NFL Free Agency 2024: Top guards available, Colts needs
NFL free agency is upon us, ushering in a dizzying number of players changing teams or staying put with new deals. Here are key dates:
March 5: Teams can designate franchise or transition players.
March 11: Teams and player agents can negotiate.
March 13: Free agent signings begin.
NFL free agent guards
Here are the most notable guards on the market, including 2023 performance and salary, and profiles.
Players listed in alphabetical order
∎ Ezra Cleveland, Jaguars
2023: The 25-year-old played nine games for the Jaguars after being traded from the Vikings after six games. He played 62% of the offensive snaps in Jacksonville, 97% in Minnesota. Salary cap hit: $1.66 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Profile from Pro Football Focus: Cleveland passes off double teams well, getting to the defender's play-side shoulder and down-blocking them away from the ball carrier while setting himself free to square up a second-level defender. In pass protection, Cleveland can set a bit upright with his weight distributed to the back of his feet, which makes him susceptible to rushers pushing him off his spot at times or crossing his face without much resistance.
∎ Kevin Dotson, Rams
2023: The 27-year-old started 14 games, playing 95% of the offensive snaps and committing just 2 penalties. Salary cap hit: $2.25 million. Profile from 33rd Team: He was a strong run blocker (seventh in blown block rate) as the Rams went to more gap schemes. Per SIS, Dotson was 10th among guards in blown block rate in the passing game. At 6-foot-4 and 321 pounds, he can use his size as a dominating physical presence on the interior. He's considered the best free agent guard.
∎ Jon Feliciano, 49ers
2023: The 32-year-old started 7 games and appeared in 48% of the offensive snaps. Salary cap hit: $3.25 million.
∎ Graham Glasgow, Lions
2023: The 31-year-old played 90% of the offensive snaps, committing 4 penalties. Salary cap hit: $2.75 million.
∎ Robert Hunt, Dolphins
(March 11 report: Panthers, Hunt agree on five-year, $100 million contract)
2023: The 27-year-old appeared in 11 games in an injury-interrupted season, playing on 78% of the offensive snaps. Salary cap hit: $3.85 million in the final years of his rookie contract. Profile from Pro Football Focus: At 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds, Hunt got his NFL start at tackle, lining up on either side in his rookie season and holding up admirably. He found a home for the past three seasons at right guard and was a great fit in the team’s zone rushing attack under head coach Mike McDaniel.
∎ Jonah Jackson, Lions
(March 11 report: Jackson, Rams agree to a three-year, $51 million contract)
2023: The 27-year-old appeared in 12 games, and played every snap in those games. Salary cap hit: $3.25 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Profile from Pro Football Focus: Jackson is a force in space in the run game who climbs to the second level well once he gets a head of steam and adjusts laterally to plant his heavy hands into the chests of defenders with balanced feet. Jackson has continued to struggle in pass protection, which is a bit surprising given his athletic ability.
∎ Damien Lewis, Seahawks
(March 12 report: Lewis, Panthers agree on a four-year, $53 million contract)
2023: The 27-year-old played 95% of the offensive snaps and committed 4 penalties. Salary cap hit: $3.27 million in the final year of his rookie contract. Profile from Pro Football Focus: He’s held up as an average run blocker throughout his career, but he improved in terms of winning early and limited his losses that turned into run stuffs (one in 2023).
∎ Dalton Risner, Vikings
2023: The 28-year-old played on 75% of offensive snaps. Salary cap hit: $2.62 million. Profile from Pro Football Focus: Risner does well to initiate contact with a solid punch, ensuring he doesn’t expose his chest or get his hands swatted away. Even on bull rushes where Risner is driven back and gives up pressure, he keeps his feet square and stays in front of the rusher to prevent a hit on the quarterback, frequently providing this signal-caller with just enough time to still get a pass off.
(March 11 report: Runyan, Giants agree to a three-year, $30 million contract)
2023: The 26-year-old played on 85% of the offensive snaps. Salary cap hit: $2.79 million on the final year of his rookie contract. Profile from 33rd Team: Jon Runyan has been a solid presence for the Packers as a three-year starter. He has played both guard spots as a starter and settled in at right guard for 2023. He was 11th at the position in pressure rate allowed and was 17th among interior linemen in pass block win rate. Runyan can lose reps early in run blocking, but those reps don’t cancel out the positives.
∎ John Simpson, Ravens
(March 12 report: Simpson, Jets agree to a contract)
2023: The 26-year-old played 99% of the offensive snaps, committing 11 penalties (7 holding). Salary cap hit: $1 million. Profile from Pro Football Focus: There are times when Simpson gets over his skis a bit in space, but if he keeps his feet under him and finds the chest of a defender, he has some pulling reps on tape where he launches linebackers/defensive backs to Neptune.
∎ Greg Van Roten, Raiders
2023: The 34-year-old played 98% of the offensive snaps and committed 0 penalties. Salary cap hit: $1.59 million.
∎ Kevin Zeitler, Ravens
2023: The 34-year-old played 97% of the offensive snaps and earned his first Pro Bowl berth, committing 2 penalties. Salary cap hit: $7.5 million. Profile from Pro Football Network: He didn’t show any signs of slowing down, especially in pass protection, and could be in line for another multi-year deal despite his age. Guards can play forever, and Zeitler is still among the league’s best.
Colts guard needs
Quenton Nelson is the anchor of the Colts' line, and Will Fries handled right guard duties. The Colts might seek an upgrade or seek depth and versatility.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: NFL Free Agency 2024: Top guards available, Colts needs
