NFL free agent rankings: Center

There are a few starters in this year’s center class of free agents.

We polled a group of writers from around SB Nation to gather consensus rankings about the players. While there are no unanimous picks among the bunch as folks value different WR traits, our groups stands out into some defined tiers.

We will remove players from the list as they re-sign with their current teams all the way up to the opening of free agency in March.

Make sure when you look up Connor McGovern, you find the right one. Bills’ center Connor McGovern is a Pro Bowl alternate. Jets’ center Connor McGovern is a bit further down the pecking order at this point in his career. He started 2024 on the Jets practice squad, was signed by the Saints and released, then claimed on waivers by New York. Back in 2020, the Jets gave him a three-year, $27 million contract but he played on the vet minimum in 2024.

Capable of playing guard and center, Brown has started 56 games over the last four seasons for the Lions, Seahawks, and Cardinals. He made $2.35 million last year. UPDATE: Evan Brown re-signed with the Cardinals.

A very reliable player, Bozeman has played in every game since 2019 with the Ravens, Panthers, and now Chargers. He made the league minimum in 2024, but the contract he signed in Carolina was three years and $18 million, even if he only saw one year and $6 million of it. He’s primarily known as a pass blocker. UPDATE: Bozeman re-upped with the Chargers.

Shelton was with the Bears for one year after starting his career with the Rams. He’s a much better run blocker than pass blocker and isn’t necessarily a starter. His 2024 contract was only for $3 million. UPDATE: Shelton signed with the Los Angeles Rams.

Our voters all had Kelly second on their ballots. He’s a multi-time Pro Bowler in his nine season with the Colts following his selection in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He’s coming off a contract that made him the highest-paid center in the NFL when it was signed, but he’s turning 32 this offseason and missed a large portion of the season with a knee injury (but did return late in the calendar, so it won’t linger). UPDATE: Kelly signed a two-year deal with the Vikings.

Our consensus top pick, Dalman has been the Falcons’ starter since 2022. He missed half the 2024 season with an ankle injury. He’s known more as a run blocker than for his pass protection. UPDATE: Dalman agreed to terms with the Chicago Bears.

The Raiders moved on from Smith, who signed a nice contract a year ago. he had salary that was about to guarantee as part of a $7.12 million compensation package. He started 11 games and played in 13 for Vegas, but I’d expect him to be a high-end reserve for someone instead of a Day 1 starter. UPDATE: James signed a deal with the Chargers.

The longtime Patriots center played nine seasons spanning Tom Brady to Mac Jones to Drake Maye. He only played four games in 2024 and he turns 33 in July, so we’ll see if he wants to keep playing or just calls it a career.

The 2019 first-round pick of the Vikings, Minnesota couldn’t find a trade partner for Bradbury so they released him. The Vikes signed Ryan kelly at the start of free agency, making Bradbury expendable. Minnesota didn’t want to pay $5.25 million to a center on the smaller side, it would appear. UPDATE: Garrett Bradbury signed with the Patriots to replace David Andrews.