2011 NFL Free Agency: Power Ranking the Best Available Defensive Linemen

The month of February is here and that means that the Super Bowl is the only game to be played before the NFL season comes to an end.

The focus of NFL front offices will now shift to the draft, trades, and most importantly, free agency.

This year's NFL free-agent class is loaded with talent from top to bottom, and one of the positions where a lot of that talent lies is defensive line.

Let's take a look inside free agency and break down the top defensive linemen free agents in 2011.

Shaun Ellis, New York Jets

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INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JANUARY 08: Shaun Ellis #92 of the New York Jets takes the field with his teammates to play against the Indianapolis Colts during their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 8, 2011 in Indianapolis, Indiana. T

Shaun Ellis has been one of the mainstays on the Jets defense during its revival under head coach Rex Ryan. But this very well could have been his last season wearing the Green and White.

Ellis does still have value, but at 33 years old, the Jets have bigger worries and need to focus on locking up their stars of the future before they get to Ellis.

There should be a market out there for him, but this will likely be his final stop before retirement. The former first-round pick registered 36 tackles and 4.5 sacks in 2010 for the Jets.

Marcus Spears, Dallas Cowboys

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GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 15: Marcus Spears #96 of the Dallas Cowboys rushes against T.J. Lang #70 of the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on November 15, 2009 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Cowboys 17-7. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Gett

The talent is there, but the numbers and consistent production over his six-year NFL career have not been. With that said, Marcus Spears is ready to hit the free-agent market and maybe a fresh start is just what he needs.

Spears played in every game since his rookie season until this past year, when he was sidelined with a knee injury.  The most sacks Spears had in a single season was 2.5 in 2009. He was a dominant defensive linemen during his time at LSU, and everyone knows that he has the talent to blossom on the NFL stage.

With free agency hitting, a new team could bring out the best in Spears.

Pat Williams, Minnesota Vikings

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FOXBORO, MA - OCTOBER 31: Tom Brady #12 of New England Patriots has words with Pat Williams #94 of the Minnesota Vikings at Gillette Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images)

The league's oldest defensive lineman still has at least one year left in the old tank. The only question now is, will it be with the Minnesota Vikings?

Williams has spent his entire career playing for just two NFL teams. He has recorded close to 500 tackles and 21 sacks in his career while being a menace at the defensive tackle position.

Williams is best known for his run-stopping skills and ability to clog up the line of scrimmage. It's likely that he would like to end his career in Minnesota, but a lot depends on money and the potential NFL lockout situation.

Either way, Williams has been a pleasure to watch throughout his NFL career and Vikings fans hope that they can re-sign their big defensive lineman so he can finish his career in Minnesota.

Ray Edwards, Minnesota Vikings

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MINNEAPOLIS - JANUARY 17: Ray Edwards #91 of the Minnesota Vikings celebrates a sack that led to a fumble in the first quarter of the game against the Dallas Cowboys during the NFC Divisional Playoff Game at Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome on January 17, 20

Ray Edwards is another Minnesota Viking defensive lineman that the Vikings have to plan for this offseason.

Edwards has improved every year he has been in the NFL and had his best seasons the past two years, when he combined for 88 tackles and 16.5 sacks. He is quick off the defensive end, but works best with a big tackle by his side like Williams.

Edwards fits best with any team that has a need for a defensive end in a 4-3 scheme.

Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Eli Manning #10 of the New York Giants is chased down Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium on December 27, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

Johnson could be one of the hottest names in this year's free-agent class, especially after the breakout season he had with Carolina in 2010. He was one of the lone bright spots for a defense that was terrible throughout the year.

The fourth-year defensive end out of Georgia recorded 62 tackles and 11.5 sacks in 2010. With the loss of Julius Peppers, Johnson had a standout year and made a name for himself.

Chances are, Carolina will do what they can to re-sign Johnson and they won't have to pay him the type of money that Peppers got last year. If he can build on his 2010 season, the Panthers' young star will be well worth the investment.

Cullen Jenkins, Green Bay Packers

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears attempts to avoid a sack by Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter of the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois.

Jenkins is one of the most consistent defensive ends in the NFL. This season, he had seven sacks in just 11 games for the NFC champion Packers.

One of Green Bay's strengths is on their defensive line.  However, Green Bay may not have the money it takes to keep Jenkins. The one downside on him is that he has been injury-prone throughout his seven-year career, which makes it unclear what type of market there will be for the defensive end.

Jenkins had his most productive season in 2010 and should continue to grow as a player wherever he ends up.

Jason Babin, Tennessee Titans

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NASHVILLE, TN - DECEMBER 19: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans gestures to the Houston Texans offense during a timeout at LP Field on December 19, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. The Titans defeated the Texans, 31-17. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty

Jason Babin had an outstanding year in 2010. He finished sixth in the NFL with 12.5 sacks.

Babin has been an NFL journeyman, having played for five different teams in seven years. Chances are that after his huge year in 2010, Babin will get a nice payday from a sixth NFL team in 2011.

Hopefully for Babin, he is not a one-year wonder. Regardless, he should get paid big by a team in need of a pass-rushing defensive end.

Mathias Kiwanuka, New York Giants

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 12: Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the New York Giants looks on against the Carolina Panthers on September 12, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Giants defeated the Panthers 31-18. (Photo by

If he recovers from a devastating injury that kept him out all but three games in 2010, Mathias Kiwanuka could very well be topping the list of free-agent defensive linemen heading into next season.

Kiwanuka had eight sacks in 2008 and followed with another solid year in 2009. But after his neck injury, teams very well could be scared off and wonder how long it might take for him to return at full strength.

With only five years under his belt and signs of being one of the most dominant pass rushers in the league, someone will take a gamble on Kiwanuka.

Richard Seymour, Oakland Raiders

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OAKLAND, CA - OCTOBER 31: Matt Hasselbeck #8 of the Seattle Seahawks is tackled by Richard Seymour #92 of the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on October 31, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Seymour and Nnamdi Asomugha are the two best players on the Raiders roster and they are also both free agents heading into this offseason.

Oakland will attempt to label one of these guys as their franchise player and chances are that Al Davis will throw some big money at both, but signs point to Seymour hitting the open market.

Seymour totaled 10 sacks in his two years in Oakland as well as 95 combined tackles. He might not be the same dominant defensive end he was during his eight years in New England, but there is no doubt that Seymour certainly has something left in the tank.

Teams will be making offers and Seymour will be listening. Who knows, maybe New England will get in the bidding and try to bring back their once-dominant defensive end.

Haloti Ngata, Baltimore Ravens

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 13: Haloti Ngata #92 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after a play against the New York Jets during their Jets home opener at the New Meadowlands Stadium on September 13, 2010 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by J

Haloti Ngata is arguably the most dominant defensive tackle in the NFL today.

In his five years in the league, Ngata has totaled 247 tackles and is an outstanding run stopper, which sets the tone for one of the best defensive units in the NFL. With those numbers, the Ravens will do whatever they can to make sure that they secure their defensive lineman.

The Ravens will either work out a deal, or expect them to secure Ngata with the franchise tag. He’s too valuable to let other teams make a run at him. Keeping Ngata means that the Ravens will continue their defensive dominance for years to come.