NFL1000: Free-Agency Rankings for the 2017 RT Market

Welcome to Bleacher Report's NFL1000 free-agency preview, a series where we'll use the power of the 17-man NFL1000 scouting department to bring you in-depth analysis of everyNFLfree agent this offseason. In this installment, lead scoutDoug Farrarand offensive tackle scoutDuke Manyweatherdive into this year's right tackle class. Historically, left tackles are perceived as more important than right tackles, and the reason is obvious: Protecting the quarterback's blind side is crucial to offensive success. Unless your quarterback is a lefty like Steve Young or Michael Vick, your right tackle isn't in that particular barrel.In the modern NFL, however, quick passing offenses and roll-right boot-action schemes (think of the Falcons) make the right tackle more important. Teams will often put their best edge-rushers on the defensive left side to get a jump on the quarterback as he's reading the field, cutting off his primary escape route. As a result, the modern right tackle is tasked to get out of his set in a hurry, engage with his hands and follow that edge-rusher through the pocket.Like most underrated positions in the NFL, right tackle is a lot tougher than it looks. Here's our ranking of the available right tackles in the 2017 free-agency pool.Previous InstallmentsNFL1000 Free-Agent Quarterback RankingsNFL1000 Free-Agent Tight End RankingsNFL1000 Free-Agent Fullback RankingsNFL1000 Free-Agent Kicker/Punter RankingsNFL1000 Free-Agent Left Tackle RankingsNFL1000 Free-Agent Offensive Guard RankingsNFL1000 Free-Agent Center RankingsAll advanced statistics courtesy ofPro Football Focus.Begin Slideshow
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