5. Matt Paradis, C, Denver Broncos
Elite centers entering free agency at 29 years old typically don’t tend to be an under-the-radar free agent, but here we are. The 6-3, 300-pound center broke his right fibula against the Houston Texans during their Week 9 battle, which could drastically change the price of his next contract.
Some might throw out the idea of adding another center to the Texans roster. After all, Nick Martin only allowed just four sacks in 2018, but his pass protection doesn’t tell the full story. Martin has failed to find consistency when run blocking and tends to struggle against quick defensive tackles, which earned him a measly 59.3 Pro Football Focus grade with is good for 21st in the NFL.
On the other side, Paradis has proven himself as one of the most well-rounded centers in the NFL which helped garner a PFF grade of 79.0 in 2018, good for second in the NFL.
His three-year grade is an outstanding 87.1, due to his ability to single handily open running lanes and protect his quarterback no matter the rusher. If the Texans conclude that the Nick Martin experiment isn’t worth continuing any longer, adding Paradis would be a massive upgrade.
Plus, anytime the Texans can add to what was one of the worst offensive lines in the NFL to protect quarterback Deshaun Watson, price shouldn’t be an issue, as the team will only go as far as Watson will take them.