We're looking at free agency ahead of the official FA start period (March 12th, 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: DT
The consensus top three DTs available…
1) Osa Odighizuwa, DAL
2) Milton Williams, PHI
3) Levi Onwuzurike, DET
FFM’s Top Three DTs available...
1) Milton Williams, PHI
284 pounds (coming out of college) and ran a 4.67 40-time and a 6.96 three-cone with a 38.5 vertical and threw down 34 bench reps for good measure.
He was a part-time/rotational DT/DE for Philly, but he’s going to get a bigger deal to be a full-time DL somewhere. He can be a starting DT or can be used as a 3-4 DE.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Reunites with his former D-C in Philly, Jonathan Gannon Arizona HC.
2) B.J. Hill, CIN
Maybe not the 2nd-best DT talent overall among the FA group, but he is a very good run-stopping DT that can be had for a cheaper, shorter term deal (due to his age). A very good DT here, one who might go for a discount...maybe.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Simplistically, I want to predict him to Indy to be back with his old Cincy D-C Lou Anarumo, but they don’t need Hill...don’t need to use money on him. So, my wild guess is he goes to Washington to replace Jonathan Allen...unless WSH re-signs Allen, then I’ll guess Hill goes to Detroit to work with his old partner D.J. Reader.
3) Levi Onwuzurike, DET
A balanced DT, but not a star...just good/useful. He probably gets a bump for being a ‘Lion’, in this marketplace.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Ben Johnson grabs a 4-3 DT he knows from Detroit, for the Bears.
The fraud DT of free agency 2025: Osa Odighizuwa, DAL
He’s not terrible, but I think he’s overrated in the DT class...he’s a small DT or 3-4 DE help. And he’s more of a pass rushing DT, not a balanced one or pass rusher. Hell, you can find 280-pound guys to throw in at 4-3 DT and let them use speed to rush the passer if you need that...or let them work as 3-4 DEs. He has a place in the NFL, don’t get me wrong...but it looks like it’s gonna be overpriced because he gets some sacks and he’s on ‘higher visibility’ Dallas.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Dallas doesn’t have the CAP space to pay O.O. He’s gonna be wide-open for any team...and my assumption is that a bad/mediocre team, with a defensive-minded head coach, and with a ton of CAP will overpay him. Wild guess: goes to Arizona.
If he goes to Washington to be back with Dan Quinn, that would be interesting. If Washington doesn’t even try...it says something about Odighizuwa.
The best value DT in free agency 2025: Teair Tart, LAC
A top run stopper DT that gets passed around year-to-year on minimum contracts...but would be an instant starter/contributor wherever he lands.
2025 FA PREDICTION: Likely LAC re-signs him, or he goes to NE to reunite with Mike Vrabel.
The deep sleeper DT in free agency 2024: Adam Butler, LV
65 tackles last season for Las Vegas...with 5.0 sacks, his 2nd-year in a row with 5.0 sacks in a season and 2nd year in a row with 8 TFLs. He’s been very productive under Patrick Graham the past two seasons in LV...an original Bill Belichick find from the undrafted ranks.
2025 FA PREDICTION: I can’t believe LV would let him go...nor would he, I would think, want to leave the place he has been so successful late in his career.
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