2020 NFL free agents: Defensive line

With the NFL's franchise tag deadline in the past, attention moves to the opening of the league's free-agent negotiating window on March 16.

These are the best interior defensive linemen slated to hit the market.

By position
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
DL | ED | LB | CB | S
Top 100

Defensive line

1. Javon Hargrave

Hargrave shined after Stephon Tuitt went down for the season, producing the best pass-rushing campaign of his four-year NFL career and erasing his reputation as nothing more than a run-stuffing nose tackle.

2. D.J. Reader

Reader is one of the league's premier nose tackles. He continued to be a force against the run game last year, but more importantly for his free-agent value, the veteran took a significant step forward as a pass-rusher.

3. Jordan Phillips

Phillips enters the open market after nearly doubling his previous career total with 9.5 sacks in 2019. Able to stop the run and create inside pressure, the former second-round pick should be in line for a decent contract.

4. Ndamukong Suh

Suh is no longer a disruptive force in the passing game, but the 33-year-old proved during his tenure with the Buccaneers he can still be a superior defender against the run.

5. Jarrad Reed

Teams looking at Reed will hope to acquire the 10.5-sack monster from 2018 - not the player who managed only two sacks in 10 games after returning from a six-game suspension.

6. Michael Pierce

After three emerging seasons with the Ravens, Pierce had a slower campaign in 2019. The 27-year-old doesn't create a ton of pressure, but the numbers don't illustrate his ability to move blockers against the run.

7. Gerald McCoy

McCoy figures to land with a contender after his plan to reach the playoffs for the first time in his career went sideways with the Panthers. The former Bucs star can still help a team as a rotation player.

8. Damon Harrison

Harrison's days as an All-Pro might be behind him, but the 31-year-old is still one of the NFL's most dominant forces against the run.

9. Michael Brockers

Brockers was a consistent piece of the Rams' defense in recent years. He amassed at least 50 tackles in each of the past three seasons and has missed just five games since entering the NFL in 2012.

10. Derek Wolfe

A dislocated elbow ended Wolfe's 2019 campaign after 12 games. But the defensive end was putting together a strong season before the injury, registering seven sacks and eight tackles for loss.

11. Shelby Harris

The underrated Harris could enjoy a far more competitive market than most expect after producing a career-best six sacks in his first full season as a starter with the Broncos.

12. Maliek Collins

Collins' career high in sacks came during his rookie season in 2016. But he enters free agency at age 24 and is coming off a solid campaign with the Cowboys that saw him amass four sacks and six tackles for loss.

13. Linval Joseph

Joseph is no longer worth the high price he was set to cost the Vikings before his release. But the veteran defensive tackle is as durable and consistent as they come, and he should still garner interest for a starting role.

14. Marcell Dareus

Now on the wrong side of 30, Dareus is no longer an elite run defender and has become a non-factor against the pass. The veteran could still make an impact as a two-down rotational piece, though.

15. Dontari Poe

Poe remains an impact run defender at 29 years old, but it's questionable if he can be sufficiently effective in the pass rush to consistently anchor a defensive line.

16. Mike Daniels

A high-profile signing by the Lions, Daniels was hampered by a foot injury in 2019 and failed to make the sort of impact Detroit envisioned. He hasn't played a full season since 2016.

17. Timmy Jernigan

Injuries have plagued Jernigan over the last two years, but there's still a chance he could transform back into the monster he was in 2017 when his attacking style helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl.

18. A'Shawn Robinson

Robinson doesn't offer much value as a pass-rusher, and his previously stout run defense took a major dip last year.