2015 Mock NFL Free Agency: Complete Defensive Edition

124. There is just no earthly way the Kansas City Chiefs can let Justin Houston go.  The franchise tag is certainly an option but they will want to lock up the best pass rusher, arguably, in the NFL as quickly as possible.. OLB. . Justin Houston. 16. player

Pernell McPhee. 17. player. 57. Baltimore simply doesn’t have the money to keep him, which is a big gain for the Chicago Bears.  They are likely switching to a 3-4 defense under Vic Fangio and need help at outside linebacker.  Pernell McPhee has waited patiently to become a starter.  Here is his chance.. OLB. Baltimore

Jason Worilds. 18. player. 35. Dick LeBeau has joined the Tennessee Titans, who could use pass rush help.  It makes perfect sense then for Jason Worilds, whom LeBeau developed in Pittsburgh to follow him west to Nashville.. OLB. Pittsburgh

44. Not having the reliable presence of Sean Weatherspoon really hurt the Atlanta Falcons defense all season.  His leadership was missed the most.  Smart money says they choose to bring him back on a short-term “prove it” deal in hopes he returns to form.. OLB. Atlanta. Sean Weatherspoon. 19. player

The Cleveland Browns are going to have a hard time luring top free agents given their current turmoil, even with all the money they have to spend.  Still, getting a solid pass rushing option like Brian Orakpo will prove a major help for their defense.. OLB. Washington. Brian Orakpo. 20. player. 53

54. From an efficiency standpoint, Brandon Graham was the best pass rusher the Philadelphia Eagles had in 2014.  Given the uncertainty around former 1^st round pick Marcus Smith, retaining him should be a priority for Chip Kelly.. OLB. Philadelphia. Brandon Graham. 21. player

35. There were some problems with the Tennessee Titans defense last season, but Derrick Morgan was not one of them.  Though he only had seven sacks on the season, he had 34 pressures.  That was best on the team.  All the more reason to bring him back.. OLB. Tennessee. Derrick Morgan. 22. player

New England. Akeem Ayers. 23. player. 47. He wasn’t their primary guy but Akeem Ayers proved a nice compliment on defense for the New England Patriots during their title run.  All indications are he loves it there, so they should get him back on the cheap.. OLB

53. He wasn’t that much of a pass rusher, but the Cleveland Browns had enough problems stopping the run to warrant bringing Jabaal Sheard back.  He was +9.4 in that department according to Pro Football Focus.. OLB. Cleveland. Jabaal Sheard. 24. player

He isn’t the star of the show that J.J. Watt is, but Brooks Reed has been a consistently solid performer for the Houston Texans who is a help in run defense and deceptively good at applying pressure off the edge when asked.. OLB. Houston. Brooks Reed. 25. player. 10

31. It took a few years but it seems that cancer survivor-turned-NFL linebacker Mark Herzlich finally found his niche as a run defender.  The New York Giants knew how to use him and understands what he brings.  Most likely the two sides work something out.. OLB. New York. Mark Herzlich. 26. player