Teair Tart only has 3.5 sacks in five seasons. However, he demonstrated early-down value with the Chargers in 2024, recording a tackle on a career-high 17.7% of his run snaps. He also had five tackles for loss, with four of them coming in the run game. Tart turns 28 at the end of February but has played on three consecutive one-year deals. His lack of pass-rushing value could consign him to a similar fate this offseason.
Osa Odighizuwa had a career-high 4.5 sacks in 2024 as he started all 17 games for the third consecutive season. Odighizuwa also averaged a career-high 48 snaps per game after averaging almost exactly 35 snaps each of his first three seasons with the Cowboys. Odighizuwa is a pass-rushing defensive tackle, as he’s listed at 280 pounds and only made a tackle on 11.2% of his run defense snaps in 2024. Odighizuwa turns 27 in August and could be looking at a multi-year deal given his pass-rushing value and durability.
Milton Williams, 25, has been a disruptive force on the Eagles' defensive line. In the 2024 season, he recorded five sacks and 24 tackles. His versatility and pass-rushing ability would strengthen the Commanders' interior defensive line. Williams is expected to seek a contract in the range of $8 million per year.
Baun had an impressive 23.8% tackle rate on run plays and finished with 151 total tackles, which was fifth among linebackers. In coverage, Baun was solid, allowing just an 80.5 passer rating against and just 5.6 yards per target. When he did blitz, he had a 19.3% pressure rate and 3.5 sacks. His main impact was certainly felt in the run game, but he was far from a liability in the passing game, either. Baun could easily continue to be an every-down linebacker and should get a multi-year deal in free agency or remain with the Eagles.
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.
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.
Kevin Zeitler turns 35 this March but has remained as reliable as ever. For the 10th consecutive season, Zeitler started at least 15 games. His 3.2% pressure rate allowed with the Lions was a slight improvement from his 3.5% rate in 2023 with the Ravens. However, he did allow five sacks, as many as his previous three seasons combined.
After years of injury woes in Washington, Brandon Scherff has stayed healthy since signing with the Jaguars. Scherff played all 17 possible games for the third consecutive season. Scherff didn’t allow a single sack in 592 pass-blocking snaps this season. Among guards, only Trey Smith of the Chiefs (665) had more pass-blocking snaps without allowing a sack.
Trey Smith, 25, has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs' offensive line. In the 2024 season, he started all 17 games. His proficiency in both pass protection and run blocking would significantly bolster the Lions' offensive line. Smith is anticipated to seek a contract in the range of $10 million per year.
After four straight injury-riddled campaigns, Ronnie Stanley recaptured his franchise left tackle form in 2024. Stanley played all 17 games plus both playoff games. And while he wasn’t quite his vintage self in pass protection, his 6.5% pressure rate allowed was a big improvement from his 9.6% rate in 2023. He also allowed just three sacks in 17 games after allowing four in 13 games the prior season.
