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2016 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2016.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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Von Miller, DE/OLB, Broncos. Age: 27. 
Franchised by Broncos
Probably the No. 1 overall free agent this spring, Von Miller made a predictable, easy transition into Wade Phillips’ 3-4, collecting 11 sacks. Miller is unquestionably one of the top linebackers in the NFL, and he’ll be just 27 in March.
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Bruce Irvin, DE/OLB, Seahawks. Age: 28. 
Signed with Raiders
Bruce Irvin never became the dominant player the Seahawks thought they were getting in the first round. He has been inconsistent and doesn’t really excel at anything. However, Irvin is a solid player with no weaknesses in his game.
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Tahir Whitehead, OLB, Lions. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Lions (2 years, $8 million)
The Lions inserted Tahir Whitehead into the starting lineup during the second half of the season, and that was one of the reasons they performed so well down the stretch. Whitehead was solid in coverage, but was even better when stopping the run.
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Aldon Smith, DE/OLB, Raiders. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Raiders
Aldon Smith is tough to rank. He’s very talented – based on his skill alone, he’d be a 4.5-star player – but he obviously has some glaring off-the-field issues that make him a huge risk. Smith has been suspended and can’t be reinstated until November.
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Mark Barron, OLB/S, Rams. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Rams (5 years, $45 million)
Mark Barron was a big disappointment after being chosen with the seventh pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He improved this past season, however, as the trick was to use him at linebacker, where he performed admirably.
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John Simon (RFA), DE/OLB, Texans. Age: 25.
Tendered by Texans
Mike Vrabel has done a great job of developing John Simon, who has transformed into a capable, all-around 3-4 edge rusher. He collected five sacks in limited snaps and played the run well.
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Danny Lansanah (RFA), OLB, Buccaneers. Age: 31.
Signed with Dolphins
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a 31-year-old be a restricted free agent. Danny Lansanah is a decent, two-down player who thrives in run support.
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Mike Neal, DE/OLB, Packers. Age: 29.
A jack of all trades, master of none, Mike Neal is a sub-par starter, but can play numerous positions in Green Bay’s defense.
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Vincent Rey, OLB, Bengals. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Bengals (3 years, $10.5 million)
Vincent Rey had been a capable starter when given the chance prior to this season, but he was a bit of a disappointment in 2015. Perhaps he’d be better at middle linebacker.
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Nick Perry, DE/OLB, Packers. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Packers (1 year, $5 million)
Nick Perry has never met the expectations the Packers put on him when using a first-round pick on him in 2012. Perry hasn’t been terrible, but he never registered more than four sacks.
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Chad Greenway, OLB, Vikings. Age: 33.
Re-signed with Vikings
Chad Greenway used to be a great player, but he has regressed now that he’s in his 30s. He was a major liability in run support this past season.
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O’Brien Schofield, DE/OLB, Falcons. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Falcons
Ideally, O’Brien Schofield would be a situational pass-rusher. However, the Falcons had to use him on most plays last season, thanks to the poor talent up front. He wasn’t bad, but he was far from a strength.
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Junior Galette, DE/OLB, Redskins. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Redskins (1 year)
Junior Galette is an extremely talented pass-rusher who would probably be a 4.5-star free agent if he didn’t have any glaring off-the-field issues. Unfortunately, Galette is a horrible person who only makes teams worse.
- Courtney Upshaw, DE/OLB, Ravens. Age: 26. — Signed with Falcons
- Justin Durant, OLB, Falcons. Age: 30. — Signed with Cowboys
- Kroy Biermann, DE/OLB, Falcons. Age: 30.
- Nigel Bradham, OLB, Bills. Age: 26. — Signed with Eagles (2 years)
- Emmanuel Lamur, OLB, Bengals. Age: 27. — Signed with Vikings (2 years)
- Frank Zombo, DE/OLB, Chiefs. Age: 29. — Re-signed with Chiefs (3 years, $3.6 million)
- Kyle Wilber, OLB, Cowboys. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Cowboys (2 years)
- Shea McClellin, DE/OLB, Bears. Age: 27. — Signed with Patriots (3 years)
- Albert McClellan, DE/OLB, Ravens. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Ravens
- LaMarr Woodley, DE/OLB, Cardinals. Age: 31.
- Spencer Paysinger, OLB, Dolphins. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Dolphins
- Travis Lewis, OLB, Lions. Age: 28. — Signed with Vikings
- Dezman Moses, DE/OLB, Chiefs. Age: 27.
- Michael Morgan, OLB, Seahawks. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Seahawks
- Ramon Humber, OLB, Saints. Age: 29. — Signed with Patriots
- Lerentee McCray (RFA), DE/OLB, Broncos. Age: 26.
- A.J. Hawk, OLB, Bengals. Age: 32. — Signed with Falcons
- Tony Steward, OLB, Bills. Age: 23. — Signed with Patriots
- Andy Mulumba (RFA), DE/OLB, Packers. Age: 26. — Signed with Chiefs
- Jason Trusnuk, OLB, Vikings. Age: 32.
- Daren Bates (RFA), OLB, Rams. Age: 25. — Signed with Raiders
- Ray-Ray Armstrong (RFA), OLB, 49ers. Age: 25. — Re-signed with 49ers
- James Anderson, OLB, Saints. Age: 32.
- Scott Solomon (RFA), DE/OLB, Browns. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Browns
- Joplo Bartu (RFA), OLB, Jaguars. Age: 25.
- LaRoy Reynolds (RFA), OLB, Bears. Age: 25. — Signed with Falcons
- Korey Toomer (RFA), OLB, Raiders. Age: 28.
- John Lotulelei (RFA), OLB, Raiders. Age: 25.
- Darius Fleming, OLB, Patriots. Age: 27.
- Dekoda Watson, OLB, Patriots. Age: 28.
NFL Free Agent Tracker:
Top 100 | QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Rumors | FA Team Grades
NFL Picks - Dec. 13
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 11
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 9
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
