The fifth in our continuing series, The Best of.  Today we take a look at the top 5 Defensive Linemen

MIKE KAYE

The Best Of:  QB / RB / WR / TE / OL / DL

Without lineman the NFL would be nothing more than a playground game of everyone go deep 1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi… you get the point. Thankfully it’s not, which means that a guy rushing from the end can sack the quarterback any time he can get his arms on him, whether that’s 2 seconds or 10.  Lineman do more than rush the passer.  They stuff the run, they overpower an offense and take them out of their comfort zone.  An elite line can take over a game, swing field position dramatically, or even wear the other guys down.  So who’s out there for the bidding when this shindig we like to call free agency eventually begins?  Let’s take a look.

Defensive Lineman

1.  Marcus Spears/ Dallas Cowboys/ DE/DT
Possible Destination: KC, SD, WAS, GB

Boy, am I happy he is out of the Eagles division. Spears can be a top 5-tech in a 3-4 defense. I think he goes to Kansas City to battle with Tyson Jackson who has done nothing but disappoint since being a Top-3 pick two years ago.

2.  Jason Babin/ Tennessee Titans/ DE
Possible Destination: TEN, DEN, PHI, CAR

Babin comes back to Philly due to the success he has had with the newly hired D-Line coach, Jim Washburn.

3.  Ray Edwards/ Minnesota Vikings/ DE
Possible Destinations: STL, MIN, CAR, DEN

Edwards would be the perfect edge-rusher for John Fox to put opposite Elvis Dumervil.

4.  Jacob Ford/ Tennessee Titans/ DE
Possible Destination: STL, MIN, CAR, DEN, TEN

Ford is a Left End who can stand up if need be and I think he stays in Tennessee only because they can’t lose both of their starters.

5.  Mathias Kiwanuka/ NY Giants/ DE
Possible Destinations: JAX, STL, NYG

A guy coming off as bad of an injury as Kiwanuka should stay in a system he knows.

Photo: Getty

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