Predicting where the NFL's top defensive free agents will sign
Guessing the landing spots and contract terms for the NFL's top defensive free agents in 2022.
Offense | Defense
Von Miller, EDGE
Age: 32
2021 Stats: 50 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 17 QB hits, 1 FF
Potential suitors: Rams, Broncos
All signs pointed toward Miller returning to the Rams after winning a Super Bowl in L.A., and things may still end up shaking out that way. But the future Hall of Famer made headlines this week when he seemingly hinted at his desire to return to the Broncos. When Denver agreed to a trade for Russell Wilson the next day, it all started to make sense. Did Miller know this trade was coming? And is he all-in on a return to the Broncos to chase down a third ring? We'll buy that.
๐ฎ Prediction: Broncos on a 2-year, $34M contract ($26M guaranteed)
J.C. Jackson, CB
Age: 25
2021 Stats: 58 tackles, 8 INTs, 23 PD
Potential suitors: Patriots, Raiders, Jets, 49ers, Chargers
Jackson's the most valuable defensive player on the market this year, and at still just 25 years old, he's earned a massive payday. The Patriots letting their turnover machine walk away without using the franchise tag, even if only for trading purposes, is a puzzling move. A long list of teams should be in the bidding, but the Raiders feel like the one to watch here. The new staff in Las Vegas is familiar with Jackson, and the club's got the cap space to compete in free agency. This could be a great fit for both sides.
๐ฎ Prediction: Raiders on a 5-year, $87.5M contract ($48M guaranteed)
Chandler Jones, EDGE
Age: 32
2021 Stats: 41 tackles, 10.5 sacks, 26 QB hits, 6 FF
Potential suitors: Colts, Eagles, Bills, Broncos, Dolphins
Jones has been eyeing an exit from Arizona for a while now, so it's safe to assume he's headed elsewhere when free agency opens. The four-time Pro Bowler still has lots in the tank and can provide a major pass-rush boost on a short-term deal. That's exactly what the Bills need to push an already stout defense to greater heights - and it just so happens that Jones is from Rochester, New York. Nothing like going home to get yourself a ring.
๐ฎ Prediction: Bills on a 3-year, $51.75M contract ($32M guaranteed)
Tyrann Mathieu, S
Age: 29
2021 Stats: 76 tackles, 3 INTs, 6 PD, 1 sack
Potential suitors: Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers, Eagles, Dolphins, Saints
The Chiefs will do what they can to retain Mathieu, but once he has the opportunity to test the open market, it may be difficult for them to outbid other teams. Tempting as it is to connect the All-Pro defensive back to his hometown Saints, it's just tough to imagine them being able to justify market value given their cap issues. Enter the Ravens. No stranger to adding veteran safeties late in their careers (Eric Weddle, Earl Thomas), Baltimore would be a perfect place to give Mathieu a shot at another Super Bowl.
๐ฎ Prediction: Ravens on a 3-year, $48M contract ($32M guaranteed)
Bobby Wagner, LB
Age: 31
2021 Stats: 170 tackles, 1 INT, 5 PD, 1 sack
Potential suitors: Cowboys, Broncos, Ravens, Chargers
Wagner immediately became one of the best players available when the Seahawks released him this week. He may be on the wrong side of the 30, but the six-time All-Pro doesn't seem to be slowing down. The Chargers, who started their offseason with a blockbuster trade for Khalil Mack, stand out most here. L.A. can offer Wagner an opportunity to chase another Super Bowl while staying on the West Coast. Given the cap space at their disposal and urgency to take advantage of this championship window, this could be one of several other big moves for the Chargers.
๐ฎ Prediction: Chargers on a 3-year, $42M contract ($27M guaranteed)
Marcus Williams, S
Age: 25
2021 Stats: 74 tackles, 2 INT, 8 PD
Potential suitors: Saints, Jets, Eagles, Lions, Ravens
The Saints are reportedly trying to work out a long-term deal with Williams after declining to use the franchise tag for a second straight year. New Orleans could get creative by pushing the majority of his cap commitments to Year 2 and beyond, but it may still be a long shot to keep him - especially when cap-rich teams, like the Jets, swoop in at the beginning of free agency.
๐ฎ Prediction: Jets on a 5-year, $75M contract ($40M guaranteed)
Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE
Age: 29
2021 Stats: 37 tackles, 9 sacks, 19 QB hits
Potential suitors: Browns
Clowney settled for a one-year contract in Cleveland last season and came through with nine sacks in 14 games. Myles Garrett has openly campaigned for the Browns to bring him back, so let's go ahead and assume they'd like to keep a good thing going. But this time, Clowney likely won't be signing up for a prove-it deal.
๐ฎ Prediction: Browns on a 3-year, $46.5M contract ($23M guaranteed)
Stephon Gilmore, CB
Age: 31
2021 Stats (8 games): 16 tackles, 2 INT, 2 PD
Potential suitors: Panthers, Jets, Chargers, Raiders, Bengals
Gilmore played at a high level in Carolina following his long road back from a major quad injury. Any pact he signs will probably be of the short-term variety, considering his age, but there's no shortage of contenders who will pay up for that kind of upgrade at a premium position. Brandon Staley saw exactly what a shutdown corner could do for his defense when Jalen Ramsey joined the Rams, so let's put the Chargers at the top of this list for another blockbuster move. We're expecting L.A. to go all-in.
๐ฎ Prediction: Chargers on a 2-year, $34M contract ($21M guaranteed)
Calais Campbell, DL
Age: 35
2021 Stats: 49 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 12 QB hits
Potential suitors: Ravens, Patriots, Raiders, Dolphins, Broncos
Campbell has a lot more in the tank than you'd expect for a defensive lineman heading into the 15th year of his career. He's still a capable pass-rusher who can contribute from a variety of alignments, and several contenders could use a savvy veteran in such a role. Campbell, a Colorado native who grew up a Broncos fan, nearly signed with Denver in 2017 before ultimately deciding on Jacksonville. Now that the Russell Wilson trade has opened a championship window for his hometown team, finishing his career there makes sense for all parties.
๐ฎ Prediction: Broncos on a 1-year, $9M contract ($9M guaranteed)
Randy Gregory, EDGE
Age: 29
2021 Stats: 19 tackles, 6 sacks, 17 QB hits
Potential suitors: Cowboys, Colts, Dolphins, Jaguars
Gregory has missed significant time throughout his career due to suspensions. He's flashed plenty of pass-rush ability when he has played, though, and the 2021 campaign was his best work yet. A short-term deal should be attractive to a side like the Colts, who have a pressing need on the edge and are routinely drawn to potential bargain signings more so than big-ticket free agents.
๐ฎ Prediction: Colts on a 1-year, $13.5M contract ($8M guaranteed)
Carlton Davis, CB
Age: 25
2021 Stats: 39 tackles, 1 INT, 11 PD
Potential suitors: Buccaneers, Seahawks, Bengals, Jets, Steelers
Davis may not be a household name just yet, but a cornerback of his caliber and age is bound to land a sizeable payday on the open market. A few upgrades in the secondary could be all that stand in the way of the 49ers taking the next step, so they should be all over this opportunity. San Francisco will have all the cap space it needs to get it done if and when the club trades Jimmy Garoppolo, and Davis would be a nice fit in DeMeco Ryans' zone-heavy defense.
๐ฎ Prediction: 49ers on a 4-year, $67M contract ($38M guaranteed)
Darious Williams, CB
Age: 28
2021 Stats: 71 tackles, 0 INTs, 9 PD
Potential suitors: Rams, Chargers, Texans, Jets, Jaguars
Williams has been a key contributor for some outstanding Rams defenses over the last two seasons. The concern lies in whether the undersized corner can play at a similar level in a role other than the No. 2 opposite Jalen Ramsey. But cornerback-needy teams will happily gamble on the potential payoff, particularly if they've got some extra money to spend. That sounds like the Jets, so let's make it two big defensive signings for New York.
๐ฎ Prediction: Jets on a 3-year, $42.75M contract ($20M guaranteed)
Quandre Diggs, S
Age: 29
2021 Stats: 94 tackles, 5 INT, 7 PD
Potential suitors: Seahawks, Cowboys, Steelers, Eagles, Ravens
Diggs signing elsewhere feels likely now that Seattle's apparently headed for a rebuild. And who couldn't use a ball-hawking safety coming off back-to-back five-interception campaigns? The Eagles are one organization that has never been shy about paying up for impact veterans, and Diggs would fill a significant need at free safety.
๐ฎ Prediction: Eagles on a 3-year, $36M contract ($26M guaranteed)
De'Vondre Campbell, LB
Age: 28
2021 Stats: 146 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INTs, 5 PD
Potential suitors: Packers, Broncos, Eagles, Jets, Dolphins
As much as the Packers would probably like to have Campbell back after his breakout season, anything approaching market value may be difficult considering their cap constraints. That should open the door for other teams in the market for a linebacker. Philly has some flexibility heading into free agency, and this is one of several spots where spending big is justified.
๐ฎ Prediction: Eagles on a 4-year, $48M contract ($27M guaranteed)
Haason Reddick, LB
Age: 27
2021 Stats: 68 tackles, 11 sacks, 18 QB hits
Potential suitors: Panthers, Dolphins, Colts
Reddick had to settle for a 1-year, $6M deal with the Panthers last offseason, a sign that clubs weren't quite buying the breakout in his final year with the Cardinals. The former first-round pick proved it was no fluke, though, following that 12.5-sack performance with another 11 in 2021. That showing will be more than enough to land a nice multi-year deal, and Carolina should have no issue being the one to give it to him.
๐ฎ Prediction: Panthers on a 3-year, $40.5M contract ($26M guaranteed)