Who are the top defensive players in NFL free agency? Where might they land? From former NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalist Chris Jones to one of the best cornerbacks in modern history, Stephon Gilmore, there are a whole heck of a lot of big-name players available.
The Miami Dolphins and New York Giants also opted against franchising star defenders. They could be headed out of town. Here, we look at the top-10 defensive players in NFL free agency and their ideal landing spot.
Related: Top NFL free agents of 2024
10. Jordan Poyer, safety
Poyer, 32, was a surprise release of the Buffalo Bills ahead of NFL free agency opening. He is coming off a down 2023 season (101.5 QB rating allowed). But there is a track record of success here. That includes earning Pro Bowl honors back in 2022. Some contending team will have interest. Look for the Detroit Lions as the best potential fit. Safety play was not great for the reigning NFC runner-ups this past season. Poyer would slide in as a starter at either safety spot for Dan Campbell’s squad.
9. Stephon Gilmore, cornerback
A former NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Gilmore is still going strong at the age of 33. He recorded two interceptions and yielded a mere 55.8% completion in his first season with Dallas. There is going to be interest in the five-time Pro Bowler on the open market. However, a return to the Dallas Cowboys just seems to make too much sense. With Trevon Diggs returning from injury and DaRon Bland coming off a surprise 2023 season, new defenive coordinator Mike Zimmer would have a great trio at cornerback.
8. Devin White, linebacker
This former Pro Bowler has stated that he’d like to return to Tampa Bay. However, White was the subject of rumors leading up to the in-season NFL trade deadline. Tampa Bay also has other priorities it must address, including re-signing quarterback Baker Mayfield. We envision a divorce here. Among those in need of linebacker help and with the cash to spend, the Washintgon Commanders make sense. Cody Barton and Khaleke Hudson are free agents. Acquiring someone of White’s ilk to quarteback new head coach Dan Quinn’s defense makes a ton of sense.
Related: 10 bold predictions for the 2024 NFL offseason
7. Patrick Queen, linebacker
Patrick Queen is an interesting case study in that he quarterbacked the Baltimore Ravens’ defense after they made him a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. But the acquisition of fellow linebacker Roquan Smith and massive contract extension he signed likely means Queen is headed elsewhere in NFL free agency. He’s coming off Second-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Interest will be strong. We absolutely love the Las Vegas Raiders as a fit for Queen. New full-time head coach Antonio Pierce could use this type of experience to lead his defense moving forward.
6. Xavien Howard, cornerback
Another veteran defender who is coming off a down season and was released by his former team, Xavien Howard is an interesting option for contenders. The former Miami Dolphins star earned four Pro Bowl trips in five seasons ahead of the 2023 campaign. That span saw him pick off 24 combined passes. Flush with $70 million to spend under the 2024 NFL salary cap, the Houston Texans make a ton of sense. Howard would line up opposite Derek Stingley Jr., providing DeMeco Ryans squad with experience in the defensive secondary.
5. Chase Young, EDGE
A former No. 2 overall pick of the Washington Commanders back in 2020, Young has not panned out thus far in his NFL career. He struggled with the San Francisco 49ers after being acquired from Washington last season (2.5 sacks in nine games). Even then, the upside is there for this 24-year-old edge rusher. We are looking at the two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs taking a chance that defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo can get the most out of him.
Related: 2024 NFL salary cap tracker
4. Xavier McKinney, safety
The New York Giants’ decision not to place the franchise tag on McKinney caught a lot of people by surprise. He recorded 11 passes defended and three interceptions while yielding a mere 69.8 QB rating in coverage last season. The former Alabama star is a jack-of-all-trades type. He’ll be paid in NFL free agency. Our bet is on the Chicago Bears using some of their financial capital to team McKinney up with fellow safety Jaquan Brisker, forming one of the best duos in the game.
3. Christian Wilkins, defensive line
This former first-round pick of the Miami Dolphins is coming off a career-best season that saw him record 23 QB hits and nine sacks. That’s why it was a surprise Miami didn’t place the franchise tag on him. We don’t envision a return to South Beach given the Dolphins’ cap issues. Rather, the Houston Texans make yet another splash by teaming Wilkins up with reigning NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr. in their front seven. It just makes too much sense.
Related: Top landing spots for the top quarterbacks in NFL free agency
2. Danielle Hunter, EDGE
After nine uber-productive seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, Hunter is set to move on in NFL free agency. He’ll demand a contract that Minnesota is not willing to pay. Fresh off a 2023 season that saw him lead the league with 23 tackles for loss while recording 16.5 sacks, the market is strong. We envision the defending NFC Champion San Francisco 49ers as the best possible fit. They need another edge guy opposite Nick Bosa. They can also create enough cap room via contract restructures to make this work.
1. Chris Jones, defensive tackle
Chris Jones will re-sign with the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. There is absolutely no way they will let him walk in NFL free agency after how important he’s been to the team during its dynastic run. Take this one to the bank. Almost literally.
Related: Top landing spots for running backs in NFL free agency
