NFL free agency is a year-round process, as teams scout opposing players in an effort to defeat them during the year and perhaps sign them in the offseason.
Now we're at the end of the 2023-24 NFL season, the free agency picture is coming into focus, and teams are beginning to identify potential targets to improve their roster weaknesses.
Here are the top centers slated to hit free agency in 2024. Click here for PFF's full list of the top 200 free agents.
1. C CONNOR WILLIAMS, MIAMI DOLPHINS
2024 Free agency rank: 37
Williams started his career with the Dallas Cowboys at left guard and blossomed in Miami at center, thriving as a run blocker in Mike McDaniel’s zone-blocking scheme where he was able to quickly get to the second level and lead the way. While he doesn’t have the world’s strongest anchor in a phone booth, his fast first step off the line enables him to seal off defenders on the backside of runs by getting in position.
Williams unfortunately suffered a torn ACL in Week 14, which will negatively impact his free agent market as his recovery process coincides with the beginning of free agency in March.
Top free agent comparison: Evan Smith, 2014
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Connor Williams | 70.7 | 63.3 | 18.4% | ? | |
| Evan Smith | 77.8 | 69.2 | 12.7% | 2.7% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
2. C ANDRE JAMES, LAS VEGAS RAIDERS
2024 Free agency rank: 44
James clearly earned a lot of respect and trust from the previous Raiders regime, given that the team was willing to trade away franchise pillar Rodney Hudson to the Arizona Cardinals to have James supplant him at center.
The move proved to be a smart one. James is patient and a clean fit in pass protection, able to mirror the shiftier interior pass rushers and generally withstand power rushes, save for a few matchups with the true brute forces on the inside.
Top free agent comparison: Bradley Bozeman, 2023
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Andre James | 67.3 | 63.4 | 11.8% | ? | |
| Bradley Bozeman | 67.9 | 60.1 | 11.5% | 2.7% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
Cushenberry was named the starting center as a rookie in 2020 and struggled early, as many players in the same situation have in recent years, with the added responsibility of calling out protections. Three different coaching staffs in his four years didn’t exactly bring stability, either, but Cushenberry put together a career year in 2023 and has grown as a run blocker while consistently showing up as one of the better pass-protecting centers in the NFL over the past few seasons.
Cushenberry uses heavy hands and a good anchor to win against quality pass rushers on the interior, bolstering his value more each year. He may be served better in a gap-heavy rushing scheme, but any limitations as a run blocker in space are vastly outweighed by his pass-blocking strength. Penalties could stand to come down a bit, but that’s nitpicking an ascending young player who looks the part of a centerpiece of an offensive line for years to come.
Top free agent comparison: Mitch Morse, 2019
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Lloyd Cushenberry | 76.5 | 73.2 | 11.8% | ? | |
| Mitch Morse | 80.4 | 74.0 | 7.8% | 5.9% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
Brewer is a pretty remarkable success story, going from an undrafted 275-pound prospect to logging 500-plus snaps in three consecutive seasons while earning the starting job at left guard in 2022 and taking over at center in 2023. Brewer belongs in a zone rushing scheme where he can use his quick first step and springiness at the second level to reach linebackers quickly or wall off backside defenders by beating them to the spot.
Brewer needs to continue to add good weight, both to his lower half and through his shoulders, because he’s prone to bigger rushers bulling through him with regularity. However, in the right spot, he’s a great fit, and his plus athleticism suggests he could continue to excel even after bulking up to improve in other areas.
Top free agent comparison: Mason Cole, 2022
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Aaron Brewer | 45.0 | 32.7 | 16.3% | ? | |
| Mason Cole | 44.0 | 29.8 | 12.3% | 2.5% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
5. C TYLER BIADASZ, DALLAS COWBOYS
2024 Free agency rank: 93
Biadasz’s extensive starting experience dating back to his Wisconsin days shows up with clean technique and good hand usage, but he’s prone to getting driven off the ball by power rushers. He could help a young quarterback adjust to the NFL by calling out protections, and he reacts well to twists and stunts, but he’ll cause the pocket to collapse at times, even if he stays in front of rushers.
As a run blocker, Biadasz executes combo blocks well — though it helps to work alongside Zack Martin and Tyler Smith. Prospective teams could do a lot worse in adding a mid-tier center with football smarts.
Top free agent comparison: Ted Karras, 2022
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Tyler Biadasz | 61.9 | 57.1 | 10.8% | ? | |
| Ted Karras | 64.6 | 67.3 | 11.3% | 2.9% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
Shelton has proven over the past two seasons that he is capable of playing guard in addition to center after earning the starting right guard job in 2022 and holding up very well as a pass protector at both spots throughout the season. He can also effectively run block in zone or gap concepts, which was proven amid the Rams’ shift to a gap-heavy scheme in 2023. The positional versatility on the interior, and Shelton’s agility could make him a fit for many teams.
Top free agent comparison: Spencer Long, 2019
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Coleman Shelton | 60.2 | 54.6 | 11.3% | ? | |
| Spencer Long | 54.1 | 58.1 | 8.6% | 2.2% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
7. C Evan Brown, Seattle Seahawks
2024 Free agency rank: 131
Top free agent comparison: Austin Blythe, 2022
| Player | Pass-block grade | True pass set pass-block grade | Positive run-block grade percentage | APY as % of Cap at signing | |
| Evan Brown | 52.0 | 46.3 | 12.2% | ? | |
| Austin Blythe | 52.8 | 41.3 | 14.4% | 1.9% | |
*All data in tables reflects two years prior to UFA contract signing
Contract projection: Available in PFF's free agency rankings
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