Earlier in February, there appeared to be a lack of options for teams in need of a veteran offensive tackle in free agency. But very quickly, the market exploded with a few former Pro Bowlers added to the mix.
Russell Okung, Ryan Clady create a suddenly robust offensive tackle market
The free agency market at offensive tackle became deep over a span of less than 24 hours.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, the New York Jets declined to pick up an option on Ryan Clady’s contract making the four-time Pro Bowl tackle a free agent. One day later, the Miami Dolphins were set to cut ties with two-time Pro Bowler Branden Albert, although the team eventually negotiated a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars that is expected to be finalized in March.
Additionally, the Denver Broncos and Jaguars declined to pick up the options on Russell Okung and Kelvin Beachum, respectively, adding a a former Pro Bowler and another starting-quality player to a market that didn’t feature much depth at the position.
Prior to the additions of Clady, Okung, Albert, and Beachum, the top players set to be available in March were Ricky Wagner of the Baltimore Ravens, Andrew Whitworth of the Cincinnati Bengals, and Riley Reiff of the Detroit Lions.
Wagner, 27, and Reiff, 28, are two young players who were mostly reliable starters. And Whitworth has consistently been a top offensive tackle in the NFL, but will turn 36 before the end of the 2017 season.
Still, no offensive tackles landed in NFL.com’s top 20 impending free agents with Wagner leading the way at No. 24.
Clady, Okung, Albert, and Beachum won’t change that. Clady signed a five-year, $52.5 million deal with the Denver Broncos in 2013 — he was traded to the Jets in 2016 and renegotiated his contract shortly thereafter — and Albert signed a five-year, $47 million deal with the Dolphins in 2014, but the days of blockbuster deals are in those players’ past.
What their addition to the market does, though, is add depth where there wasn’t much. Prior to Wednesday, there were only a handful of players who could be added with confidence that they’d fill a starting role. After Wagner, Reiff, and Whitworth, there were boom-or-bust possibilities like Menelik Watson or Matt Kalil.
Now, teams in search of a boost at offensive tackle in free agency can feel comfortable that they won’t miss out.
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