Top 5 free agent centers the Chargers could sign
· Yahoo Sports
As the Chargers look for reinforcements on their offensive line, the center position is the most important, as they can dissect defensive pressures and anchor the protection around the quarterback.
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With Bradley Bozeman as good as gone this offseason, here are the top five centers that the Bolts should target when free agency begins in March.
Tyler Linderbaum
Snaps: 3,277 | Pro Football Focus grade: 86.9
Pro Football Focus Linderbaum ranked as the fifth-highest graded center in the NFL in 2025 and has improved his PFF grade in every season since entering the league.
While his pass protection is still an area that he'll need to improve, he is among the league's best run blockers, which will be an immediate need in Mike McDaniel's new look offense and for a Chargers' backfield that has plenty of skill to go around.
Connor McGovern
Snaps: 3,608 | PFF grade: 66.6
After a wide gap in the rankings at the center position, McGovern comes in as the next best option at center for the Bolts.
Unlike Linderbaum, McGovern has been one of the better interior pass protectors in the NFL throughout his career. He also offers positional versatility, able to transition seamlessly between center and guard.
Ethan Pocic
Snaps: 2,969 | PFF grade: 69.2
Pocic comes in at the third-best option according to PFF's rankings, which places the potentially former Cleveland Brown centerman as an under-the-radar addition for the Bolts.
While centering the offensive line of the Browns' constantly befuddling offense, Pocic consistently ranks among PFF's top centers in pass-blocking efficiency, which should make him a key target for the franchise if available.
Greg Van Roten
Snaps: 3,297 | PFF grade: 70.8
Van Roten is a versatile option on the free agent market, having logged at least 1,750 snaps at both left and right guard, along with 306 at center. Despite being 35 years old, he earned a 70.1 PFF pass-blocking grade and posted a pass-blocking efficiency score of 97.7 with the Giants in 2025.
While Van Roten profiles as a reliable interior offensive line depth option at this point in his career, it is still worthwhile for the Bolts to plug him in at center, given his past experience.
Cade May
Snaps: 1,722 | PFF grade: 66.7
Despite Mays ranking No. 178 among PFF's top 250 free agents, he is a big, strong offensive lineman who has the ability to drive in run-blocking protection, but has a bit of work to do in pass protection.
While Mays might be a bit of a project, he is still an improvement for the Bolts and Justin Herbert entering next season.
This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Top 5 free agent centers the Chargers could sign