NFL 2008 Free Agents - Defensive Line

It is just about free agent time in the NFL. In this league of great parity, free agency is a very important part of what goes on in this sport. Just think about the outcome that free agency had on the sport's biggest stage, the Superbowl. Without the acquisition of Donte Stallworth and Wes Welker, the likelihood of the New England Patriots having the best offense in the history of the NFL is- well, it's unlikely. Then of course, there was the franchise tagging of Asante Samuel, a move that kept him as the team's best cornerback and kept him away from the other scavengers that would have loved a crack at them. And if the Superbowl Champion New York Giants don't sign Kawika Mitchell this past off-season, who knows how vulnerable they are in the running game, especially when you consider how he almost single-handedly stopped Lawrence Maroney in the Superbowl.

Defensive linemen acquisitions via free agency usually don't work out for the long haul. Just look at Jevon Kearse, Simeon Rice, Corey Simon, and Darren Howard. Despite that, these game changing players still warrant a lot of attention in free agency, because the truth of the matter is, if you can find a guy who can constantly get pressure on the quarterback, and then you have found a talent worth its weigh in gold.

Albert Haynesworth, UFA, Tennessee Titans - Once labeled a "troubled soul" for his actions that involved stepping on a man's face during a football game, Haynesworth seems to have made something of his football career. He was the most dominant defensive linemen in football last season, as he completely obliterated opposing team's rushing attacks, and he brought constant pressure up the middle on passing downs amassing 6 sacks in 2007. I can't possibly see the Titans letting this man enter free agency before offering him a contract, but it will have to be a pricey deal, because Haynesworth knows he's going to merit top dollar in 2008.

Jared Allen, UFA, Kansas City Chiefs - Hey, 13.5 sacks at the defensive end position means many millions come free agency. He is only 25 years old too, meaning he could be in line for one of those long-term, "I can't believe they gave him that much money" contracts.

Justin Smith, UFA, Cincinnati Bengals - He doesn't have great closing speed on the quarterback, which is why you won't see him with a huge sack total at the end of the season (only two sacks in 2007); however, he has a great motor, and frequently gets into the lap of the quarterback causing errant throws and the like. His motor also gets him around the ball carrier more than most defensive linemen, which is why he registered 75 tackles in 2007. The lack of sacks will hurt his earning potential, but he is a great fit for a team on the verge of contending because of his experience and knowledge of the game.

Terrell Suggs, UFA, Baltimore Ravens - It seems like Suggs has been around for a while, and he has been; he's been in the league for 5 seasons. Yet he is still on 25, which is why his 5-sack 2007 season is not going to be much of deterrent for NFL GMs. He still has a long way to go to continue to get better. Besides, in his first 4 season prior to last year, he averaged over 13 sacks per season. Not to mention, Suggs is very capable of lining up at linebacker and dropping into coverage. His skills are quite comparable to that of Joey Porter, the current Dolphin, and former Steeler, outside linebacker.

Other Notable Free Agent Defensive Linemen:

Corey Williams, UFA, Green Bay Packers

Tommy Kelley, UFA, Oakland Raiders

Mike Rucker, UFA, Carolina Panthers

Ebenezer Ekuban, UFA, Denver Broncos

Paul Spicer, UFA, Jacksonville Jaguars

Randy Starks, UFA, Tennessee Titans