $32.4M franchise tag on their cap sheet, the Ravens are not expected to retain their other top possible free agent in Ben Powers, whose quality contract year should lead to his Baltimore departure, Jeff Zrebiec of ‘The Athletic’ writes.

Powers, 26, will be one of the best guards available when free agency opens next week. The Ravens’ Jackson tag has them $9M over the cap as of Wednesday afternoon.

And one final OL note, this one on an NFL-hopeful. USC tackle prospect Andrew Vorhees suffered a torn ACL while doing drills at the Combine, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL.com. While Vorhees still managed to perform 38 reps in the bench press after the injury, these are the kinds of health concerns that can push a prospect out of the top-100 players selected.