2013 NFL Best Available Free Agents: Defense

With tomorrow being June 1, the Raiders about to receive $8 million in relief from Michael Huff's June 1st cut designation, it is a good time to do a ‘Best free agents available' update. The offense is done, now we move on to the defense.

Defensive Tackle

Sione Pouha

Sedrick Ellis

Richard Seymour

Corey Williams

Justin Bannan

Shaun Cody

Ron Edwards

Amobi Okoye

Trevor Laws

Rocky Bernard

Casey Hampton

Spencer Johnson

Ma'ake Kemoeatu

My take: A lot of names here but the list is a combination of the aged, injured, and underperforming. Raiders worked out Corey Williams this off-season and opted to sign Pat Sims.

Defensive End

John Abraham

Israel Idonije

Kyle Vanden Bosch

Jonathan Fanene (DE in 3-4/DT in 4-3)

Trevor Scott (OLB in 3-4)

Juqua Parker

My take: Some value here. Never underestimate John Abraham and the others are all worth giving a shot at least on a one-year deal.

Inside Linebacker

Nick Barnett (WLB/MLB in 4-3)

Bart Scott

Takeo Spikes

Bradie James

Barrett Ruud

Omar Gaither

My take: Nick Barnett and Bart Scott top this group and there is a big dropoff from there. Spikes is good but he is 36. The rest are suspect. Gaither was signed by the Raiders last season to replace Rolando McClain.

Outside Linebacker

Daryl Smith (SLB in 4-3)

Thomas Howard (WLB in 4-3)

Will Witherspoon (WLB/MLB in 4-3)

Rocky McIntosh (WLB in 4-3)

My take: Some value here but after these four, the drop is very steep.

Safety

Kerry Rhodes

Quintin Mikell

Sherrod Martin

Atari Bigby

Madieu Williams

Abram Elam

Charlie Peprah

Eric Smith

My take: Arguably the deepest position in free agency, there are a lot of solid, talented safeties available.

Cornerback

Sheldon Brown

Jason Allen

Terrence McGee

Drew Coleman

Rashean Mathis

Cedric Griffin

Shawntae Spencer

My take: The only reason there this many corners listed here is because none of them really stand out. One of the weakest positions left in free agency. Raiders did very well to sign Tracy Porter and Mike Jenkins.

Click here to see the Best Available Free Agents OFFENSE

Also see:

Raiders about to get a load more spending room

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