Defensive Free Agent Breakdowns

With Albert Hayensworth off the market I decided to list the best of the rest defensive players and break them down.

Let's begin with defense:
Free Safety:
1. Brian Dawkins 35 (Phi)
2. James Sanders 25 (NE)
3. Gerald Sensabagh 25 (Jack)
4. Darren Sharper 33 (Minn)
5. Mike Brown 31 (Chi)

This is the most needed position for a lot of teams. Last years play-offs proved that a good safety is the key to a defense. I like the veterans over the up and comers for this position. I would trust Dawkins over all of the rest of these guys.

Strong Safety:
1. Jermaine Phillips 29 (TB)
2. Sean Jones 26 (Clev)
3. Jim Leonhard 26 (Balt)
4. Lawyer Milloy 35 (ATL)
5. Rodney Harrison 36 (NE)

None of these guys jump out at me to being a team changer, but I am most intrigued by Jones and Leonhard. They are both young and can probably come to a team for a reasonable price. Harrison and Milloy are all washed up.

Cornerback:
1. Bryant McFadden 27 (Pitt)
2. Jabari Greer 27 (Buf)
3. Phillip Buchanon 28 (TB)
4. Leigh Bodden 27 (Det)
5. Chris McAlister 31 (Balt)

Every team needs themselves a cornerback. The need for depth at this position is most pressing. McFadden is an intriguing option because as a Steelers fan, he always got overlooked because of Ike Taylor. McFadden obviously has game in him if he played for the Steelers defense, but lets see how he does out of Pittsburgh.

Inside Linebacker:
1. Ray Lewis 33 (Balt)
2. Jonathan Vilma 26 (NO)
3. Bart Scott 28 (Balt)
4. Mike Peterson 32 (Jack)
5. Keith Brooking 33 (ATL)

Re-signing Vilma should be the Saints top priority, but even if they don't their are still a lot of other good options. Peterson and Brooking will be underpriced and steals for whoever picks them up and it looks like Ray Lewis is going to get paid a lot either in Baltimore or Dallas. Scott is also on the verge of re-signing with Balt.

Outside Linebackers:
1. Michael Boley 26 (ATL)
2. Derrick Brooks 35 (TB)
3. Angelo Crowell 27 (Buf)
4. Cato June 29 (TB)
5. Marcus Washington 31 (Wash)

I'm not really high on any of these guys, but there are some quality players in this class. It will be weird seeing Derrick Brooks out of a Tampa uniform, but he could very well end up on the Patriots because they like veterans. Marcus Washington will be underpaid and a steal for whoever gets him as well.

Defensive End:
1. Antonio Smith 27 (Zona)
2. Chris Canty 26 (Dal)
3 Igor Olshansky 26 (SD)
4. Chauncey Davis 26 (ATL)
5. Bertrand Berry 33 (Zona)

Canty and Olshansky are best suited for 3-4 defenses and can be very productive if they find themselves with a team that runs that defense. I don't know what to think of Canty because he is a hell of a talent, but his stats have dropped off. I believe he needs a change of scenery to thrive.

Defensive Tackle:
1. Javon Haye 26 (TB)
2. Rocky Benard 29 (Sea)
3. Shaun Cody 26 (Det)
4. La'Roi Glover 34 (St.L)

Other than Hayensworth this class isn't too appealing. La'Roi Glover will always have a soft spot in my heart but none of them are game changers like Hayensworth. Rocky Benard has a cool name though.