NFL free agent rankings: Center
If you need a new man in the middle of your offensive line, we have you covered with our consensus center rankings.
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.
Others receiving votes: Ryan Neuzil, Brock Hoffman, Trystan Colon-Catillo, Michael Dieter, Nick Harris, Robert Hainsey, Wesley French, Josh Myers
6. Connor McGovern, New York jets
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.
5. Evan Brown, Arizona Cardinals
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.
4. Bradley Bozeman, Los Angeles Chargers
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.
3. Coleman Shelton, Chicago Bears
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.
2. Ryan Kelly, Indianapolis Colts
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).
1. Drew Dalman, Atlanta Falcons
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
Free agent rankings: Top players at every position
- Quarterback
- Running back
- Wide receiver
- Tight end
- Fullback
- Offensive tackle
- Guard
- Center
- Defense coming soon