2025 NFL Free Agent Market Report: Defensive Line
The Steelers have a good defensive line, but that doesn’t mean that it can’t be upgraded. The legendary Cam Heyward is getting late in his playing days and a successor is needed for No. 97 to mentor. Larry Ogunjobi has been good but not moving the needle enough and could stand to be upgraded. A traditional block-eater of a NT is desired to move Keanu Benton over as well. Then there’s the rotational guys. The Steelers may double-dip here in their defensive-interior in Free Agency and the Draft. I expect a Day 1 or Day 2 pick in April combined with one more late but I wouldn’t be surprised to see a couple coming in via other teams. Just a note, Jonathan Allen of the Commanders is a free agent all-of-a-sudden and so will be Javon Hargrave. Could there be a homecoming for the former Steeler that only played three games last season in San Fran due to injury.
Below is a list of the Top Ten NFL Free Agent Interior Defensive Linemen as ranked by Pro Football Focus. No matter if Pittsburgh could afford these guys, be willing to pay market value or whether it would be unwise, in your opinion, to bring any of these players in, they are on the list to be considered. Read and decide for yourself.
Most Notable Free Agent Defensive Linemen
Osa Odighizuwa – Dallas Cowboys
Age: 26.5, Height: 6’2”, Weight: 280 lbs.
Drafted: Dallas Cowboys – 2021, Round 3 (Pick 75 Overall), College: UCLA
Calculated Market Value: 4 yrs/$21.25m per year
The Cowboys took Odighizuwa off the table and kept a vibrant element of their defense by to a four-year deal worth $20m per year. $58m is guaranteed for a player that reached career highs in tackles, QB hits and sacks in 2024.
Overall Grade: 68.1(Above Average)
Pass Rush Grade: 78.5 (High Quality), Run Defense Grade: 50.8 (Below Average)
PFF Position Rank: 17
FA Position Rank: 1, Overall PFF FA Rank: 15
2024 Stats
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 859 (78%)
Tackles: 47, Solo Tackles: 25, Missed Tackles: 2 (4.1%), TFL: 5, QB Hits: 23, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries 2, QB Knockdowns: 17, Bats: 0, Sacks: 4.5, Pressures: 33, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 2
Milton Williams – Philadelphia Eagles
Age: 25.9, Height: 6’3”, Weight: 290 lbs.
Drafted: Philadelphia Eagles – 2021, Round 3 (Pick 73 Overall), College: Louisiana Tech
Calculated Market Value: 3 years/$21m per year
Overall Grade: 76.5 (High Quality)
Pass Rush Grade: 41.0 (Poor), Run Defense Grade: 91.7 (Elite)
PFF Position Rank: 14
FA Position Rank: 2, Overall PFF FA Rank: 17
Williams had a phenomenal run in the Super Bowl by notching 2 sacks including a strip last month in New Orleans. Here’s a guy with nice size and athleticism to push the pocket. At 25, Milton is expected to cash in, especially with such a nice skill set. However, playing next to Jalen Carter and Jordan Davis, he was not double-teamed as much and has only started 19 games as a rotational player. He would be a nice signing, but will he be able to do it full-time as the guy?
2024 Stats
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 501 (48%)
Tackles: 24, Solo Tackles: 11, Missed Tackles: 3 (11%), TFL: 7, QB Hits: 10, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 1, Hurries 2, QB Knockdowns: 4, Bats: 1, Sacks: 5.0, Pressures: 12, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 3
Levi Onwuzurike – Detroit Lions
Age: 27.0, Height: 6’3”, Weight: 290 lbs.
Drafted: Detroit Lions – 2021, Round 2 (Pick 41 Overall), College: Washington
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$8.25m per year
Overall Grade: 70.2 (Above Average)
Pass Rush Grade: 66.5 (Above Average), Run Defense Grade: 66.2 (Above Average)
PFF Position Rank: T-25
FA Position Rank: 3, Overall PFF FA Rank: 41
NFL teams look high and low for a three-technique pass rusher that gets good penetration. Onwuzurike has those traits. However, he has had some injury tribulations in his career, by missing all of 2022 with a back injury. But such issues may be behind the former second rounder who was on the field for a career-high of nearly 600 snaps in 2024. Onwuzurike also has exhibited position flexibility due to Detroit’s rash of injuries on defense effectively moving him to the edge, where he spent more than two-thirds of the team’s 15-2 season.
2024 Stats
Games Played: 16, Defensive Snaps Played: 635 (61%)
Tackles: 28, Solo Tackles: 16, Missed Tackles: 2 (6.7%), TFL: 1, QB Hits: 13, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries 8, QB Knockdowns: 11, Bats: 0, Sacks: 1.5, Pressures: 22, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 1
B.J. Hill – Cincinnati Bengals
Age: 29.8, Height: 6’3”, Weight: 311 lbs.
Drafted: New York Giants – 2018, Round 3 (Pick 69 Overall), College: North Carolina State
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$10.25m per year
Overall Grade: 70.2 (Above Average)
Pass Rush Grade: 64.2 (Average), Run Defense Grade: 69.2 (Above Average)
PFF Position Rank: T-25
FA Position Rank: 4, Overall PFF FA Rank: 53
B.J. Hill may be over 30, but he offers something that plenty of younger players can’t, he stays on the field week-after-week. If the best abilities are reliability, durability and availability, then Hill has plenty of ability after missing only two games in his career, both last season. The Cincy Bengal was tough once again stopping the run but lacked against the pass in 2024. Regardless, the former New York Giant, helped solidify and add a measure of stability to a young defense since arriving in the Queen City in 2022. The Bengals have a lot of contracts to dole out and had to slap the franchise tag on Tee Higgins. That move tag cost the team half of their available cap space for 2025, which means retaining the big DT might not be in the budget. Hill could be a bargain veteran for teams looking for ability and stability in the free agent pool.
2024 Stats
Games Played: 15, Defensive Snaps Played: 710 (70%)
Tackles: 56, Solo Tackles: 25, Missed Tackles: 3 (5.1%), TFL: 7, QB Hits: 9, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries 5, QB Knockdowns: 6, Bats: 4, Sacks: 3.0, Pressures: 14, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 2
Calais Campbell – Miami Dolphins
Age: 38.5, Height: 6’8”, Weight: 307 lbs.
Drafted: 2008, Round 2 (Pick 50 Overall), College: Miami
Calculated Market Value: 1 years/$3m per year
Overall Grade: 82.3 (High Quality)
Pass Rush Grade: 66.2 (Above Average), Run Defense Grade: 66.5 (Above Average)
PFF Position Rank: 6
FA Position Rank: 5, Overall PFF FA Rank: 54
Going into his 18th season in the professional ranks, Calais Campbell remains to be a reliable contributor on the defensive line anywhere that he goes. The veteran started all 17 games in 2024 in Miami and remained a pressure rusher complete with five sacks. At nearly 39, Campbell could hang it up soon. However, he still tackled runners over 20% of the time on rushing plays. He might be a June signing, but the former Cardinal, Jaguar, Raven, Falcon and Dolphin has 110 sacks in his storied All-Pro career and still seems to offer impact.
2024 Stats
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 615 (58%)
Tackles: 52, Solo Tackles: 35, Missed Tackles: 10 (16.1%), TFL: 12, QB Hits: 12, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries 9, QB Knockdowns: 6, Bats: 5, Sacks: 5.0, Pressures: 20, Touchdowns: 0, Pass Defenses: 5, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 1
Jarran Reed – Seattle Seahawks
Age: 32.2, Height: 6’3”, Weight: 307 lbs.
Drafted: 2016, Round 2 (Pick 49 Overall), College: Alabama
Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$6m per year
Overall Grade: 70.6 (Above Average)
Pass Rush Grade: 73.7 (Above Average), Run Defense Grade: 58.2 (Average)
PFF Position Rank: 21
FA Position Rank: 6, Overall PFF FA Rank: 75
Reed has been a long-time starter in the professional ranks and has played in 17 games three of his last four seasons. That’s a big ask for a guy that will turn 33 this upcoming campaign. However, his time on the field has been lessened due to the emergence of new blood in the Emerald City. That, in turn, facilitated a decrease in sacks from 2023 to 2024. But Reed found a way to increase his time in the oppositions backfield to harass and pressure quarterbacks. Teams signing Reed will get a reliable guy in the defensive trenches on the interior who still requires a lot of attention from opposing offensive linemen.
2024 Stats
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 680 (60%)
Tackles: 45, Solo Tackles: 21, Missed Tackles: 1 (2.2%), TFL: 5, QB Hits: 15, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries 4, QB Knockdowns: 11, Bats: 2, Sacks: 4.5, Pressures: 20, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 1
Poona Ford – Los Angeles Chargers
Age: 29.2, Height: 5’11”, Weight: 310 lbs.
Undrafted: 2018, College: Texas
Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$3.5m per year
Overall Grade: 85.3 (Elite)
Pass Rush Grade: 90.0 (Elite), Run Defense Grade: 80.3 (High Quality)
PFF Position Rank: 5
FA Position Rank: 7, Overall PFF FA Rank: 76
Poona Ford might lack the size of most defensive linemen in the National Football League, however, he’s a playmaker, plain and simple. Not just that, but the six-foot undrafted and combine-snubbed Ford is resilient. He has transformed himself into a disruptive, powerful and efficient run stopper, but he lacks a little in pass rush. Nonetheless, Poona Ford will be a quality sign looking for a reliable rotational guy along the defensive trenches.
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 604 (55%)
Tackles: 39, Solo Tackles: 24, Missed Tackles: 2 (4.9%), TFL: 8, QB Hits: 9, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries 0, QB Knockdowns: 6, Bats: 3, Sacks: 3, Pressures: 9, Touchdowns: 0, Pass Defenses: 5, Interceptions: 1, Penalties: 0
Tershawn Wharton – Kansas City Chiefs
Age: 26.7, Height: 6’1”, Weight: 280 lbs.
Undrafted: 2020, College: Missouri S&T
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$8.25m per year
Overall Grade: 60.8 (Average)
Pass Rush Grade: 71.9 (Above Average), Run Defense Grade: 48.3 (Below Average)
PFF Position Rank: 49
FA Position Rank: 8, Overall PFF FA Rank: 81
Tershawn Wharton was an “also” rotational pass rusher with seven sacks on the Chiefs defensive line for four seasons. Then in his fifth season, the former undrafted free agent out of Division II’s Missouri S&T came alive with 6.5 sacks in 2024, adding two more in the postseason. That January showing put Wharton on teams’ wish lists due to being in the prime of an NFL player’s life, versatility as a run-stopper and nice skill as a pass rusher. Tershawn may be a slight-bit undersized, but he should get a nice deal.
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 667 (62%)
Tackles: 29, Solo Tackles: 18, Missed Tackles: 5 (14.7%), TFL: 7, QB Hits: 11, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries 10, QB Knockdowns: 6, Bats: 1, Sacks: 6.5, Pressures: 23, Touchdowns: 0, Pass Defenses: 2, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 1
Teair Tart – Los Angeles Chargers
Age: 28.6, Height: 6’2”, Weight: 304 lbs.
Undrafted: Seattle Seahawks, College: Florida International
Calculated Market Value: 1 year/$2.5m per year
Overall Grade: 78.1 (High Quality)
Pass Rush Grade: 79.3 (High Quality), Run Defense Grade: 69.1 (Above Average)
PFF Position Rank: 12
FA Position Rank: 9, Overall PFF FA Rank: 83
Teair Tart has made his mark in the NFL as a vibrant run-stuffer, including four tackles-for-loss against backs. Tart has played on four-straight one-year deals, as he’s just another guy rushing the passer. But at 28, he makes sense on another contract for a single season as a rotational guy.
2024 Stats
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 348 (32%)
Tackles: 29, Solo Tackles: 15, Missed Tackles: 1 (2.2%), TFL: 5, QB Hits: 5, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 1, Fumble Recoveries: 1, Hurries 5, QB Knockdowns: 2, Bats: 0, Sacks: 1, Pressures: x, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 1, Penalties: 3
D.J. Jones – Denver Broncos
Age: 30.1, Height: 6’0”, Weight: 305 lbs.
Drafted: 2017, Round 6 (Pick 198 Overall), College: Ole Miss
Calculated Market Value: 2 years/$9m per year, $18m guaranteed
Overall Grade: 78.1 (High Quality)
Pass Rush Grade: 79.3 (High Quality), Run Defense Grade: 69.1 (Above Average)
PFF Position Rank: 12
FA Position Rank: 10, Overall PFF FA Rank: 96
Jones has been an alpha dog for the Broncos the last three seasons and is outstanding as a run-stopper on early downs. This advanced in his career, Jones still ranked fifth among defensive tackles with tackles against the run. Jones is durable, tough and has stayed healthy throughout his NFL tenure. As an early-down rotational guy, D.J. Jones is a guy the Broncos shouldn’t part with, but other teams will surely covet his skills.
2024 Stats
Games Played: 17, Defensive Snaps Played: 604 (55%)
Tackles: 39, Solo Tackles: 24, Missed Tackles: 2 (4.9%), TFL: 8, QB Hits: 9, Safeties: 0, Forced Fumbles: 0, Fumble Recoveries: 0, Hurries, QB Knockdowns: 6, Bats: 3, Sacks: 4.9, Pressures: 9, Touchdowns: 0, Interceptions: 0, Penalties: 1
Honorable Mention
Javon Hargrave – San Francisco 49ers
Jonathan Allen – Washington Commanders
Adam Butler – Las Vegas Raiders
Sebastian Joseph-Day – Tennessee Titans
Ta’Quon Graham – Atlanta Falcons
Mike Hoecht – Los Angeles Rams
Bobby Brown III – Los Angeles Rams
Most Notable Steelers Free Agent Defensive Linemen
Isaiahh Loudermilk
Other Notable Free Agent Defensive Linemen
Jonah Williams – Arizona Cardinals
Khyiris Tonga – Arizona Cardinals
Naquan Jones – Arizona Cardinals
Roy Lopez – Arizona Cardinals
Eddie Goldman – Atlanta Falcons
Brent Urban – Baltimore Ravens
Austin Johnson – Buffalo Bills
Jordan Phillips – Buffalo Bills
Quinton Jefferson – Buffalo Bills
DeShawn Williams – Carolina Panthers
Byron Cowart – Chicago Bears
Chris Williams – Chicago Bears
Jay Tufele – Cincinnati Bengals
Sheldon Rankins – Cincinnati Bengals
Maurice Hurst -Cleveland Browns
Carlos Watkins – Dallas Cowboys
Kyle Peko – Detroit Lions
Myles Adams – Detroit Lions
Tedarrell Slaton – Green Bay Packers
Foley Fatukasi – Houston Texans
John Cominsky – Houston Texans
Kurt Hinish – Houston Texans
Mario Edwards Jr. – Houston Texans
Taven Bryan – Indianapolis Colts
Jeremiah Ledbetter – Jacksonville Jaguars
Angelo Blackson – Jacksonville Jaguars
Demone Harris – Kansas City Chiefs
Marlon Tuipulotu – Kansas City Chiefs
Mike Pennel – Kansas City Chiefs
John Jenkins – Las Vegas Raiders
Zachary Carter – Las Vegas Raiders
Morgan Fox – Los Angeles Chargers
Larrell Murchison – Los Angeles Rams
Neville Gallimore – Los Angeles Rams
Benito Jones – Miami Dolphins
Matt Dickerson – Miami Dolphins
Jerry Tillery – Minnesota Vikings
Jihad Ward – Minnesota Vikings
Jonathan Bullard – Minnesota Vikings
Daniel Ekuale – New England Patriots
Tanoh Kpassgnon – New Orelans Saints
Armon Watts – New York Giants
Timmy Horne – New York Giants
Javon Kinlaw – New York Jets
Leki Fotu – New York Jets
Solomon Thomas – New York Jets
Javon Hargrave – San Francisco 49ers
Kevin Givens – San Francisco 49ers
Khalil Davis – San Francisco 49ers
Marlon Davidson – San Francisco 49ers
Eric Banks – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Greg Gaines – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
William Gholston – Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Johnathan Hankins – Seattle Seahawks
James Lynch – Tennessee Titans
Jalyn Holmes – Washington Commanders
Sheldon Day – Washington Commanders
