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Entering the offseason, some big-name defensive players were set to hit free agency. Players like Justin Madubuike, Brian Burns, Jaylon Johnson, Josh Allen, Antoine Winfield Jr., and L'Jarius Sneed were all going to be on the open market this offseason.
However, with the franchise tag coming into play, six of the top eight defensive free-agent players will not be available this offseason. Madubuike, Burns, Johnson, Allen, Winfield Jr., and Sneed were all franchise-tagged by their respective teams before the deadline.
So, which defensive free agents remain? Who are the top 10 defensive free agents this offseason? Let's dive in and find out.
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DT Chris Jones
Defensive tackle Chris Jones remains the best defensive free agent on the market this offseason, but chances are he will remain with the Kansas City Chiefs. The two sides are currently working on a new deal, and it appears Kansas City is doing all they can to retain him.
"The Chris Jones deal with the Chiefs isn't done yet but the conversations have been positive..
The Chiefs seem willing to pay him and if it gets done it would make a lot of sense" @RapSheet #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/pDibxE9PcE
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 8, 2024
However, if the Chiefs can't get a deal done with Jones, he will be the most-coveted defensive player when free agency officially opens. The 29-year-old has spent his whole career in Kansas City and has established himself as one of the top defensive tackles in the league. He has 75.5 career sacks over eight years while making five straight Pro Bowls. The veteran has also earned back-to-back All-Pro first-team selections in 2022 and 2023.
Jones held out to start the 2023 season because the two sides couldn't agree on an extension. If the Chiefs don't meet his asking price, he will certainly get a record-breaking deal from another team.
OLB Danielle Hunter
With Burns and Allen both getting franchise-tagged this offseason, Danielle Hunter is now the best pass-rusher in this free-agent class. As a result, Hunter should garner plenty of interest from other teams, especially after a career year.
Hunter has always been known as an elite pass-rusher, but at age 29, he was a true force to be reckoned with. He totaled 16.5 sacks to go with 83 tackles (23 tackles for loss), 22 quarterback hits, and four forced fumbles. His sacks, tackles, tackles for loss, and forced fumbles were all career-highs.
The former Minnesota Vikings edge rusher should be a top priority for many teams that need defensive help. Hunter has totaled double-digit sacks in four straight full seasons (2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023). During that span, he has totaled 56 sacks and made four Pro Bowl appearances.
DT Christian Wilkins
If Jones winds up re-signing with the Chiefs before free agency opens, Christian Wilkins would immediately be the top defensive tackle. It also remains unlikely that the Miami Dolphins re-sign Wilkins, so it appears the 28-year-old will find a new home this offseason.
The former 2019 first-round pick is coming off a career-high nine-sack season in Miami, where he also totaled 65 tackles (10 tackles for loss) and 23 quarterback hits. Getting to the quarterback was somewhat new for Wilkins after he had just 11.5 sacks combined over his first four years. Nevertheless, his ability to stop the run and get to the quarterback is why several teams will be interested in him.
As a matter of fact, Wilkins might be one of the most underrated defensive tackles in the league right now. He doesn't have any Pro Bowl selections, and he sometimes got overshadowed by his teammates Bradley Chubb and Jaelan Phillips. However, he's a true star in the making.
LB Patrick Queen
Patrick Queen will enter the offseason as the best linebacker in free agency. After spending the past four years with the Baltimore Ravens, Queen will be a free agent for the first time in his career. He should also see a ton of interest from several teams who are in need of a linebacker.
With the Ravens signing Roquan Smith to a multi-year deal last offseason, it remains unlikely that the team will also pay Queen. Baltimore also declined his fifth-year option last year, so it's expected that he won't return. That will benefit other teams looking to make a big move for a linebacker.
Spotrac predicts the next contract for Ravens ILB Patrick Queen will be a 5-year, $92.6M deal pic.twitter.com/K3xx03Yddr
— Kevin Oestreicher (@koestreicher34) March 8, 2024
Queen has been pretty consistent over his career, but in the past two years, he has kicked his game into another gear. He has three interceptions, 12 passes deflected, two forced fumbles, 8.5 sacks, 250 tackles, and 20 quarterback hits combined during the 2022 and 2023 seasons. The 24-year-old linebacker should get paid big-time this offseason.
DT Leonard Williams
Leonard Williams has not been as consistent as he was at the beginning of his career. However, he's still a player that should see plenty of interest from teams this offseason.
In 2020 with the New York Giants, Williams totaled a career-high 11.5 sacks to go with 57 tackles (14 tackles for loss) and 30 quarterback hits. Then, the following year, he had 6.5 sacks, 81 tackles (five tackles for loss) and 14 quarterback hits. The veteran, though, hasn't quite reached those numbers in recent years.
Over the past two years, he has eight combined sacks with 107 tackles (15 tackles for loss) and 28 quarterback hits. Those numbers might not stick out on paper, but he can still contribute at a high level in 2024 and beyond.
S Xavier McKinney
Safety Xavier McKinney should be a popular name on the free-agent market this offseason following a career year in 2023. McKinney totaled 116 tackles with 0.5 sacks, 11 passes deflected, one forced fumble, and three interceptions. He is also just 24 years old, so he should be the top safety on most team's boards.
McKinney has shown a lot of potential in his short career with his best seasons coming in 2021 and 2023. In both years, the young safety totaled at least 90 tackles and 10 passes deflected. He was also the fourth-highest-graded safety on PFF (87.8) last season, only behind Winfield Jr. (90.7), Jessie Bates III (90.6), and Jevon Holland (90.3).
S Justin Simmons
Safety Justin Simmons was recently released by the Denver Broncos, meaning he'll play for a new team in 2024 for the first time in his career. Simmons played eight seasons in Denver, starting all the way back in 2016.
The ball-hawking safety might turn 31 in November, but he can still play at an elite level. Last year, he finished with three interceptions, eight passes deflected, two forced fumbles, and 70 tackles. His three interceptions marked the sixth straight year that Simmons has totaled at least three picks in a season. The veteran has also made the All-Pro second team in three straight seasons and four of the past five.
He has the experience and talent to contribute to any defense in 2024. That makes Simmons a valuable asset to any team that signs him this offseason.
CB Kendall Fuller
With Sneed and Johnson both off the board, Kendall Fuller is one of the few solid corners that teams can go after in free agency. Despite the Washington Commanders' defense ranking last in several categories, Fuller was one of the few bright spots on that unit in 2023.
His 83.1 PFF grade was the eighth-best for a cornerback last season and none of the seven corners who ranked above him will be free agents. Fuller's 2023 stats don't do him justice because he was better than what they were. However, he finished with 79 tackles, nine passes deflected, two interceptions, and six touchdowns allowed.
Fuller will be a nice target for any team that needs cornerback help in 2024. He will likely be the highest-paid corner in this free-agent class.
DE Bryce Huff
It was a breakout season for defensive end Bryce Huff. Huff only had 7.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and seven tackles for loss in his first three NFL seasons. Following a 10-sack campaign, though, plenty of teams should be interested in the undrafted free agent.
Huff was a large reason why the New York Jets defense was one of the best last season. He totaled 10 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, and 21 quarterback hits. He didn't start any game for the Jets and only played above 50% of the team's defensive snaps just four times. However, his 10 sacks led the team, while his 10 tackles for loss were the fourth-most.
#NFL FA Edge Rusher: Pass-Rush Win %
22.9%- Bryce Huff
18.1%- Za'Darius Smith
16.8%- Jadaveon Clowney
15.7%- Danielle Hunter
14.7%- Chase Young
12.4%- Jonathan Greenard
11.1%- Josh Uche
10.3%- Leonard Floyd— Daniel Griffis (@DanDGriffis) March 8, 2024
Huff only has one good season to go off of, but his breakout season should be a sign of what's to come. He's just 25 years old, so he should draw interest from several teams.
CB Stephon Gilmore
For any team that needs/wants a solid cornerback for the short term, Stephon Gilmore could be the most logical choice. Gilmore spent last season with the Dallas Cowboys, where he had two interceptions, 13 passes deflected, and 68 tackles.
Gilmore was a big part of why Dallas's secondary was one of the best in the league. When Trevon Diggs (knee) went down with a torn ACL early in the season, the veteran had to step up. He became a strong CB1 option for the Cowboys and matched up against the opposing team's WR1s.
He will be 34 years old when the season begins, so a long-term is likely not going to happen. Nevertheless, Gilmore can still play at an elite level and should sign a deal quickly.
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