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21 offensive tackles who are set to hit free agency in 2022
Including Joseph Noteboom
By Kenneth Arthur@KennethArthuRS Jun 29, 2021, 2:05pm CDT
NFL: Los Angeles Rams at Arizona Cardinals
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
The LA Rams are set at tackle for 2021. Andrew Whitworth and Rob Havenstein return to man the bookends for the fifth consecutive season together, while Joseph Noteboom brings the energy of being one of the top backup tackles in the NFL last season. Noteboom proved himself as capable during an eight-game stint in place of an injured Whitworth.
But LA’s situation at tackle could get dire in a hurry.
Whitworth turns 40 in December and few expect his return in 2022. Noteboom will be a free agent next year. Havenstein is signed through 2022, but he’s set to be a 31-year-old free agent in 2023. In preparation for these exits, the Rams have done virtually nothing over the last two years so perhaps they have a different plan in mind for 2022 than developing through the draft.
Maybe Les Snead is hopeful that like with Whitworth and John Sullivan in 2017, LA can find their offensive line solutions in free agency.
Here are some tackles set to be free agents in 2022:
Braden Smith, Colts
Orlando Brown, Chiefs
Taylor Moton, Panthers
Charles Leno, Washington
Cam Robinson, Jaguars
Joseph Noteboom, Rams
Trent Brown, Patriots
Terron Armstead, Saints
Ryan Ramczyk, Saints
Nate Solder, Giants
Jordan Mailata, Eagles
Brandon Shell, Seahawks
Duane Brown, Seahawks
Mike McGlinchey, 49ers
Isaiah Wynn, Patriots
Sam Tevi, Colts
Riley Reiff, Bengals
Chukwuma Okorafor, Steelers
Mike Remmers, Chiefs
Elijah Wilkinson, Bears
Brian O’Neill, Vikings
Keep in mind that some of these players will be extended, probably at least a couple will get the franchise tag, and the tackles who actually hit the free agent market will be more limited than this rather star-studded list. I do not expect Braden Smith, Brown, Moton, Ramczyk, Armstead to become free agents, to say the least.
The Rams should have plenty of remaining options, but they will be limited in cap space again. There will be some savings if Whitworth is released or retired, however.
