It came as a bit of a surprise that Hunt was not the young Dolphins offensive lineman agreeing to terms on an extension before the season concluded, but it could also be a signal that he knows he can command a strong contract on the open market with a large sample size of good play.
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.
The Ravens adding Zeitler as a street free agent in 2021 after he was a cap casualty of the New York Giants has provided tremendous value, as he has played more than 1,000 snaps in every year with the team. The stalwart is still going strong at 33 years old, earning a pass-blocking grade above 80.0 for the second consecutive season in 2023.
The Ravens let left guard Ben Powers walk last offseason on a big contract, so perhaps they keep Zeitler around to pair on the right side with another stalwart veteran in Morgan Moses at right tackle, pushing to lift a Lombardi Trophy before the two hang it up.
However, Baltimore also didn’t appear to engage in extension talks this offseason as Zeitler skipped some activities. In their defense, they were a bit preoccupied with Lamar Jackson’s monster deal, among other matters.
Top free agent comparison: Josh Sitton, 2018
Risner’s 2023 free agency didn’t pan out as he’d hoped, so he bided his time before joining the Minnesota Vikings a few weeks into the 2023 season on a one-year flier. Risner quickly supplanted Ezra Cleveland at left guard and has been a plus pass protector for the fifth season in a row.
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.
Top free agent comparison: Connor McGovern, 2023
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Dalton Risner | 71.6 | 67.4 | 9.0% | ? | |
| Connor McGovern | 75.0 | 64.8 | 8.8% | 3.3% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF’s free agency rankings
Cleveland was traded to the Jaguars at this year’s deadline after logging more than 1,100 snaps at left guard for the Minnesota Vikings in 2021 and 2022. The former second-round pick out of Boise State kicked inside at the NFL level and has been a great run blocker since Day 1 in a predominantly zone scheme.
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.
Top free agent comparison: Austin Corbett, 2022
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Ezra Cleveland | 59.1 | 57.8 | 17.5% | ? | |
| Austin Corbett | 62.5 | 50.2 | 15.2% | 4.2% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF’s free agency rankings
Lewis has made strides over the past few seasons, especially in pass protection after a tough start to his NFL career, holding up fairly well against bigger interior defenders but struggling at times with the quicker, twitchier interior pass-rushers. The former third-round pick was a starter for the 2019 national championship LSU team at right guard and has starting experience in the NFL at both guard spots, although he appears to have found a home on the left side.
Lewis is a mauler at 332 pounds but moves well enough in a Seahawks rushing attack that primarily utilizes zone rushes in addition to a healthy dose of gap concepts, which should expand his options in free agency.
Top free agent comparison: Brian Winters, 2017
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Damien Lewis | 70.1 | 60.6 | 13.9% | ? | |
| Brian Winters | 75.0 | 66.0 | 12.2% | 4.3% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF’s free agency rankings
Runyan is a plus pass protector on the interior with considerable starting experience at both guard spots over his rookie contract, operating well in a phone booth with a solid anchor against power rushers. However, the former sixth-rounder can get his feet crossed up and end up on the ground more frequently than you’d like, particularly when asked to pull or reach block.
Top free agent comparison: Quinton Spain, 2020
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Jon Runyan Jr. | 72.3 | 64.3 | 9.4% | ? | |
| Quinton Spain | 74.1 | 62.4 | 11.2% | 2.5% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF’s free agency rankings
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. He can be slow out of his stance and/or flat-footed at times, which causes him to lose early on in reps.
Top free agent comparison: J.R. Sweezy, 2016
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Jonah Jackson | 56.6 | 49.2 | 15.8% | ? | |
| J.R. Sweezy | 59.5 | 43.9 | 15.5% | 4.2% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF’s free agency rankings
9. G John Simpson, Baltimore Ravens
2024 Free agency rank: 110
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.
Top free agent comparison: John Miller, 2020
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| John Simpson | 61.1 | 64.8 | 12.1% | ? | |
| John Miller | 65.4 | 59.3 | 10.5% | 2% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF’s free agency rankings
