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

Despite the fact that the NFL could be facing a lock out in just a week's time, that doesn't mean we can't take a look at the possible free agents on the defensive side of the football.

To be honest, the talent pool is a little shallow in free agency this year on defense, but that is mostly because the best guys have all been given franchise tags.

However, there is still some talent at the top, and a team could really get better by snatching up one of these free agents when the labor deal gets ironed out.

So here are the top 15 players on the defensive side of the football who will be looking for a new home.

Let us know what you think.

15. Mithias Kiwanuka, DE/OLB

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EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 27: Mathias Kiwanuka #94 of the New York Giants against the Carolina Panthers at Giants Stadium on December 27, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images)

2010 Team: New York Giants

2010 Stats: 4.0 Sacks (three games)

What Makes Him Good: Mathias Kiwanuka is an explosive defensive end that just really hasn't gotten a chance to be the guy. In New York, he has been competing with some marquee defensive ends in Justin Tuck and Osi Umenyiora.

Kiwanuka played in just three games in 2010 and he started on a tear. He will make a team very happy next year.

14. Roman Harper, S

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NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: Roman Harper #41 of the New Orleans Saints against the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

2010 Team: New Orleans Saints

2010 Stats: 98 tackles, six forced fumbles, one interception

What Makes Him Good: To be honest, the lasting image of Roman Harper from 2010 was him being chased down by Sam Bradford after the Saints safety recovered a fumble near the goal line. Then Harper had to run out of bounds to avoid the rookie quarterback.

However, Harper is a good safety and much younger than his gray hair might indicate.

13. Dawan Landry, S

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KANSAS CITY, MO - JANUARY 09: Safety Dawan Landry #26 of the Baltimore Ravens runs back an interception of quarterback Matt Cassel #7 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the third quarter of their 2011 AFC wild card playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium on January

2010 Team: Baltimore Ravens

2010 Stats: 111 tackles, one forced fumble

What Makes Him Good: Dawan Landry has been a staple of the Ravens defense since he came into the league five years ago. He is the enforcer next to Ed Reed, who is the ball hawk.

I would be shocked if the Jets don't try and grab Landry. The Jets had problems at safety this year, and Landry is familiar with the Rex Ryan style of defense.

12. Brent Grimes, CB

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ATLANTA, GA - JANUARY 15: Brent Grimes #20 of the Atlanta Falcons returns a fumble by Greg Jenning #85 of the Green Bay Packers in the first quarter during their 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Georgia Dome on January 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. (

2010 Team: Atlanta Falcons

2010 Stats: 87 tackles, five interceptions

What Makes Him Good: Brent Grimes made the Pro Bowl this year for the Falcons after a career year. He not only tackles well, but he is also a solid cover corner.

In a league where good corners are at a premium, I think someone will over-pay for Grimes.

11. Charles Johnson, DE

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CHARLOTTE, NC - OCTOBER 10: Running back Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs with the ball as defensive end Charles Johnson #95 of the Carolina Panthers defends at Bank of America Stadium on October 10, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Ge

2010 Team: Carolina Panthers

2010 Stats: 62 tackles, one forced fumble, 11.5 sacks

What Makes Him Good: Double-digit sacks are not something to shake a stick at.

Johnson was one of the few bright spots for a terrible Carolina Panthers team.

10. Ike Taylor, CB

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PITTSBURGH, PA - JANUARY 23: Ike Taylor #24 of the Pittsburgh Steelers looks on against the New York Jets during the 2011 AFC Championship game at Heinz Field on January 23, 2011 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers won 24-19. (Photo by Nick Laham/G

2010 Team: Pittsburgh Steelers

2010 Stats: 66 tackles, one forced fumble, two interceptions

What Makes Him Good: Ike Taylor is the best corner for the Steelers defense. While Pittsburgh's biggest weakness is the secondary, Taylor is a good prospect.

I think he will stick with the Steelers because he has had a great deal of success during his career there.

9. Barrett Ruud, LB

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GLENDALE, AZ - OCTOBER 31: Barrett Ruud #51 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tackles Beanie Wells #26 of the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium on October 31, 2010 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)

2010 Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2010 Stats: 120 tackles, two forced fumbles, one interception

What Makes Him Good: If you are looking for a prototypical middle linebacker, Barrett Ruud would be a great target.

He is also only 27 years old. I think Ruud is looking at a big pay day this offseason.

8. Marcus Spears, DE

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ARLINGTON, TX - JANUARY 9: Marcus Spears #96 of the Dallas Cowboys reacts in the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles during the 2010 NFC wild-card playoff game at Cowboys Stadium on January 9, 2010 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Ge

2010 Team: Dallas Cowboys

2010 Stats: 19 tackles

What Makes Him Good: Marcus Spears only played in eight games this year, and although he hasn't quite lived up to his first-round draft status, he is still a young guy what a ton of talent.

He could really help a team playing defensive end in a 3-4 schemes or tackle in a 4-3.

7. Ray Edwards, DE

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PITTSBURGH - OCTOBER 25: Ray Edwards #91 of the Minnesota Vikings looks on from the side line during the NFL game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field on October 25, 2009 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Steelers defeated the Vikings 27-17. (Ph

2010 Team: Minnesota Vikings

2010 Stats: 37 tackles, eight sacks

What Makes Him Good: Ray Edwards has really started to come into his own the past two years, and he has been a very nice compliment to Jared Allen.

If football doesn't come back this year, Edwards already has his next career lined up as a boxer.

6. Cullen Jenkins, DT/DE

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CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 23: Cullen Jenkins #77 of the Green Bay Packers reacts after a sack of quarterback Jay Cutler #6 of the Chicago Bears in the first half in the NFC Championship Game at Soldier Field on January 23, 2011 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo

2010 Team: Green Bay Packers

2010 Stats: 18 tackles, seven sacks

What Makes Him Good: Cullen Jenkins, despite missing five games due to injury, had a very good season for the Super Bowl champs. It probably helps that Jenkins plays along side B.J. Raji and Clay Matthews.

His strength and size will be a nice addition to any defense.

5. Antonio Cromartie, CB

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FOXBORO, MA - JANUARY 16: Antonio Cromartie #31 of the New York Jets runs back a kick by the New England Patriots during their 2011 AFC divisional playoff game at Gillette Stadium on January 16, 2011 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Image

2010 Team: New York Jets

2010 Stats: 42 tackles, three interceptions

What Makes Him Good: Antonio Cromartie has ideal size and speed to be a great cover corner. However, I think he is overrated. When he wants to play well, he does, but that doesn't always happen.

I really think giving him a long contract would be a mistake for any team.

4. Paul Posluszny, LB

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ORCHARD PARK, NY - NOVEMBER 28: Paul Posluszny #51 of the Buffalo Bills plays against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Ralph Wilson Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Orchard Park, New York. Pittsburgh won 19-16 in overtime. (Photo by Rick Stewart/Getty Images)

2010 Team: Buffalo Bills

2010 Stats: 151 tackles

What Makes Him Good: Paul Posluszny hasn't quite lived up to promise he showed in college. However, he is still a good linebacker, and he could really help a team in need of a leader and tackling machine.

I think it would be a big mistake by the Bills to let him go.

3. Stephen Tulloch, LB

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SAN FRANCISCO - NOVEMBER 08: Frank Gore #21 of the San Francisco 49ers is tackled by Stephen Tulloch #55 of the Tennessee Titans at Candlestick Park on November 8, 2009 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

2010 Team: Tennessee Titans

2010 Stats: 159 tackles, one interception

What Makes Him Good: With all the changes in Tennessee this offseason, the Titans would be mistaken if they let Stephen Tulloch walk away in free agency.

He really stepped up this year and could really be the leader of the Titans defense and help get them over their first coaching change in over a decade.

2. Jason Babin, DE

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NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 03: Jason Babin #93 of the Tennessee Titans celebrates after sacking quarterback Kyle Orton #8 of the Denver Broncos during the first half at LP Field on October 3, 2010 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Im

2010 Team: Tennessee Titans

2010 Stats: 58 tackles, two forced fumbles, 12.5 sacks

What Makes Him Good: Jason Babin isn't quite as explosive as some of the other defensive ends in free agency, but he is a game changer. He is a very underrated end and really deserves to be mentioned among the best defensive linemen in the league.

Any team that gets Babin would be glad to have him.

1. Nnamdi Asomugha, CB

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Nnamdi Asomugha #21 of the Oakland Raiders stands on the sidelines during the closing minutes of their loss to the Miami Dolphins at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra S

2010 Team: Oakland Raiders

2010 Stats: 19 tackles

What Makes Him Good: The fact that Nnamdi Asomugha is even on the free agency market is what makes the Raiders such a struggling franchise. Asomugha is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. The fact that his stats are so low has everything to do with the fact that no quarterback throws the ball to his side.

He will likely be the top free agent target, not just on defense, but among all players.