Defensive Free Agents Available in the 2024 NFL Market – NFL free agency has entered into its 3rd stage of bidding and the total hustle is now down a little bit, and teams are now asking for better plans for the draft. But still, desirable players without team affiliation are present on a market, namely, for defense development. For the NFL fans or consumers of NFL picks and signings information this free agents are a very important thing to always watch for. Let’s get more in depth on the free agents leading every defensive position with the second wave of the offseason signings.
Edge Rushers: Talent on the Market
Yannick Ngakoue (Chicago Bears)
The Chicago Bears’ Yannick Ngakoue who, extremely probably, is the best edge rusher standing still. His usual output suffered somewhat despite putting up only 4.0 sacks and a pressure rate at 8.7%. The impressive achievement remains in his lore of the seven consecutive seasons that he managed 8 sacks and over. Earlier time can be beneficial to shape his form and bring him back to the level he is supposed to be.
Emmanuel Ogbah (Miami Dolphins)
Though Emmanuel Ogbah’s numbers from the previous season might seem ordinary at first examination, his 13.9% pressure rate in only 240 snaps laid a foundation for a strong season. The fact that Ogbah as a two-way pass rusher should remain unchanged is an additional advantage for teams who are interested in searching for options for their defensive line.
Carl Lawson (New York Jets)
Carl Lawson experienced his fair share of injuries but he battled it out with 49 pressures and 7 sacks in 2022. Lastly, his 11.9% pressure rate is quite impressive. Although being limited to a backup role due to a back injury in his last season, Lawson could definitely return to being a valuable personnel for any team that requires protective pass rushers.
Interior Defensive Linemen: Players to Watch
Calais Campbell (Atlanta Falcons)
Valued veteran Calais Campbell, able to switch between edge and interior defender lines yet still a dominating figure. With 42 pressures and a 10.8% pressure rate, he has a good season-over-season success, particularly for the run game, and makes him a top count among interior defenders.
Hassan Ridgeway (Houston Texans)
The season of Hassan Ridgeway got terminated after he tore Achilles ligament and played just 3 games. Furthermore, these injuries had already affected him on the court. Apart from that, the Ridgeway fully recovered would probably contribute to the successful inner line depth too.
Bryan Mone (Seattle Seahawks)
Following his participation in the 2023 season being cut short due to a knee injury, Bryan Mone was released by Seattle. By now, over a year since he suffered an ACL tear, the 28-year-old looks like a low-risk/high-reward option for teams willing to try him out from his recovery.
Off-ball Linebackers: Key Free Agents
Zach Cunningham (Philadelphia Eagles)
Zach Cunningham came of age last season with 85 in just 13 games. The health at all times is the challenge for him at the season, but his ability to begin is of better quality at the age of 29.
Kwon Alexander (Pittsburgh Steelers)
Nevertheless, even if playtime was limited, Kwon Alexander still stood out in showcasing his potential, 41 tackles, and a sack coming out from the linebackers position. The linebacker corps on any team to which he is assigned, could benefit from his skills and experience in their quest of a championship so long as he plays injury free.
Josh Woods (Arizona Cardinals)
From the position of manners Josh Woods showed that he is not only amazing in special teams but also in defense where he produced 61 tackles last year. He is a gifted athlete, and his versatility makes him a good tool for a team in search of depth in offense and placing an emphasis on special teams.
Cornerbacks: Still in the Game
Xavien Howard (Miami Dolphins)
Xavien Howard may not match his pick tally season over the previous years (2018-2021), but with his 64.2 passer rating against him and only two touchdowns allowed last year, he is still a top choice to combat dominant receivers.
Stephon Gilmore (Dallas Cowboys)
At 33, Stephon Gilmore is not willing to give up and he still is of much value in coverage with completion rate just 49% when targeted. The fact that his experience and skill profile keeps quite a few potential customers coming to him is what makes him stay in high demand.
Steven Nelson (Houston Texans)
Steve Nelson had an exceptional 2023 season and so now is a good year for him to look for a fresh contract. Regarding his age compared to his teammate who is 31, but he clearly has more energy and displays great abilities.
Safeties: Last Line of Defense
Justin Simmons (Denver Broncos)
Deemed arguably the best free safety available, Justin Simmons bagged his third straight Second Team All-Pro selection at the tail end of last year, cementing his reputation with 70 tackles and three interceptions.
Micah Hyde (Buffalo Bills)
Although some of the metrics have declined, Micah Hyde’s leadership and experience still keep him in a tight and valuable position in the secondary.
Jamal Adams (Seattle Seahawks)
Defensive Free Agents Available in the 2024 NFL Market – Despite his injuries that hindered his recent seasons, his game-changing abilities, particularly against the run, make him one of the leading contenders among strong safety players needed by teams in the market.
As the draft approaches and teams look to finalize their rosters, these players could prove to be valuable additions. Meanwhile, trusted betting sites are already adjusting odds based on potential team changes stemming from these acquisitions, providing plenty of fodder for speculation and strategic bets in the upcoming season.
