As a casual fan or someone who is a numbers guy in football (like myself), dissecting the offensive line can be quite the challenge. There’s no real numbers to go by for how well a guy performs on the field, leaving it to NFL general managers to look closely at the tape. So after breaking it down, these will be the most coveted interior offensive lineman in the offseason.

*Interior means that these are all offensive linemen besides tackles.

1. Alex Mack, Cleveland Browns

Mack could be the most coveted of all the free agent offensive lineman if Cleveland doesn’t give him the franchise tag. He’s arguably the best center in the league right now, but the Browns should be pretty interested in bringing him back. If he hits the market, he’ll definitely get some looks. Mack was a Pro Bowl selection for the second time in his career this season, and was named to the second-team All-Pro team. Centers rarely hit the free agency market, but if he’s there, he would be a must pick up for any team with offensive line issues.

2. Geoff Schwartz, Kansas City Chiefs

Although he had a great 2013 season, Schwartz is still a relatively unknown commodity. This was his first year in the NFL as a real starter after signing just a one-year deal with the Chiefs. He then came on as the team’s top right guard. If the Chiefs don’t bring him back, he’ll be looked at in the free agent market because he has the versatility to play almost any position on the line and could plug holes for any team.

3. Zane Beadles, Denver Broncos

Denver certainly has a lot to look at this offseason with a number of players potentially hitting the market. If Beadles isn’t brought back, he could get a look from a team who doesn’t have a strong left guard. Beadles started all 16 games for the Broncos this season and wasn’t great, but was definitely solid and he showed he deserves to be a starter in the NFL.

4. Evan Dietrich-Smith, Green Bay Packers

If Mack ends up not hitting the market, Dietrich-Smith will automatically become the best center on the market. He went undrafted to the Packers, but has quickly become top six or seven center in the league. It doesn’t look like the Packers are going to retain him, so a team like the Baltimore Ravens could really use him as an anchor on their lines.

5. Jon Asamoah, Kansas City Chiefs

Going back to Schwartz, Asamoah is the guy who lost his job to Schwartz. So, his value obviously takes a hit. But, he’s only going to be turning 26 next season, so he is a great candidate to get a long-term deal from someone for four or five seasons. Kansas City has three lineman potentially leaving free agency, but given their starting rotation last season, Asamoah is going to be leaving. Asamoah specializes in run blocking, so could go to someone like the New York Jets, who need help on their line.

6. Travelle Wharton, Carolina Panthers

At 32, Wharton won’t be getting anything more than a one or two year deal from a team, but he is coming off a great season and will definitely get some looks from teams looking to pick up a guard. Wharton is a native of North Carolina, so his chances are pretty good to return to the Panthers, but they do have limited cap space. If he is available, he could go to a team who is really looking to replace two or three guys on their line, starting at either left or right guard.

7. Brian De La Puente, New Orleans Saints

After getting off to a slow start in his career, bouncing around between several different teams, de la Puente has been the Saint’s starting center for about the last three years of his career. Again, if Mack is retained by Cleveland, his value could really go up for teams looking for a center.

8. Paul McQuistan, Seattle Seahawks

Now we’re starting to really stretch for guys. McQuistan did start for a team that won the Super Bowl, so that’s going to help his value. But when he had to fill in at left tackle due to injuries, he was borderline terrible. But, McQuistan started 14 games for Seattle this season and played mostly left guard. He has played nine years in the league, so someone will give him a look that is in need of depth at guard.

9. Rodger Saffold, St. Louis Rams

Another depth guy, Saffold is a versatile lineman, playing at left tackle, right tackle and guard for the Rams in his time there. He has a solid 2013 campaign, playing his best when at right guard, but he hasn’t played in all 16 games since his rookie season due to various injuries.