NFL Free Agency: Ranking the Top 5 Free Agent Offensive Tackles in 2022

NFL Free Agency: Ranking the Top 5 Free Agent Offensive Tackles in 2022

No matter how good your quarterback is, he's going to struggle to get throws off if you don't have offensive tackles that can protect him anchoring your line. Tackles are often called the most important position on the football field. And, luckily for teams looking to strengthen their line, there are a bunch of good options available this offseason.

Brett Oswalt takes a look at the best offensive tackles available in free agency in 2022 and breaks down why they made our list. If your team is looking for an OT, they'd be lucky to land any of these guys.

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5. Morgan Moses, New York Jets

As we all know, left tackles are valued more heavily than right tackles in 99% of circumstances. After all, they protect a right-handed quarterback's blindside in pass protection. But there are a number of coveted right tackles available, including the 30-year-old Moses.

This year, Moses logged more than 1,000 snaps for the young Jets, and in the process held his opponents to four sacks and committed a mere three penalties. Pro Football Focus gave him a grade of 71 on the year, and for his performance Spotrac expects him to secure something in the neighborhood of $7 or 8 million a year on a three-year deal. If the Jets feel the need to bring him back as a depth piece (likely behind Mekhi Becton), they could. But it's more likely that someone like the Seahawks or Bengals bring him in for a starting spot at that price tag. That could limit Moses to a two-year deal, but it would get him on a contending team in 2022.

4. Trent Brown, New England Patriots

Again, by default, right tackle is going to take a backseat to left tackle. And that's essentially the only reason Brown falls behind Terron Armstead in the middle of this list. After all, the Patriots tackle led this group with a 77.6 PFF grade in 2021, after tallying one allowed sack and one penalty in his nearly 500 snaps and 10 starts.

At 28, Brown could garner an offer far greater than his restructured $6.5 million deal this past season. His market value is up to $10.5 million, which at his age could translate to a deal north of $40 million over four years. A guy like Brown could prove particularly valuable to a squad like the Miami Dolphins, as they are hurting for help on the line and boast a left-handed signal caller assuming they stick with Tua Tagovailoa for another year. The Chargers are also candidates to add him to Justin Herbert's protectors.

3. Terron Armstead, New Orleans Saints

Coming into this season, we knew two things about the Saints' Terron Armstead: 1) that he is a top-five tackle in the league, and 2) he was going to be a free agent at year's end. Back in September, it was reported that the Saints were done divvying out large contracts to its players, and therefore they would let the big man walk this offseason -- and he'll do just that.

You could argue that the 30-year-old is the most proven of those available on the market, and that he is entering the latter years of his prime. After all, he maintained a high-quality 75.9 grade from PFF this season, blocking for the likes of Jameis Winston, Taysom Hill and Trevor Siemian. With Sean Payton stepping away from coaching and uncertainty at the quarterback spot, it is more likely that Armstead goes elsewhere, though there is an outside chance that he stays if they are able to bring in a reputable coach and a quarterback -- maybe an Aaron Rodgers. Elsewhere, the Dolphins, Jaguars and Bengals would make sense, alongside the Seahawks and Steelers -- albeit both with uncertainty behind center.

2. Cam Robinson, Jacksonville Jaguars

While it's true that Robinson's 67.4 PFF grade is short of Armstead's by a noticeable margin, it's also worth noting that the five-year veteran won't turn 27 until midway through next season. In other words, he's just entering his prime after playing all of his first five seasons with an inexperienced offense and uncertain front office in Jacksonville. Now, he'll aim to secure a bag from another team.

Robinson's market value is high. Spotrac puts his estimated contract at $16.8 million per year and in the ballpark of four years at his young age. As with every viable tackle, the Dolphins are in play, but as are the Panthers, Saints and Bengals. His hot market will only be rivaled by one player.

1. Orlando Brown Jr., Kansas City Chiefs

Brown is the sole tackle that should find himself more heavily targeted than Robinson. A former third-round pick out of Oklahoma, the 25-year-old will have just turned 26 heading into the 2022 campaign, so his future is very bright. Over his four-year NFL career, Brown's notched three pro bowls, including this past year -- his only one -- with the Chiefs. His play earned him a 75.2 PFF grade in his 1,127 snaps (eighth-most at the position), as he gave up a mere four sacks in his role as Patrick Mahomes' blindside.

Chiefs GM Brett Veach expects Brown back, meaning they could be shilling out some big money to the 6'8" lineman. While PFF's put his value around $21 million a year, Spotrac has him pegged for north of $23 million, leading to what might be a deal totaling close to $120 million and more than $70 million guaranteed. Reasonably, there is but a short list of teams that could snatch Brown from the Chiefs' clutches. Of course, the Dolphins are at the very top of the list, but the Colts and Bengals are obvious candidates, too. The Bears and Broncos might be the only other teams with the necessary cap space to compete for Browns' Pro Bowl services.