2012 NFL Free Agents: Power Ranking Best Remaining Defensive Players

The big names have already flown off the free-agent market, but there are still plenty of players ready to make a big impact on whichever team lands them. 

On the defensive side of the ball, the best remaining talent is all in players in the front seven. I'm not counting restricted free agents in this. The likelihood that any of those players switch teams is slim. 

So here are the top four unrestricted free agents still remaining. 

No. 1: David Hawthorne, ILB

Hawthorne is an absolute beast against the run. He can take on blockers and make the tackle. He takes great angles and has solid instincts. He is not as strong in coverage, but he has made strides and is not a liability.

Hawthorne has a nose for the ball. He has led the Seahawks in tackles the past three years. He is a solid fit for a 4-3 or a 3-4. 

No. 2: Manny Lawson, OLB

Lawson, 27, is another LB who is excellent against the run. He is strong enough to take on blockers and agile enough to avoid them. He can seal the edge and shows great discipline. 

He is not nearly as good against the pass, though. In fact, he was not on the field a lot on third downs for the Bengals last year. 

Lawson is bad in coverage and is not a good pass-rusher. 

No. 3: Derek Landri, DT

Landri is a solid defensive tackle in a 4-3. He is stout against the run and can occasionally break into the backfield. 

He is just 28 and is not going to take a big contract. Landri is not going to dominate, but he will play hard and consistent. 

No. 4: Amobi Okoye, DT

Okoye is just 24, and he is starting to show some promise as a pass-rusher. Last year, he had four sacks with Bears as a rotation lineman. 

This player is still a work in progress against the run, but he is still getting better. 

Okoye's pass-rushing ability makes him a great addition as a rotation lineman, and his potential to be a solid all-around player means a starting spot would not be wasted on him.