NFL Free Agency 100: Top 13 Defensive Linemen
We love to rank things in the NFL world, and ranking free agents is no different. But this time they’re being ranked with a scouting emphasis to give a full picture of what type of player each team is getting with a free-agent contract.
The goal of the NFL Free Agency 100 is to look at each player the way an NFL front office will look at him. By evaluating on-field play (production), past injuries (durability), off-field and locker room behavior (intangibles), their potential as a player (upside) and then the type of contract expected (value), we’re able to get a complete image of the player.
In the case of ties, I have asked myself, "Which player would I rather have on my team?" and set the rankings accordingly.
Subjective? Yes. But ties are no fun.
Each player was scouted by me and a team of experienced evaluators with these key criteria in mind. The following scouting reports and grades are the work of months of film study from our team.
All statistics from Pro Football Focus. Players' heights, weights and seasons from NFL.com.
13. Adrian Clayborn, DE, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
1 of 13
Production
The No. 20 pick of the 2011 NFL draft, Adrian Clayborn has had many opportunities to become a consistent starter. In four seasons, he’s started 36 games, missing 28 due to injuries. When healthy, he has shown ability—his 13 sacks in his two full seasons showed that—but his production over his career has been severely limited by injuries.
Durability
Clayborn missed 15 games in 2014 due to a biceps injury and 13 games in 2012 with a knee injury. His long-term durability is a big question mark.
Intangibles
There has never been an on- or off-field issue with Clayborn. He’s not a risk as a character signing.
Upside
Clayborn has produced when healthy, but his injuries make his upside very scary. The fact that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers declined his fifth-year option is telling as he prepares to hit the market.
Value
Any team signing Clayborn has to be very confident in its training staff, but that could bode well for him as a value signing. If he can get his body right, Clayborn has the upside and tools to be a starter at defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.
Overall
12. Stephen Paea, DT, Chicago Bears
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Production
Defensive tackle Stephen Paea enjoyed his best professional season in 2014, notching six sacks and 24 tackles as a 16-game starter. Playing defensive tackle in the Bears’ 4-3 scheme, Paea showed good strength and quickness as a pass-rusher but struggled against the run.
Durability
Paea didn’t miss a start in 2014, but he has struggled with durability during his career. This was the first time in four seasons he had ever played in every game.
Intangibles
There are no issues to worry about on or off the field with Paea. He’ll be a nice addition to the defense as a leader and veteran.
Upside
Paea showed good ability in 2014 as a pass-rushing defensive tackle instead of being typecast as a lane-clogging nose tackle. If he’s freed up to be a rusher, his upside is much higher than previously thought.
Value
A team needing a veteran with good ability to impact the backfield will like Paea. The fact that he’s still young (26 years old) and coming off a career-best season adds to his value.
Overall
11. George Selvie, DE, Dallas Cowboys
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Production
George Selvie was healthy in 2013 and 2014 and produced 10 sacks over that time. In Rod Marinelli’s Dallas system, he showed the quickness and burst to play the edge but also tackled well against the run. He’s a good candidate as a starting defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.
Durability
Injuries were an issue early in his career, but Selvie has been healthy since signing with the Cowboys in 2013.
Intangibles
Selvie is a veteran of the NFL’s system of shuffling players around, so he’s in as a hard worker and high-character player.
Upside
A former highly thought of draft prospect, Selvie has the tools to be very good, but he has to remain healthy to see his potential. He’s still quite raw even as a five-year veteran due to injuries, bouncing around between teams (he played for three before Dallas) and a lack of reps.
Value
Selvie won’t break the bank, but he could be a good mid-level signing who turns into a starter or, at worst, a No. 3 pass-rusher.
Overall
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10. Jared Odrick, DT, Miami Dolphins
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Production
Jared Odrick is an impressive athlete with the scheme versatility to line up at defensive end, defensive tackle or on the edge. The Miami Dolphins employed him in a number of alignments, and he consistently produced. Odrick’s stat sheet won’t show a ton of sacks (just 16.5 in five years), but he does a good job pressuring the pocket.
Durability
Injuries didn’t affect Odrick in 2014. He hasn't been banged up since missing 15 games in 2010 with a leg injury.
Intangibles
Odrick is a tough, hard-nosed player who will bring veteran leadership to any locker room.
Upside
Positionally, Odrick has good upside as a player given his versatility. If placed into one spot where he could focus and lock in, he could produce more sacks and tackles. Especially if playing on the outside, it’s very possible Odrick gets back to producing five or more sacks a season.
Value
Odrick won’t dominate the free-agent market, but he has good value as a starting-caliber player with experience, some upside and a clean on-field and off-field history.
Overall
9. B.J. Raji, DE, Green Bay Packers
5 of 13
Production
At 6’2” and 334 pounds, B.J. Raji is the prototypical build for a nose tackle. He’s athletic and moves well laterally, but he also has the body to sit down and clog a rush lane. He’s also lined up at defensive end (2013) and performed well setting the edge. It’s a concern that Raji’s production has bottomed out since his breakout 2010 season.
Durability
A torn bicep put Raji on injured reserve in 2014, causing him to miss the entire season. Prior to his injury, Raji had missed just two starts in four seasons, but how well he bounces back is a question mark given his regression.
Intangibles
Raji is a colorful player and a good locker room guy. He has no on- or off-field concerns.
Upside
Looking at his last three seasons and how his production and impact regressed, you have to worry about how well Raji will produce coming off injury. There’s always the chance he bounces back to that 2010 form, but if not, he could be overpaid on reputation.
Value
Smart teams will see that Raji, while a big name around the league, has had just one high-level season and will prepare to offer him a short-term deal heavily loaded with incentives. If that’s the case, the 2009 first-round pick could be a nice value for a 3-4 team in search of a nose tackle.
Overall
8. Corey Peters, DT, Atlanta Falcons
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Production
Teams needing a run-stuffing defensive tackle will like what Corey Peters brings to the table. He’s 6’3”, 305 pounds of anchoring and can also do work in a 4-3 defense, as he showed prior to 2014. Peters has the strength to stand up at the point of attack but is scheme-versatile and can play the 3-technique if back in a four-man front.
Durability
Small injuries have been an issue for Peters, who hasn’t played an entire season since his rookie season (2010).
Intangibles
Peters is a locker room glue guy and would be a nice boost to any defensive line meeting room. He has no issues to worry about away from the field.
Upside
Back in a 4-3 scheme, Peters could get back to producing the five sacks he posted in 2013, but he’s also versatile enough to play defensive end in a 3-4 scheme. At just 26 years old, Peters still has room to develop as a player.
Value
It’s realistic that Peters will be a low-cost free-agent signing, or at least a mid-level one, which could be a great value. Any team looking for a veteran presence on its line would be wise to call Peters.
Overall
7. George Johnson, DE, Detroit Lions
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Production
George Johnson came out of nowhere to produce big for the Detroit Lions in 2014. In his first four NFL seasons, he played for two teams (Minnesota, Tampa Bay) and produced zero sacks while rarely seeing the field. But the Lions found a use for him, and he added six sacks and made an impact hurrying and hitting the quarterback. Johnson isn’t a big run stuffer, but he did shine as an edge-rusher in Detroit.
Durability
Johnson missed time in Tampa to a knee injury but was healthy for the Lions in 2014 and enters the new season with no injury questions.
Intangibles
There are no off-field concerns with Johnson. He’s a strong, high-character player with good locker room ability.
Upside
Is Johnson a late bloomer, or did his breakout season come due to the impact of Ndamukong Suh, Nick Fairley and Ezekiel Ansah on the line with him? That’s something teams must weigh heavily. If Johnson can continue to produce, his upside is very high, but taking him away from the star power of Detroit’s defensive line could be dangerous.
Value
Johnson should be a good value on the free-agent market, but if he’s paid on potential and upside, he could quickly get overpriced. A starting-quality defensive end is hard to find, though, and that could drive up his asking price quickly.
Overall
6. Dan Williams, DT, Arizona Cardinals
8 of 13
Production
Production from a nose tackle in a hybrid scheme like the one the Arizona Cardinals run doesn’t come purely in tackles and sacks, but in opportunities created by lanes clogged. And Dan Williams is excellent at the latter. At 6’2”, 320 pounds, Williams excels at stopping the run game and anchoring the defensive line. His two sacks don’t do justice to his impact at the nose.
Durability
Williams is not an injury liability and looks to have a clean bill of health coming into 2015.
Intangibles
The Arizona Cardinals and Williams both endured plenty of obstacles in 2014—the team due to a suspension for Daryl Washington and Williams himself due to the death of his father. His character, leadership and work ethic are not in question.
Upside
Williams is a scheme-specific player, but in a 3-4 defense (or version of it), he has the skills to become one of the better nose tackles in the league. His upside is limited only by the idea that 4-3 defenses wouldn’t utilize him correctly.
Value
Nose tackles don’t generally break the bank in free agency, but Williams could be a nice mid-level signing with a big impact at a very important position in the middle of a defense.
Overall
5. Nick Fairley, DT, Detroit Lions
9 of 13
Production
When he’s on the field, Nick Fairley is an impressive athlete and producer at defensive tackle. He’s big enough and agile enough to play the 1- or 3-technique spot and shows very good burst and balance off the ball. And while he’s never played in a 3-4 scheme, Fairley has the body type to kick out to a 5-technique and work on the tackle if need be. His production has been limited by injuries.
Durability
Injuries have been a constant issue for Fairley, as he’s never played a complete 16-game season in his four-year career. Any team signing Fairley has to be confident in its training staff and in his backup.
Intangibles
Fairley has a string of off-field issues that must be weighed before signing. In 2012, he was arrested for possession of marijuana and again for a DUI.
Upside
If healthy, Fairley has shown flashes of being a top-tier defensive tackle. Even looking back at the 2013 season, he often outplayed teammate Ndamukong Suh. His upside is big if he’s locked in.
Value
Fairley won’t see the big money of Suh or Terrance Knighton, but he could have a top-10 defensive tackle impact if he gets his body right to stay on the field.
Overall
4. Jason Pierre-Paul, DE, New York Giants
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Production
Jason Pierre-Paul is one of the NFL’s better-known defenders thanks to his 16.5 sacks in 2011 that ended with a Super Bowl ring. But in the last three seasons, he’s produced 21 sacks (respectable numbers) while struggling to stay healthy. Pierre-Paul had a quiet double-digit-sack season (with 12.5) in 2014, but he returned to producing the way he’s capable of when healthy.
Durability
Injuries have had a major impact in JPP’s career. Even when active, he’s been slowed by small injuries and seen his burst and flexibility regress. It should be noted that he played in all 16 games in 2014.
Intangibles
A leader on the field and in the locker room, Pierre-Paul is not an issue but an asset in terms of intangibles.
Upside
When he’s healthy, JPP has been a wrecking ball at defensive end. He’s big, athletic and powerful as an edge- or inside rusher. If he can stay on the field, a league-leading sack season is possible.
Value
Past injuries could drive down his value on the market, which makes him a very interesting risk-versus-reward prospect at defensive end. If he’s back healthy, JPP could be a steal.
Overall
3. Terrance Knighton, DT, Denver Broncos
11 of 13
Production
Terrance Knighton’s impact and production can’t be judged in just stats. Sure, he’s had only five sacks in two seasons in Denver, but he’s been the anchor and main disruptor from the interior of the Broncos line. Knighton is a monster against the run and has the agility to make an impact when in the backfield. He’s also versatile enough to play in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme.
Durability
There are no concerns or issues with Knighton’s health. He can be signed free of worry about past injuries.
Intangibles
Knighton went from unknown in Jacksonville to a star in Denver and didn’t see a drop-off in work ethic or motor. There are no issues with signing him from an off-field aspect.
Upside
Knighton has been a star in Denver, but he’s surrounded by an all-star cast. Can he produce in a system without Von Miller and others? That will be a question given his so-so performance in Jacksonville.
Value
The 2015 season will be Knighton’s seventh, so he’s getting older, but he is a wise, low-risk investment at defensive tackle. He won’t come in as a primary pass-rusher from the middle, but he can be the glue that holds a line together and is a legitimate three-down tackle.
Overall
2. Greg Hardy, DE, Carolina Panthers
12 of 13
Production
A suspension limited Greg Hardy to one game during the 2014 season, but he produced 26 sacks in his previous two years. Few players can stand up to his production and impact in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. Hardy, when on the field, can be a big-time disruptor.
Durability
Injuries are not an issue with bringing in Hardy—quite the opposite given his time away from the field. The five-year veteran will be fresher than players who had their bodies take a beating in this past season.
Intangibles
Hardy missed 15 games and the playoffs after being suspended under the new NFL personal conduct policy. His future with the league isn’t in doubt, but when he’ll be available for training camp is. Any team exploring Hardy must be willing to take on the public relations consequences.
Upside
Hardy can be the best defensive end in football. His best football is still ahead of him, and at 26 years old with a ton of down time this year, he should be in excellent shape for 2015.
Value
Hardy has to be evaluated both on and off the field, but on the field, he could be an excellent value. Teams must weigh how to pay him—on past success or on the fact that a future mistake could cost him a full season—meaning he could come in at a low cost with a potential high reward.
Overall
1. Ndamukong Suh, DT, Detroit Lions
13 of 13
Production
Ndamukong Suh is one of the NFL’s most disruptive and productive defensive tackles. He can single-handedly impact a game by causing the offense to scheme around his play. Suh is consistent, explosive and powerful. As far as defensive tackles go, over the last five seasons, he’s been near the top of the list every season.
Durability
Suh hasn't missed a game because of an injury in his five-year career.
Intangibles
Suh is known for going a little too far on the field at times, and he’s been suspended—and seen that suspension rescinded—by the NFL before. Off the field, he’s a model citizen and class act.
Upside
Suh has been an impressive NFL player, but there’s room for him to be even better. If coached to play the run with more discipline, or if really unleashed as a one-gap penetrator on every down, Suh could reign as the NFL’s best true defensive tackle.
Value
Suh will break the bank either as a free agent or franchise tag player, but he’ll live up to that payday as one of the best defenders in the league.
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