We're looking at free agency ahead of the official FA start period (March 13th, kinda officially…but things are happening all week+ prior), going position by position to discuss some of the big names, tour top ranked guys, as well as the sleepers and frauds of the group…and we'll make some throwaway/dart throw predictions on landing spots.
Today's position group: Defensive Tackle...
The consensus top three DTs available…
1) Chris Jones, KC
2) Jason Madubuike, BAL
3) Christian Wilkins, MIA
On the surface, this is one of the best DT free agent classes in the history of the time I’ve covered the NFL/15+ years.
After Aaron Donald, arguably three of the best DTs in the game are all free agents. I suspect every one of them will be back with their 2023 teams, either via franchise tag or new deal. Even Chris Jones.
And this list doesn’t have DT/DE Leonard Williams...who would be #4 on the list.
FFM's top three DTs available (if I were an NFL GM)…
1) Chris Jones, KC
He’s for sure the best DT free agent out there if you’re looking for/at the very short term. He’s been too good for too long to be disrespected in free agency in 2024.
PREDICTION: The Chiefs find a way to keep the stars together for a three-peat run...and Chris Jones gets a new deal, 1 or 2 years.
2) Jason Madubuike, BAL
Chris Jones is better today than Madubuike but considering age into this...Madubuike could get the nod as the top DT available. But Jones is so consistent and Madubuike just broke out, out of kinda nowhere, in 2023.
Madubuike was the only DT in the top 10 sack totals for 2023 season...the rest were all EDGE rushers.
PREDICTION: Stays with Baltimore via tag or new deal.
3) Christian Wilkins, MIA
Wilkins is really, really good...just we got two great other options ahead of him.
PREDICTION: No way Miami lets him get away. Franchise tag or new deal.
The fraud DT of free agency 2024: Austin Johnson, LAC
His 2-year/$14M contract just ended...$10M+ guaranteed on that deal...for what, I have no idea. In the 2023 season, 17 games...no sacks, 1 QB hit. He just filled space in the middle...expensively.
He’s a former 2nd-round pick, so he always gets pushed money...and he should get league minimum, or close to it.
PREDICTION: A dumb team will spend money on this...like the Commanders or Patriots.
The best value DT in free agency 2024: D.J. Reader, CIN
Torn quad Week 15 in 2023...which will cause some level of discount for one of the better defensive line assets out there.
PREDICTION: The Bengals won’t let him get away; I wouldn’t think...not with all the main coaches returning again.
The deep sleeper DT in free agency 2024: Maurice Hurst, CLE
Has been pretty productive and grades out well, but he can’t stay healthy...so he’ll be a low contract guy, short term with incentives...and if he could stay healthy for a full season he could give great ROI.
PREDICTION: He probably limps back to the Browns for another run in 2024.
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