If running backs have been undervalued in the modern NFL on offense, their defensive counterparts, inside linebackers, have been almost equally unheralded. It’s a shame because for years the MLB was the defensive leader, he called the formations and was basically the quarterback of the D. On my list of the five best free agent linebackers still on the market, only one is an outside linebacker, a position that remains a star-maker. Just look at Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware for the Denver Broncos last season.
Casey Matthews, Inside Linebacker, Minnesota Vikings
2015: Inured, no stats, Age 27
Matthews is the youngest linebacker on the list, but with the most potential. I admit that his family lineage works in his favor. He never saw the field for the Vikings after they signed him as a free agent last offseason thanks to an injured hip. Matthews’ first real starting action came in 2014, his last season with the Philadelphia Eagles when he recorded 31 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
Matthews is a young, productive player with football literally in his DNA. He’s not going to cost a lot to add to the roster, probably somewhere around $500,000 and he can fit in a 3-4 or 4-3 scheme, especially as a rotational player. Best fits: Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals
Curtis Lofton, Inside Linebacker, Oakland Raiders
2015: 64 tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, Age 29
Lofton’s numbers dropped dramatically in 2015 with the Raiders, but it was a new team and a new system and he dealt with an arm injury the team reportedly kept off the injury report. He’s still a young guy and will turn 30 right before the season starts. While those numbers last year aren’t bad at all, Lofton averaged over 120 tackles for six consecutive seasons from 2009-2014. He still has that potential and frankly I’m surprised the Raiders released him since the $3.5 million he was due this season was guaranteed.
If Lofton is healthy he should end up on a roster somewhere. He might even have an incentive to sign a very cap-friendly one-year deal since the Raiders still have to pay him $3.5 million. Best fits: New Orleans Saints, Cincinnati Bengals, Tennessee Titans
DeMeco Ryans, Inside Linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
2015: 32 tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, five passes defended, Age 31
After a couple of injury-shortened seasons the Eagles let Ryans go. Last season was Ryans’ worst as a pro, but it also coincided with a pretty terrible Eagles defense. Just two years ago Ryans had 102 tackles, four sacks, two picks and eight passes defended. In his 10-year career he had more than 80 tackles six times.
Ryans’ career is definitely on the downside, but he can not only still help a team, but bring plenty of experience to a young linebacker corps. Best fits: Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders
Justin Durant, Inside Linebacker, Atlanta Falcons
2015: 56 tackles, three passes defended, Age 30
Durant has been a journeyman in his career, but always produced for whatever team had him on the roster. He started 12 games for Atlanta last and was solid in the middle for a defense that turned out to be a real problem by the end of the season. The Falcons cut him anyway to save a little over $800,000 in cap space and salary.
Durant still has some good football left in him. He just has to find a place that fits him and one he’s willing to play as a rotational player. Best fits: New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans
Dwight Freeney, Outside Linebacker, Arizona Cardinals
2015: Eight tackles, eight sacks, three forced fumbles, Age 36
Freeney came in for 11 games for the Cardinals last season and was still a pass rushing beast. But that’s all he did. He got paid a little over $150,000 per sack and, frankly, teams have paid a hell of a lot more for that kind of production. Freeney’s at the end of his career and could just retire, but if he wants to come back at that same price level, some 3-4 team will add him to the roster.
Freeney has made nearly $100 million in his career and I’d argue he’s earned every penny. Freeney will probably only play for a contender and, just like last year, one might not call until the season actually begins. Best fits: Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens
