NFL Free Agency for 2023 is almost here. The legal tampering period begins today March 13 at noon and free agency becomes official for March 15 at 4PM with the start of the new league year. The Primers have reviewed all of the offensive FA talent. Today we look at defense before FA kicks off. Defensive Line and Linebacker is up first.
Defensive Line EDGE and DT
Javon Hargrave is a stud DT and the Eagles have cap problems. Hargrave would be a big boost to any team despite his age.
Bud Dupree has injury issues and his play dropped in Tennessee but still offers some pass rush.
Leonord Floyd had a drop-off as well and the Rams are in cap hell. Depends if the price is right for Floyd.
Dalvin Tomlinson is older but still a solid DT from the Vikings. If they weren’t in cap hell, they would re-sign him.
Marcus Davenport hits the market with the Saints in cap hell. He only had one good year (2021) and is considered a first round bust due to injury and lack of production. Packers fleeced the Saints in that draft.
Zach Allen is a young DT/DE hybrid that can play all over the defensive line from Arizona. He could help a team like Detroit if they don’t re-sign Cominsky.
Jordan Phillips is 30 but a good player from the Bills. Worth a look at DT/3-4 DE.
Dre Mont Jones is a DT/DE hybrid that would be an upgrade for many North teams. Broncos still trying to re-sign him.
Justin Houston old but still providing a pass rush.
Markus Golden is another cut over the weekend with a couple successful years with Giants/Cardinals.
Yannick Ngakoue is going to be on his 5th team in 5 years. Ravens fleeced the Vikings trading away this guy a few years ago.
Robert Quinn hits the market with the Eagles in cap hell. He wasn’t worth the trade from the Bears. He should get a decent last pay day.
Frank Clark was cut from the Super Bowl Champ Chiefs. Another guy with plenty left in the tank.
Brandon Graham re-signed for the Eagles for another year.
Jadeveon Clowney seems to be a free agent every year. He has talent but is older now and just doesn’t produce like he should.
Demarcus Walker is a 28 year old edge backup from the Titans worth a look.
Clein Ferrell is a 1st round bust from the Raiders but could be a spot starter.
Arden Key could be an underrated signing for some cheap EDGE work.
Jarran Reed is a FA after one year in Green Bay. Could be worth a look or re-sign still. Dirty player though from Week 18
Al- Quadin Muhammed failed with Bears last year after he decent backup work with Colts previously.
AShawn Robinson hits the market with Rams in cap hell. 3-4 DE or DT for the former Lion.
Greg Gaines is a NT who is FA from the Rams as well. Solid NT but not great.
Larry Ogunjobi got a big deal with Bears rescinded. He is available again.
Dawuane Smoot some potential from the Jaguars coming from a back-up role.
Poona Ford had a few good years with Seattle at DT.
David Onyemata and Shy Tuttle are both Saints DTs that could be starters for a new team.
Matthew Ionnadis is a lunch pail DT/3-4 DE that does the dirty work but is average.
Taven Bryan is a 1st round bust but had a nice last two years. Worth a shot on a lower contract.
Jerry Tillery another 1st round bust available.
LJ Collier another 1st round bust from Seattle.
Samsum Ebukam former Ram and now 49er in the OLB role.
Rasheem Green underatted EDGE from the Texans.
Fletcher Cox is old but was a stud DT throughout his career. Eagles might have trouble bringing him back.
Suh and Hicks are both former North DTs still available.
Michael Brockers stunk in Detroit but has some leadership still.
William Gholston decent DE/DT with Tampa in cap hell.
Derrick Nnadi didn’t live up to his potential with the Chiefs.
Melvin Ingram still offers pass rush skills despite his age.
Off-Ball LB
Tremaine Edmunds from Buffalo would be a huge addition to any team needing a LB. Will be costly.
Deion Jones still has coverage skills worth a look.
Lavonte David hits the open market with Tampa in cap hell.
Devin Bush is a high 1st rounder from the Steelers that could make a big move.
Drue Tranquill quietly had a big year with the Chargers. Worth starter money
Erik Kendicks cut from the Vikings cap hell. Needs to move back to 4-3.
Germaine Pratt had success with Bengals and is a young starter available.
Anthony Walker is a starter from the Browns but doesn’t really have much speed.
Azeez Al Shahir is a backup from the 49ers that has played solid when called upon
Leighton Vander Esch tests the market after 5 years with the Cowboys. Injury prone but solid.
David Long is injury prone from the Titans but has a good cover and run defense skills.
Kyzir White had a career year from the Eagles. He should get paid
TJ Edwards is a FA too from the Eagles with starting ability.
Rashaan Evans is a decent 1st round LB available from the Titans
Zach Cunnigham has bounced between too teams but can be a starting MIKE LB.
Chris Board is a ST ace with some coverage skills from Detroit/Baltimore.
Kyle Van Noy back on the market. Worked out for Patriots but not Lions or Chargers.
Bobby Okreke is a starter from the Colts that could find a new home (Chicago?)
Kaden Ellis from the Saints could be a nice underrated find
Alex Anzalone been the starter for two years for Detroit and could return cheap again
Sione Takitaki started a few years with the Browns but fell off last year
Nicholas Morrow, Corey Littleton, Josh Woods (ST), Anthony Barr, Kwon Alexander, Nick Kwiatkowski, Duke Riley, Mack Wilson all could worth a look.
LB is pretty deep but not top heavy. EDGE is full of older players and cut players per usual. DT has some potential finds even with Darron Payne off the market.