NFL Free Agency: Top Ten Defensive Free Agents

The Los Angeles Rams’ victory in Super Bowl LVI may still loom large in the football fan’s figurative rearview mirror, but the NFL’s new league year is fast approaching. We’re less than a month away from free-agency kicking off on March 16th. The “legal tampering period”, when teams can permissibly contact and negotiate with players, is set to start on March 14th.

Though the NFL Draft tends to get more attention, free agency is a critical tool for any team looking to build out a competitive roster. This season’s champion Rams had five starters acquired through unrestricted free agency. The AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals were even more free-agent heavy.

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Defensive free agents are usually more important to get right than offensive ones, since it’s more important for a defense to be “complete”. Great offenses are often quarterback-driven, whereas great defenses require every starter to be at least decent. So, to preview the upcoming free agency period, let’s rank the top ten defensive free agents set to become available.

Keep in mind that teams can place the franchise tag on any of their pending free agents from today through March 8th, so some of these names may be off the market come the new league year.

1. EDGE Chandler Jones

Jones has been one of the NFL’s most underrated pass rushers for the entirety of his 10-year career. The Syracuse product has finished with double-digit sacks in all but three seasons, including a high of 19 sacks in 2019. After spending his first four seasons with the New England Patriots, Jones played the last six with the Arizona Cardinals, racking up two First-Team All Pro selections. If you’re a team looking for a bonafide number-one pass rusher to strengthen your defense, Jones fits the bill. He’s an ideal fit as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme, but can still play in any defense.

Jones is about to turn 32-years old, so any team signing him is counting on stealing the last few productive years of his career. He won’t come cheap, with Spotrac projecting his market value at $14.5 million annually.

Potential Fits: Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos, New England Patriots

2. CB J.C. Jackson

“Mr. Interception” isn’t an ideal nickname for a quarterback, but for a cornerback like Jackson, it’s about as good as it gets. The four-year New England Patriot earned his moniker by racking up a whopping 17 picks over the last two seasons. Jackson is more than just a ballhawk, though, as he allowed a stingy 49.1 completion percentage when targeted this past year. Coming from Bill Belichick’s defense, you know the undrafted free agent out of Maryland has the chops to play man coverage. Per Spotrac, Jackson’s market value is $20.9 million a year.

Potential Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders

3. EDGE Von Miller

It’s not often you get the chance to add an automatic future hall-of-famer to your roster, but that’s the opportunity teams hoping to sign Miller are facing. At 32-years old, the long-time Denver Bronco still has plenty of good ball left, as his 9.5 sacks last season can attest. Miller was an integral part of the Rams’ championship run, so there should be motivation from both sides to get him back in Los Angeles. If not, though, the speed-rush specialist will be a hot commodity. Spotrac has his market value at $10.6 million per year.

Potential Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens

4. S Jessie Bates III

Bates had a breakout 2020 campaign, in which he recorded three interceptions, 15 pass deflections, and allowed a paltry 54.3 completion percentage when targeted. His other three seasons with the Bengals haven’t been so hot, including this past season when he couldn’t follow up his fantastic 2020. Any team interested in the 2018 second-round pick is banking on 2020 being an approximate representation of his true self. At his best, Bates is a rangy single-high safety that can make plays all over the field. His market value per Spotrac is $14.4 million per year.

Potential Fits: Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Washington Commanders

5. CB Stephon Gilmore

Gilmore has been one of if not the best cornerbacks in football since he was drafted 10th-overall in 2012. After five seasons with the Buffalo Bills, the South Carolina product spent four prolific years with the Patriots, nettting him two First-Team All-Pro selections, a Defensive Player of the Year award, and a Super Bowl championship. Even at 31-years old, Gilmore played at a high level in eight games with the Carolina Panthers last season. He only allowed 6.4 yards per target. Gilmore is a great fit for a playoff-competitive team looking for a cover-man to complete their defense. Spotrac estimates his market value at $14.1 million.

Potential Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers

6. S Marcus Williams

Even though Williams is best known for allowing the “Minnesota Miracle” to Stephon Diggs in the 2017 playoffs, he’s been a consistently effective player his entire career. The 2017 second-round pick is probably coming off his best season yet, allowing a 48.8 completion percentage when targeted while earning a 80.1 overall grade from Pro Football Focus. While not a true single-high free safety, Williams excels in the kind of two-high defense that has proliferated widely through the NFL. Spotrac has his market value at $15 million annually.

Potential Fits: New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles

7. CB Carlton Davis

It’s a good year to be shopping for cornerback help in free agency, as Davis represents the third top-tier corner on this list. While he doesn’t have the resume of Pro Bowls and All-Pros like Jackson and Gilmore do, he does have a Super Bowl under his belt. Davis was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ top coverman during their championship run two years ago. He was strong this past season, too, allowing just a 57.1 completion percentage and an 83.2 passer rating when targeted. The 2018 second-round pick out of Auburn is a better fit for zone-heavy schemes. His estimated market value is $19.6 million per year according to Spotrac.

Potential Fits: Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets

8. EDGE Randy Gregory

After various injuries and suspensions for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy, Gregory finally became a full-time starter for the Dallas Cowboys this past season. The 2015 second-round pick made good on his long-awaited promise, registering six sacks and 29 quarterback pressures in 11 starts. While not a very good run defender, Gregory is truly a difference-making pass rusher. He has ideal physical traits and an impressive array of moves. He should only improve as he continues to get consistent playing time. Of course, any team that brings him in is assuming the risk associated with his troubled history. Spotrac has his market value at $13.2 million annually.

Potential Fits: Denver Broncos, Miami Dolphins, Los Angeles Chargers

9. S Tyrann Mathieu 

Mathieu has been such an integral leader for the Kansas City Chiefs’ defense the past three seasons, it’s hard to imagine they’d let him go. Given how pressed they are for cap space, though, there’s a chance they allow the soon-to-be 30-year old safety to test the open market. The former Arizona Cardinal and Houston Texan isn’t coming off his best season, allowing a 69.2 completion percentage when targeted. He’ll provide leadership and savvy wherever he goes. His market value according to Spotrac is $14.8 million.

Potential Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Washington Commanders, Las Vegas Raiders

10. EDGE Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney has made a habit of showing up on these kind of lists the last few years. After getting taken first overall in the 2014 draft and spending his first five seasons with the Houston Texans, the South Carolina product has been looking for a long-term, lucrative second contract. Instead, he’s had to settle for a series of one-year deals with three different teams. He may have to sign a similarly short-term deal again, as teams clearly don’t view him as a player worthy of a multi-year investment. Still, Clowney is a stout run defender and disruptive from any alignment. He’s not an elite pass rusher, but he’ll make any defense better. Spotrac has his market value at $12.7 million per year.

– Ryan Cuneo is the Managing Editor of Full Press Giants. He covers the New York Giants. Like and follow on Follow @ryan_cuneo Follow @FullPressGiants and Facebook.