Scouting the most important defensive players available in NFL free agency this year

From Shaq Barrett to Justin Simmons, everything you need to know about the upcoming defensive free agents.

The NFL’s annual game of musical chair is almost upon us as talented free agents will hit the open market in early March. After breaking down the available offensive free agent pool, it’s time to shift attentions to defense.

There isn’t quite as much top end talent as there is on the offensive side of the ball, but there are plenty of starters for teams of every kind as they try to plug in holes on their defenses.

From future Hall of Famers, to Super Bowl champions, to young, talented players just hitting their second contracts, here’s an overview of the defensive free agent market.