2015 NFL Free Agents: Defensive Tackles

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2015 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2015.
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Ndamukong Suh, DT, Lions. Age: 28.
Signed with Dolphins (6 years, $114 million; $60 million guaranteed)

Ndamukong Suh is capable of dominating games in the trenches, as he is a major force as both a run-stopper and a pass-rusher. He’s arguably the top 4-3 defensive tackle in the NFL, but his on-the-field antics have to be at least a slight concern for some teams. More body stomping means more suspensions, after all.
Terrance Knighton, NT, Broncos. Age: 29.
Signed with Redskins (1 year, $4 million)

Terrance “Pot Roast” Knighton is one of the top run-stuffers in the NFL. Unlike most nose tackles, however, Knighton can put a decent amount of pressure on the quarterback; including the playoffs, he had five sacks in 2013, which is a big number for a 330-pounder.
Nick Fairley, DT, Lions. Age: 27.
Signed with Rams (1 year, $5 million)

If Nick Fairley is trying his hardest, he can be one of the best interior defensive linemen in the NFL. Unfortunately, Fairley has a history of lethargy and character issues that make him a big risk.
Jared Odrick, DE/DT, Dolphins. Age: 27.
Signed with Jaguars (5 years, $42.5 million; $22 million guaranteed)

Jared Odrick had a terrific 2014 campaign, as he got to the quarterback frequently and also was sound against the run until a late-season injury limited him a bit. Odrick, who won’t be 28 until December, can fit into any scheme, which will help him on the open market.
Damon Harrison (RFA), NT, Jets. Age: 26.
Tendered by Jets

Damon “Snacks” Harrison is one of the top run-stuffing nose tackles in the NFL. He doesn’t get any sort of pass rush going, but he’s a major reason why New York is so excellent against ground attacks. He won’t be 27 until November.
Cory Redding, DE/DT, Colts. Age: 34.
Signed with Cardinals (2 years, $6 million)

Cory Redding was Indianapolis’ most-consistent pass-rusher in 2014. Unfortunately, he could see a decline in his play soon, given that he’ll turn 35 in November.
Cedric Thornton (RFA), DE/DT, Eagles. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Eagles

Cedric Thornton doesn’t provide any sort of pass rush, but he’s one of the top run-defenders in the NFL. He’s a major reason why Philadelphia has been stout versus ground attacks over the past couple of years.
Stephen Paea, DT, Bears. Age: 27.
Signed with Redskins (4 years, $21 million)

Stephen Paea is a major liability in run support, but he’s excellent in terms of generating an interior pass rush.
Dan Williams, NT, Cardinals. Age: 28.
Signed with Raiders

Dan Williams is limited as a pass-rusher, but he’s been one of the better run-stuffing nose tackles in the NFL over the past several seasons.
Henry Melton, DT, Cowboys. Age: 28.
Signed with Buccaneers (1 year)

Henry Melton had a couple of awful seasons to close out his tenure in Chicago, but thrived in his first year with the Cowboys. He was a liability in run support, but put a tremendous amount of pressure on the quarterback. Unfortunately, Melton’s durability was once again prevalent when he was knocked out of the playoffs with a knee injury.
Randy Starks, DT, Dolphins. Age: 31.
Signed with Browns (2 years)

Randy Starks had a terrific 2013 campaign, but didn’t play as well last season, perhaps because of a back injury he dealt with in the middle of the season. Starks, who is still capable of being a disruptive pass-rusher, turns 32 in December.
Red Bryant, DE/DT, Jaguars. Age: 31.
Signed with Bills

So much for that 4-year, $19 million deal Red Bryant signed last offseason. Whatever pass-rushing ability Bryant once possessed is now gone, but he’s still an elite run-stuffer, and should continue to be one for the next 2-3 seasons.
Vince Wilfork, NT, Patriots. Age: 33.
Signed with Texans

Vince Wilfork is now a free agent because the Patriots declined to pick up his 2015 option. New England didn’t effectively cut him because he played poorly last year; the team simply needed cap space to retain Darrelle Revis. Wilfork can still play well as a run-stuffing nose tackle, though his age (34 in November) is definitely a concern.
Tommy Kelly, DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 34.
Tommy Kelly will be 35 late during the 2015 season, but he still provides a solid pass rush while being pretty decent in terms of stopping the run.
C.J. Mosley, DT, Lions. Age: 32.
Signed with Dolphins

Nick Fairley going down with an injury would’ve been a big deal for the Lions, except that C.J. Mosley handled the starting job well. He was solid, both in terms of stuffing the run and putting pressure on the quarterback. The downside is that he’ll be 32 in August.
Ahtyba Rubin, NT, Browns. Age: 29.
Signed with Seahawks (1 year)

Ahtyba Rubin was a big reason (literally) why the Browns struggled against the run in 2014. He had a shockingly dreadful season despite always being a great run-stuffer. Perhaps an ankle injury that he sustained in early October was the culprit.
B.J. Raji, NT, Packers. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Packers (1 year)

B.J. Raji was a dominant force in 2010 and 2011, but has since severely declined – and that was before a torn bicep sidelined him this past season. Still though, the Packers thought enough of him that they offered him a contract that would pay him an average of $8 million per year prior to the 2014 offseason. The motivation just doesn’t seem to be there with Raji though, and it’s fair to wonder how he’ll rebound from his injury.
Barry Cofield, NT, Redskins. Age: 31.
The Redskins cut Barry Cofield for cap reasons – the move saved them $4 million – but he can still play. Cofield missed most of 2014 with an ankle sprain and didn’t look healthy when he returned to the lineup. However, he played well in 2013, and give that he’s just 31 (in March), he’ll generate some interest as a starter, especially considering how versatile he is.
Letroy Guion, NT, Packers. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Packers

Letroy Guion was signed to just a 1-year, $1 million contract last offseason. He wasn’t the perfect nose tackle, as he didn’t do that well against the run, but he put good pressure on the quarterback for someone at his position.
Sealver Siliga (RFA), NT, Patriots. Age: 25.
Sealver Siliga wasn’t able to play much this year because of a foot injury, but he was an effective run-stuffer when he was able to be on the field.
Kendall Langford, DE/DT, Rams. Age: 29.
Signed with Colts

The Rams overpaid for Kendall Langford when they gave him a 4-year, $24 million deal a few offseasons ago. Having said that, Langford is a well-rounded player who can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4.
Corey Peters, DT, Falcons. Age: 27.
Signed with Cardinals (3 years, $10.5 million)

Despite tearing his Achilles late last season, Corey Peters was able to return in the middle of September and perform relatively well as a rotational defensive lineman. He’ll be better next year, as he’ll be 100 percent.
Ricky Jean-Francois, DE/DT, Colts. Age: 28.
Signed with Redskins (3 years, $9 million)

Ricky Jean-Francois can be used as a starter, though he’s a below-average one. He doesn’t do anything particularly well, but he doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.
Antonio Smith, DE/DT, Raiders. Age: 33.
Signed with Broncos (1 year)

Antonio Smith took the money and ran to Oakland last offseason, so he was a predictable disappointment. He was able to generate a decent pass rush, but struggled mightily against the run. He turns 34 in October, but can still be a decent rotational player in a 3-4.
Tom Johnson, DT, Vikings. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Vikings (3 years, $7 million)

Tom Johnson can’t hold up against the run, but he’s a quality interior pass-rusher who collected a handful of sacks in 2014. He’s on the wrong side of 30, unfortunately.
Darnell Dockett, DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 34.
Signed with 49ers (2 years, $7.5 million)

Darnell Dockett missed all of 2014 with a torn ACL. The season before, Dockett was just sub par. He’ll be 34 in May, and it’s unlikely that he’ll ever be anything close to the dominant player he once was. He can probably still be a strong backup, however.
Chris Canty, DE/DT, Ravens. Age: 32.
Re-signed with Ravens (2 years)

Chris Canty has hinted at retirement, so his release could be the end of his career. He can still put some pressure on the quarterback, but at 33 in November, his productive days are coming to an end.
Pat Sims, DT, Raiders. Age: 29.
Pat Sims is a quality run-stuffer, but doesn’t provide any sort of pass rush.
Ray McDonald, DE/DT, Bears. Age: 30.
I’m giving Ray McDonald a write-up because of his great talent level, but it’s looking like he’ll never play in the NFL again after his latest (third) arrest for domestic violence. Unless McDonald is declared innocent of this charge, no one is going to sign him, and even then, the outlook for his football status is shaky.
Kevin Williams, DT, Seahawks. Age: 35. — Signed with Saints
Dwan Edwards, DT, Panthers. Age: 34. — Re-signed with Panthers
Tyrunn Walker (RFA), DE/DT, Saints. Age: 25. — Signed with Lions
Jarvis Jenkins, DE/DT, Redskins. Age: 27. — Signed with Bears
Brett Keisel, DE/DT, Steelers. Age: 36.
Andre Fluellen, DT, Lions. Age: 30.
Mike Patterson, DT, Giants. Age: 32.
Leger Douzable, DE/DT, Jets. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Jets
Fili Moala, DE/DT, Colts. Age: 30.
Stephen Bowen, DE/DT, Redskins. Age: 31. — Signed with Jets
Lawrence Guy (RFA), DE/DT, Ravens. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Ravens
Colin Cole, DT, Panthers. Age: 35. — Re-signed with Panthers (1 year)
Kenrick Ellis, NT, Jets. Age: 27. — Signed with Giants (1 year)
Vance Walker, DE/DT, Chiefs. Age: 28. — Signed with Broncos (2 years, $4 million)
Ishmaa’ily Kitchen (RFA), NT, Browns. Age: 27. — Tendered by Browns
Alex Carrington, DT, Rams. Age: 28.
C.J. Wilson, DE/DT, Raiders. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Raiders
Nick Hayden, DT, Cowboys. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Cowboys
Brandon Deaderick, DE/DT, Saints. Age: 28.
Kevin Vickerson, DE/DT, Chiefs. Age: 27. — Signed with Jets
Sione Fua, DT, Browns. Age: 27.
Terrence Cody, NT, Ravens. Age: 27.
Alameda Ta’amu (RFA), NT, Cardinals. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Cardinals
Mitch Unrein, DT, Broncos. Age: 28. — Signed with Chargers
Chris Neild, NT, Redskins. Age: 27.