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NFL free agency 2019: Best defensive linemen available

By Russell S. Baxter

ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 05: Russell Wilson #3 of the Seattle Seahawks is sacked by Demarcus Lawrence #90 of the Dallas Cowboys in the first half during the Wild Card Round at AT&T Stadium on January 05, 2019 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Falcons won 34-32. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – DECEMBER 30: Grady Jarrett #97 of the Atlanta Falcons in action during the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Falcons won 34-32. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

2. DT Grady Jarrett (Atlanta Falcons)

He’s a player that appears to be getting better as time wears on. And you could certainly make the case that his breakout moment came during his second season in Super Bowl LI, when he sacked Patriots’ quarterback Tom Brady three times in a losing effort. Talented Grady Jarrett has certainly emerged as an overall force when it comes to the interior of the Atlanta Falcons’ defensive front.

And as has been clearly stated, the organization would love to have the four-year pro back. “We would like to have Grady back for many years to come,” stated general manager Thomas Dimitroff shortly after the end of the 2018 season (via Will McFadden of AtlantaFalcons.com). “Not only on the field but what he does off the field for us, he’s very important. That has been our focus. We put it aside for a little bit through the season, of course, so he could focus on what he needed to focus on. Now, we’re back focusing on that as really our priority to see how this proceeds, and I’m confident with it.”

Jarrett’s sack total has increased each season he has been in the league. In 2018, he played and started in 14 games and finished with 52 stops (8 for losses) and a career-best six sacks and three forced fumbles. Over the past two seasons, he’s racked up a combined 10 sacks and 23 tackles for losses in 30 regular-season outings. Will Atlanta get a new deal done with the 2015 fifth-round pick from Clemson?

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