Top NFL free-agent bargains at each defensive position

With NFL free agency set to begin at 4 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 13, most teams have already started scouring the list of available players, trying to find cost-effective options to fill out their respective rosters.

Here’s a look at some of the defensive players who could provide teams with the most bang for their buck:

DT: DaQuan Jones | projected market value: $6.8M per year

While he doesn’t register a lot of sacks, Jones’ value comes from putting pressure on the quarterback. He’s averaged 20 or more pressures and 14 or more hurries each of the last five seasons. The 6-foot-4, 320-pound lineman is also consistently clogging up the lanes in the middle of the defensive line. For teams looking for a cost-efficient defensive tackle to do both, Jones is one heck of a bargain at less than $7M.

DE: Jadeveon Clowney | projected market value: $7.2M per year

Clowney hasn’t quite lived up to his billing as a former No. 1 overall pick, but he’s carved out a solid career for himself as a situational pass-rusher. He led the Ravens in pressures (78) and hurries (57) this season, and he finished second on the team in sacks (9.5) and third in tackles for loss (nine).

Most of the other top pass-rushers on the free-agent market like Leonard Williams, Chase Young and Danielle Hunter will all command more than $10M per year, but signing Clowney at a shade over $7M would be a huge win for a team that needs pass-rush help but doesn't want to break the bank.

ILB: Josey Jewell | projected market value: $7.6M per year

Except for an injury-shortened 2021, Jewell has totaled 100 or more tackles in three of the last four seasons. He’s also got five fumble recoveries and four forced fumbles over the last two years. He’s the kind of heart-and-soul player that thrives in the middle of a stout defense. 

Jewell’s projected market value is just $350,000 over the average salary for inside linebackers, so if a team is looking for a relatively cheap LB who can play close to the line of scrimmage, stuff the run and hold his own in coverage, Jewell in their guy.

OLB: Josh Uche | projected market value: $8.3M per year

Uche is only 25 and he’s just one year removed from an 11.5-sack season. His 37 pressures were second-most and his 28 hurries were third-most on a lackluster Patriots defense in 2023. On a team with more skill players around him, Uche is likely a 10-sack-per-year player or better. And if he can be had for less than $10M per season, one team is going to get a steal of a deal for a premium pass-rusher.

CB: Levi Wallace | projected market value: $5.9M per year

Wallace isn’t as flashy as Xavien Howard, J.C. Jackson or even Ahkello Witherspoon, but that doesn’t mean he’s not one of the more desirable cornerbacks on the market. 

He allowed a completion percentage of 55.6 this season on 502 coverage snaps, and he hadn't typically given up many touchdowns before allowing seven in 2023. For a team looking to bolster its secondary, Wallace is the perfect cost-efficient CB.

S: Micah Hyde | Projected market value: $3.7M per year

A two-time All-Pro, Hyde should have his share of suitors once free agency begins. He doesn’t allow a lot of yards per reception, having held WRs to under 10 in three of the last six years, and he’s surrendered one touchdown or less in coverage in three of the last five seasons. 

Hyde’s projected market value is only $600,000 more than the average salary for safeties, making him much cheaper than some of the big free-agent fish like Jamal Adams, Justin Simmons, Budda Baker and Eddie Jackson.