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NFL free agency rankings 2026: DT rankings include ageless wonder Calais Campbell

NFL free agency rankings 2026: DT rankings include ageless wonder Calais Campbell

The Super Bowl is behind us and the offseason has arrived, which means the start of NFL free agency for the 2026 season is close at hand. Teams are hard at work building out their plans for their own players, while keeping a close eye on the available free agents heading into the 2026 offseason. Today we’re going to take a look at the projected free agent defensive tackles in the 2026 class, as I give my best guess at how these players are likely to be ranked by NFL teams.

This class features a pair of high-end talents at the top, along with a living legend. After that, there are a number of intriguing veterans and potential buy-low candidates for teams in need. It’s not a star-studded class by any means, but there are some solid options here–particularly in the nose tackle market. Let’s take a closer look at the 2025 free agent defensive tackle class.

2025 Stats: 17 starts | 43 tackles, 19 solo, 7 TFL, 0.0% missed tackle rate | 7.0 sacks, 28 total pressures

Without a doubt the most coveted free agent interior defensive lineman in the class, Dre’Mont Jones had his best season as a pro despite a midseason trade to an entirely new defense in Baltimore. Jones is a terrific interior pass rusher who brings physicality to the run game as well, and this season was his most productive yet. Jones is a bit undersized at 6’3, 281, which may limit his fit in some systems, but he’s a standout player who’s still in the prime of his career.

2025 Stats: 15 starts | 25 tackles, 12 solo, 6 TFL, 7.4% missed tackle rate | 7.5 sacks, 23 total pressures

Another undersized inside/outside rusher, John Franklin-Myers also turned in an outstanding 2025 season. After spending the majority of his career with the Jets, Franklin-Myers continued to ascend as an interior pass rusher with the Broncos. Franklin-Myers isn’t the greatest run defender and his size limitations may limit his appeal in some fronts, but he’s inarguably one of the best pass rushing threats available in free agency entering his age 30 season.

2025 Stats: 17 starts | 43 tackles, 23 solo, 9 TFL, 8.5% missed tackle rate | 6.5 sacks, 18 total pressures

The oldest defensive player in the NFL still has it. Calais Campbell may not be playing at an All-Pro level anymore, but he’s still a very good starter and has shown no signs of imminent decline. Campbell is as technically savvy as they come, as both a run defender and pass rusher, and combines that with rare size at 6’8, 315. Now entering his age 40 season, I certainly wouldn’t bet against the future Hall of Famer continuing to play at a high level.

2025 Stats: 15 starts | 28 tackles, 11 solo, 8.0% missed tackle rate | 4 total pressures

D.J. Reader has been one of the NFL’s most consistent nose tackles since starting his career with the Texans, but is coming off a down year with the Lions. Reader is still an effective space eater, but his pass rush production fell off a cliff. I still believe Reader can be an impact player, but this is an inopportune time to enter free agency. Heading into his age 32 season, Reader will likely need to take a one-year deal to rebuild his value.

2025 Stats: 17 starts | 35 tackles, 15 solo, 5 TFL, 10.3% missed tackle rate | 3.0 sacks, 14 total pressures

Sheldon Rankins has never quite been able to match his electric rookie season, but he’s still been a consistently good interior pass rusher throughout his career. After a return to Houston in 2025, he’s entering his age 32 season coming off a productive year. Rankins is a penetration-focused 3T, and if he’s used in that manner, he can be very effective in a variety of defensive systems.

2025 Stats: 17 starts | 62 tackles, 29 solo, 7 TFL, 4.6% missed tackle rate | 1.0 sacks, 6 total pressures

The Falcons made the bold decision to keep David Onyemata heading into the 2025 season despite significant cap savings if released, and that risk looked worthwhile by the end of the year. While Onyemata has fallen off as a pass rusher, he’s continued to dominate as a run defender. Onyemata was one of the most productive run defending tackles in the NFL last season, and set career highs in tackles and solo tackles. He’s a more specialized player at this stage of his career, but is still a strong presence on the interior.

2025 Stats: 8 starts | 38 tackles, 20 solo, 4 TFL, 5.9% missed tackle rate | 3.5 sacks, 9 total pressures

Neville Gallimore was one of my favorite prospects back in the 2020 NFL Draft, but he never quite reached the ceiling I had hoped to see. As a slightly undersized, penetration-focused player, his pass rush ability never caught up with his traits and college tape. Gallimore has continued to evolve his game, however, and has become a very reliable run defender over the years. Gallimore is coming off his most productive season in both the run and pass game as a part-time player for the Colts, and could finally be emerging as an NFL starter.

2025 Stats: 12 starts | 22 tackles, 11 solo, 3 TFL, 4.3% missed tackle rate | 3.0 sacks, 13 total pressures

DaQuan Jones has carved out a career as one of the NFL’s most consistent nose tackles, and that continued with the Bills in 2025. In his age 34 season, Jones still performed as a quality run stuffer and produced one of his best years as a pass rusher. He’s dealt with injuries more frequently over the past few seasons, but Jones is still a very reliable presence in the middle and should still have a market entering 2026.

2025 Stats: 14 starts | 31 tackles, 19 solo, 6 TFL, 11.4% missed tackle rate | 1.0 sacks, 7 total pressures

A prototypical run-stuffing nose tackle at 6’1, 340, Andrew Billings turned in one of his best seasons in 2025 as a part of a revamped Bears defense. Billings is a big space-eater and does his job well, but offers very little pass rush upside and is primarily an early down contributor. That’s not the most lucrative role in the NFL, and Billings pretty much is what he is at this stage of his career, but it’s a role that plenty of teams still covet.

2025 Stats: 1 start | 8 tackles, 5 solo, 1 TFL, 0% missed tackle rate | 1.5 sacks, 2 total pressures

Folorunso “Foley” Fatukasi was an intriguing developmental defensive lineman coming out of the draft back in 2018 thanks to a unique blend of size and athleticism. After a slow start to his career, Fatukasi appeared on the verge of a breakout after two strong years with the Jets. An uninspiring stint with the Jaguars eventually led Fatukasi to the Texans, where he only managed four games in 2025 before injury. Still, the production in just 101 total snaps is pretty eye-opening. Fatukasi is entering his age 31 season and could be an intriguing buy low candidate for a team in need of talent on the defensive line.

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The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of elimination with an astounding comeback against Orlando as the Los Angeles Lakers finally saw off Houston at the third time of asking in the NBA playoffs Friday.

The Pistons’ come-from-behind win took their series with the Magic to a decisive game seven, while the Toronto Raptors also set up a decider against Cleveland thanks to an overtime thriller triumph.

Up 3-2 in the series against Detroit and seeking a close-out victory, the Magic had led by as many as 24 points before their shooting suddenly collapsed and the Pistons took full advantage.

A shell-shocked Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals — the longest streak in playoff history — and scored just one point in over 10 minutes of basketball, as the Pistons sealed a 93-79 win.

“Never say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, it’s what we’ve been talking about all year,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who led the scoring with 32 points and 10 rebounds.

Having been down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons had looked set to become just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose in the first round to their conference’s bottom seed.

But they now have a chance to win the series back in Detroit on Sunday.

After an even first quarter, Orlando went on a hot streak, before the pressure of closing out their first playoff series win since 2010 seemed to kick in.

Boos rained down on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage was transformed into an 80-72 Detroit lead.

The Pistons, having dominated the regular season, will now be favorites to claim their own first playoff series win since 2008.

“Thank God we get to take this back to the crib. It’s gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business,” said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.

Glory

If Detroit reach the Eastern semifinal they will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Raptors, whose series also stands 3-3 after an overtime Toronto win.

Playing at home, the Raptors led most of the night, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish.

NBA Playoffs 2026: Lakers progress past Rockets; Pistons, Raptors survive  The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of elimination with an astounding comeback against Orlando as the Los Angeles Lakers finally saw off Houston at the third time of asking in the NBA playoffs Friday.The Pistons’ come-from-behind win took their series with the Magic to a decisive game seven, while the Toronto Raptors also set up a decider against Cleveland thanks to an overtime thriller triumph.Up 3-2 in the series against Detroit and seeking a close-out victory, the Magic had led by as many as 24 points before their shooting suddenly collapsed and the Pistons took full advantage.A shell-shocked Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals — the longest streak in playoff history — and scored just one point in over 10 minutes of basketball, as the Pistons sealed a 93-79 win.“Never say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, it’s what we’ve been talking about all year,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who led the scoring with 32 points and 10 rebounds.Having been down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons had looked set to become just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose in the first round to their conference’s bottom seed.But they now have a chance to win the series back in Detroit on Sunday.After an even first quarter, Orlando went on a hot streak, before the pressure of closing out their first playoff series win since 2010 seemed to kick in.Boos rained down on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage was transformed into an 80-72 Detroit lead.The Pistons, having dominated the regular season, will now be favorites to claim their own first playoff series win since 2008.“Thank God we get to take this back to the crib. It’s gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business,” said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.GloryIf Detroit reach the Eastern semifinal they will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Raptors, whose series also stands 3-3 after an overtime Toronto win.Playing at home, the Raptors led most of the night, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish. Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                            

                            Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                                                    Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a lifeline with a shot-clock violation.Evan Mobley forced his way through the Raptors’ defense to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front, and led by one point until the final few seconds.But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.“Glory be to God, man. I didn’t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad… thank God I was able to make that shot,” said Barrett.Game seven will be played in Cleveland Sunday.Close-outThe Lakers, having led their series against Houston 3-0, had twice wobbled to allow the Rockets to get back to 3-2.But LeBron James’ men killed off the series with a comfortable 98-78 win to set up a Western semifinal against Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.Superstar James top-scored with 28 points, plus eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing his fine post-season form at the age of 41.The win spared the Lakers’ blushes. A loss would have left them one defeat away from being the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff lead.“A lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position, have not been in a close-out situation, especially on the road, so it was important for me to go out and set the tone,” said James.Published on May 02, 2026  #NBA #Playoffs #Lakers #progress #Rockets #Pistons #Raptors #survive

Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP

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Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6. | Photo Credit: AP

Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a lifeline with a shot-clock violation.

Evan Mobley forced his way through the Raptors’ defense to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front, and led by one point until the final few seconds.

But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.

“Glory be to God, man. I didn’t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad… thank God I was able to make that shot,” said Barrett.

Game seven will be played in Cleveland Sunday.

Close-out

The Lakers, having led their series against Houston 3-0, had twice wobbled to allow the Rockets to get back to 3-2.

But LeBron James’ men killed off the series with a comfortable 98-78 win to set up a Western semifinal against Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.

Superstar James top-scored with 28 points, plus eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing his fine post-season form at the age of 41.

The win spared the Lakers’ blushes. A loss would have left them one defeat away from being the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff lead.

“A lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position, have not been in a close-out situation, especially on the road, so it was important for me to go out and set the tone,” said James.

Published on May 02, 2026

#NBA #Playoffs #Lakers #progress #Rockets #Pistons #Raptors #survive">NBA Playoffs 2026: Lakers progress past Rockets; Pistons, Raptors survive  The top-seeded Detroit Pistons recovered from the brink of elimination with an astounding comeback against Orlando as the Los Angeles Lakers finally saw off Houston at the third time of asking in the NBA playoffs Friday.The Pistons’ come-from-behind win took their series with the Magic to a decisive game seven, while the Toronto Raptors also set up a decider against Cleveland thanks to an overtime thriller triumph.Up 3-2 in the series against Detroit and seeking a close-out victory, the Magic had led by as many as 24 points before their shooting suddenly collapsed and the Pistons took full advantage.A shell-shocked Orlando missed 23 consecutive field goals — the longest streak in playoff history — and scored just one point in over 10 minutes of basketball, as the Pistons sealed a 93-79 win.“Never say die, simple as that. I mean, Detroit grit, it’s what we’ve been talking about all year,” said Detroit’s Cade Cunningham, who led the scoring with 32 points and 10 rebounds.Having been down 3-1 in the series, the Pistons had looked set to become just the seventh top seed in NBA history to lose in the first round to their conference’s bottom seed.But they now have a chance to win the series back in Detroit on Sunday.After an even first quarter, Orlando went on a hot streak, before the pressure of closing out their first playoff series win since 2010 seemed to kick in.Boos rained down on the court as a 71-54 Magic advantage was transformed into an 80-72 Detroit lead.The Pistons, having dominated the regular season, will now be favorites to claim their own first playoff series win since 2008.“Thank God we get to take this back to the crib. It’s gonna be loud in Detroit, and we got to finish our business,” said Cunningham, who scored 19 in the fourth quarter.GloryIf Detroit reach the Eastern semifinal they will play either the Cleveland Cavaliers or the Raptors, whose series also stands 3-3 after an overtime Toronto win.Playing at home, the Raptors led most of the night, before the Cavaliers powered back in the fourth quarter to set up an intense finish. Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                            

                            Toronto Raptors’ RJ Barrett (9) drives past Cleveland Cavaliers’ Dennis Schroder, center, during the second half of Game 6.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                                                    Leading by two points with less than a minute remaining, Toronto handed Cleveland a lifeline with a shot-clock violation.Evan Mobley forced his way through the Raptors’ defense to tie up the game 104-104, and Toronto’s Jamal Shead just missed a return shot at the end of regulation.In overtime, Cleveland nudged in front, and led by one point until the final few seconds.But RJ Barrett’s three-pointer jump shot bounced off the heel of the rim, looped up in the air and dropped through the net to seal the Toronto win.“Glory be to God, man. I didn’t make anything in the fourth quarter, overtime, I was playing bad… thank God I was able to make that shot,” said Barrett.Game seven will be played in Cleveland Sunday.Close-outThe Lakers, having led their series against Houston 3-0, had twice wobbled to allow the Rockets to get back to 3-2.But LeBron James’ men killed off the series with a comfortable 98-78 win to set up a Western semifinal against Oklahoma City Thunder, the reigning NBA champions.Superstar James top-scored with 28 points, plus eight assists and seven rebounds, continuing his fine post-season form at the age of 41.The win spared the Lakers’ blushes. A loss would have left them one defeat away from being the first team in NBA history to squander a 3-0 playoff lead.“A lot of our guys, quite frankly, have not been in this position, have not been in a close-out situation, especially on the road, so it was important for me to go out and set the tone,” said James.Published on May 02, 2026  #NBA #Playoffs #Lakers #progress #Rockets #Pistons #Raptors #survive

Deadspin | USL, players’ union reach tentative CBA deal  May 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; General view of BMO Field before an MLS game between FC Dallas and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images   The United Soccer League is set for at least four years of labor peace after coming to a tentative agreement with the players’ union on a collective bargaining agreement.  The league and the USL Players Association wrote in a statement that the agreement represents “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards.”  The deal would run through 2030, with an option to make it go an extra year depending upon talks surrounding health insurance.   The minimum salary for players in the USL Championship, currently the league’s top tier, will rise to ,000, an increase of ,000. The USL will start a new higher level, USL Premier, to compete on par with Major League Soccer in 2028. The minimum wage in that league will be ,500.  Entry-level deals will be worth ,000 in the USL Championship (a hike of ,000) and ,000 in the USL Premier.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #USL #players #union #reach #tentative #CBA #dealMay 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; General view of BMO Field before an MLS game between FC Dallas and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

The United Soccer League is set for at least four years of labor peace after coming to a tentative agreement with the players’ union on a collective bargaining agreement.

The league and the USL Players Association wrote in a statement that the agreement represents “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards.”


The deal would run through 2030, with an option to make it go an extra year depending upon talks surrounding health insurance.

The minimum salary for players in the USL Championship, currently the league’s top tier, will rise to $42,000, an increase of $11,000. The USL will start a new higher level, USL Premier, to compete on par with Major League Soccer in 2028. The minimum wage in that league will be $67,500.

Entry-level deals will be worth $34,000 in the USL Championship (a hike of $8,000) and $50,000 in the USL Premier.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #USL #players #union #reach #tentative #CBA #deal">Deadspin | USL, players’ union reach tentative CBA deal  May 4, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; General view of BMO Field before an MLS game between FC Dallas and Toronto FC at BMO Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images   The United Soccer League is set for at least four years of labor peace after coming to a tentative agreement with the players’ union on a collective bargaining agreement.  The league and the USL Players Association wrote in a statement that the agreement represents “a significant step forward for the league and its players, reflecting a shared commitment to the continued growth of the game and the advancement of professional standards.”  The deal would run through 2030, with an option to make it go an extra year depending upon talks surrounding health insurance.   The minimum salary for players in the USL Championship, currently the league’s top tier, will rise to ,000, an increase of ,000. The USL will start a new higher level, USL Premier, to compete on par with Major League Soccer in 2028. The minimum wage in that league will be ,500.  Entry-level deals will be worth ,000 in the USL Championship (a hike of ,000) and ,000 in the USL Premier.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #USL #players #union #reach #tentative #CBA #deal

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