10 Best NFL free agents still available to sign on defense
By Samuel Teets
Several defensive difference-makers are still available in NFL free agency.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted NFL free agency, leading to several Pro Bowlers and impact starters remaining on the free-agent market for months.
While most of the league’s best offensive free agents have already signed with new teams, there’s a back up of talented defensive players waiting for new deals.
From the talented class of defensive free agents, the following ten players stand out as potential key contributors on winning football teams.
10. Nigel Bradham, LB
In a year with limited free-agent options at linebacker, Nigel Bradham is the best available player at his position. Other free-agent linebackers include Mark Barron, Alec Ogletree and Wesley Woodyard. In the proper system, a team might value Barron or Ogletree over Bradham, but he’s the best free-agent linebacker in general.
Even as he approaches his 31st birthday, Bradham still possesses enough speed and agility to perform his duties in coverage. While he was never the best run defender, Bradham also performs passably in that role. He recorded one interception, five passes defensed, and 61 tackles last season.
9. Reshad Jones, S
In 2019, Reshad Jones hit a wall with the Miami Dolphins. The two-time Pro Bowler struggled in coverage before landing on injured reserve (IR) after only four games. The injury marked the end of his ten-year run with the Dolphins. Miami released Jones in March, negating the final two years of a five-year, $60 million contract extension.
Head coach Brian Flores spoke highly of Jones with ESPN last year, saying,
"I got to know him very well. This is a tough, very, very good player. I like Reshad a lot. I think he brings a toughness, a grittiness, a love for the game — he brought a lot to this team. Getting to know him, I could see why he’s been such a productive player for a long time."
The 32-year-old safety might not get a starting job outright in 2020, but he’s worth looking into. Jones departed Miami tied for the franchise record in interceptions returned for touchdowns with four.