2012 NFL Free Agents: Top 3-4 Pass Rushers Available

The following five players are the best pass-rushers in a 3-4 defense available in the 2012 NFL free agent market:

Mario Williams, Houston Texans

Williams perhaps isn't a true 3-4 player, as re-signing with the Texans is likely the only way he stays in that system. Still, with experience playing standing up, Williams has to be considered. A pectoral injury cut his season short in 2011, but Williams did have five sacks in five games for the Texans.

Will the former No. 1 pick look for a 4-3 defense to settle back into, or is playing rush linebacker something Williams wants to do long term with the team that drafted him? 

Calais Campbell, Arizona Cardinals

Quietly, Campbell has become one of the NFL's top 3-4 defensive ends. According to the grading system at Pro Football Focus, only Justin Smith was better at the position in 2011.

In 1,033 snaps, Campbell contributed 29 pressures, nine quarterback hits and nine sacks—all numbers above what you typically expect from a block-eating five technique. The Cardinals need to do everything they can to keep him in Arizona.  

Anthony Spencer, Dallas Cowboys

The fact that Spencer cracks this list shows how dry the 3-4 market is this offseason. While some will look at the 17 sacks in three seasons and think Spencer is a guy ready to blossom, Cowboys fans will tell you that Spencer has always failed to live up to breakout expectations.

It's very possible Spencer leaves Dallas, and it will be interesting to see what price the market dictates for his services.

Cliff Avril, Detroit Lions

One of the more underrated free agents this spring/summer is Avril, who recently said that he is willing to play outside linebacker for a 3-4 defense. As a defensive end in Detroit, Avril has 30 sacks over four years.

If Detroit can't show Avril enough money to keep him in town, a 3-4 team with a need at rush linebacker could find a productive answer in the Lions' loss.  

Ahmad Brooks, San Francisco 49ers

A six-year NFL veteran, Brooks was finally given the chance to start all 16 games for the 49ers in 2011. He responded with his best season, tallying seven sacks and 50 other pressures on over 1,100 snaps. The 49ers defense around him might have inflated those stats a touch, so there is some risk in signing the 27-year-old. 

Also considered: Erik Walden, Green Bay Packers; Manny Lawson, Cincinnati Bengals