One of the moments most longed for by all fans is approaching. From this March 13 and for three days, the teams of the league will be able to contact players who will become free agents this March 15, when the 2023 Season begins at 3:00 p.m. in Central Mexico. At that moment they will conclude the contracts that expired in 2022 and the carousel of stars that will reach a new franchise will begin. Thus, these are the 10 best defensive players available in this NFL Free Agency 2023.
Top 10 defensive players for this NFL Free Agency 2023
honorable mentions
- DT Dalvin Tomlinson, Minnesota Vikings
- LB Tremaine Edmunds, Buffalo Bills
- LB T.J. Edwards, Philadelphia Eagles
- S C.J. Gardner-Johnson, Philadelphia Eagles
- S Jessie Bates III, Cincinnati Bengals
- CB Marcus Peters, Baltimore Ravens
- CB Jamel Dean, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
10. LB Lavonte DavidTampa Bay Buccaneers
After more than a decade with the Buccaneers, free agency is looming for Lavonte David, a three-time All-Pro, but who at 33 is no longer the same as before. Still, last season he had 124 tackles with 3 sacks in 17 games last season. However, opposing quarterbacks completed 75.3% of their passes with David in coverage, being his weak point. If he improves, the one who incorporates him into his ranks will still take advantage of a good couple of years that remain.
9. BY Frank ClarkKansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs recently announced that Frank Clark will not be back for next season, making this one of the more interesting defensive free agents available for free agency. At 29, he probably no longer has the numbers he put up with Seattle in 2016 and 2018, but he’s still helpful: last season he had 13 QB hits and 5 sacks in 15 starts. Given that he could still return to near-elite level, he will have a strong market in a couple of weeks.
8 DE Robert QuinnPhiladelphia Eagles
Coming from the Bears and acquired in the middle of the season by the Eagles last year, the reality is that Robert Quinn did not become the piece that Philadelphia expected; Between injuries and loss of play, he only accumulated one sack in 13 games, but you only need to look at his 2021 to remember that he had 18.5 sacks in 16 games. At 32, he looks unlikely to return to the elite level, but if he stays healthy he can be a great contributor to just about any NFL defense.
7. CB Jonathan JonesNew England Patriots
An undrafted free agent in 2016, he came to the Patriots and rose gradually, starting just 27 games over his first six seasons. However, last year he blew up: he started all 16 games he played in New England, recording 4 INTs, 11 pass defenses, and 3 forced fumbles, all career highs. In addition, the opposing quarterback only completed 53.3% of passes to rating of 73.7% with Jones in coverage. Without a doubt, you have earned a lucrative contract wherever your services are required.
6. DE Brandon Graham, Philadelphia Eagles
Despite already being 34 years old, Brandon Graham seems to be in the prime of his career, coming fresh off last season totaling 11 sacks (career high) and 16 quarterback hits in 17 games with the Eagles, organization for which he has been playing since 2010. Ignoring his 2021, where he only participated in two games, both in 2019 and 2020 he also surpassed the barrier of 8+ sacks, demonstrating a continuity that will make him fish big in this free agency.
5. DT Javon HargravePhiladelphia Eagles
Third round of the Steelers in the 2016 Draft, after four seasons in Pittsburgh he landed in Philadelphia for the start of the 2020 season, and from then until now, he has only evolved, to such an extent that last year he registered a total of 16 quarterback hits and 11 sacks, breaking the double-digit barrier for the first time in the latter category. At 30, and expecting to maintain his production, he sees a strong market for Javon Hargrave looming.
4. LB Bobby WagnerLos Angeles Rams
Despite being 32 years old, in his first season with the Rams, after spending a decade in Seattle, Bobby Wagner shone, finishing last season with 140 tackles, 10 QB hits, 6 sacks and 2 INTs. Also, opposing quarterbacks only recorded rating of 87.1 challenging him in coverage. For this and more, Wagner, whom in Los Angeles they won’t bring backHe is one of the best defensive free agents heading to 2023, and there will be no shortage of bidders to acquire him, especially those who follow a model all-in.
3. CB James BradberryPhiladelphia Eagles
Few understand why the Giants parted ways with James Bradberry at the end of the 2021 season, but the 29-year-old signed last season with the Eagles and simply shone, recording 17 pass defenses, 3 INTs, and a terrific rating of 51.6 being in coverage. Undoubtedly, it was a large part of the success that Philadelphia reaped last year, forming a great duo with CB Darius Slay and, therefore, it is one of the most interesting names to monitor in this market.
2. DE Yannick NgakoueIndianapolis Colts
The Colts were a disaster last season, but if any of their elements deserve respect, it’s Yannick Ngakoue, who had 16 QB hits and 9.5 sacks the year before. If we add to this that in 2021, with the Raiders, he got 23 QB hits and 10 sacks, it can be said that there are already two seasons in which he has been a fear for the rival. At 27, Ngakoue is still in his prime, and whoever acquires him will take with him one of the best defensive players available in free agency.
1. S Jordan PoyerBuffalo Bills
Selection of the seventh round in the 2013 Draft, his journey to the elite of the league took time, but after bouncing between Philadelphia and Cleveland, in 2017 he joined the Bills, where his rise was notable: the previous season, in 12 games played , Jordan Poyer racked up four interceptions, eight passes defensed, and opposing quarterbacks only got rating 60.1 with him in coverage. Without a doubt, Poyer is what any team needs to make a secondary feared.
These were the top 10 defensive free agents available for the new NFL year. Who would you like to see wearing the colors of your favorite team? Who was missing from this list? We read you in the comments below this article and on our social networks.
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