There isn’t an Ndamukong Suh-level defensive player in this free-agent class, or even an Olivier Vernon or Malik Jackson like last year. However, there are some capable options available at every position.
A lot of the best defensive players were taken off the market due to the franchise tag: Kansas City Chiefs safety Eric Berry, Arizona Cardinals outside linebacker Chandler Jones, Los Angeles Rams cornerback Trumaine Johnson, Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Kawann Short, Los Angeles Chargers outside linebacker Melvin Ingram and New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul. That means there will be a frenzy to sign the remaining defensive players – especially with so many teams having plenty of salary cap space.