Full Breakdown
Veteran Linemen Still on the Market as NFL Training Camps Begin
7/17/2026, 6:37:45 AM
Background: Camps Open, Free-Agent Market Heats Up
NFL training camps opened in late July, with rookies reporting on Friday and veterans arriving a week later. While the offseason spotlight has focused on skill positions, the interior of the offensive line and the tackle spots remain crowded with experienced players who have not yet signed. Teams will assess these free agents during camp to determine whether they can protect franchise quarterbacks and shore up run games before the regular season.
Interior Linemen Still Unsigned
| Player | Position | Age | 2025 Highlights | Career Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kevin Zeitler | Guard | 36 | Started 16 games; graded No. 13 overall guard by PFF; allowed 4 sacks and 16 pressures | 213 career starts; Pro Bowl three years ago |
| Mekhi Becton | Guard | 27 | 37 pressures, 3 sacks; PFF overall grade 35.7 (third-worst among qualified guards) | 11th-overall pick in 2020; 6-ft-7, >360 lb; >3,000 career snaps |
| Ethan Pocic | Center | — | Cleared for camp after Achilles tear; started 57 straight games before injury; allowed 14 pressures and 2 sacks last season | Former Browns starter; now a “full-go” option |
| James Daniels | Guard | 28 | Played 3 snaps before a season-ending pectoral injury; previously 85 starts at guard and center | Signed a three-year, $24 million deal in 2025; injuries include a torn Achilles in 2024 |
| Graham Glasgow | Center | 34 | Run-blocking grade 54.3 (worst of his career); pass-blocking rate 61.3, 26th among qualified centers | Shifted from guard to center last season; released in March |
Offensive Tackles Still Free Agents
| Player | Position | Age | 2025 Highlights | Career Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donovan Decker | Left tackle | 33 (turning 33 in August) | PFF overall grade 67.9; pass-blocking grade 69.5 (45th among OTs); limited to 14 games by shoulder injury | 140 career starts; former Pro Bowler |
| Terron Conklin | Right tackle | 31 | Missed nine games in 2025; two concussions; 21 games over the last three seasons | Two Pro Bowl nods; key run-blocker for Nick Chubb’s four straight 1,000-yard seasons |
| Mike Robinson | Left tackle | — | Started 12 of 13 games after trade; now viewed as a depth option | 114 career starts across a decade |
| Jared Williams | Tackle | 28 | Played 15 games over two seasons due to knee and shoulder injuries; No. 11 overall pick in 2019 | Compared to Pro Bowler Jake Matthews; high ceiling when healthy |
| Mike Beachum | Swing tackle | 37 | Played all 17 games in 2025, starting 11 | 14-season veteran; age may limit long-term interest |
Data & Performance Metrics
PFF grades illustrate the spread in performance: Zeitler’s 13th-overall guard rating contrasts sharply with Becton’s 35.7 grade, the third-worst among qualified guards. Among centers, Glasgow’s run-blocking grade fell to 54.3, while his pass-blocking rate remained respectable at 61.3. Tackles show a similar range: Decker’s 67.9 overall grade sits above league average, whereas his pass-blocking rank (45th) signals room for improvement. Injuries dominate the narrative for several players—Pocic’s Achilles tear, Daniels’ back-to-back season-ending injuries, and Williams’ knee and shoulder setbacks—raising questions about durability.
Why It Matters: O-Line Stability and Team Success
A solid interior line protects the quarterback and establishes the run game, both essential for contending teams. As camps progress, franchises lacking depth at guard or center may turn to veterans like Zeitler or Pocic for immediate reliability. Similarly, teams with thin tackle depth could view Decker or Conklin as short-term solutions, especially if injuries arise early in camp.
Criticism & Concerns
Analysts caution that age and injury history could outweigh experience. Zeitler, at 36, and Glasgow, at 34, may be viewed as short-term fixes rather than long-term building blocks. Becton’s size and draft pedigree are tempered by a 2025 season that produced the third-worst guard grade. Decker’s shoulder issue and Beachum’s 37-year-old status further illustrate the trade-off between veteran know-how and physical decline.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The articles provide performance grades and injury histories but lack direct statements from teams about interest levels or contract negotiations. No official team comments are included, leaving the market outlook largely speculative until training-camp rosters are finalized.
