Who’s Out There: DTs

The Ravens have made no secret about wanting to re-sign defensive tackle Haloti Ngata to a long-term contract, but that doesn’t mean adding depth to that position is out of the question.

While Kelly Gregg made plays last year at a solid level, he is coming up on his 12th season in the NFL.

And behind those two roadblockers, there simply isn’t a lot of experience.

Terrence Cody improved after a pedestrian start to his rookie season, and four-year veterans Lamar Divens and Kelly Talavou are scheduled to become restricted free agents, leaving Brandon McKinney, who played in four games in 2010, as the most-tenured interior defensive tackle.

The Ravens also could look to bring in more depth at defensive end, where Cory Redding started 11 games and Paul Kruger switched from his former outside linebacker spot.

Here is a look at some of the top talent slated to hit the open market:

Note: Until there’s a new collective bargaining agreement, the Ravens can only re-sign their own players or assign them tenders. If there is a work stoppage, free agency will be postponed. Until further notice, Baltimore is operating under the 2010 free agency rules, which doesn’t grant unrestricted free agency until a player has at least six years in the league. That could change with a new agreement and make veterans with at least four years in the NFL unrestricted.

DT – Pat Williams, Minnesota Vikings
Unrestricted; 6-foot-3, 317 pounds; 14 years
2010 Stats: 30 tackles, 0 sacks, 1 forced fumble
At 38, Williams is more of a situational player lately, but he can still dominate at the point of attack. Williams seems resigned to the fact that Minnesota is looking to get younger and rebuild. Williams was a big reason the Vikings ticked off four straight seasons at the NFL’s first- or second-ranked run defense, before he was limited by a triceps injury last year. It’s no surprise that the Vikings were ninth in 2010.
(Upside – Durability; Downside – Age)

DT – Aubrayo Franklin, San Francisco 49ers
Unrestricted; 6-foot-1, 317 pounds; 8 years
2010 Stats: 39 tackles, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Franklin was the 49ers’ franchise player last season, a tag he was decidedly unhappy with. Holding out of training camp, Franklin was not as dominant as he was in 2009, but he still was effective as a nose tackle, which he played for the Ravens from 2003-06. Applying a second-straight franchise tag would be very expensive.
(Upside – Familiarity; Downside – Price)

DT – Richard Seymour, Oakland Raiders
Unrestricted; 6-foot-6, 310 pounds; 10 years
2010 Stats: 48 tackles, 5 1/2 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
Seymour had a Pro Bowl campaign last year, as he returned to the first-round form he showed when the Patriots drafted him in 2001. Finding a defensive lineman who can play both end and tackle skillfully is a tough task. Reports out of the Bay Area hint that the Raiders are expected to use the franchise tag on Seymour, however, which would keep him off the market.
(Upside – Pass rush; Downside – Price)

DT – Brandon Mebane, Seattle Seahawks
Restricted; 6-foot-1, 311 pounds; 4 years
2010 Stats: 31 tackles, 1 sack, 0 forced fumbles
Playing in the Pacific Northwest, Mebane was an underrated force who started 12 games for the Seahawks. The word is that should Mebane become available, he would be a highly-sought after prospect because of his pass rush ability from the interior of the line.
(Upside – Pass rush; Downside – Age)

DE – Cullen Jenkins, Green Bay Packers
Unrestricted; 6-foot-2, 305 pounds; 7 years
2010 Stats: 18 tackles, 7 sacks, 0 forced fumbles
The Super Bowl champion has been plagued by nagging injuries in the past, and he only started eight games last year, but he brings pass rush to the end position. Jenkins is also reliable in setting the edge in run support. Jenkins might command top dollar should the Packers not want to retain him in their deep rotation.
(Upside – Versatility; Downside – Durability)

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