Predicting where the top 10 defensive free agents will sign

Predicting where the money will flow for the top 10 defensive free agents.

Free Agent Predictions

• Offense
• Defense

Brandon Williams

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Position: DT
Age: 28

With the premier defensive free-agents-to-be all getting the franchise tag, Williams tops our list as the most valuable defender money can buy. The 340-pound nose tackle can instantly change a run defense. He should get a deal in excess of the one Damon Harrison signed with the Giants a year ago. The 49ers have an absurd amount of money to spend on fixing a defensive line that allowed an NFL-worst 165.9 rushing yards per game last season.

Prediction: 49ers on a 5-year, $62-million deal ($31 million guaranteed)

A.J. Bouye

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Position: CB
Age: 25

An unknown to casual fans before 2016, Bouye broke out in a major way and earned himself a massive payday. The Texans opted against tagging Bouye, but will do everything they can to lock him up to a long-term deal. It won't be cheap, but they will get it done.

Prediction: Texans on a 5-year, $68-million deal ($32 million guaranteed)

Stephon Gilmore

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Position: CB
Age: 26

The Titans are expected to release top cornerback Jason McCourty and will have next to no talent behind him. Analysts predict the Titans to be highly aggressive in free agency. With nearly $65 million to spend, there's no reason they shouldn't be. The Titans would love to poach A.J. Bouye from their divisional rivals in Houston, but may have to settle for the next-best option. If Bouye does indeed sign before Gilmore, it could cause the Titans to panic and overpay.

Prediction: Titans on a 5-year, $71-million deal ($36 million guaranteed)

Calais Campbell

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Position: DT
Age: 30

The Patriots didn't want to pay Chandler Jones, so they shipped him off to the Cardinals for a draft pick. The Patriots will complete the circle by using some of their nearly $60 million in cap space to sign a player the Cardinals can't afford to keep because of the money they have committed to Jones. At 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds, Campbell will conjure memories of Richard Seymour in Bill Belichick's mind. His personality is a perfect fit for the Patriots and, at age 30, Campbell might be willing to leave a little money on the table in the interest of chasing a ring.

Prediction: Patriots on a 4-year, $32-million deal ($14 million guaranteed)

Dontari Poe

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

Position: DT
Age: 26

The Chiefs will try their best to retain Poe, but they just don't have the cap room to compete with teams on the open market. Poe is a risky signing because of his injury history and concerns about whether he can play passing downs, but the Colts need to take some risks to improve their leaky defensive front. New Colts general manager Chris Ballard knows Poe well from their time in Kansas City and can accurately assess the risk.

Prediction: Colts on a 5-year, $55-million deal ($23 million guaranteed)

Dont'a Hightower

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Position: LB
Age: 26

Lions general manager Bob Quinn has ties to the Patriots and a need for leaders on his defense.

Prediction: Lions on a 5-year, $48-million deal ($28 million guaranteed)

Johnathan Hankins

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Position: DT
Age: 24

The Saints can't resist spending big in free agency and this year's shopping spree will land them a run-stuffing specialist who will pair with (and rhyme with) Sheldon Rankins to form a fierce defensive interior.

Prediction: Saints on a 5-year, $45-million deal ($25 million guaranteed)

Tony Jefferson

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Position: S
Age: 25

Jefferson has hinted that he wants to sign with the Ravens, where he would pair with 2016 big-money signing Eric Weddle, but the Ravens' tight salary cap situation makes that unrealistic. A better fit for Jefferson exists in Los Angeles, where the Rams need a safety who can play close to the line.

Prediction: Rams on a 4-year, $26-million deal ($12 million guaranteed)

Nick Perry

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Position: LB
Age: 26

With Chandler Jones and Jason Pierre-Paul getting the franchise tag, new GM Chris Ballard will look at Perry and see his only option for upgrading his team's edge rushing prowess with a proven commodity. Ballard will have to spend up to make it happen, but the Colts have the cap space needed.

Prediction: Colts on a 5-year, $62-million deal ($31 million guaranteed)

Logan Ryan

(Photo credit: Action Images)

Position: CB
Age: 26

The Bears produced a scant 11 takeaways in 2016, with one of the primary reasons being their secondary's lack of interceptions. Ryan has picked off 13 passes in his four seasons with the Patriots and would instantly slot in as the Bears' top cornerback. He brings the kind of physicality the Bears will love.

Prediction: Bears on a 5-year, $56-million deal ($27 million guaranteed)