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10 Best NFL free agents still available to sign on defense

By Samuel Teets

SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 11, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 27-24. (Photo by Rob Leiter/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - NOVEMBER 11: Jadeveon Clowney #90 of the Seattle Seahawks looks on before the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on November 11, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. The Seahawks defeated the 49ers 27-24. (Photo by Rob Leiter/Getty Images) /
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Tramon Williams, NFL (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Tramon Williams, NFL (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

6. Markus Golden, OLB

Career consistency alludes Markus Golden. The former second-round pick from Missouri recorded 12.5 sacks, 22 quarterback hits, and 51 tackles with Arizona in 2016. He topped most of those numbers this past year, tallying ten sacks, 27 quarterback hits, and 72 tackles. However, in his other three seasons combined (2015, 2017, and 2018), Golden only has 6.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits, and 68 tackles.

The New York Giants placed the unrestricted free agent tender (UFA) on Golden in April. That means, if no team signs Golden by July 22, the Giants own his exclusive rights on a one-year tender worth $4.125 million. Golden could likely get more money from a needy team in free agency, so he hopes the market starts moving again before the tender’s deadline.

In an interview with NJ Advance Media, Giants head coach Joe Judge spoke highly of Golden,

"I have a lot of respect for Markus as a player and as a person. I think he’s a tremendous guy. I think he’s a hard worker, a tough guy, he’s a productive guy on the field. So we’ve expressed it internally and we’ve talked with him as well about possibly having a fit."

Golden’s market is currently backed up as he waits for Jadeveon Clowney and Everson Griffen to sign with new teams.

5. Tramon Williams, CB

At face value, Tramon Williams doesn’t look like one of the top remaining free agents. He’s 37 years old and only started seven of his 16 appearances with the Green Bay Packers last season. However, a deeper dive into Williams’ impact reveals that he’s one of the top three defensive backs on the market.

Pro Football Focus (subscription required) raves about Williams. According to PFF, Williams was the 11th highest-graded cornerback in coverage during the 2019 season and received the eighth-most valuable grade among all cornerbacks in the NFL. Williams allowed one catch or fewer in eight of his 18 appearances (counting playoffs) last year.

Williams played 100% of Green Bay’s defensive snaps in 2018 and 73% this past season, rotating between playing outside and in the slot. Even at 37, he’s an incredibly versatile player who could start on most teams.

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