NFL FREE AGENCY: TOP 6 AVAILABLE DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

BY ADAM GREENE

With the NFL Draft wrapped, it’s time for teams to begin filling roster holes the old fashioned way… by adding cast offs, men with recent injuries and old guys who could retire at any moment.

Every one of these guys is currently unemployed for a reason. A good few of them won’t be once the season starts and they can pass a physical. Others, might just decide to wrap up solid NFL careers for good.

But, they’re all currently available so here’s my picks for the Top 6 NFL Defensive Linemen currently consciously uncoupled from NFL employment.

1. DAWUANE SMOOT

Age: 28

Size: 6-3, 264 pounds

2022: 21 tackles, five sacks, six tackles for a loss, two passes defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery

As a third round pick out of Illinois, Dawuane Smoot has had a hell of an NFL career. He was primarily used as a rotational player for the Jacksonville Jaguars a year ago, but started 10 games the year before. He’s delivered consistently in whatever role the Jags gave him, recording 22.5 sacks over the last four seasons and for an interior defensive lineman not named Aaron Donald, that’s pretty fantastic. In 2021, Smoot had 36 tackles, six sacks, seven tackles for a loss, three passes defended and one forced fumble. So why is he still on the streets? Because he tore his Achilles two days before Christmas and probably won’t be ready to play until at least November. He could be sitting a while, but if a team wanted to add a guy, at worst, who will be the best defensive tackle off your bench and a third down specialist who’ll be ready come playoff time, Smoot’s the best of this bunch and relatively young.

Where he should end up: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams need affordable good players, and especially will need them late. Los Angeles is cleaning out its salary cap, but still have a roster that can not only compete in the NFC, but could surprise plenty of punditry with where they’ll end up come January. Smoot would be a late addition, either on the roster or just on the field, and for a minimal contract could be a rotational force on a playoff run for a team looking to save its magic beans for 2024.

2. POONA FORD

Age: 27

Size: 5-11, 310 pounds

2022: 35 tackles, three sacks, six tackles for a loss, two passes defended

Poona Ford slid into the NFL back in 2018 as an undrafted free agent and took over as a starter for the Seattle Seahawks for the next four seasons. If he was four inches taller, he would have been drafted. Hell, if he was four inches taller, he wouldn’t still be a free agent after the performances he’s put up over the last near half decade. He’s still young and could fit into pretty any system flawlessly. While he might be a classic 4-3 DT2, he thrived in Seattle’s 3-4. In 2021, he finished with 53 tackles, six for a loss, two sacks and one pass defended.

Where he should end up: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Buccaneers are in the midst of a “remodel” much like the Rams. So much so, in fact, their starting quarterback is Baker Mayfield, the guy who started for LA at the end of last season. Ford helps plug a hole on defense and will only cost them a one year contract.

3. MICHAEL BROCKERS

Age: 32

Size: 6-5, 297 pounds

2022: four tackles, one pass defended

Michael Brockers is our first former first round pick to show up on the list and the only reason he’s on it is because he’s coming off an injury and he’s a tad long in the tooth. The then St. Louis Rams took Brockers out of LSU at 14^th overall back in 2012 and he started every single game for them for the next nine seasons, including their Super Bowl year in 2018. He was traded to the Detroit Lions in 2021 and started all 16 games that season before, for the first time in his career, he really dealt with injuries that hurt his production. Brock had five starts and appeared in six games for the Lions in 2022. In 2021, he had 52 tackles, four for a loss and a sack, which was a pretty average season for him. If he wants to play and not hang up his cleats, and every indication is that he wants to continue playing. And I have an idea about where he should go.

Where he should end up: Los Angeles Rams

Yes, I have the Rams listed twice here specifically because of their current cap situation in 2022 and that they’ll only be offering one-year contracts to fill out their roster after the draft. Brockers is one of Aaron Donald’s best friends and a guy that was with the team when AD99 was first added in 2014. I guarantee he’d like to play next to Brock again and everyone who has a rooting interest in Los Angeles would like to see it too. And, since I’m one of those people, you need to trust me on that.

4. AKIEM HICKS

Age: 33

Size: 6-4, 335 pounds

2022: 22 tackles, one sack, two for a loss, three passes defended

Akiem Hicks was a third round pick out of Regina University in Canada of all places in 2012 by the New Orleans Saints. After taking a redshirt with the Saints that season, he plugged into the starting lineup and remained there for every game he was healthy until they traded him to the New Englad Patriots in 2015. He came off the bench for the Pats for a season before heading back into the starting line up for the Chicago Bears for the next six seasons. Hicks spent last year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He’s dealt with some injury issues in three of his last four seasons and there’s always a chance he’ll hang it up after a 12-year career. If not, he should be a solid option for any team looking to add a guy on an inexpensive one-year contract.

Where he should end up: Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers need some bodies on the defensive line, especially in the middle. Hicks is from California and would probably love to wrap up his career there, especially with a shot at another playoff run.

5. LINVAL JOSEPH

Age: 34

Size: 6-4, 329 pounds

2022: 20 tackles, 0.5 sacks

Well, surprise. Another offseason defensive lineman list and another appearance by Linval Joseph. For the last few seasons, it feels as if Joseph has found his way consciously uncoupled from a team, only to land with a contender as a man of his talent and pedigree should. Joseph won a Super Bowl with the New York Giants, so he has a ring. He also played on last year’s Philadelphia Eagles NFC Champions as a late season signing. After a 13-year run, he has every reason to hit the couch for good. But, if he doesn’t, there’s a reason teams with title run hopes add this dude to their roster. He’s tough, bounced back from every injury including getting shot in the calf in a nightclub gunfight (in which he was an innocent bystander), back in 2013. He started and played in eight games for the Eagles last season and if Joseph’s 2022 stands out to you in your mind, it’s probably because he was the guy that recovered Brock Purdy’s fumble after Haasan Reddick nearly tore the kid’s arm off in the NFC Championship.

Where he should end up: New York Giants

The Giants are trying to stay in the playoff mix and facing two of the best rushing teams in the league in the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys. Why not bring back Joseph, a guy that can flash that SB bling in the locker room, for a curtain call in the city that never sleeps?

6. NDAMUKONG SUH

Age:  36

Size: 6-4, 313 pounds

2022: 10 tackles, one sack

Speaking of guys who play in Super Bowls, Ndamukong Suh, after opening his career with the then hapless Detroit Lions as the No. 2 overall pick in 2010, is a regular guest star on Super Bowl rosters these days. After a three year stint with the Miami Dolphins, Suh joined the Los Angeles Rams in 2018 and played in that Super Bowl. He moved on to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019 and a season later, won that Super Bowl with Tom Brady. Then, two years after that, played in last February’s Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles. Suh never made an official start last year and would certainly be a role player for any team that signs him now. That is, just as with Joseph and Brockers, he doesn’t decide to grab the fishing pole and head out to the nearest lake for good.

Where he should end up: Cincinnati Bengals

If Suh wants to keep his potential Super Bowl appearance streak going, and his price down, why not sign on with the only AFC team that’s been able to halt the Kansas City Chiefs since Tom Brady switched conferences? Suh played on a $2 million contract last season. I’m guessing he’d sign for less this one. Why not plug him in to a serious AFC and Super Bowl contender here at the end of his career?

Follow Adam Greene on Twitter @TheFirstMan.

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