Yahoo Sports 
2015 NFL free-agent rankings (defensive players and specialists)
NFL free agency starts on March 10, with teams hoping to find the next star who can push them to the next level.
Here are Shutdown Corner's free-agency rankings for defensive players and specialists, with every relevant unrestricted free agent set to hit the market (for offensive players, click here):
DEFENSIVE ENDS
1. Jerry Hughes: Hughes never panned out for the Colts, but two 10-sack seasons in Buffalo have put him in great position as he heads into free agency before his age-27 season.
2. Greg Hardy: This one is complicated. He’s a tremendous talent and won’t turn 27 until July. He also had a domestic violence incident that landed him on the NFL’s exempt list. If not for that he’d get an enormous contract. He might still get it.
3. Jabaal Sheard: Sheard was a better fit as a 4-3 end, but the Browns switched to a 3-4. Sheard’s sack totals have slipped every year since his rookie season. Maybe he can find the right fit in free agency.
4. Adrian Clayborn: The former Buccaneers’ first-round pick has been plagued by injuries – he played in just one game last year – but has been a solid 4-3 end when healthy.
5. Darnell Dockett:
The always-entertaining Dockett will turn 34 in May, and he’s coming off an ACL injury that cost him all of 2014. The Cardinals cut him but haven’t ruled out bringing him back.
6. B.J. Raji: He was a star with the Packers early in his career, and then there wasn’t much of a market for him in free agency last year. He signed a one-year deal, tore his biceps and missed the season.
7. Cory Redding: For 14 years Redding has been a solid NFL lineman, most recently with the Colts. He is considering retirement.
8. Karl Klug: Your typical young, underused player who teams might pay for looking at potential. He did have seven sacks for the Titans off the bench as a rookie in 2011.
9. George Selvie: Selvie had a non-descript first three NFL seasons before a good 2013 with the Cowboys. He wasn’t as good in 2014 but he’s still in his prime.
10. LaMarr Woodley: The Steelers moved on from Woodley, and that looked wise when Woodley registered five tackles and no sacks in an injury-shortened season with the Raiders. He’s just 30 years old, however.
11. Mathias Kiwanuka: Kiwanuka was cut after nine productive years with the Giants. He’ll turn 32 right before free agency begins, but could be a stop-gap player for a team needing veteran help on the defensive line.
12. Chris Canty: The Ravens cut the 317-pound 3-4 end, but even though he’s coming off a down season and is 32 years old, he should get another shot if he wants to keep playing.
13. Jarvis Jenkins: The 315-pounder was a second-round pick by Washington in 2011, but was just an average 3-4 end for the Redskins.
14. Anthony Spencer: Spencer was a player on the rise after an 11-sack season in 2012. He missed almost all of 2013 with a knee injury and had just a half-sack last year.
15. Tyson Alualu: He’ll be known as the 10th pick of the 2010 draft who played nowhere near that draft status. He gave the Jaguars 13 sacks in five seasons and was just an average lineman at best.
16. Osi Umenyiora: Umenyiora turned 33 last November, and he slowed way down in 2014. He had just 12 tackles and 2 ½ sacks. If he hooks on somewhere it might just be for one year before retirement.
17. Ryan Pickett: Pickett finished his 14th NFL season after signing a one-year deal with the Texans last offseason. He might retire.
18. Da’Quan Bowers: The knee issues that raised red flags for him coming out of Clemson ruined his potential. After seven sacks in four seasons, and a PED suspension last year, there won’t be much of a market for a rebound.
Others worth noting: Alan Branch, Alex Carrington, Leger Douzable, Fili Moala, Darryl Tapp, Jarius Wynn
DEFENSIVE TACKLES
1. Ndamukong Suh: Other than the occasional stomping of an opponent, Suh is a phenomenal interior lineman. This type of disruptive force doesn’t reach free agency often while he’s still in his prime. His contract will be enormous as one of the top free agents in NFL history.
2. Dan Williams: Williams, at 327 pounds, has been a very good run stuffer in the middle of the Cardinals’ line for five years. If the Cardinals don’t re-sign him, some team will happily pay him to clog the middle of their defense.
3. Nick Fairley: Fairley was a bit of a disappointment before last year, when he started to play well. A knee injury limited him to eight games, however. The Lions would probably like him back but it’ll be hard to re-sign him and Ndamukong Suh.
4. Terrance Knighton: The affable “Pot Roast” is being penciled in as a fit with the Raiders because of his relationship with new Oakland coach Jack Del Rio. That would give the Raiders some size in the middle.
5. Jared Odrick: Odrick’s ability to play tackle or end effectively will make him a popular man in free agency. He just turned 27 at the end of last year.
6. Stephen Paea: Paea had a nice season for the Bears last year, starting all 16 games and notching six sacks, which matched his career total from his first three seasons. He should be a high priority for the Bears.
7. Henry Melton: Melton was really emerging with the Bears a couple years ago. After an ACL injury he moved on to Dallas, where he had five sacks and played fairly well.
8. C.J. Mosley: He became the “other” C.J. Mosley with the emergence of the Ravens rookie linebacker last season. But this Mosley is a good tackle who showed at age 31 last season with Detroit that he can still be a key part of a rotation.
9. Corey Peters: Peters was coming off a torn Achilles in 2014, and played better as the season went on. He’s just 26 and is good against the run and pass, so he’ll get a lot of interest.
10. Ahtyba Rubin: Rubin is a fine anchor at nose tackle in a 3-4 at 325 pounds. Rubin has been with the Browns all seven of his NFL seasons, but Cleveland isn’t expected to bring him back.
11. Barry Cofield: Cofield was very durable for his first eight seasons, but last season he struggled with injuries and missed half the season. The nose tackle was cut by the Redskins, and even though he’ll be 31 next season he should help someone’s interior line.
12. Kendall Langford: Langford was cut by the Rams, who have a deep line and needed to save money. Langford might have been a luxury in St. Louis but he should find a new home.
13. Letroy Guion: Guion started all 16 games for the Packers last year. He should still have plenty of years left, but an arrest in which his vehicle and 357 grams of marijuana were seized certainly casts questions on his future.
14. Tom Johnson: Johnson started just two games in his first Vikings season, but had 6 ½ sacks. A return to Minnesota makes sense for both sides.
15. Kevin Williams: The longtime Viking had enough left for a very nice season for the Seahawks at age 34. He’s not a lock to play another season, but there’s no reason to believe he doesn’t have another productive year left in him.
16. Kenrick Ellis: Ellis started just five games in four years for the Jets, but he’s a massive run stopper at 346 pounds and perhaps some team will think he could break out with more playing time.
17. Dwan Edwards: Even at 33 years old last season, Edwards was a good rotation tackle with the Panthers, registering four sacks and 40 tackles.
18. Nick Hayden: Hayden has started every game for the Cowboys the past two seasons, but hasn’t produced much. He could still be an option for some team with a tackle need.
19. Corey Wootton: In Chicago he seemed like an emerging player, but his play leveled off and he had just one sack in a bench role on the Vikings last year. He’ll be just 28 this season, and he could use a bounce-back season.
20. Colin Cole: Cole started 10 games for the Panthers last season. He will turn 35 in June and if he lands with another team, it might not be as a starter.
21. Tommy Kelly: Kelly had a tremendous run with the Raiders, but at age 34 coming off a mediocre season with Arizona he might not have too many opportunities left.
Others worth noting: Mike Patterson, Pat Sims, Kevin Vickerson
INSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. David Harris: Harris is consistent. He had between 123 and 127 tackles in five of his eight Jets seasons. He’s a three-down player and a great option for a team with a need.
2. Mason Foster: Foster, who is 26, had his worst season as a pro, as he dealt with injuries for the Buccaneers. He is mostly a three-down player and will be signed as a starter.
3. Brandon Spikes: Spikes is a run-stopping specialist, and he’s pretty good in that role. The former Patriot who was with the Bills last season isn’t usually on the field on passing downs, but he still can be a useful asset.
4. Rolando McClain:
McClain’s reemergence in the NFL after off-field issues and taking 2013 off was a surprise story. He started 12 games for the Cowboys and had 81 tackles. A pending four-game fine for violating the substance-abuse policy reminds everyone of his previous issues, but there should be a market for his services.
5. A.J. Hawk: A former top-five pick, Hawk wasn’t great in nine Packers seasons, but he was durable and consistently around 100 tackles each season. He’s a reliable veteran option.
6. Rey Maualuga: He might have fit better in an earlier era. He’s a big inside linebacker who doesn’t stay on the field in passing situations and doesn’t make many plays. He could return to Cincinnati.
7. Nate Irving: For whatever reason, the former third-round pick never made an impact with Denver, starting 12 non-descript games in four seasons. But he’ll be just 27 this season and should get another look.
8. Josh Mauga: Mauga had one start coming into his fourth NFL season. He took on a huge role in the Chiefs’ defense after Derrick Johnson’s injury, and finished with 103 tackles. He didn’t have a great season, but he could have some value to the Chiefs.
9. Jasper Brinkley: Brinkley is an old-school thumper who doesn’t play in passing situations. There’s still some value in that, but it won’t be at a premium.
10. Dane Fletcher: After three seasons with the Patriots, Fletcher came to the Buccaneers and had a quiet season. Don’t rule out a return to New England.
11. D.J. Williams: He has lasted for 11 NFL seasons without really having a big year (no Pro Bowl appearances) and after two disappointing years with the Bears he is probably done in Chicago.
Others worth noting: Andrew Gachkar, Mark Herzlich, Brad Jones, Jamari Lattimore, Casey Matthews, Colin McCarthy, Arthur Moats, Kelvin Sheppard, Jason Trusnik
OUTSIDE LINEBACKERS
1. Brandon Graham: Graham should be a top priority for a 4-3 team. He played out of place in a 3-4 with the Eagles (and played pretty well), and could take off in the right scheme, playing end.
2. Derrick Morgan: Morgan is another player who came in as a 4-3 end but moved to outside linebacker in a new 3-4. He did pretty well at outside linebacker and will be attractive in either scheme.
3. Bruce Carter: A former second-round pick, Carter has shown a few flashes and finished the 2014 season well, but he’s still inconsistent. But the way he ended last season (21 tackles and three interceptions in Dallas’ last three games) will make him an intriguing option.
4. Brian Orakpo: A franchise-tagged player a year ago, Orakpo dealt with injuries and had just a half-sack in seven games. He does have 40 career sacks and will do just fine in free agency.
5. Pernell McPhee:
McPhee hasn’t started a game in either of the past two seasons (six total in four seasons), but after a 7 ½ sack season all indications are he’s poised to cash in big. The Ravens have already acknowledged they’re unlikely to pay his market cost to retain him. He has a lot of pass-rush ability.
6. Jason Worilds: Pass rushers are at a premium, and Worilds has 15.5 sacks the past two years with the Steelers. If he tests the market, he will likely get a pretty nice deal.
7. Sean Weatherspoon: After being limited to seven games in 2013 because of a foot injury, Weatherspoon tore his Achilles last offseason and missed the whole year. But he is extremely talented and if healthy, will be a good addition in free agency.
8. Justin Durant: Durant was having a very good season for the Cowboys, with 49 tackles and an interception in six games, before a torn biceps ended it. He’ll turn 30 this season and has durability issues but can be effective when healthy.
9. Brooks Reed: Reed had six sacks as a rookie, and just 8 ½ sacks in the three seasons since for the Texans. At just 28 years old, he’ll get a lot of interest.
10. Akeem Ayers: Somehow, the Patriots got Ayers for almost nothing at midseason in a trade with the Titans, then the former second-round pick became a big part of their defense while Chandler Jones was out. He doesn’t turn 26 until July, and he’ll get some interest.
11. Malcolm Smith: The former Super Bowl MVP dealt with injuries and started just five games in 2014. He has ability and will be just 26 years old this season.
12. Kroy Biermann: Biermann played some outside linebacker when the Falcons used a 3-4, but the team is going back to a 4-3 and he might not be a great fit there either. He had just 4 ½ sacks for a team that needs pass rushers.
13. Geno Hayes: Hayes put together two solid seasons for the Jaguars, starting 25 games. He’s a good veteran option at weakside linebacker.
14. O’Brien Schofield: Schofield failed a physical with the Giants last year, voiding a two-year, $8 million contract. He returned to the Seahawks, and probably should get a similar deal this time around.
15. James Harrison: Harrison retired … until he came back with the Steelers last September. He played fairly well in a pass-rushing role, and now he wants to play again in 2015.
16. Lance Briggs: After missing 15 games the past two seasons, with his 35th birthday coming in November and the Bears needing to rebuild, it appears he might be done in Chicago. If another team wants a veteran presence he could fit, but clearly he’s near the end.
17. Jonathan Casillas: Casillas was traded from the Buccaneers to the Saints during last season, and started three games for each team. He’s a solid role player.
18. Jacquain Williams: After three seasons as a part-time starter, Williams was coming into his own last year, with 77 tackles in nine games. A concussion ended his season, and he’s no sure thing to return to the Giants.
19. Keith Rivers: Once the ninth overall pick of the 2008 draft, Rivers might be running out of chances after picking up just 16 tackles in 12 games (three starts) for Buffalo last season.
20. Dwight Freeney: Freeney, who is 35, said he wants to keep playing. He has spent the last two seasons in San Diego with four sacks in 20 games. He has 111.5 career sacks.
21. J.T. Thomas: Thomas took on an every-down role with the Jaguars at middle linebacker at about midseason because of injuries, and was up and down. It was a growth season, however.
Others worth noting: Sam Acho, Marcus Benard, Chase Blackburn, Ashlee Palmer, Spencer Paysinger, Shaun Phillips
CORNERBACKS
1. Byron Maxwell: Maxwell is a big corner in the Seattle mold, and he has transitioned well to being a starter after coming off the bench his first two-and-a-half seasons. He won’t be on the market long once free agency starts.
2. Brandon Flowers: Flowers was cut by the Chiefs last year after making the Pro Bowl, and played well with the Chargers on a one-year deal. He’s 29 and should have many suitors.
3. Kareem Jackson: Jackson has been a starter for the Texans all five of his NFL seasons, and has done a fine job for Houston. If he hits the open market he’ll be one of the first corners on everyone’s list.
4. Antonio Cromartie: Cromartie is durable, missing just one game in his career, big and unafraid to cover anyone. It has been speculated often – and by Cromartie – that he’ll leave the Cardinals for a reunion with the Jets.
5. Chris Culliver: After missing a season with a torn ACL, Culliver became a full-time starter for the 49ers and he played well in that role. If he hits the open market, he should get a nice long-term deal.
6. Buster Skrine: Although Skrine is undersized at 5-foot-9, he has started 31 games the past two seasons as he has held off highly-drafted competition. At just 25 years old, with versatility to play inside or out, he’ll be highly sought after.
7. Tramon Williams:
Williams has been a steady performer for Green Bay for eight seasons, even making a Pro Bowl in 2010. He’ll be 32 next season, but there was no indication last season that he can’t play at a high level for at least another season.
8. Perrish Cox: Cox started 14 games for the 49ers last year and played well. The 49ers might have to make a choice between him and fellow free agent Chris Culliver.
9. Davon House: House was stuck behind some good cornerbacks in Green Bay, and some team will look at what he has done on film and happily give him the chance to grab the starting spot he covets.
10. Patrick Robinson: Robinson bounced back from a knee injury to have a solid 2014 for the Saints. If teams trust his health he’s a nice second-tier option.
11. Alan Ball: Ball has been a starter for the Jaguars the past two years, and has been pretty good – although he missed nine games last year. It would make sense for the Jaguars to bring him back.
12. Darius Butler: Butler has been a very good slot corner for the Colts, and that has a lot of value in today’s NFL.
13. Rashean Mathis: Mathis has been a starting corner in the NFL since breaking in with the Jaguars in 2003. He’ll be 35 next season, and most corners don’t play well in their mid-30s, but Mathis is coming off two good years with the Lions.
14. Walter Thurmond: Thurmond was considered one of the top nickel corners available in free agency last year, but was an injury risk. Sure enough, he tore his pectoral muscle and that limited him to two games with the Giants. Some team will probably gamble on him staying healthy this season.
15. Tarell Brown: Brown started three straight years for the 49ers, then the Raiders signed him and he didn’t play well. Now he is on the wrong side of 30 years old.
16. Bradley Fletcher: By the end of the season, Fletcher was often criticized for his struggles as the Eagles faded from the playoff race. The Eagles will presumably look to upgrade.
17. Terence Newman: Did you realize Newman has now been a starter for 12 NFL seasons? He’ll be 37 before next season but is still a solid player. We’ll see if anyone gives him a chance to be a starter for year No. 13.
18. Charles Tillman: Now 34, is age catching up to Tillman? He has finished the last two seasons on injured reserve. He’s a physical corner and great at causing turnovers, and maybe a move to safety is in his future.
19. Ike Taylor: After spending the past 12 seasons with the Steelers, Taylor seems set to move on to his second NFL team. Taylor wasn’t having a great 2014 before an injury ended his season, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of market there is for a corner who turns 35 in May.
20. Brice McCain: Mostly a reserve for five Texans seasons, McCain got a chance to start nine games for the Steelers last year. He was decent and it probably makes the most sense for everyone involved if he’s back in Pittsburgh next season.
21. Robert McClain: McClain had a promising 2012 for the Falcons, then slipped the past two years. Still just 26, he has time to turn it back around and be a nice contributor.
22. Shareece Wright: A starter the past two years with the Chargers, the team has talked up Wright’s improvement. San Diego’s pass defense hasn’t been great the couple years with Wright.
23. Chris Cook: Cook is a talented corner who can’t stay healthy. He has played in exactly six games in three of his five seasons, and missed at least four games in each of his NFL seasons.
24. Carlos Rogers: Rogers came over to Oakland from San Francisco and it didn’t go too well, with him playing just seven games due to a knee injury. He’ll be 34 this season, but still could get a look from a team looking for a veteran.
25. Cassius Vaughn: The Lions’ nickel cornerback last season didn’t have a great playoff game against Dallas, but he is a solid slot corner and could reprise that role for a low cost.
26. E.J. Biggers: Biggers played two seasons with Washington and struggled most of the time. He still could get a chance as a sub-package corner.
27. Antoine Cason: Cason, a former starter with the Chargers, struggled with the Panthers last year and was cut. The Ravens signed him for two games at the end of the season.
Others worth noting: Javier Arenas, Will Blackmon, Zack Bowman, Jarrett Bush, Josh Gordy, Danny Gorrer, Brandon Harris, Mike Jenkins, Chris Owens, Kyle Wilson
SAFETIES
1. Devin McCourty: McCourty is a perfect fit in the Patriots’ ever-changing defense, because he’s versatile and understands the game well. He’d be a big addition for any team, but the Patriots might not let him leave.
2. Antrel Rolle: Rolle is a great leader, he’s versatile and has made the Pro Bowl three times. He’s also 32 and coming off a sub-par season. Still, he should hook on as a starter somewhere if the Giants don’t re-sign him.
3. Tyvon Branch:
Branch’s promising career has been derailed by injuries. He has played just five games in two seasons. But he’s just 28 and is a tackling machine. A great find for someone if he can stay on the field.
4. Dawan Landry: The in-the-box safety has had at least 97 tackles in five straight seasons. He won’t make many big plays, but you know what you’re getting.
5. Da’Norris Searcy: Searcy has been good in coverage and against the run, and might get a deal that’s out of the Bills’ budget. He doesn’t turn 27 until November so he should have some prime years left.
6. Mike Adams: Adams has been a starter for the Browns, Broncos and Colts the past four seasons after being mostly a backup his first seven years. He has played well late into his career, and it would make most sense for him to come back to the Colts.
7. Nate Allen: Allen appears unlikely to return to Philadelphia after he and the Eagles secondary struggled last season. He has been a starter for five seasons and is just 27, so there will be interest.
8. Rahim Moore: Moore had a career-best four interceptions in 2014, so maybe the second-round pick is coming around after four seasons. Someone would pay for the potential at just age 25 if the Broncos don’t bring him back.
9. Ron Parker: Parker became a starter for the first time in his career with the Chiefs last season and had 94 tackles and 12 passes defensed. He will probably parlay that season into a nice payday.
10. Stevie Brown: Brown was coming into his own for the Giants when a torn ACL wiped out his 2013 season. He was benched early in 2014, and now his return is no sure thing – though he could be an interesting option if he hits the market, based on memories of his breakout 2012.
11. Kendrick Lewis: Lewis won a starting job in Houston and had a team-high 84 tackles. He could be a good second-tier signing.
12. Marcus Gilchrist: Gilchrist played a ton of snaps for the Chargers last season, and was quiet until making a couple big plays late in the season. He can play in many different spots, and he could return to San Diego.
13. Louis Delmas: Delmas is supremely talented but has durability issues. He tore his ACL last December with the Dolphins, so it’s hard to gauge his market.
14. LaRon Landry: He had a terrible 2014 that included a PED suspension and his release from the Colts after the season. He’s a big run supporter, if a team needs one.
15. Dwight Lowery: Lowery started all season for the Falcons and got better as the season went on. He seems like a good fit to return to Atlanta.
16. Jimmy Wilson: Wilson got a chance to start 13 games for the Dolphins last year. He’s versatile and could return to Miami.
17. Kurt Coleman: After four years with the Eagles, Coleman moved on to the Chiefs and was good in a mostly backup role. He could return if he doesn’t get a chance to start elsewhere.
18. Brandon Meriweather: The oft-fined and suspended hard hitter has dealt with injuries and inconsistency for Washington. The Redskins might bring him back if there’s no better option, however.
19. Darian Stewart: After years as mostly a backup in St. Louis, Stewart started 14 games for the Ravens last year and finished strong even though he battled inconsistency during the season. Baltimore might bring him back if the team thinks it can’t find a better option elsewhere.
20. Sergio Brown: Aside from doing a killer Ric Flair imitation, Brown is a good depth safety. He started eight games for the Colts last season.
21. George Wilson: Wilson is coming off a poor season for the Titans, and the flashes of talent he showed with the Bills are a few years removed. He’ll be 34 this season.
22. Quintin Demps: Demps had nine starts last season for the Giants, his third team in three seasons. He has been a backup most of his career, and should find himself in that role again next season.
23. Danieal Manning: Manning will be 33 before next season starts, and could provide some value as a backup.
24. Major Wright: After being a full-time starter in Chicago, Wright went to the Buccaneers and got a chance to start seven games in the middle of the season. It’s unlikely he’d be viewed as a starting option for a team in free agency.
25. Chris Conte: The mistake-prone Conte also now has a concussion history. If he doesn’t return to the Bears, maybe he’ll latch on as a backup somewhere else.
26. Charles Godfrey: The Panthers moved Godfrey to cornerback, with bad results. They cut him during the season, the Falcons picked him up, and he’ll try to resurrect his career in 2015.
Others worth noting: Quinton Carter, Jeron Johnson, Taylor Mays, Jeromy Miles.
SPECIALISTS
KICKERS
1. Stephen Gostkowski: Arguably the best kicker in the NFL, Gostkowski hit 94.6 percent of his field-goal attempts last season. The Patriots will make re-signing him a major priority.
2. Matt Prater: An early-season suspension led the Broncos to cut him, and Prater was 21-of-26 and was 14-of-16 in the second half of the season for the Lions.
3. Ryan Succop: After five seasons with the Chiefs, Succop’s first Titans season went well, with a career-best 86.4 percent accuracy on field goals. Tennessee will likely try to bring him back.
4. Mike Nugent: Nugent’s field-goal percentage has declined each of the past three years, and he was just 78.8 percent last year. The Bengals will have to decide if they can find a better option.
5. Jay Feely: Feely signed with the Bears late in the season, and the 38-year-old will probably be an emergency option during next season for a needy team.
PUNTERS
1. Brett Kern: Kern ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in net and gross average. It seems likely that Tennessee will re-sign him.
2. Mat McBriar: McBriar was signed by the Chargers late in the season, and he did punt well in three games with a 46.9-yard average. Still, he’ll be 36 this season and a full-season job might be unlikely.
- - - - - - -
Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter! Follow @YahooSchwab
