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Packers free agent target: Pros and cons of C Drew Dalman

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The Green Bay Packers are approaching free agency in 2025 with no priority free agents, plenty of salary cap space and a need to add veteran talent to a young, cheap and ascending roster.

One year after signing safety Xavier McKinney and running back Josh Jacobs in free agency, general manager Brian Gutekunst is in a position to make another splash in 2025.

Until free agency, Packers Wire will run through potential options, continuing today with center Drew Dalman, in an attempt to identify the pros and cons of each potential target for Gutekunst.

Dalman, a 2021 draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons, figures to be one of the most coveted free agents of the cycle.

Let’s dig into the pros and cons of the Packers going after Dalman:

Pros

— Dalman is arguably the best free-agent center available and a strong candidate to replace Josh Myers if Green Bay moves on.

— Still in the prime of his career at 26 years old.

— According to Pro Football Focus grading, Dalman ranked third out of 32 centers who played at least 500 snaps in 2024. He finished second in 2023.

— Dalman is an elite run blocker, earning a 79.8 grade in 2024 and a dominant 90.0 in 2023, per PFF.

— Dalman is an ideal fit for Green Bay’s zone rushing scheme. He moves really well in space and is proficient at climbing to the second level.

— He isn’t known for being the biggest center, but Dalman makes up for it with hand placement, technique and leg drive.

— Regarded as an elite athlete coming out of Stanford, posting a 9.92 RAS, which was the fifth highest all-time among centers at the time. The Packers love athletic linemen.

— Good NFL bloodlines. His father, Chris Dalman, was drafted in the sixth round by the 49ers in 1993 and started 64 games as a guard and center.

Cons

— Doesn’t offer much positional flexibility, which Green Bay covets in offensive linemen. Dalman could potentially fill in at guard, but only in an emergency.

— Missed eight games in 2024 due to an ankle injury.

— Lacks ideal NFL size (6-3, 305) and can struggle at the point of attack due to limited play strength.

— Needs to improve in pass protection. Dalman allowed two sacks and 10 pressures in nine games this season while finishing 23rd in pass-blocking efficiency out of 39 qualifying centers (at least 200 pass-blocking snaps).

—  Has a tendency to give up ground to bull rushers.

— Being one of the only long-term options at center this free agency, Dalman will likely command a hefty contract. There’s a real chance he becomes the second-highest-paid center in the league behind Kansas City’s Creed Humphrey.

— Green Bay historically prefers to draft and develop centers rather than spend big in free agency, making this a decision they must be certain about before committing to a long-term deal. If Dalman doesn’t pan out, it would be a costly mistake.