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Top Free Agents: Rolando McClain, Brandon Marshall headline weak linebacker class

Joe Nicholson / USA TODAY Sports

With free agency just around the corner, theScore takes a look at the top available players at each position. Unrestricted free agents can officially sign at 4 p.m. ET on March 10.

Top Free Agents By Position
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Wide Receivers 
Tight Ends 
Offensive Tackles 
Offensive Guards/Centers 
Defensive Tackles 
Defensive Ends 
Linebackers 
Cornerbacks/Safeties

Inside Linebackers 

Rolando McClain

Height: 6-4
Weight: 259 lbs.
Age: 25

2014 Stats: 81 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 interceptions

McClain was one of the surprise stories of the season, starring for the Dallas Cowboys after coming out of premature retirement. McClain finally lived up to his potential that was evident when the Oakland Raiders selected him eighth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft, recording 81 tackles in 13 games for the Cowboys. 

McClain excelled in every aspect of the game, and is best utilized as a run-stopper who can drop back to cover tight ends on passing downs, and would excel in a 4-3 scheme.

Potential landing spots: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Chicago Bears

David Harris

Height: 6-2
Weight: 250 lbs.
Age: 31

2014 Stats: 5.5 sacks, 123 tackles, 2 forced fumbles

Harris has been a stalwart of the New York Jets' defense for the past eight seasons, and would be an asset for any team needing an excellent run-stopping linebacker. Although he's on the wrong side of 30, Harris is extremely durable, missing just five games over the course of his career. New York groomed his replacement, Demario Davis, and may go in a different direction under new head coach Todd Bowles' tutelage. 

Harris is versatile enough to do well in either a 3-4 or 4-3, with Rex Ryan introducing a wide front seven in a 3-4 hybrid, stretching his defensive ends outside. 

Potential landing spots: New York Jets, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

Brandon Spikes

Height: 6-2
Weight: 255 lbs.
Age: 27

2014 Stats: 1 sack, 54 tackles, 1 forced fumble

Brandon Spikes is at his best when he's used during the first two downs, excelling as a run-stopping specialist. Buffalo general manager Doug Whaley admitted that he views Spikes as a rotational player and there are many teams who'd be able to get better use out of him. In limited appearances, Spikes graded out positively in pass coverage according to Pro Football Focus and he may not be as limited as Whaley's assessment would indicate. 

The 27-year-old didn't look out of place in Buffalo's 4-3 or New England's 3-4 and would be an ideal fit for a team that struggles against the run. 

Potential landing spots: Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Tennessee Titans

D.J. Williams 

Height: 6-1
Weight: 242 lbs.
Age: 32

2014 Stats: 46 tackles, 3 quarterback hurries

Williams would be best used as a rotational piece at this point of his career, but has proven to be a reliable starter in short spans. Williams is still a capable run-stopper but has regressed, in large part due to a pectoral tear in 2013. The 32-year-old recorded 46 tackles in 12 games last season. 

Williams has played in a 4-3 and would likely be most comfortable in that scheme. 

Potential landing spots: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons

Mason Foster

Height: 6-1
Weight: 241 lbs.
Age: 26

2014 Stats: 62 tackles, 3 quarterback hurries

Foster is a capable starting linebacker, who will likely get a larger role than he deserves due to the scarcity of the free-agent market. Foster proved that he's decent in pass coverage in limited opportunities with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but stands to improve as a run defender. 

Potential landing spots: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Jacksonville Jaguars

Other notable free-agent inside linebackers:

  • Rey Maualuga
  • Casey Matthews
  • A.J. Hawk
  • Dane Fletcher
  • Nate Irving

4-3 Outside Linebackers

Brandon Marshall

Height: 6-1
Weight: 250 lbs.
Age: 25

2014 Stats: 2 sacks, 113 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception

Prior to the 2014 season, Marshall had to be identified as "no, not that Brandon Marshall," but he emerged as one of the stalwarts on the Denver Broncos' defense, recording a team-high 113 tackles, two sacks and an interception. The Las Vegas native was the best 4-3 outside linebacker in coverage according to Pro Football Focus, and he displayed excellent sideline-to-sideline range throughout the 2014 campaign. 

Marshall can be deployed against tight ends in coverage and is rapidly improving in the run game. Denver's new defensive coordinator Wade Phillips said he's going to implement his 3-4 defense, as opposed to the team's 4-3 scheme from last season, and Marshall may be out of his natural position in 2015. 

Potential landing spots: Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, Oakland Raiders

Justin Durant

Height: 6-1
Weight: 230 lbs.
Age: 29

2014 Stats: 49 tackles, 2 forced fumbles, 1 interception

Durant was on pace to have the best season of his career before suffering a season-ending torn biceps injury in an Oct. 27 loss to the Washington Redskins. The 29-year-old thrived in Dallas's 4-3 over the past two years and was leading the team in tackles prior to his injury. Durant has significantly improved in coverage over the past three seasons, with a standout performance against the Seattle Seahawks

Durant has played in both 3-4 and 4-3 schemes, but is a much better fit in the latter formation. 

Potential landing spots: Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions

Sean Weatherspoon

Height: 6-2
Weight: 244 lbs.
Age: 27

2013 Stats: 95 tackles, 1 interception

Weatherspoon missed the entire 2014 season after rupturing his Achilles tendon last June and the Atlanta Falcons' defense crumbled without its de facto leader. There are concerns about Weatherspoon's health as he hasn't played a full season since 2011, but when he's at his best, the 27-year-old is a rangy linebacker that is sound against the run. 

Weatherspoon may relish the chance to play for a brilliant defensive mind in new head coach Dan Quinn or choose to be a secondary piece on a Super Bowl contender. 

Potential landing spots: Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Seattle Seahawks

Lance Briggs 

Height: 6-1
Weight: 244 lbs.
Age: 34

2014 Stats: 34 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception 

Briggs has been a foundational piece of the Chicago Bears' defense since being drafted by the club in 2003, but has struggled through a series of injuries over the past two seasons. Briggs may retire this summer, but if he returns, he'd be a valuable asset to a team looking to stop the run. The 34-year-old no longer excels in coverage like he used to, but has an excellent ability to diagnose plays pre-snap. 

Briggs would be a solid veteran presence on a young team or a rotational linebacker on a playoff contender. 

Potential landing spots: Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys

Akeem Ayers

Height: 6-3
Weight: 255 lbs.
Age: 25

2014 Stats: 20 tackles, 1 interception, 4 quarterback hits

Inexplicably buried on the Tennessee Titans' bench, the New England Patriots seized Ayers in a mid-season trade, giving up a sixth-round pick to acquire the 25-year-old. Ayers excelled in New England as a rotational linebacker, with his playing time diminished only because the Patriots' starters played so well down the stretch. Although the Patriots play a 3-4, Ayers can play in either base defense.

Ayers certainly deserves a chance to become a starting linebacker; he'd immediately be the best option on his former club, for example. 

Potential landing spots: New England Patriots, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts

Other notable free-agent 4-3 outside linebackers: 

  • Bruce Carter 
  • Malcolm Smith
  • O'Brien Schofield
  • James Anderson
  • Jonathan Casillas
  • Chase Blackburn
  • Jacquian Williams

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