2019 NFL Free Agents: Defensive Tackles

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2019 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2019.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.

Grady Jarrett, DT, Falcons. Age: 26.
Franchised by Falcons

Grady Jarrett is one of the top 4-3 defensive tackles in the NFL. He’s absolutely dominant in the interior, both as a pass rusher and a run stopper. He’s turns just 26 in April, so he could continue to improve his game. He’s set to earn a huge contract soon.
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Vikings. Age: 28.
Signed with Browns (3 years, $36 million)

Sheldon Richardson is an extremely talented defensive lineman, playing very strongly in the pass rush and run defense. He can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4, so he should garner tons of interest if he gets to the open market.
Mike Daniels, DE/DT, Packers. Age: 30.
Signed with Lions (1 year)

Wow, I can’t believe the Packers released Mike Daniels. The long-time Packer was one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL. Granted, he turned 30 this offseason, but Daniels was still expected to perform at a very high level for the next year or two. He should be in high demand on the open market.
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Rams. Age: 32.
Signed with Buccaneers (1 year)

Ndamukong Suh had an impactful year with the Rams in 2018, but wasn’t quite the dominant force we’re used to seeing. Age is beginning to become a factor, as Suh turned 32 in January. Still, he should be a force in the interior for a couple more seasons.
Gerald McCoy, DT, Buccaneers. Age: 31.
Signed with Panthers (1 year, $8 million)

Gerald McCoy was the subject of trade rumors, but the Buccaneers had no leverage. He was released for financial reasons, as well as the fact that he’s not a good fit in the new 3-4. McCoy is no longer the dominant force he once was, but he’s still capable of playing on close to a Pro Bowl level. He turned 31 this offseason, so a sharp decline will come soon, but he should still have two or three more strong years remaining in the tank.
Michael Pierce (RFA), NT, Ravens. Age: 26.
Tendered by Ravens (2nd round)

Michael Pierce is an elite run-stuffer. He doesn’t generate much of a pass rush, but he’s not completely lost in that regard. He’s also young, as he won’t turn 27 until around Thanksgiving.
Timmy Jernigan, DT, Eagles. Age: 26.
Re-signed with Eagles (1 year)

The Eagles will not pick up Timmy Jernigan’s $11 million option, making him a free agent this offseason. Jernigan barely played last year because of injuries, but should be able to bounce back in 2019, given his age. Jernigan is a stout run defender who can generate some pressure on the quarterback.
David Irving, DT, Cowboys. Age: 26.
David Irving was dominant down the stretch in 2016, and he proved that wasn’t a fluke the year after. He was limited to just eight games because of a concussion and a suspension, but he was terrific in those eight contests, registering seven sacks, which is a high number for a player at his position in a full 16-game slate. Irving barely played in 2018 because of injury. However, he’s just 26 in August, so he should continue to improve his game.
Muhammad Wilkerson, DE/DT, Packers. Age: 29.
From 2012 to 2015, Muhammad Wilkerson was considered a top-five 3-4 defensive end. It could’ve even been argued that he was the second-best player at his position in the entire league, behind only J.J. Watt. Wilkerson was rewarded with a 5-year, $87 million deal in the summer of 2016. Wilkerson mailed it in after that, then was cut. Wilkerson joined the Packers and played very well for three games before suffering a season-ending injury. Wilkerson isn’t 30 yet, so he could continue to play on a high level for a team that has a strong locker room.
Christian Covington, DE/DT, Texans. Age: 25.
Signed with Cowboys (1 year)

Christian Covington is one of the top run-stuffing defensive linemen in the NFL. His pass-rushing skills need work, but he won’t turn 26 until October, so he has plenty of time to develop moves to get to the quarterback.
Darius Philon, DT, Cardinals. Age: 25.
Darius Philon, a former sixth-round pick, has developed into a solid starter. He stuffed the run very well last year and also notched four sacks. He’s only 25, so he should continue to improve.
Mike Pennel, NT, Patriots. Age: 28.
Mike Pennel didn’t register a single sack in 2018, but he was a stout run stopper. The Jets let him go because he doesn’t fit the new 4-3 defense.
Malik Jackson, DE/DT, Jaguars. Age: 29.
Signed with Eagles (3 years, $30 million)

Malik Jackson joined the Jaguars during the 2016 season. He had two stellar years in Jacksonville, but his performance fell off a cliff last year, ultimately leading to his benching. Jackson, however, isn’t 30 yet, so there’s a good chance he’ll be able to bounce back in 2019. He would be a nice signing on a 1-year “prove it” deal.
Margus Hunt, DE/DT, Colts. Age: 32.
Re-signed with Colts (2 years, $9 million)

Margus Hunt is a late bloomer, but he’s been excellent for the Colts. He’s just a pedestrian pass rusher, but he has elite run-stopping skills. Unfortunately for Hunt, he turns 32 this summer.
Henry Anderson, DE/DT, Jets. Age: 28.
Re-signed with Jets (3 years, $25.2 million)

Henry Anderson has always been a stout run defender, and he flashed some pass-rushing prowess this past season, racking up seven sacks. This was probably a fluke, but any pass rush Anderson generates is a bonus.
Brent Urban, DE/DT, Ravens. Age: 28.
Signed with Titans

Brent Urban is a stellar run defender as a rotational defensive lineman, but he offers very little as a pass rusher.
Corey Liuget, DT, Chargers. Age: 29.
Signed with Raiders

Corey Liuget is still an effective player when he’s able to play. Unfortunately for Liuget, he hasn’t been very reliable. Liuget is constantly injured and thus has missed 14 games over the past two seasons. He’s still young enough to have a bounce-back year or two, but should be signed to a short-term “prove it” deal.
Steve McLendon, NT, Jets. Age: 33.
Re-signed with Jets

Steve McLendon is a stout run defender, but at 33, he could be due for regression soon.
Brandon Mebane, DT, Chargers. Age: 34.
Re-signed with Chargers

Brandon Mebane tore his biceps in November, and Ian Rapoport reported that he would be done for the year. This turned out to be fake news, as Mebane missed just a few games. Mebane is excellent at stuffing the run, but his age (34) is becoming a concern.
Roy Robertson-Harris (RFA), DE/DT, Bears. Age: 26.
Roy Robertson-Harris has plenty of potential. As a rotational player, he stuffed the run well and collected three sacks. There’s a chance a team signs him to a decently sized contract a year from now.
Allen Bailey, DE/DT, Chiefs. Age: 30.
Signed with Falcons (2 years)

Allen Bailey has been a decent starting defensive end for the Chiefs over the years. He has no weaknesses, but isn’t great at anything either.
Tyeler Davison, DT, Saints. Age: 26.
Signed with Falcons

Tyeler Davison is a solid run-plugger, but doesn’t offer much as far as pass-rushing ability is concerned.
Bennie Logan, NT, Titans. Age: 29.
Curiously, Bennie Logan was seldom used in Tennessee. He has played very well in the past, particularly as a run plugger, but he played just a dozen snaps or so per week for the Titans. Perhaps he’ll be used more on another team next year.
Domata Peko, NT, Broncos. Age: 34.
Domata Peko looked worn down in Cincinnati, but he has been a new player in Denver. He clogs the run well, but he’ll turn 35 around Thanksgiving.
Zach Kerr, NT, Broncos. Age: 29.
Zach Kerr is a monstrous, 335-pound run-stuffer, but he offers nothing as far as the pass rush is concerned.
Rodney Gunter, DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 27.
Rodney Gunter is a solid run defender who can get to the quarterback on occasion. He can play in both the 4-3 and 3-4.
Olsen Pierre, DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 27.
Signed with Giants

Olsen Pierre logged 5.5 sacks in 2017, but has barely played in 2018 because he’s not a good fit for the 4-3. Pierre should be a solid contributor in another 3-4 next year.
Dominique Easley, DT, Rams. Age: 27.
Dominique Easley has been miscast in the Rams’ 3-4 defense. He’s a 4-3 three-technique defensive tackle, and he could perform in that role elsewhere. Of course, he’d have to stay healthy, which is something he hasn’t been able to do throughout his career.
Haloti Ngata, NT, Eagles. Age: 35.
Announced retirement

Haloti Ngata missed some time with a calf injury last year, but stuffed the run well whenever he was on the field.
Damion Square, DT, Chargers. Age: 30. — Re-signed with Chargers
Tom Johnson, DT, Vikings. Age: 35.
Kyle Love, DT, Panthers. Age: 32.
Robert Nkemdiche, DT, Cardinals. Age: 24.
Akeem Spence, DT, Eagles. Age: 27. — Signed with Jaguars
Josh Mauro, DE/DT, Giants. Age: 28. — Signed with Raiders (1 year, $1.4 million)
Quinton Jefferson (RFA), DT, Seahawks. Age: 26. — Tendered by Seahawks (original)
Terrell McClain, DT, Cardinals. Age: 31.
Shamar Stephen, DT, Seahawks. Age: 28. — Signed with Vikings (3 years)
Tyson Alualu, DE/DT, Steelers. Age: 32. — Re-signed with Steelers (2 years)
Al Woods, NT, Colts. Age: 32. — Signed with Seahawks
Jordan Phillips, DT, Bills. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Bills (1 year)
Ethan Westbrooks, DE/DT, Rams. Age: 28.
Stacy McGee, DT, Redskins. Age: 29.
Jay Bromley, DT, Saints. Age: 27.
Christian Ringo (RFA), DT, Bengals. Age: 27.
Angelo Blackson, DT, Texans. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Texans (3 years, $12 million)
Carl Davis, DT, Browns. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Browns
Gabe Wright, DT, Raiders. Age: 27.
Joel Heath (RFA), DE/DT, Texans. Age: 26. — Re-signed with Texans
Leterrius Walton, DE/DT, Steelers. Age: 27.
Ahtyba Rubin, DT, Raiders. Age: 33.
Garrison Smith (RFA), DT, Dolphins. Age: 27.
Mitch Unrein, DT, Buccaneers. Age: 32.