2010 NFL Free Agents: Defensive Tackles

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2010 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2010.

Vince Wilfork, NT, Patriots. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Patriots (5 years, $40 million; $25 million guaranteed)

With the older players (Jamal Williams, Casey Hampton) in decline, Vince Wilfork is the best nose tackle in the NFL. He’ll be franchised.
Casey Hampton, NT, Steelers. Age: 32.
Re-signed with Steelers (3 years, $21 million)

Casey Hampton isn’t the player he used to be, but he’s still one of the top nose tackles in the NFL. He’ll be 33 on Sept. 3.
John Henderson, NT, Jaguars. Age: 31.
Signed with Raiders (1 year)

Capable of playing in both the 4-3 and 3-4, John Henderson is stout against the run. He was released by the Jaguars because they couldn’t afford to pay him.
Aubrayo Franklin, NT, 49ers. Age: 30.
Re-signed with 49ers (1 year, $7 million)

Aubrayo Franklin had a great year – something that pretty much came out of nowhere. Was he playing for a big signing bonus? Caveat emptor.
Tony Brown (RFA), DT, Titans. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Titans (3 years)

At 285 pounds, Tony Brown is a liability against the run, but he gives the Titans a great interior pass-rushing option.
Johnny Jolly (RFA), DE/DT, Packers. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Packers (1 year, $2.5 million)

Despite never playing the 3-4 end position before, Johnny Jolly had an exceptional season and was instrumental in Green Bay’s quick transition into its new defense.
Ryan Pickett, NT, Packers. Age: 30.
Franchised by Packers

Ryan Pickett thrived in Green Bay’s new 3-4. He’ll be a hot commodity; talented nose tackles are rare and always in demand.
Richard Seymour, DE/DT, Raiders. Age: 30.
Re-signed with Raiders (1 year, $12.3 million)

Aside from the Monday night opener and an upset over the Eagles, Richard Seymour was just above average in 2009. He plays great when he’s motivated, but those games are far and few between.
Barry Cofield (RFA), DT, Giants. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Giants (1 year, $1.7 million)

Barry Cofield is now two years removed from knee surgery, meaning he should have a big 2010 campaign.
Jamal Williams, NT, Chargers. Age: 34.
Signed with Broncos (3 years, $16 million; $7 million guaranteed)

Jamal Williams turns 34 this spring and missed 15 games last year with torn triceps. The Chargers had to cut him because of his massive salary, but he can still be an effective nose tackle.
Dwan Edwards, DE/DT, Ravens. Age: 29.
Signed with Bills (4 years, $18 million)

Dwan Edwards took over the starting job over Trevor Pryce is November and never looked back. He’s a force against the run.
Damione Lewis, DE/DT, Patriots. Age: 32.
Signed with Texans

Damione Lewis was Carolina’s best defensive tackle last year, but that’s not saying much. The 32-year-old struggles against the run.
Kendrick Clancy, DT, Saints. Age: 32.
Kendrick Clancy is a quality nose tackle, but missed 14 games in 2009 because of a knee injury. That knee and his age are both major concerns.
Ma’ake Kemoeatu, DT, Panthers. Age: 31.
Signed with Redskins (2 years, $7 million)

Ma’ake Kemoeatu is a good player, but suffered an Achilles injury in August. Unfortunately, his recovery isn’t going well. He’ll be a risky signing.
Cory Redding, DE/DT, Seahawks. Age: 29.
Signed with Ravens (2 years)

Cory Redding didn’t have a very good year – and this was his contract season. Not good.
Remi Ayodele (RFA), DT, Saints. Age: 27.
Re-signed with Saints (1 year, $1.1 million)

Remi Ayodele played relatively well in relief of Kendrick Clancy this season.
Jarvis Green, DE/DT, Broncos. Age: 31.
Jarvis Green is a capable starter in the 3-4 and could be a great backup. However, the Patriots could use an upgrade at the position.
Clifton Ryan (ERFA), DT, Rams. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Rams (1 year, $1.6 million)

Clifton Ryan is decent against the run, but offers absolutely no pass rush.
Louis Leonard, NT, Panthers. Age: 26.
Louis Leonard, at 330 pounds, was Carolina’s starting nose tackle before breaking his ankle in Week 2.
Jason Ferguson, NT, Dolphins. Age: 35.
Re-signed with Dolphins

Jason Ferguson is a 35-year-old nose tackle who is coming off a nasty torn quad. Ferguson hinted that he’s thinking about retirement, as he won’t be healthy until the summer at the very earliest.
Tank Johnson, DT, Bengals. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Bengals (4 years)

A decent rotational defensive tackle. NFL GMs beware, don’t lowball Tank Johnson; you don’t want to insult a man with thousands of guns.
Chris Hovan, DT, Buccaneers. Age: 32.
Signed with Rams

Chris Hovan really struggled last year, as perhaps age caught up to him. He can be a solid rotational guy, but should not be a starter anymore.
Jimmy Kennedy, DT, Vikings. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Vikings (2 years, $6 million)

Jimmy Kennedy was solid rotational lineman for the Vikings, though you have to wonder if he was just playing for a contract.
Daniel Muir (RFA), DT, Colts. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Colts (1 year, $1.7 million)

Started the second half of the season and did a decent job against the run.
Hollis Thomas, NT, Panthers. Age: 36.
Hollis Thomas, at 36, shockingly played well for the Panthers this year. He’s a solid backup nose tackle.
Travis Kirschke, DE/DT, Steelers. Age: 35.
Travis Kirschke will be 36 on Sept. 6, but he’s still a quality rotational 3-4 lineman who excels against the run.
Fred Robbins, DT, Giants. Age: 33.
Signed with Rams (3 years, $12 million)

Fred Robbins lost his starting job in the middle of the season. He’s a solid rotational guy at best right now.
Ed Johnson, DT, Colts. Age: 26.
Signed with Panthers (1 year)

There’s no questioning Ed Johnson’s talent. However, he has played in only five games in the past two seasons because of a marijuana arrest and weight issues. If the motivation is there, he can be a good addition.
Kedric Golston (RFA), DE/DT, Redskins. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Redskins (1 year, $1.7 million)
Fred Evans (RFA), DT, Vikings. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Vikings (1 year, $1.7 million)
Gabe Watson (RFA), NT, Cardinals. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Cardinals (1 year, $1.8 million)
Antonio Johnson (RFA), DT, Colts. Age: 25. — Re-signed with Colts (1 year, $1.6 million)
Kevin Vickerson, DT, Seahawks. Age: 27. — Signed with Broncos
Gerard Warren, NT, Raiders. Age: 32. — Signed with Patriots
Trevor Pryce, DE/DT, Ravens. Age: 35. — Signed with Jets
Grady Jackson, DT, Lions. Age: 37.
Le Kevin Smith, DE/DT, Broncos. Age: 28.
Gary Gibson (RFA), DE/DT, Rams. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Rams (1 year)
Lorenzo Alexander (ERFA), DT, Redskins. Age: 27. Re-signed with Redskins (3 years)
Tank Tyler, DT, Panthers. Age: 25.
Junior Siavii, NT, Cowboys. Age: 31.
Nick Hayden (ERFA), DT, Panthers. Age: 24. — Tendered by Panthers
Howard Green, NT, Jets. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Jets
Justin Bannan, DE/DT, Ravens. Age: 31. — Signed with Broncos (5 years)
Montavious Stanley, DT, Dolphins. Age: 28.
Kenny Peterson, DE/DT, Broncos. Age: 31.
Anthony Montgomery, NT, Redskins. Age: 26.
Tim Bulman (RFA), DE/DT, Texans. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Texans (1 year, $1.1 million)
Atiyyah Ellison, DE/DT, Jaguars. Age: 28. — Signed with Chiefs
Ian Scott, NT, Chargers. Age: 28.
Antonio Garay (RFA), DE/DT, Chargers. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Chargers (2 years)
Rob Meier, DT, Jaguars. Age: 33.
Matt Toeaina (RFA), DT, Bears. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Bears (1 year)
Deljuan Robinson, DT, Texans. Age: 26.
Montavious Stanley, DT, Jaguars. Age: 28.
Dusty Dvoracek (RFA), DT, Bears. Age: 29.
Cornelius Griffin, DT, Redskins. Age: 33.
Jason Banks (ERFA), DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 25.
Keilen Dykes (ERFA), DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 25.
Marcus Smith, DT, Bills. Age: 26.
Lamar Divens (ERFA), NT, Ravens. Age: 24. — Tendered by Ravens
J’Vonne Parker, NT, Broncos. Age: 28.