Top free-agent defensive linemen

At 30, the Denver South High School graduate continues to perform at a high level. Last year he finished with 32 quarterback hurries and 34 total stops (plays that resulted in an offensive failure), per ProFootballFocus.com's calculations, making him one of just seven interior defensive players with at least 30 of each. Arizona's defense flows from the disruption Campbell causes, and if the Cardinals can't retain him, it would be a crushing blow to their hopes of keeping their defense among the game's elite.

Including the postseason, Short has 19 sacks in his last 35 games and is a complete, three-down defender. He rarely cedes ground against the run, and his presence is a big part of the success of Carolina's linebackers, allowing them to roam free. Panthers coach Ron Rivera told ESPN on Feb. 2 that they "probably will have to tag" Short, but then the question becomes whether he signs it. Given the Panthers' emphasis on inside-out building of their defense, it seems highly unlikely the situation would end as it did with Josh Norman last year.

The 335-pound Williams is one of the league's toughest players to dislodge on the inside, frequently drawing double teams. Although he can generate some occasional pressure on his own, his strength is in stopping the run and taking up space and blockers to create one-on-ones in the pass rush.

For his five-year career, Poe has been the rare 3-4 nose tackle who is a legitimate three-down player, because of quickness in the pass rush that belies his 346-pound frame. But Poe slipped last year, particularly against the run, and while he remains disruptive, he may no longer be able to play over 70 percent of the snaps if he is to have a long career, and that could affect his market value.

As a restricted free agent, Easley appears likely to return to the Rams, who signed him after he passed through waivers when the Patriots parted ways with him. Easley had the best season of his career with Los Angeles. Some of that was a result of working alongside Aaron Donald, but he showed the ability to capitalize off the focus given to the All-Pro tackle, which makes Easley valuable in his current situation.

The former Bronco took a while to develop, but the last two years he's played more snaps than at any previous point in his career, and the 329-pounder didn't miss a beat. Although Baker has always been a stout presence against the run, his improved presence in the pass rush means that he can be a three-down player.

As a pure run defender, Branch is one of the best on the inside, and delivered some of the best work of his career in his 10th season. His age (32) will hold down his value, and he's not a three-down player, but for teams seeking a stout, seasoned presence in the run, he'll be a significant upgrade.

New Orleans' overall defensive struggles continued despite Fairley's arrival last year, but he provided an upgrade to their interior rush, playing more snaps than he ever did in any of his Detroit seasons. A return to the Saints seems logical for both player and team, but are they willing to give him a longer-term deal than the "prove-it" contract he had last year?

The Giants' investment in Damon Harrison and Olivier Vernon could leave little room left over to retain Hankins, who displayed steady improvement in his first three seasons, but got lost in the shuffle at times on the Giants' rebuilt defensive line. Hankins is a strong enough pass rusher to be a three-down player and should command a sizable contract.

Things didn't click for Odrick in Jacksonville, who played just six games last season due to injuries and finished with just one sack after posting 5.5 sacks in his first season there. He was a solid contributor in Miami and a return after two years away might provide him the best situation.

A high-effort, persistent player against the run, Mitchell bounced back late in the season after spending the first two months of the year on injured reserve. Mitchell played for Vance Joseph in Miami and Defensive Line Coach Bill Kollar in Houston, so he would likely be a good fit for the Broncos.

Klug was an effective pass-rushing complement to Jurrell Casey in Tennessee, but he is currently rehabilitating from a torn Achilles tendon, and could linger on the market for a while as teams ascertain the level of his recovery.

He did well adapting to a rotational role with the Patriots, posting four sacks and a career high three passes defensed while providing leadership and steadiness. He'll be 32 next month, but his Patriots use provides a template that can extend his career and give him long-term value.

Guy is primarily a run-stuffing two-down lineman who will play fewer than 50 percent of the snaps, but he does that so well that he will have his share of suitors.

A huge part of the reason why Dallas led the league in rushing yardage allowed last year, McClain showed that he was all the way back after missing 14 games because of a toe injury in 2014. After bouncing through Dallas and Houston, McClain found his groove in Dallas.

Logan isn't a consistent pass rusher, which hinders his three-down effectiveness, but he is a stout run-defender and a high-character player who provides as good a presence in meeting rooms as on the field.

Paea has the versatility to work on the nose and as a 3-technique end, although the latter is the best spot for the 309-pounder, who does a good job occupying defenders on the inside.

Seattle's desire to visit with Earl Mitchell could mean that McDaniel is moving on after a single season there. He's mostly a run stuffer, but his length (he's 6-foot-7) helped him deflect three passes at the line of scrimmage last season.

The ex-Chiefs defender turns 33 during training camp this year and remains a solid rotational presence.

At 345 pounds, Soliai can take up space on the inside, but at 33 years old, he's at the year-to-year point of his career and his full-time starting days are likely in the past.