Top Free Agents: Hightower, Timmons lead thin linebacker class

With free agents able to officially sign at 4 p.m. ET on March 9, theScore takes a look at the top available players at each position.

Top free agents by position

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Linemen
• Edge Rushers
• Defensive Linemen
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks/Safeties

Linebackers

Dont'a Hightower

Age: 26 Height: 6'3" Weight: 265 lbs.

2016 stats: 65 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 pass deflections, 1 FF

Far and away the most attractive linebacker about to hit the market, Hightower could be in for a major payday if the Patriots don't lock him up before March. The 26-year-old is a talented run defender who just recently was asked to stay on the field for third downs. His former teammate Jamie Collins got a four-year, $50-million deal from the Browns and Hightower will be looking for a deal in the same range from any suitors after a solid Super Bowl LI.

Potential landing spots: Patriots, Bills, Colts, Titans, Chargers, Giants, Saints

Lawrence Timmons

Age: 30 Height: 6'1" Weight: 234 lbs.

2016 stats: 114 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 FF

Timmons is no longer the young, playmaking stud at inside linebacker that he once was, but the 10-year veteran is one of the most consistent, reliable defenders around, who can add championship experience to any roster. Timmons hasn't missed a game since 2009 while recording at least 100 tackles in each of the last five seasons. He's expressed interest in staying with the Steelers, but with the emergence of Ryan Shazier, they may not be willing to dish out the dough after paying him an average of $9.6 million the last five years.

Potential landing spots: Steelers, Patriots, Colts, Chiefs, Saints, Giants

Zach Brown

Age: 27 Height: 6'1" Weight: 248 lbs.

2016 stats: 149 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 INT, 2 FFs

Brown doesn't necessarily make a lot of flashy plays, but the NFL's second-leading tackler in 2016 can do the job he's assigned. The five-year pro was picked up later on in the offseason by the Bills last year and filled their vacancy at inside linebacker after rookie Reggie Ragland went down for the year. He won't transform a front seven or command a high salary, but he'll get the job done.

Potential landing spots: Chiefs, Chargers, Raiders, Giants

Malcolm Smith

Age: 27 Height: 6'0" Weight: 225 lbs.

2016 stats: 103 tackles, 1 INT, 3 pass deflections, 2 FFs

Smith didn't really live up to the hype after signing with the Raiders a year after winning Super Bowl MVP, but the 27-year-old has been a decent coverage linebacker who recorded at least 100 tackles in both seasons with Oakland. He doesn't have the size to get past offensive linemen, but in a system like the Raiders' where he isn't asked to penetrate the backfield on a regular basis, Smith can be a contributing factor who won't break the bank to sign.

Potential landing spots: Chargers, Patriots, Bills, Ravens

Manti Te'o

Age: 26 Height: 6'1" Weight: 241 lbs.

2016 stats (3 games): 17 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 INTs

The former second-round pick is still trying to live down his infamous catfish incident from his college days, but when he isn't injured, he's steadily been doing his job for the last four years. Te'o played just three games in 2016 due to a torn Achilles and may not be ready to clear medicals by March 9, but if he's cleared, the 26-year-old can be a contributing second inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense.

Potential landing spots: Ravens, Chiefs, Steelers, Titans, Redskins

Other notable free-agent LBs

• Perry Riley
• Kevin Minter
• Karlos Dansby
• Will Compton
• Nick Bellore
• Daryl Smith
• Todd Davis