NFL Freebies 2025 Early Rumors: Top O-Line Moves
With NFL free agency 2025 just around the corner, clubs are looking to make big roster upgrades. But one of the biggest areas of emphasis this offseason is the repeating — OL teams such as the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets, Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons will all be looking to improve their blocking units. With Josh Murphy, DeVante Holland, and Matt Dalman becoming some of the hottest names on the OL market, there are already speculations being made about where they will end up. Let’s get into the latest speculation, evaluate the potential trades, and speculate on how these players could fit into their new teams.
The Most Recent NFL Transaction News, Filed Under the Las Vegas Raiders: Pursuing the Reassembly of the Offensive Line
In recent years, the Las Vegas Raiders have experienced their fair share of struggles when it comes to their offensive line, and this offseason, they are set on improving that unit. With quarterback Derek Carr gone and Jimmy Garoppolo expected to be the one steering the offense, keeping the new quarterback upright is at the top of the list. Among the names, as the Raiders attempted to reconstruct their offensive front, Josh Murphy emerged.
Josh Murphy: Number One Target, Raiders
A versatile and powerful offensive lineman, Josh Murphy is generating plenty of buzz. Murphy’s skills also fit what the Raiders want — he can play multiple positions, including both guard and tackle. His size and breadth of experience also make him a solid candidate to anchor a struggling offensive line.
Murphy’s Strengths:
At 6’5” and 320 pounds, Murphy is a monster in the passing and running games. With the Las Vegas Raiders hoping to support Garoppolo and create a more dangerous ground game, his ability to seal the pocket during plays and create lanes for the running back is priceless.
Raiders’ Needs:
Over the last few seasons, the Raiders’ offensive line has had several problems protecting the quarterback and establishing the running game. Bringing in Murphy would at least provide some stability at that position and an immediate upgrade.
Could DeVante Holland Be The Jets’ Game Changer?
With the New York Jets looking to push for another postseason appearance, their offensive line has been a weak point. They have a good defense and playmakers such as Garrett Wilson, but have struggled with the offensive line. With veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers possibly at QB, it’s imperative New York upgrades protection and provides him adequate time to make plays. That brings us to what DeVante Holland has to do.
Holland’s Impact on the Jets
One of the NFL’s top prospects, DeVante Holland is seen as a versatile tight end with adequate blocking skills. Just as Holland being able to come with the ability to play both guard and tackle, allows the Jets to upgrade their depth/upside of their offensive line.
Why Holland Fits:
The Jets’ offensive line has shown significant inconsistency and the addition of Holland could be just the thing they need to protect Rodgers and create a more potent run game. His ability to play several positions also provides the Jets with useful flexibility in their lineups.
Jets’ Plan:
The Jets are all in on the quarterback position, and they want to make sure they add talent around him — Holland would be a player you can plug in right away. As one of the best offensive linemen available in free agency, bringing in Holland would be a major step forward for New York’s Super Bowl hopes.
Matt Dalman: The Plateau Veteran for the Bears
The Chicago Bears are currently in the middle of a rebuild and, although quarterback Justin Fields looks the part, the front office knows not to skimp on something like the protection underneath him. Chicago’s offensive line hasn’t been particularly consistent in recent years, and the Bears appear to be eyeing veterans to stabilize it. One of those veterans available is Matt Dalman, an experienced offensive lineman who would be a nice fit for Chicago.
Dalman’s Presence on the Bears’ Offensive Line
Matt Dalman has proven to be a steady offensive line presence for many years. With an NFL resume of over 100 games, Dalman brings experience and leadership that the Bears desperately need.
Description:
Known for his durability and excellent football IQ, Dalman could immediately help the Bears’ offensive line improve its level of play and help it coalesce quickly. His experience mentoring young linemen and protecting Fields will prove invaluable as the team tries to become more competitive.
Bears’ Focus:
In 2025, protecting quarterback Justin Fields and developing a more potent running game remains vital for the Bears. Dalman’s experience and capability to step into a leadership role could be the difference between Chicago being average and winning the NFC North.
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Looking toward the 2025 season, the Atlanta Falcons will also want to improve their offensive line. The Falcons’ offense is loaded with potential, with a dynamic quarterback in Desmond Ridder and a do-everything tailback in Bijan Robinson. But they’ll need more protection up front to make the most of their talents. And here comes DeVante Holland again, with the latest rumor to involve the Falcons.
Why the Falcons Need Holland
The Falcons are in an interesting spot, as they have invested in a number of key playmakers. All of that said, if their offensive line isn’t up to the task, they could be dead in the water. Holland’s ability to play multiple positions along the line makes him appealing to Atlanta.
Holland’s Fit:
The Falcons have a fairly young and promising roster, and by bringing in a player like Holland, they would have an offensive line for years to come. Holland’s versatility at a high level across multiple positions would provide the Falcons with increased versatility in both pass protection and their running game.
Atlanta’s Draft:
The Falcons need to take a serious look at their offensive line, especially with a talented RB like Robinson in-house and their intent on developing Ridder as their QB of the future. Corey Davis, a wide receiver, is a candidate for late top-five picks in August if Atlanta wants to draft him extremely high to complete its championship-caliber roster.
Top OL in 2025: Rumors & Potential Landing Spots
Here is a breakdown of some of the top rumors and possible landing spots for the IOLs of note:
- Josh Murphy to the Raiders: Murphy is expected to be heavily pursued by the Raiders, who are looking to reshape a struggling offensive line and provide better protection for signal caller Jimmy Garoppolo.
- DeVante Holland to the Jets or Falcons: With the Jets looking to upgrade their line and the Falcons needing some stability on the front, Holland could get attention from both. The Jets currently hold the upper hand, but the Falcons remain extremely interested.
- Matt Dalman to the Bears: The Bears need leadership and member’s experience to the playoffs, making Dalman a target to sign with Chicago so he can further stabilize the offensive line and protect Justin Fields.
Fundamentals: The Significance of Offensive Line Play in Today’s NFL
There’s no denying how vital a great offensive line is in today’s NFL. The offensive linemen protect the quarterback, create lanes for the running backs and run block, maintaining balance with the offense. Teams that do not commit resources to their O-line consistently struggle, while teams with an incredibly talented and well-coached O-line tend to have successful seasons.
- Quarterback: A quarterback is as good as the protection he gets from his offensive line. If the Jets and Bears want to protect quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers and Justin Fields, they need to figure out how to improve their OL.
- Establish and Maintain Run Game Consistency: An effective offensive line is essential to establishing a successful and consistent running game. Good offensive lines are associated with balanced teams that are easier to control and with which to win time of possession.
Note: You only have data through October of 2023
As we approach the 2025 NFL free agency period, this isn’t the only time where a
