Projected landing spots, contracts for top defensive free agents
NFL free agency gets underway Monday with the beginning of the negotiating period.
After taking a look at the top available offensive talents Friday, it's time to shift gears. The defensive side of the ball offers plenty of intriguing options. Which players are poised to break the bank, and where will they do it?
Milton Williams, DL
A standout performance in the Eagles' Super Bowl beatdown of the Chiefs left little doubt - Williams is going to get the bag in free agency. This isn't a case of a player being overvalued by a one-off performance on the big stage, either. The 25-year-old has been on a steady ascent ever since landing in Philly as a third-round pick in 2021. He finished this past regular season leading all NFL interior linemen with a 26.7% win rate against true pass sets, according to PFF. The Eagles probably can't justify signing him at the price tag he'll command. The Patriots, who enter free agency with over $125 million in cap space, should have no such issues.
Jonathan Allen, DL
Allen got his release from the Commanders this week after they couldn't find a trade partner. The lack of interest in such a deal isn't necessarily a reflection of his value but more so an understanding that it was only a matter of time before he hit the open market. A two-time Pro Bowler with 42 career sacks shouldn't have much trouble getting paid now that he's no longer tied to draft-pick compensation. A torn pectoral limited Allen to eight games in 2024, but he ranked 14th among all interior defensive linemen with 49 pressures the year prior. There's no shortage of teams with cap space to burn that could use a pass-rush upgrade on the interior.
Josh Sweat, EDGE
Sweat, like Williams, is poised to cash in after helping the Eagles dismantle the Chiefs dynasty. The 27-year-old had a case for MVP honors in the big win, leading the defense with 2.5 sacks. While Philly would almost certainly like to keep him around after an eight-sack season, there's little doubt he can find a more substantial payday elsewhere. There'll be plenty of teams looking for an explosive pass-rusher off the edge, including at least one in the division. Could the Commanders steal a key piece away from an NFC East rival as they go all-in to build around a superstar QB on a rookie contract?
Khalil Mack, EDGE
Mack appears set on playing at least one more year after briefly considering retirement. Teams may not be lining up with big-money offers for a 34-year-old edge rusher, but make no mistake - he can still get it done. Mack earned his ninth Pro Bowl nod with the Chargers in 2024. The sack numbers weren't spectacular, finishing the year with just six, but he put up a career-high 17 the year prior. Look for Mack to zero in on Super Bowl contenders that give him a chance to go out on a high note. Maybe such an opportunity even comes with a bit of a discount. If it does, you can bet Howie Roseman knows exactly how he wants to round out his pass-rush group for another title run.
Joey Bosa, EDGE
Bosa put together a really nice career with the Chargers, even with all the injuries. The missed time started to add up over the last few years, though, pushing things to a point where his massive contract wasn't returning the necessary value. He can still contribute at a high level when healthy, and he'll have a number of teams willing to gamble on the upside. What better fit could there possibly be than joining forces with his brother in San Francisco? The 49ers could use an upgrade on the defensive front, and it's possible the family connection gets them a reasonable deal.
Chase Young, EDGE
Young is still trying to shake the bust label after a few injury-filled seasons led to him being traded out of Washington in 2023. A rough finish to that season in San Francisco didn't help matters, but he's quietly been putting it all together. Young made the most of his opportunity on a one-year deal with the Saints, putting up 5.5 sacks and finishing tied for seventh among all edge defenders with 66 pressures, according to PFF. Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen, who was part of the staff that brought him to New Orleans, should understand the potential better than anyone. And with Chicago seemingly looking to load up in one offseason, reuniting Young with Montez Sweat could give them a playoff-caliber pass rush.
Nick Bolton, LB
Bolton is the top prize on the linebacker market. He can be hit or miss in coverage, but he's one of the best in the business at getting downhill and defending the run. Doesn't that just feel like a Mike Vrabel player? The new Patriots head coach should be looking for a leader in the middle, and his team has more cap space than it'll probably be able to spend. Adding a steady presence from a team that's in the Super Bowl more often than not might be a good place to start.
Dre Greenlaw, LB
Greenlaw would be cashing in this offseason were it not for the freak injury suffered between plays in last year's Super Bowl. The 49ers linebacker worked his way back from the torn Achilles to return to the field in Week 14, but he'd play only two games before a calf issue shut him down for the rest of the season. If healthy, there's no reason to believe the 27-year-old won't re-establish himself as one of the game's best coverage linebackers. A reasonable one-year deal could allow him to do exactly that before chasing the big payday next offseason. The division-rival Rams, who have an enormous need at the position, should be well aware of the ways in which he can impact a game.
Byron Murphy Jr., CB
Murphy is the rare free agent who returns to the market only having further improved his value after earning a multi-year deal on his first go-round. Racking up nine interceptions across two seasons in Minnesota, including a career-best six in 2024, tends to have that effect. The Vikings will probably do what they can to keep him around, but they'll have competition. Could a team like the Steelers, desperate to take the next step after constant playoff disappointment, get aggressive to fill one of their biggest needs?
D.J. Reed, CB
The Jets' cornerback room has been an obvious strength for several years running. Sauce Gardner gets most of the attention in that regard, but Reed has been a big part of that group's success, too. Still playing at a high level at 28 years old, he'll generate a considerable amount of interest in free agency. Reed, who first broke out during a two-year stay in Seattle, could find a home reuniting with Pete Carroll. The former Seahawks coach is trying to help the Raiders get back to relevance immediately, and using their cap space to address a glaring need at corner will be an important step in that process.
Charvarius Ward, CB
Ward is looking for a fresh start after a tough year in San Francisco. The possibility that he recaptures his previous form - ranking first among all corners in PFF's Wins Above Replacement in 2023 - should have teams lining up with multi-year offers. The Commanders have lots of money to spend, the urgency to win now, and a 49ers connection with general manager Adam Peters. Ward joining deadline acquisition Marshon Lattimore and sophomore corner Mike Sainristil could make the secondary a strength.
Jevon Holland, S
Holland is one of the best overall players available in free agency. A down year might prevent him from resetting the safety market, which currently tops out at Antoine Winfield's $21.025 million per year, but he should end up pretty close to that number either way. It's just not often that talents like this are available to sign, free of draft pick compensation, at just 25 years old. The Panthers have to get better on the back end, and new secondary coach Renaldo Hill was with Holland in Miami in 2023. Last offseason also showed that this staff isn't afraid to make a big splash where necessary.
Tre'von Moehrig, S
Moehrig joins Holland among young safeties poised to hit it big in free agency. He probably won't quite reach the same level, as he doesn't have the Pro Bowl-caliber peaks, but he's getting there. The former second-round pick has improved every season in Las Vegas. Moehrig is an impact player both in coverage and in run support, and he's still only 25 years old. The Raiders have too much cap space to let an ascending homegrown talent like this walk away. The smart money is on the two sides finding a way to get it done.
Justin Reid, S
Landing Reid on a three-year deal back in 2022 was a huge reason for the sustained success of Kansas City's defense. The Chiefs would surely like to keep him, if possible, but his continued production has put him in position for another sizeable contract. The front office is probably looking to spend its limited cap dollars elsewhere after having some weaknesses exposed in a Super Bowl blowout. Reid may not have to look far for his next home, though. The division-rival Broncos could stand to make a splash at safety to complement an outstanding young cornerback tandem.
Talanoa Hufanga, S
Hufanga appeared to be on a path to superstardom when he earned first-team All-Pro honors as a sophomore in 2023. Injuries and inconsistent play have gotten in the way in the two years since, likely making his stock a little lower than it could have been. But the talent hasn't gone anywhere. Hufanga's physicality and playmaking traits still offer the potential for high-end production in the right system. The Colts could use that sort of presence in the middle of the field under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.