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2021 NFL Free Agency: Star rating is out of five. Age listing as of Sept. 1, 2021.
Follow me @walterfootball for updates.
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Leonard Williams, DE/DT, Giants. Age: 27. 
Re-signed with Giants (3 years, $63 million)
Leonard Williams has gotten lots of flak over the years because he didn’t really live up to his first-round billing with the Jets, but he’s coming off an amazing 2020 campaign with the Giants.
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Shelby Harris, DT, Broncos. Age: 30.
Re-signed with Broncos (3 years, $27 million)
Shelby Harris continues to improve each year. He was terrific in 2020, thriving against the run and being even better as a pass rusher. The only negative with Harris is that he turns 30 in August.
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Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, Giants. Age: 27.
Signed with Vikings (2 years, $22 million)
Dalvin Tomlinson is a monstrous run stuffer who is capable of generating decent pressure on the quarterback.
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Kawann Short, DT, Panthers. Age: 32.
Kawann Short was once considered one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL. However, he’s played just five games in the past couple of years, and he’s now 32, so he may never be the same again.
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Poona Ford (RFA), NT, Seahawks. Age: 25.
Re-signed with Seahawks (2 years)
Poona Ford is a monstrous run stuffer, and he’s only 25. We’ll have to see if he can develop any pass-rushing ability, which is lacking at the moment.
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Sheldon Rankins, DT, Saints. Age: 27.
Signed with Jets (2 years, $17 million)
Sheldon Rankins didn’t look quite right in 2020. Perhaps this was because of an Achilles injury he suffered the prior year. I expect him to rebound next season.
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Sheldon Richardson, DT, Browns. Age: 30.
Signed with Vikings (1 year)
Sheldon Richardson was cut for financial reasons; he performed on a high level in 2020, both as a pass rusher and a run supporter. He turns 31 in November.
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Ndamukong Suh, DT, Buccaneers. Age: 34.
Re-signed with Buccaneers (1 year, $10 million)
Once one of the top defensive tackles in the NFL, Ndamukong Suh has understandably taken a step backward in production now that he’s in his mid-30s.
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Abry Jones, DT, Jaguars. Age: 29.
Abry Jones was sorely missed this past season when he landed on injured reserve after Week 5 with leg injuries. He’s nearing 30, but he can still play on a high level.
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DaQuan Jones, DT, Titans. Age: 29.
Signed with Panthers
DaQuan Jones is a solid, jack-of-all-trades defensive lineman who should have a couple more quality years remaining in the pros.
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Roy Robertson-Harris, DE/DT, Bears. Age: 28.
Signed with Jaguars (3 years, $24.4 million)
Roy Robertson-Harris was missed last year when he landed on injured reserve. He’s a quality defensive lineman with no weaknesses.
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Jurrell Casey, DT, Broncos. Age: 31.
Jurrell Casey was once one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL. He’s in his 30s now, and he hasn’t been able to stay healthy. There’s still upside with Casey, but the floor is lower than it has been in the past.
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Quinton Jefferson, DT, Bills. Age: 28.
Signed with Raiders
Quinton Jefferson was one of the biggest surprises for the Seahawks in 2019. He emerged as a potent force in the interior of the trenches, stuffing the run well and generating some pressure on opposing quarterbacks. He was a disappointment in Buffalo, however, resulting in his release. It’s possible that he got fat and happy from his $6.5 million guarantee. He could rebound in 2021.
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Maurice Hurst, DT, Raiders. Age: 26.
Signed with 49ers
It’s unclear why the Raiders cut a talented player like Maurice Hurst. He’s a solid rotational player with upside.
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Geno Atkins, DT, Bengals. Age: 33.
Geno Atkins was a great defensive lineman for the Bengals during the previous decade, but he looked absolutely shot last year. I wouldn’t count him out to rebound for one or two more years, but at 33, his career could be finished.
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Christian Covington, DE/DT, Bengals. Age: 27.
Signed with Chargers
Christian Covington is a quality run-stuffing defensive lineman, but his pass-rushing skills need work.
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Johnathan Hankins, DT, Raiders. Age: 29.
Re-signed with Raiders (1 year)
Johnathan Hankins is a monstrous run stuffer, but offers nothing as a pass rusher.
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Derek Wolfe, DE/DT, Ravens. Age: 31.
Re-signed with Ravens (3 years, $12 million)
Derek Wolfe is a big injury risk, but he’s a terrific run stuffer and is capable of some pressure on opposing quarterbacks.
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Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Browns. Age: 27.
Signed with Bengals (1 year)
Larry Ogunjobi had a down year in 2020, but he’s still a solid rotational defensive lineman with some upside.
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Danny Shelton, NT, Lions. Age: 28.
Signed with Giants (1 year)
Danny Shelton is usually a monstrous run stuffer, but he’s coming off his worst year as a pro because of knee injuries. He’s young enough to bounce back, but the knee problems could linger.
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Tyson Alualu, DE/DT, Steelers. Age: 34.
Re-signed with Steelers (2 years)
Tyson Alualu is still performing on a high level as a rotational defensive lineman despite his age. He’s due for regression soon, however.
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Malik Jackson, DT, Eagles. Age: 31.
Signed with Browns
Malik Jackson used to be a stellar player, but he has slowed down recently. He hasn’t performed well the past two years. He’s now 31, so this decline is likely to be permanent.
- Mike Daniels, DT, Bengals. Age: 32.
- Brent Urban, DE/DT, Bears. Age: 30. — Signed with Cowboys
- Henry Anderson, DE/DT, Jets. Age: 30. — Signed with Patriots (2 years)
- Beau Allen, DT, Patriots. Age: 29.
- Jarran Reed, DT, Seahawks. Age: 28. — Signed with Chiefs
- Steve McLendon, DT, Buccaneers. Age: 35. — Re-signed with Buccaneers
- Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Buccaneers. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Buccaneers (2 years)
- P.J. Hall (RFA), NT, Texans. Age: 26.
- Jihad Ward, DT, Ravens. Age: 27. — Signed with Jaguars
- Justin Ellis, DT, Ravens. Age: 30.
- Isaac Rochell (RFA), DT, Chargers. Age: 26. — Signed with Colts (1 year, $2.5 million)
- Montravius Adams, DT, Packers. Age: 26. — Signed with Patriots
- Tanoh Kpassagnon, DE/DT, Chiefs. Age: 27. — Signed with Chiefs
- Shamar Stephen, DT, Vikings. Age: 30. — Signed with Broncos
- Mike Pennel, DT, Bears. Age: 30.
- Damon Harrison, NT, Packers. Age: 33.
- Chris Wormley, DT, Steelers. Age: 27. — Re-signed with Steelers (2 years)
- John Jenkins, NT, Bears. Age: 32. — Signed with Dolphins
- Davon Godchaux, DT, Dolphins. Age: 26. — Signed with Patriots (2 years, $16 million)
- DeMarcus Walker, DT, Broncos. Age: 26. — Signed with Texans
- Lawrence Guy, DT, Patriots. Age: 31. — Re-signed with Patriots (4 years)
- Austin Johnson, DT, Giants. Age: 27.
- Adam Gotsis, DT, Jaguars. Age: 28. — Re-signed with Jaguars
- Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Eagles. Age: 26.
- Adam Butler, DT, Patriots. Age: 27. — Signed with Dolphins (2 years)
- Carlos Watkins, DT, Texans. Age: 27. — Signed with Cowboys
- Angelo Blackson, DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 28. — Signed with Bears
- Corey Peters, DT, Cardinals. Age: 33. — Re-signed with Cardinals
- Domata Peko, DT, Cardinals. Age: 36.
- Damion Square, DT, Chargers. Age: 32.
- Sylvester Williams, DT, Broncos. Age: 32.
- Vincent Taylor, DT, Browns. Age: 27. — Signed with Texans (1 year)
- Xavier Williams, DT, Bengals. Age: 29. — Signed with Cardinals
- Trevon Coley, DT, Jets. Age: 27.
- Jaleel Johnson, DT, Vikings. Age: 27. — Signed with Texans
- Billy Winn, DT, Packers. Age: 32.
- Josh Mauro, DE/DT, Cardinals. Age: 30.
- Kyle Peko, NT, Broncos. Age: 28.
- Carl Davis, DT, Patriots. Age: 29.
- T.Y. McGill, DT, Eagles. Age: 28.
- Joel Heath, DT, Broncos. Age: 28.
- Eli Ankou, DT, Cowboys. Age: 27.
NFL Free Agent Tracker:
QB | RB | FB | WR | TE | OT | G | C | DE | DT | OLB | ILB | CB | S | K/P | FA Grades | FA Team Grades
NFL Picks - Dec. 21
2025 NFL Mock Draft - Dec. 18
NFL Power Rankings - Dec. 16
2026 NFL Mock Draft - Nov. 29
Fantasy Football Rankings - Sept. 4
