DT: Foley Fatukasi, Jacksonville Jaguars

While I believe the Jaguars overpaid for Fatukasi, he was a very underrated pickup this offseason. The past three seasons in New York, he’s played in over 14 games and made a total of 61 tackles and 18 for loss. He’s fantastic in the run and will help free up Josh Allen and Travon Walker off the edge. Fatukasi will also eat up double teams so that Devin Lloyd and Foyesade Oluokun can rack up tackles.

DT: Matthew Ioannidis, Carolina Panthers

When you have a defensive line as loaded and deep as the Commanders, you’ll eventually have to part ways with one of your run stuffers. This became the case this offseason with Ioannidis. In a rotation with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne in 2021, Ioannidis was able to make 38 tackles and 2.5 sacks. He’s extremely strong and tough to move in the run game. To go with that, he’s an underrated pass rusher.

EDGE: Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers

Seeing a player as good as Khalil Mack land on his third career team does baffle me. The Chargers robbed the Bears having to give up only a 2nd and 6th round selection. While he was 30 last season, he still produced at a high level in the 7 games he played in. He totaled 6 sacks and 19 tackles with 1 fumble recovery. 2022 could be the revitalization of DPOY Mack as he’s got Joey Bosa on the opposite side of him and Sebastian Joseph-Day in the middle.

EDGE: Chandler Jones, Las Vegas Raiders

Much like Mack, Jones has a great pass rushing counterpart opposite of him in Maxx Crosby. This addition will be mutually beneficial as Jones will have other players to help free him up and the Raiders get a top 7 pass rusher when he’s healthy. Through 15 games in 2021, Jones made 10.5 sacks and forced 6 fumbles. He’s a menace every time he touches the field and will feast against Trey Pipkins, Billy Turner, and Andrew Wylie.

OLB: Myles Jack, Pittsburgh Steelers

The Myles Jack signing came at the back end of free agency and personally, I like it. If we’re going by pure athleticism, Jack is one of the ten best in the NFL. In the past two seasons in Jacksonville, Jack’s tallied over 100 tackles combining for 226. Pittsburgh was in need of a second, solid inside linebacker to go with Devin Bush and Jack fits the bill.

OLB: Foyesade Oluokun, Jacksonville Jaguars

Personally, I think Foyesade Oluokun should have been an All Pro player last season. He flies around the field and made, what felt like every play, for the Falcons last season. With 192 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 2 sacks in the 2021, the Jags are getting a DOG. While a lot of other linebackers in the league will receive more hype than Oluokun, his numbers jump at you. Remember folks; men lie, women lie, numbers don’t.

ILB: Bobby Wagner, Los Angeles Rams

Wagner may be on the back end of his career, but he’s still producing at a high rate. The past two seasons since turning 30 have been some of his best as he’s made a combined 308 tackles and 13 pass breakups. His fit with the Rams will be outstanding. They have one of the leagues best defensive lines with Aaron Donald, Greg Gaines, and Leonard Floyd. Now they have someone to eat up tackles at the second level.

CB: J.C. Jackson, Los Angeles Chargers

There’s an argument to be made that Jackson was the best or second best corner in the league last season. While his play improved in a contract year, the Patriots couldn’t afford to pay him what he wanted. He made 58 tackles and 8 interceptions in 2021 and will add to a menacing Chargers defense in 2022. I think that the defensive backfield tandem of Jackson, James, and Adderley could be one of the best in the NFL.

CB: Stephon Gilmore, Indianapolis Colts

I feel like people forget that Gilmore won DPOY in 2019. While his productivity has been down due to being traded and injuries, he’s still a very good player. In 19 games the past two years, he’s made 5 pass breakups, 3 interceptions, and 54 tackles. I think he’ll have a quiet, yet prosperous season with the Colts and make the back half of their defense very good.

S: Tyrann Mathieu, New Orleans Saints

New Orleans lost star safety to the Ravens in free agency this offseason and had a clear vacancy over the top. With their front office noting this, they went out and signed a local kid; the Honey Badger. Mathieu spent the past three seasons with Kansas City making two All Pro teams. In addition, he picked off 13 passes and tallied 27 pass breakups. He’s the ideal eye in the sky for the Saints and will be a massive contributor in the Saints’ secondary.

S: Marcus Williams, Baltimore Ravens

Marcus Williams’ departure from Nola left the Saints defense high and dry, but they added Mathieu to take his place. Williams went and signed with the Ravens and has created the leagues best secondary. His quickness and instinct to find the ball is one of the leagues best, and the numbers prove it. In 2021, he made 74 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 8 pass breakups. When we look back on this signing, we could see that it was one of the most important of the whole offseason.