Whether you're looking for a high-end option or just looking for a high-end option, this year's offensive guard class free agent has several starters. The NFL Draft also has several options that you can go to in the first round. So it's an exciting time for teams that need interior linemen.
We voted for a group of writers around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings on players. Although unanimous picks are not in the bundle as people value different WR characteristics, our group stands out in several defined layers.
Players will be removed from the list as they will re-sign with their current team until the opening of the free agency in March.
Pending Free Agent Guards Heading for 2025
I'll receive a vote
- Meki Benton
Aaron Banks- Wilhernandez
- Matt Plyer
- John Felicia (medical retirement may be possible)
- Brandon Shelf
7. Zach Martin, Dallas Cowboys
One of the list's most famous names, Martin has played 11 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, most recently in 2023 he was an All-Pro first-team member and pro bowler. At his age, he's unlikely to win a $18 million contract a year, but despite an ankle injury that ended the 2024 campaign, he can definitely become someone's plug-and-go starter. update: Martin announced he intends to retire.
6. Greg Van Roten, New York Giants
Van Roten, an alternative level starter, is on four teams four years later. He has started all the Giants and Raiders games in the past two seasons, but in 2022 he was the bill's top reserve lineman. He made $2 million in 2024, but the league's lowest for the previous two years.
5. French fries, Indianapolis Colts
French fries were suffering from a broken leg in the fifth week of 2024, but should not affect their ability to sign. He has 27 starts in the past three seasons of the Colts, who drafted him in the seventh round of 2020. update: Milling has agreed to a big deal with the Vikings.
4. James Daniels, Pittsburgh Steelers
Daniels is definitely away from the torn Achilles to cut down on what he earns in 2025 (he also missed the torn chest and the 2020 chunk.) Still, he's a candidate for a short-term proof contract at age 27, as he made $26.5 million over three seasons with the Steelers. update: Daniels signed with Dolphins to protect Tua.
3. Kevin Zietler, Detroit Lions
Zeitler's biggest knock is when he turns 35 next March. He made the Pro Bowl with the Ravens in 2023 and has a lot of experience. He is an NFL game starter for under 200 years old. He made $6 million in 2024, so maybe he's lined up for that again?
2. Chicago Bears' Teven Jenkins
Jenkins, the 2021 NFL Draft second round pick, has moved from tackle to guard in the NFL. He has started 36 times over the past three seasons since moving inside and has dealt with several injuries during his time in Chicago.
1. Kansas City Chiefs, Tray Smith
Smith has been in the Chiefs' starting lineup since being drafted in the sixth round of the 201st NFL Draft. He missed just one game in four years. He made a cameo with an original Hallmark movie Horidata Tweet Down: Chief Slab Story. He is an immediate plug and play starter, but he cannot comment on the chops of his acting. He was able to order up to $20 million per season as a top lineman, regardless of position. Update: Smith is franchise tagged by the Chiefs, so the team signing him will have to fork with two first-round picks.
Other free agent attack guards
- Zach Thomas (RFA)
- Kyle Hinton (RFA)
- Xavier Newman-Johnson (RFA)
- Kayode Awosika (RFA)
- Cade Mays (RFA) – Bid on original round RFA figure
- Austin Corbett
- Nate Herbig
Ben Bredeson- Wes Schweitzer
- Cody White Hair
- Dalton Listener
- Evan Brown
- Liam Eichenberg
Robert Jones- Dan Feeney
- Michael Dater
- iosua opeta
Cody Ford- Lucas Patrick
- Aaron Stinney
- Brady Christensen
- Fred Johnson
- Danny Pinter
- Kendrick Green
- Rayken Tomlinson
- Hakeem Adeniji
Ben Baatz- Netane Muti
- Royce Newman
- Cole van Lenen
Recently released security guards
These security guards were released after the rankings were led up to the 2025 league year.
Alex Kappa
The Bengals released cappas to create capspaces. He is a veteran with the 96 NFL starting his name, and he has only missed one game in the past five seasons. He had a $8 million deadline at Cincy. update:Cappa signed with the Raiders a day after his release. The new Vegas GM was part of the front office that drafted him in Tampa.
Free agent guard signed to the new deal
- Ben Burt re-signed the San Francisco 49ers
- Chiefs place franchise tag on Trey Smith
- Alex Kappa signed with the Las Vegas Raiders
- Cade Mays was bid for an RFA deal by Panthers, but can still be signed with another team
- Cody Ford signed a two-year extension with Bengal
- Ben Bredeson signed a three-year contract to stay in Tampa
- Aaron Banks heads to the Packers from the 49ers
- James Daniels and Iruka agree to terms of the three-year contract
- Robert Jones is in Dallas on a one-year contract
- French fries signed a monster contract with the Minnesota Viking
