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2012 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2012.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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Mario Williams, DE, Texans. Age: 27. 
Signed with Bills (6 years, $100 million; $50 million guaranteed)
One of the top pass-rushers in the NFL will be allowed to hit the market because the Texans have other great rush linebackers. I’m not big on building through free agency, but teams should be selling their souls to get Williams on their roster.
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Cliff Avril, DE, Lions. Age: 26.
Franchised by Lions
Though Cliff Avril is a liability in run support, he happens to be a dynamic pass-rusher in a pass-happy league, so he’s due for a huge contract. He had 11 sacks and six forced fumbles in 2011.
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Kamerion Wimbley, DE/OLB, Raiders. Age: 28.
Signed with Titans (5 years, $35 million)
Kamerion Wimbley, a perfect fit for either the 4-3 or 3-4, has 16 sacks in the past two years. He’s also a force against the run.
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Jeremy Mincey, DE, Jaguars. Age: 28. 
Re-signed with Jaguars (4 years)
Jeremy Mincey came out of nowhere to register eight sacks in 2011 – an impressive feat, considering that Jacksonville was often trailing. The Jaguars have struggled to rush the passer for years, so it’s important that they keep Mincey around.
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Andre Carter, DE, Patriots. Age: 33.
Andre Carter is getting up there, but he had a dominant year for the Patriots before landing on injured reserve with a torn quad. It was no surprise to see Carter thrive in the 4-3 again, which makes you wonder why the Redskins installed a 3-4.
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Michael Bennett (RFA), DE, Buccaneers. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Buccaneers (1 year)
Stout against the run and effective as a pass-rusher, Michael Bennett is a really solid left defensive end.
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Anthony Spencer, DE/OLB, Cowboys. Age: 28.
Franchised by Cowboys
Great one week and invisible the next, Anthony Spencer has immense talent, but can’t seem to stay consistent. At 28, time is running out for him to put it together.
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John Abraham, DE, Falcons. Age: 34.
Re-signed with Falcons (3 years)
John Abraham is pretty overrated because he comes up small in big games, usually racking up his high sack totals against poor opponents like Blaine Gabbert and the Jaguars. He’ll be 34 in May, so his best days are far behind him.
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Robert Mathis, DE/OLB, Colts. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Colts
Robert Mathis can still get to the quarterback, but he’s on the wrong side of 30. He’s also way too small for most 4-3 defensive schemes (6-2, 245), so if he doesn’t re-sign with the Colts, he may have to try signing with a squad that utilizes the 3-4.
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Mark Anderson, DE, Patriots. Age: 29.
Signed with Bills (4 years)
Bill Belichick helped revive Mark Anderson's career. The former Bear went from being an afterthought to a double-digit sacker. It's hard to trust him outside of New England's system though.
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Israel Idonije, DE, Bears. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Bears (1 year)
Israel Idonije stuffs the run well and gets decent pressure on the quarterback. He'll be 32 in November, however.
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Matt Roth, DE/OLB, Jaguars. Age: 29.
Matt Roth didn't fare poorly in Jacksonville's 4-3, but struggled with concussion symptoms to close out the 2011 campaign. He's a decent, but unspectacular player.
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Jonathan Fanene, DE/DT, Bengals. Age: 30.
Signed with Patriots (3 years)
Jonathan Fanene's best skill is stopping the run, as you might expect from a 290-pounder. He can also put some pressure on the quarterback, as evidenced by his six sacks in 2011. Unfortunately, he'll be 30 in March, so his best days are behind him.
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Kroy Biermann, DE, Falcons. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Falcons (3 years)
Kroy Biermann had a very solid 2010 campaign, but struggled this past season, notching only 2.5 sacks despite playing about 35 snaps every week. He was invisible against the Giants.
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James Hall, DE, Rams. Age: 35.
James Hall notched six sacks in 2011. He can still get to the quarterback, but his age is an obvious concern.
- William Hayes, DE, Titans. Age: 27. -- Signed with Rams (1 year)
- Wallace Gilberry, DE, Chiefs. Age: 27. -- Signed with Buccaneers
- Frostee Rucker, DE, Bengals. Age: 28. -- Signed with Browns (5 years)
- Trevor Scott, DE, Raiders. Age: 28. -- Signed with Patriots (1 year)
- Antwan Applewhite, DE, Panthers. Age: 26. -- Re-signed with Panthers
- Jarvis Moss, DE, Raiders. Age: 28.
- Quentin Groves, DE/OLB, Raiders. Age: 28. -- Signed with Cardinals
- Shawne Merriman, DE/OLB, Bills. Age: 28.
- Juqua Thomas-Parker, DE, Eagles. Age: 34. -- Signed with Browns (1 year)
- Dave Ball, DE, Titans. Age: 31. -- Re-signed with Titans (1 year, $1.2 million)
- Aaron Kampman, DE, Packers. Age: 32.
- Raheem Brock, DE, Seahawks. Age: 34.
- Bryan Thomas, DE/OLB, Jets. Age: 33. -- Re-signed with Jets (1 year)
- Tyler Brayton, DE, Colts. Age: 32.
- Jamaal Anderson, DE, Colts. Age: 26. -- Signed with Bengals
- Turk McBride, DE, Saints. Age: 27. -- Re-signed with Saints (1 year)
- Jason Hunter, DE, Broncos. Age: 29. -- Re-signed with Broncos
- Jayme Mitchell, DE, Browns. Age: 28. -- Signed with Buccaneers
- Dave Tollefson, DE, Giants. Age: 30. -- Signed with Raiders (2 years, $2.5 million)
- Derrick Harvey, DE, Bengals. Age: 25.
- Tim Bulman, DE, Texans. Age: 29. -- Signed with Patriots
- Tim Crowder, DE, Buccaneers. Age: 27.
- Shaun Ellis, DE/DT, Patriots. Age: 35.
- Jimmy Wilkerson, DE, Seahawks. Age: 31.
- Jeff Charleston, DE, Saints. Age: 29.
- C.J. Ah You, DE, Rams. Age: 30.
- Ikaika Alama-Francis, DE/OLB, Dolphins. Age: 27.
- Victor Abiamiri, DE, Eagles. Age: 26.
2012 NFL Free Agent Positions:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Mock
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