NFL 2023: Five Best Interior Defensive Linemen Still Available In Free Agency

The 2023 NFL Draft is around the corner. Free agency has slowed down dramatically over the last few weeks. Some of these veteran performers might have to wait for a spell (or not) to latch on with a team (or be re-signed by their 2022 club).

A look at the open market when it comes to the inside of the defensive front. Here are five performers who could help a club in the trenches as a starter or provide valuable depth.

5. Michael Brockers (Released by Detroit Lions)

A first-round pick by the then-St. Louis Rams in 2012, he spent the last two seasons in the Motor City after being dealt for a 2023 seventh-round draft pick. In 2021, Michael Brockers signed a three-year, $21 million contract extension with the Lions, but the organization cut him loose this offseason.

In his first 10 NFL seasons, the former LSU standout missed a total of seven games. This past season, Brockers played in only six contests after being injured in the season’s fifth week. He can be a steady force inside and has 29.0 sacks in 11 seasons.

4. Linval Joseph (Philadelphia Eagles)

When injuries struck the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive line during the 2022 season, general manager Howie Roseman added veteran Ndamukong Suh (more on him later) and 13-year pro Linval Joseph. Originally a second-round draft choice of the New York Giants in 2010, he was a Super Bowl champion in his second season.

After four years with Big Blue, Joseph got big money to sign with the Vikings and spent six years in the Twin Cities. He wound up with the Chargers for two years and was out of football when the Eagles came calling last year.

3. Chris Wormley (Pittsburgh Steelers)

The one-time Baltimore Raven spent the last three seasons with the rival Steelers via a trade. Chris Wormley was a third-round draft choice by John Harbaugh’s club in 2017 from the University of Michigan. He was never a fulltime starter, but he showed that he could line up anywhere on the defensive front. He played all 16 games for Baltimore in 2018 and ’19 but was dealt to Pittsburgh the following year.

His best season with Mike Tomlin’s team was 2021, when he made 14 starts and finished with 51 tackles, seven sacks and a forced fumble.

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2. Ndamukong Suh (Philadelphia Eagles)

Like the aforementioned Linval Joseph, this 13-year veteran was also signed by the Super Bowl-bound Eagles during this past season when injuries became a factor. It marked on the second time since he entered the league that defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh did not play a full season.

He also didn’t make a start for Philadelphia, a first for his career. However, don’t sleep on this five-time Pro Bowler and three-time All-Pro who has made his presence felt with all five teams he has suited up for. Suh has appeared in three of the past five Super Bowls.

1. Shelby Harris (Released by Seattle Seahawks)

He was part of the massive 2022 trade which sent quarterback Russell Wilson to Denver. Unsung defender Shelby Harris spent this past season with Pete Carroll’s club, finishing with 44 tackles in 15 games (all starts). He also recorded a pair of sacks and knocked down four passes. The eight-year pro also had three stops in the club’s playoff loss to San Francisco.

A former seventh-round pick by the Raiders in 2014, Shelby was with the club for two seasons before being cut. He did not play in 2016 but he was a steady starter for the Broncos for five years.