2012 Defensive Linemen FA Class.

[IplayedCam#1317]

Robert Mathis (IND) - DE - In a big offseason for the Colts, no defensive free agent is more important than Robert Mathis who has publicly stated his discontent with the lack of a long-term extension. The Colts defense relies upon quarterback pressure and Mathis is an enormous part of that. It'll be interesting to see if the Colts can scrounge together enough money to keep Mathis.

Antonio Garay (SD) - NT - Just as quickly as they lost Jamal Williams, they've replaced him at nose tackle with another Pro Bowl caliber player. It's crucial to the defense that they retain Garay to anchor the defensive front.

Calais Campbell (ARZ) - DE - Campbell is an important part of the defensive front for the Cardinals. His triangle numbers are off the charts and he has shown marked improvement overall as a football player over the past few years. His productivity would be hard to replace for a defense that can't afford to lose more talent. Jason Jones

(TEN) - DT - When healthy, Jason Jones is one of the league's better interior pass rushers. He has an explosive first step in getting upfield and disrupting a quarterback's ability to step up into a clean pocket. The Titans have allowed Albert Haynesworth and Jason Babin to leave at the top of their games, but re-signing Jones makes too much sense here.

John Abraham (ATL) - DE - The Falcons went out this past offseason to acquire Ray Edwards to improve the pass rush. Though Abraham is aging will lose a fraction of a step each year from here on out, losing his ability altogether would be a huge blow for the defense.

Cliff Avril (DET) - DE - Avril has been a member of the Detroit D-Line revolution under Jim Schwartz and Ndamukong Suh. He's an explosive pass rusher off the perimeterÑperhaps Detroit's best. Even so, the Lions line has had no problem getting to the passer regardless of who they play at defensive end; so while retaining their best exterior pass rusher may seem important, it's probably less so considering the coaching staff and the offensive attention the interior linemen garner.

Aubrayo Franklin (NO) - NT - It was little alarming that Franklin received as little interest as he did this offseason, receiving only a one-year deal from the Saints. He probably won't even garner as much attention as he did last season after moving to a less glamorous 40 front for interior linemen. Depending on his production this year, he could be a nice under-the-radar acquisition.

Sione Pouha (NYJ) - NT - The Jets aren't in a position with great depth in their front 7 where they can afford to allow productive starters to leave. Securing Pouha should be one of the organization's first objectives before they decide how to improve their roster through external acquisitions. The Rest: Vonnie Holliday (ARZ) -

DE Kroy Biermann (ATL) - DE Cory Redding (BAL) -

DE Israel Idonije (CHI) -

DE Victor Adeyanju (CIN) -

DE Frostee Rucker (CIN) -

DE Marcus Benard (CLE) -

DE Derrick Harvey (DEN) -

DE Jason Hunter (DEN) -

DE Jamaal Anderson (IND) - DE Tyler Brayton (IND) - DE Jeremy Mincey (JAC) - DE Matt Roth (JAC) - D

E Wallace Gilberry (KC) - DE Kendall Langford (MIA) - DE Phillip Merling (MIA) - DE Igor Olshansky (MIA) - DE Andre Carter (NE) - DE Shaun Ellis (NE) - DE Dave Tollefson (NYG) - DE Jarvis Moss (OAK) - DE Trevor Scott (OAK) - DE Victor Abiamiri (PHI) - DE Juqua Parker (PHI) - DE Chris Hoke (PIT) - DE Aaron Smith (PIT) - DE Raheem Brock (SEA) - DE Dave Ball (TEN) - DE William Hayes (TEN) - DE Adam Carriker (WAS) - DE Kedric Golston (WAS) - DE Clifton Geathers (DAL) - DE - Exclusive Rights Will Tukuafu (SF) - DE - Exclusive Rights C.J. Ah You (STL) - DE - Restricted Michael Bennett (TB) - DE - Restricted Brandon McKinney (BAL) - DT Amobi Okoye (CHI) - DT Jonathan Fanene (CIN) - DT Pat Sims (CIN) - DT Brodrick Bunkley (DEN) - DT Marcus Thomas (DEN) - DT Andre Fluellen (DET) - DT Howard Green (GB) - DT Eric Foster (IND) - DT Nate Collins (JAC) - DT Leger Douzable (JAC) - DT C.J. Mosley (JAC) - DT Kelly Gregg (KC) - NT Paul Soliai (MIA) - NT Fred Evans (MIN) - DT Letroy Guion (MIN) - DT Shaun Rogers (NO) - DT Trevor Laws (PHI) - DT Red Bryant (SEA) - DT Gary Gibson (STL) - DT Frank Okam (TB) - DT Vance Walker (ATL) - DT - Restricted Ryan McBean (DEN) - DT - Restricted Sammie Lee Hill (DET) - DT - Restricted Kyle Love (NE) - DT - Exclusive Rights Antonio Dixon (PHI) - DT - Restricted Steve McLendon (PIT) - DT - Exclusive Rights Clinton McDonald (SEA) - DT - Exclusive Rights Jermelle Cudjo (STL) - DT - Exclusive Rights Malcolm Sheppard (TEN) - DT - Exclusive Rights

[Cat'sGrowl]

Tragically thin class. If wee look to upgrade DT-which we should-it will have to be done via the draft.

[jtnc]

John Abraham would be a good rotational player.

[Zithers]

i want to go after bunkley (who knows mcdermott) or garay (who knows rivera).

would be awesome.

[Ricky Spanish]

I want to go after someone with a pulse.

that's a slight improvement over fua

[frash.exe]

can't wait till that fuging asshole abraham leaves atlanta

he always seems to make plays against us

[Jackofalltrades]

I doubt we sign anyone.

[Judo Thoreau]

Sign Sione Pouha and start him next to Sione Fua... just for laughs.

In the preseason that is. Play someone good once the real games start.

[JawnyBlaze]

Garay and Campbell would both be good signings. Mathis and Abraham are both vet DEs and very good, but they probably won't leave their team and they don't fit the youth movement.

[TruCatzFan]

Antonio Garay (SD) - NT - Just as quickly as they lost Jamal Williams, they've replaced him at nose tackle with another Pro Bowl caliber player. It's crucial to the defense that they retain Garay to anchor the defensive front.

If u think that this dude from SD won't be on our roster next year, you're CRAZY!

Look at RR's history and get back to me.

[Woodie]

What we really need is an interior pass rusher, particularly with Edwards coming back. While Garay would be nice, he'd basically be a run stopper and space eater for us, which is essentially what we expect to get with Edwards. Now I do think Garay is better than Edwards, and I wouldn't be opposed to picking him up, but he doesn't really address our biggest need on the DL...and he won't be cheap.

The guy I most want in FA is Jason Jones. He is a good pass rushing DT when healthy. However, I wouldn't count on him long-term, but he would give McClain time to develop. I actually think a rotation of Jones/McClain and Edwards/Fua at DT would give us a very solid interior...and that's not even including Neblett, Kearse, and Shirley that have been playing well lately.

[scpanther22]

Some serviceable guys should be available after the draft.

[CashNewton]

Meh...I guess at the right price make the move but none of those names really moved the meter for me. Garay maybe makes the most sense but once again it comes down to the $$ he's asking. If Fua doesn't step up BIG I see him going the way of Jimmy Clausen...

[Rubi]

I actually like Neblett, Kearse, and Shirley. Kearse and Shirley are both mountains. Neblett would be a good rotation guy. Once McClain/Fua went down...our line play got better vs. the rush it looked like. Maybe we will have plenty of bodies next year on the Dline. Maybe go spend the money on a stud LB or CB?