4 interior OL free agent targets for the NY Jets in 2024

With NFL free agency starting next week, the NY Jets must fill three spots on the offensive line after releasing Laken Tomlinson. Alijah Vera-Tucker and Joe Tippmann are the only two starting offensive linemen under contract.

Tomlinson was a big-money free agent guard two offseasons ago, but after a disappointing tenure, the Jets will need to look for his replacement in this free agency class.

It is a decent class for interior offensive linemen, with several intriguing guards and centers (if they decide to move Tippmann to guard) for the Jets to pursue. Here are five interior offensive linemen in free agency the Jets could sign to replace Tomlinson.

1. The NY Jets could sign Robert Hunt

Robert Hunt is one of the best interior offensive linemen set to be available in free agency next week. Hunt started his career at right tackle but has been at right guard the past three seasons and has been fantastic.

Hunt’s 76.4 Pro Football Focus grade ranked sixth among all guards. Hunt did miss some time last season with a hamstring injury, but he hadn’t missed a game in his career before that. 

At just 27 years old, Hunt is going to command a huge contract. Will the Jets be willing to pay that price while still having to fill other spots and having limited cap space? 

If they do, it would be a great addition to the offensive line and a plus for taking a player from a division rival.

2. The NY Jets could sign Kevin Zeitler

Kevin Zeitler could be exactly what this Jets team and offensive line needs. Zeitler has been a really good, dependable right guard for years now across four different teams.

Since his career started in 2012, Zeitler has had PFF pass-blocking grades of 79.0 or higher a total of eight times, including each of the last three seasons. Since 2015, the most games Zeitler has missed in a season is two. With the state of the Jets’ offensive line over the past few seasons, both of these stats stick out.

Zeitler is older and will be 34 on March 8th, but because of that, he should not cost as much as the previous two options and would fit well into the timeline with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback.

3. The NY Jets could sign Jon Runyan

There are many former Packers that could be coming to reunite with Aaron Rodgers this offseason, and Jon Runyan is one of them. With the Rodgers connection or not, Runyan would be a good fit for what the Jets need this offseason.

Runyan has played both guard spots for the Packers over his four seasons and played well. In 2021 and 2022, he had PFF pass-blocking grades of 71.1 and 77.0, respectively; this past season, he had a 63.5. Runyan has also not missed a game in his career.

Runyan played well protecting Rodgers before — perhaps he will get another chance with the Jets. 

4. The NY Jets could sign Graham Glasgow

Graham Glasgow has been a target of Joe Douglas and the Jets a few times before and might be yet again this offseason.

Glasgow has experience at all three interior offensive line spots, mostly playing right guard this past season. He had a good year in Detroit, with a career-high PFF grade (75.1) and run-blocking grade (82.1), after spending three seasons in Denver, one with Nathaniel Hackett.

With the Jets' need for three offensive line starters, Glasgow’s versatility and price tag could be appealing to the Jets.