Charvarius Ward, 28, has been a key contributor to the 49ers' defense. In the 2024 season, he recorded 54 tackles and 7 pass deflections. His physicality and coverage skills would bolster the Raiders' defensive backfield. Ward is anticipated to command a contract around $13.5 million annually.
Jevon Holland, a 24-year-old safety, played for the Miami Dolphins in the 2024 season He recorded 62 tackles, including 42 solo, along with one sack, four pass deflections, and one forced fumble over 15 games last season. Holland is projected to command a contract exceeding $20 million annually.
D.J. Reed is perhaps the top option in free agency. While his passer rating allowed (87.1) ranked just 50th this season, it is his consistency that is key. That was the highest passer rating allowed by Reed since his second year in the league. That is five years with a passer rating allowed of 87.1 or lower. Reed has allowed more than two touchdowns in coverage only once in his career, back in 2021.
Mack will be 35 years old when the new season begins. However, he is still a very valuable contributor to any defense and brings a lot of experience. A 13.7% pressure rate and six sacks last season are more than respectable, and when you add in a 12.7% tackle rate, there is a lot to be impressed about. Mack has some scheme versatility, being able to line up as a conventional defensive end or as an outside linebacker. He is unlikely to be too expensive at this point in his career, but should still command a contract in excess of $10 million a year.
Dennis Gardeck is another “all-rounder” type pass rusher with a 13.8% tackle rate to go with a 12.6% pressure rate. Alone, neither stands out, but combining the two makes Gardeck a valuable option on a defense. If a team is looking for a good hybrid outside linebacker, Gardeck offers that at what should be a relatively affordable price.
Sweat's pressure rate of 14.1% ranks outside the top 60 at the position. However, Sweat was impactful with those pressures, resulting in eight sacks. The lack of elite pass-rushers in this class boosts Sweat’s overall value in free agency, given the impact the pass rush can have on a game.
Byron Murphy is set to head into free agency coming off the best year of his career. He was targeted 119 times in coverage, allowing just a 76.7 passer rating when targeted. That ranked 18th among qualified corners this season. A big part of that was reeling in six interceptions, compared to just four touchdowns allowed when in coverage. This season, his six interceptions tied for the league lead among corners with Marlon Humphrey.
Steady safety Justin Reid has been a starter for all seven seasons since entering the NFL in 2018 but is still somehow only turning 28 years old in February. Reid has played at least 90% of the snaps in all three seasons since joining the Chiefs and has never played fewer than 13 games in a season. Reid had nine passes defended, his most since his rookie season, and multiple interceptions for the first time since 2021.
The longtime Colts center was limited to 10 games in 2024, his fewest since 2017 (his second NFL season). Kelly allowed a 3.6% pressure rate, which ranked 17th among 31 centers with at least 300 pass-blocking snaps. “League-average starter” is likely an apt description for Kelly as he turns 32 this offseason, though that holds plenty of value when combined with his experience.
Coleman Shelton started all 17 games for the second consecutive season. After serving as a utilityman for the Rams, Shelton has settled in and played every snap at center for the past two seasons. Shelton’s second season as a starter was better than his first in terms of pass protection. He cut his pressure rate allowed from 5.5% in 2023 to 3.8% in 2024. He also cut his QB hits allowed from 11 in 2023 to five in 2024 and committed only three penalties after getting flagged five times in 2023.
