We are just five calendar days away from free agency news being announced. Yesterday, we had the franchise tag deadline and now everyone not tagged by their team will be hitting the free agent market. Today, we are looking at the interior defensive linemen that you should keep an eye on when tracking the news next week. This year’s defensive line free agent class is not that deep but a few of these guys are going to have the opportunity to demand more money than they would have in any other year. With the gameplay around the league trending towards a more run heavy game style, the ability to stop the run will be a huge focus for teams. That’s where these big uglies are going to have their largest impact.

1. David Onyemata

Kicking off our list for the big men is David Onyemata of the Atlanta Falcons. Onyemata is a 10-year veteran in the league and will bring plenty of production to the middle of any defensive line that he joins. He stands at 6’4″ and is listed at 310 lbs. He excels in stopping the run and is a reliable player.

Onyemata began his career with the Saints in 2016 when they drafted him in the 4th round. He spent 7 years in New Orleans before signing with the Falcons in 2023. Over his career, he has been a model of reliability. He has only missed a handful of games over his career, and his biggest absences have bene due to suspensions. He brings with him a career total of 401 combined tackles and 31 sacks.

He had the best year of his career in 2025. He recorded career highs in tackles by far. He totaled 62 combined tackles (29 solo and 33 assists). He recorded 7 tackles for loss. He started in all 17 games.

As free agency looms, he is projected to be one of the highest paid interior defensive lineman in this offseason. Spotrac is projecting that he earns around $8 million AAV. It is hard to get a read on where he might end up because for that money, he could truly end up anywhere. Teams always need help on the interior of their defensive line. He could stay in Atlanta or be picked up by teams that struggled against the run last year. Those teams would include the Giants, Bengals, Commanders, Bills, and Jets.

Prediction: Signs with Commanders

2. John Franklin-Meyers

Denver looks like they are going to let one of their defensive linemen walk out the door this year. John Franklin-Meyers is going to be a gem for any team looking for interior defensive line help. He has typically played defensive end in the 3-4 scheme so any team looking to sign him will need to be a scheme fit.

Franklin-Meyers was a 4th round draft pick by the LA Rams in 2018. He only lasted one season there before being released. He then signed and spent the next four seasons with the Jets. He made a name for himself in New York and was rewarded with a $55 million extension in 2021. Then in 2024, he was traded to Denver for a 6th round pick. He finished that year with a then career high 7 sacks and 40 tackles.

Last year he improved his career high sack total by 0.5. He appeared in 18 games (including playoffs) for the Broncos and registered 7.5 sacks. It was a solid year for him as a role player in one of the league’s best defenses.

Much like players coming off of a championship, players on top ranked units will get a lot of attention in free agency. Spotrac is projecting that he will earn around $8 million this year. It does look like Denver will not be bringing him back so it will be the open market for him. I would guess that the teams listed above will be in play. As I said in our EDGE preview, I would never count out the Eagles when it comes to signing a defensive lineman.

Prediction: Signs with Giants

3. Calais Campbell

You can’t have a defensive line list without the big man amongst big men. Calais Campbell is an ageless wonder on the defensive line. The 39-year-old vet is set to hit the free agency market and is going to be entering his 19th year in the NFL.

Campbell makes other big guys look small. He stands at 6’8″ and is 315 lbs. It is truly amazing that a man of his size is able to continue to play one of the most physical positions in the game. Ove his career he has totaled 960 combined tackles, 117 sacks, and 18 forced fumbles. He has spent time with the Cardinals, Jaguars, Ravens, Falcons, Dolphins, and just wrapped up a second stint with the Cardinals. He played and started all 17 games last year and added 6.5 sacks to his career total. He still has plenty in the tank for a 39 year old.

It does look like the Cardinals are going to let him walk but you never know. If he does not re-sign, plenty of championship caliber teams will pick up the phone and give him a call. Or at least they should. He will bring leadership, experience, and production to whatever team signs him.

Prediction: Signs with Jaguars

4. Sheldon Rankins

A true defensive tackle is going to be on the market, again. Sheldon Rankins has been in the league for 10 years and will bring plenty of experience to whichever team he signs with. There is always a chance he re-signs with the Texans after testing the market. His signing probably won’t make that much of a splash when everyone else is signing but he will be a good under the radar addition to any team that gets him.

Rankins was a 1st round draft pick by the Saints in 2016. He spent 5 seasons in New Orleans before moving onto the Jets. He had a couple of productive seasons there before signing for the first time with the Texans. He had an injury plagued season with the Bengals and then re-signed with the Texans in 2025.

Rankins is on the wrong side of 30 but given that there is not much depth to this free agent class, he will garner plenty of interest.

Predicition: Re-signs in Houston

5. Sebastian Joseph-Day

Sebastian Joseph-Day of the Titans is going to be the next guy on our list. Joeseph-Day has bounced around the league and is coming off of a two-year stint in Tennessee. He weighs in at 6’4″ and 310 lbs.

Joseph-Day is a 7 year vet who has played on the Rams, Chargers, 49ers, and Titans. He has played at a defensive tackle, nose tackle, and defense end throughout his career so he has some versatility that he can bring to a new team. He has a career total of 314 tackles and 15.5 sacks. He is more of a run stopper than he is a pass rusher.

Sportrac is projecting that he earns around $7million in AAV. He will be a good DT2 signing for any team that wants to bring him on. He will certainly be part of the defensive lineman shuffle coming up.