NFL free agency is fast approaching, with March 11 marking the start of the league-wide negotiation period for all veterans with expiring contracts. Premium positions like quarterback and edge rusher to drive most of the conversation – and bring in the most money. But there are also a large number of entry-level linebackers that will be available.
Here’s a look at some of the best, along with potential roster adjustments and contract compensation:
Honorable mentions
- Blake Cashman (Texans) was a complete player for a solid defense as an injury replacement in 2023, so it’s clear he has the tools to be a regular. But he has yet to play a full season due to his own injuries, missing a total of 35 games between 2019 and 2021.
- Drue Tranquill (Chefs) has thrived as a situational off-ball runner for two different teams, recording a total of 9.5 sacks from 2022-23, and his fearless approach is infectious. However, he has only been full-time for one full season.
- Tyrel Dodson (bills) appeared as both a run and pass defender in 2023 after injuries forced him into a significant role late in the year, but he has started more than three games only once in four years, making it one of the biggest showings here.
Age: 32 | Season: 10th | Current team: Vikings
Hicks is certainly more of a short-term bet after a serious leg injury in his 30s. But he’s always been more savvy than spectacular, proving reliable in his three NFL stops. Setting the tone for Brian Flores’ Minnesota Vikings group, he has the instinct and physical contact to remain a regular in the first games.
Projected AAV: $3.5 million | The best team matches: Broncos, Browns, Steelers, Vikings
Age: 26 | Season: 6th | Current team: Buccaneers
White is passionate about athletics, as evidenced by his entry into the top five picks in 2019. This has not translated into stable results, with coaches and fans reportedly criticizing him for his inconsistent positioning and tendency to freestyle. But the sideline-to-sideline speed remains, and he’s shown before that he can be a tackling machine. His boom-or-bust reputation is why he’ll likely have the most unpredictable market, even if he settles for a one-year deal to prove it.
Projected AAV: $5-10 million | The best team matches: Rams, Texans
Age: 26 | Season: 5th | Current team: Chefs
Gay is overshadowed by some of his star peers in Kansas City, but he has improved with a gradually increased role in the middle of the Chiefs’ title-winning defense. While his numbers have never been gaudy and his value may be inflated because of his team, he has been quite effective in all facets of the game.
Projected AAV: $4 million to $7 million | The best team matches: Commanders, Cowboys
Age: 26 | Season: 5th | Current team: sea hawks
Brooks’ tape is often devoid of the kind of flashy plays typically expected from first-round picks, but he has been one of the steadiest starters for an otherwise volatile Seattle Seahawks defense. Appearing in 63 of a possible 67 games over four years, he also eclipsed 110 tackles each year as a full-time starter.
Projected AAV: $6 million to $9 million | The best team matches: Commanders, Eagles, Seahawks, Steelers
Age: 29 | Season: 7th | Current team: Broncos
Jewell is the definition of a grounder at LB, rarely collecting accolades but surviving multiple regimes as a tough, instinctive mainstay for the Denver Broncos. He’s not the youngest, which is why Denver might be ready to pass the baton at the position, but he still fits in as a plug-and-play defensive signal-caller.
Projected AAV: $5.5 million to $8.5 million | The best team matches: Eagles, Panthers
Age: 27 | Season: 6th | Current team: Titans
Al-Shaair was only a part-time star for the San Francisco 49ers early in his career, rightfully giving up snaps to stars like Fred Warner and Dre Greenlaw. Eventually offered a starting job with the Tennessee Titans, his violent downhill approach proved he had a place as a full-time player, although he may be better suited as a bludgeon near the line .
Projected AAV: $6-8 million | The best team matches: Buccaneers, Commanders, 49ers, Texans
Age: 34 | Season: 13th | Current team: sea hawks
Wagner is one of the two timeless wonders at the top of this crop. After more than a decade of Pro Bowl service, of course, he still can’t be expected to go step-for-step with opponents in pass coverage. But his tall frame and wealth of knowledge allow him to outwit and outplay the muscles at the heart of a defense. He’d probably prefer to finish his career in Seattle, where it began, but he’s already left the Seahawks once, and any suitor could justify a short-term rental.
Projected AAV: $6 million to $9 million | The best team matches: Cowboys, Seahawks, Steelers
Age: 34 | Season: 13th | Current team: Buccaneers
Like Wagner, David is no longer the elite athlete he once was, but his instincts and raw physicality remain intact, making him one of the most reliable defenders in the game. Even though he surely nearing retirement, even as he contemplates a farewell tour with Tampa Bay, his leadership and fundamentals would benefit any team with a significant role. Consider that in 2023, despite missing two games, he nearly tied a career high with 17 tackles for loss.
Projected AAV: $6 million to $9 million | The best team matches: Buccaneers, commanders, dolphins
Age: 27 | Season: 7th | Current team: Panthers
Luvu only made four starts in three years with the New York Jets to begin his career. Since then, he has quickly become one of the Carolina Panthers’ most underrated difference makers. In just two full seasons as a starter, he accumulated 12.5 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and 29 tackles for loss. He’s a missile to the finish line, and his relatively light workload early in his career suggests he’s just hitting his prime.
Projected AAV: $10-15 million | The best team matches: Buccaneers, Cardinals, Panthers, Texans
Age: 25 | Season: 5th | Current team: Crows
Queen didn’t necessarily live up to his first-round pick to begin his career with the Baltimore Ravens, prompting the team to waive a fifth-year option. But as soon as Roquan Smith joined the team in 2022, Queen’s play reached new heights; he was arguably the most disruptive linebacker on Baltimore’s towering “D” in 2023. Can his playmaking tenacity continue even if he’s removed from a partnership with Smith? It’s a good question. But he entered the NFL with some unteachable traits, and he also proved durable, not missing a single game since his arrival. As a long-term defensive piece, you could do a lot worse.
Projected AAV: $18-20 million | The best team matches: Commanders, Eagles, Ravens, Seahawks