2018 NFL Free Agency: Best Fits For the Top Names

DEFENSIVE LINE

Demarcus Lawrence:  Dallas Cowboys

Rod Marinelli may be getting old but he continues to prove that when it comes to developing defensive linemen, few in the NFL are better than him. Demarcus Lawrence is his latest project to bear fruit. He broke out in a big way with 14.5 sacks this year. It’s clear he fits their scheme perfectly and the odds of him even reaching the market were remote to begin with.

Ezekiel Ansah:  Cincinnati Bengals

Ansah may have a hard time hitting the open market. Next to Darius Slay, he’s the best player the Lions have on defense. They can’t afford to lose him. That said he may not be the ideal fit of what Matt Patricia has preferred in the past. Besides, Ansah did his best work under Teryl Austin who is now the defensive coordinator in Cincinnati. Getting to play with Geno Atkins? Yes please.

Dontari Poe:  Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers are positively desperate for ways to improve their 31st ranked run defense which bedeviled them throughout 2017. Poe has always been a great fit at nose tackle and he was a huge help to the Falcons run defense this past year, taking them from 17th to 9th. He should be able to man the middle in L.A. and slow opponents down.

Adrian Clayborn:  Atlanta Falcons

Dan Quinn is a former defensive line coach so it’s not hard to see why Adrian Clayborn had the best season of his career in Atlanta. Quinn just knows how to find good ones and help them reach their potential as he’s done for years. Clayborn would be foolish to leave. Clearly after 10 sacks in 2017, by far his career high, it’s where he belongs.