Who are the best 2019 NFL free agents?

NFL free agency is just around the corner. Here’s a look at the best players on the market.

This year’s NFL free agency is all about the defense. There are plenty of good safeties and pass rushers available on the market, but fewer quarterbacks, wide receivers, and offensive linemen. There will likely be changes as the free agency date gets closer and teams look to improve their salary cap space. But for now, here’s a look at some of the best free agents available in 2019.

1. DE Demarcus Lawrence

Lawrence finished this season with 10.5 sacks and an overall grade at PFF of 89.5, which puts him as our best free agent.

2. RB Le’Veon Bell

Bell may have dealt with some drama and a subsequent holdout that kept him off the field in the 2018 season, but he’s still one of the best running backs in the NFL.

3. S Earl Thomas

Thomas is on his way to being a Hall of Famer, but injuries have held him back these past few seasons and he’ll be turning 30 this offseason. Still, he’s maintained a high level of play when healthy and tops off an elite safety group in free agency.

4. DE Trey Flowers

Flowers is a versatile and effective pass rusher on the Patriots defensive line. He may not have a high number of sacks, but he puts pressure on the quarterback while providing the ability to cover and stuff the run.

5. OLB Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney is another versatile player. While his pass-rushing is still developing, he’s a great run defender and a former No. 1 overall pick. For these reasons and many others, Houston is likely to put a franchise tag on him.

6. DT Grady Jarrett

At 26 years old, Jarrett is one of the best pass-rushing defensive tackles in the league. The Falcons won’t let him go easily.

7. OLB Dee Ford

Ford had a breakout year in the Chiefs’ defensive front, totaling 78 pressures and a 91.0 pass-rushing grade from PFF. Kansas City might apply the franchise tag here.

8. DT Ndamukong Suh

At 32 years old, Suh isn’t the dominant defensive tackle he once was. But he’s still a good rotational player and showed the impact he can have for the Rams in the postseason.

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9. S Landon Collins

Collins had his best year in 2016. His 2018 season was a struggle and ended in Week 13 when he was put on IR with a shoulder injury. Still, he’s young, talented and a top-option in this safety market.

10. DE Frank Clark

He’s a young pass rusher who has finished with 50-plus pressures in three straight seasons. He would be a consistent player for any defense.