For teams with smart money to spend under the salary cap in 2024, there's a lot of defensive help across the board in free agency.
Whatever the position, from boosting the pass rush to getting more playmaking in the secondary, there's a variety of high-end and mid-level options available to provide a significant upgrade for an area of need.
Sporting News breaks down the top 34 unsigned defensive players in 2024:
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NFL free agent defensive player rankings 2024
1. Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs (age: 29)
Jones played for $15.9 million last year after the Chiefs used the franchise tag on him. L'Jarius Sneed got the tag this year, but if Kansas City trades him, it will have some salary-cap room. Jones has a chance to get the biggest payday ever for an elite interior defensive lineman, whether with the Chiefs or elsewhere.
2. Christian Wilkins, DT, Dolphins (age: 28)
Wilkins is a stout run-stopper, and in 2023, he became a dominant interior pass-rusher, recording nine sacks. He's another rare disruptor in the mix behind Jones.
3. Danielle Hunter, EDGE, Vikings (age: 29)
Hunter turned in another monster pass-rushing season with 16.5 sacks. He's just a durable, relentless QB pursuer who is versatile enough to be productive at multiple positions in any scheme.
4. Jonathan Greenard, EDGE, Texans (age: 26)
Greenard posted 12.5 sacks for DeMeco Ryans playing opposite No. 3 overall pick Will Anderson Jr. He may be short of spectacular, but he's a well-rounded producer, including vs. the running game.
5. Bryce Huff, EDGE, Jets (age: 25)
Huff has proved to be a versatile pass-rush specialist, and the undrafted gem is going to get paid well elsewhere out of Robert Saleh's rotation coming off a 10-sack breakout.
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6. Denico Autry, DT, Titans (age: 33)
Autry keeps defying his age with smooth production vs. the pass, he has slowed a bit against the run. His 12 sacks will get him good looks in many rotations.
7. D.J. Reader, DT, Bengals (age: 29)
Reader has been a beefy behemoth of a space-eating run-stopper anchoring their four-man front. They should do what they can to get him sewed up for a few more seasons.
8. Kendall Fuller, CB, Commanders (age: 28)
The Commanders had some terrible secondary coverage last season, but they were also hurt by the weakened pass rush midseason. Fuller held up well in relation to that and will have value as a versatile inside-outside cover man elsewhere.
9. Maurice Hurst, DT, Browns
Hurst is a well-rounded defensive tackle who can help well vs. the run and pass. He fits best staying in Cleveland or with any other 4-3 front.
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10. Leonard Williams, DT, Seahawks (age: 29)
Williams isn't as explosive pass-rushing inside as the aforementioned top prizes at the position, but he's well-rounded with a high ceiling as a run defender. He should have plenty of interest after his midseason trade from the Giants.
11. Kamren Curl, S, Commanders (age: 24)
Curl also got lost in the Commanders' shaky overall pass defense, but he's been a young standout playmaker since entering the league. He can do everything in coverage and rallying to the ball against the run.
12. Steven Nelson, CB, Texans (age: 31)
Nelson remains a versatile, reliable corner after all these years in multiple schemes with multiple teams, stepping up as a nice complementary playmaker to Darryl Stingley Jr. He has more time left to remain a solid cover man.
13. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Bengals (age: 28)
The former Cowboys cover man has been an ace when healthy for the Bengals, but he slowed down a bit coming off a torn ACL in 2023. He will likely reboot as a starter on another team.
14. Chase Young, EDGE, 49ers (age: 24)
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2020 draft has put some injuries behind him and found his groove as a pass-rusher, ending with 7.5 sacks for Washington and San Francisco. He may never be a massive producer, but he'll have a long, productive career like the pass-rusher ranked right behind him.
15. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, Ravens (age: 30)
The Ravens should want to bring Clowney back after he had his best-ever pressure season, tying a career-high with 9.5 sacks. The No. 1 overall pick from 2014 always has had a high floor as a run defender with scheme and alignment versatility.
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16. Stephon Gilmore, CB, Cowboys (age: 33)
Like Nelson, Gilmore is starting to become well-traveled and still coming through in coverage despite his age. What he's lost in steps he makes up for in technique and savvy.
17. Frankie Luvu, LB, Panthers (Age: 27)
Luvu is outstanding rushing the passer from the second level, stamped by 5.5 sacks in 2023. He also gets after it well as a run stopper and can make some big plays on the ball there, too, on top of prolific tackling.
18. Patrick Queen, LB, Ravens (age: 24)
Queen contributed to 133 tackles in 2023, and he also had 3.5 sacks and an interception. He's a fine pass-rusher when needed, but that's equal to what he can do getting rangy vs. the run and in coverage.
19. Josh Uche, EDGE, Patriots (age: 25)
Uche had only three sacks in 2023 as a situational option, but the talent is there to break out elsewhere playing off a top sack producer, which didn't happen this past season because Matthew Judon went down.
20. Kenny Moore II, CB, Colts (age: 30)
Moore remains an active slot playmaker with his hands, agility, quickness, and ability to play bigger than his size. He's fading a little with age in relation to other inside cover men.
21. Andrew Van Ginkel, EDGE, Dolphins (age: 28)
Van Ginkel got more playing time at outside linebacker for Vic Fangio than expected because of key front-seven injuries. He came through with six sacks while also flying around the field well in coverage.
22. Tyrel Dodson, LB, Bills (age: 25)
Dodson was huge for Sean McDermott's defense with his all-around play. He does a little of everything well, from being solid against the run to delivering as a blitzer.
23. Leonard Floyd, EDGE, Bills (age: 31)
Floyd didn't find his full stride with the Bears or Rams, as he's better suited to be a hybrid player. Buffalo tapped into his versatility best and it added up to 10.5 sacks. He's also pretty active vs. the run.
24. Za'Darius Smith, EDGE, Browns (age: 31)
Smith has lost a few steps, but he remains an effective complementary pass-rusher with 5.5 sacks in 2023. He's a good plug-and-play starter, but he can't take over games like once could.
25. Xavier McKinney, S, Giants (age: 25)
After thriving for Wink Martindale as a reliable run-stopper and a relatively good cover man, McKinney should gain plenty of interest as a starter in either a traditional free or strong safety role.
26. Lavonte David, LB, Buccaneers (age: 34)
David keeps defying his age after getting 134 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and a forced fumble for Todd Bowles' defense in 2023. He remains foremost an elite cover man and hasn't lost much.
27. Geno Stone, S, Ravens (age: 24)
Stone had a massively productive season with seven interceptions playing off the pressure to go with 68 tackles. He's just more one-dimensional than other safeties because he's below average vs. the run, so he should be viewed as a nickel corner.
28. Grover Stewart, DT, Colts (age: 30)
Stewart's value was seen in his suspension absence in Indianapolis, and his return reminded everyone just how dominant of a space-eater he can be to boost an entire front's run-stopping.
29. Bobby Wagner, LB, Seahawks (age: 33)
Much like David for the Buccaneers, he keeps on ticking. His return to Seattle was seamless with 183 tackles and 3.5 sacks, and he kept covering his typical level of ground vs. the run and pass. He should stay with the Seahawks to finish what is a Hall-of-Fame career.
30. Jordan Hicks, LB, Vikings (age: 31)
Hicks was slowed late by an injury in 2023 -- and he doesn't have the same coverage juice at his age -- but he still was part of 102 tackles as a solid upfield player vs. the run and pass.
31. Dorance Armstrong, EDGE, Cowboys (age: 26)
Armstong has proven to be a very valuable pass-rusher who can get it done outside and inside. He showed it with 7.5 sacks in Dan Quinn's defense, although he isn't really a run-stopper.
32. Jordyn Brooks, LB, Seahawks (age: 26)
The 2020 first-rounder has been reliable all-around playing off Wagner, adding 111 tackles to his ace pass rush (4.5 sacks) and coverage (INT). With a torn ACL in his past, he could be a bargain for another team looking to solidify the second level.
33. Devin White, LB, Buccaneers (age: 25)
White has been a speedy pass-rushing linebacker since bursting into the league, but he's lost quite a bit as a run-stopper and has faded in coverage. He still has a high upside given his high-level athleticism and youth.
