ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently released his tiers of offensive free agents, ranging from franchise players (tier 1) to backups who are likely to earn a roster spot (tier 6). For the Green Bay Packers, the squeaky wheel on offense going into 2026 is going to be the center position, as Elgton Jenkins is expected to be a cap casualty and Jenkins’ injury replacement in 2025, Sean Rhyan, is also set to hit the open market.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how Barnwell stacked the center class.
ESPN’s Center Tiers
- Tier 1: Franchise players ($20-26 million)
- Tyler Linderbaum, Ravens
- Tier 2: Pro Bowl-caliber starters
- None
- Tier 3: Capable starters ($9-16 million)
- Connor McGovern, Bills
- Elgton Jenkins, Packers (cap casualty)
- Tier 4: Borderline starters/high-end backups ($2.5-8 million)
- Cade Mays, Panthers
- Ethan Pocic, Browns
- Graham Glasgow, Lions (cap casualty)
- Ryan Kelly, Vikings (cap casualty)
- Tier 5: Backups likely to net guaranteed money ($1.5-3 million)
- Austin Corbett, Panthers
- Danny Pinter, Colts
- Luke Fortner, Saints
- Sean Rhyan, Packers
- Nick Allegretti, Commanders (cap casualty)
- Bradley Bozeman, Chargers (cap casualty)
- Tier 6: Backups likely to earn roster spot ($1-2 million)
- Ryan Bates, Bears
- Trystan Colon, Lions
- Matt Hennessy, 49ers
- Austin Schlottmann, Giants
To no surprise to anyone, it’s Tyler Linderbaum and then everyone else. He’s truly a class above the rest of the options available. Down in Indianapolis on Tuesday, Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta stated that the team will not be using the franchise tag on Linderbaum, but that they have offered him a “market-setting” contract. Whether or not Linderbaum actually hits free agency is still up in the air at this point.
After Linderbaum, there are only two other “capable starters” in the eyes of Barnwell, Buffalo’s Connor McGovern and then Jenkins, who will likely be released from Green Bay due to his $20 million in cash due for the 2026 season.
Not great. Rhyan was ranked in the fifth tier. Barnwell projects Rhyan to earn between $1.5 million and $3 million per year on the open market. To me, that seems entirely too low, considering that Jon Runyan Jr. was able to earn $10 million per year back in 2024 as a similar rotational offensive lineman. If the Packers can get Rhyan at $3 million, they should get him under contract now. Personally, I think he’s going to get north of that.
Consensus Free Agent Rankings – Centers
- #3: Tyler Linderbaum
- #23: Connor McGovern
- #63: Cade Mays
- #125: Ethan Pocic
- #159: Sean Rhyan
- #183: Andre James
- #225: Austin Corbett (G)
- #242: Luke Fortner
- #284: Ted Karras
- #290: Trystan Colon (G)
- #354: Michael Deiter
For perspective, here is what the consensus free agent center board, which doesn’t include cap casualties, looks like after compiling data from 24 free agency rankings around the internet. Here, Rhyan is ranked as the fifth-best center option, only behind the outright starters on the market.
Packers Offensive Free Agents – ESPN Tiers
- WR Romeo Doubs (3rd Tier: Capable starter)
- LT Rasheed Walker (3rd Tier: Capable starter)
- C Elgton Jenkins (3rd Tier: Capable starter)
- QB Malik Willis (4th Tier: Borderline starter/high-end backup)
- RB Emmanuel Wilson (5th Tier: Backup likely to net guaranteed money)
- C Sean Rhyan (5th Tier: Backup likely to net guaranteed money)
- TE John FitzPatrick (6th Tier: Backup likely to earn roster spot)
Here is how Barnwell ranked all of the Packers’ offensive free agents, listed by their tiers. For what it’s worth, running back Emmanuel Wilson is a restricted free agent, so he will only hit the market if he’s not tendered. The minimum tender this season is going to be around $3.5 million for one year, and it’s unlikely that Green Bay pulls the trigger to execute it.
Packers Consensus Board Rankings
If you wanted an update on where the Packers’ players rank on the consensus draft board, here’s what their list looks like currently:
- #9: Rasheed Walker, LT
- #16: Malik Willis, QB
- #21: Romeo Doubs, WR
- #40: Quay Walker, LB
- #150: Kingsley Enagbare, DE
- #159: Sean Rhyan, C
- #338: John FitzPatrick, TE