Thirteen defenders who switched teams in 2024 NFL Free Agency

NFL free agency commenced on Wednesday. Here is a list of 13 defensive players who switched teams and are set to make a minimum of $10 million per season.

Christian Wilkins

The defensive lineman from Framingham, Massachusetts signed a four-year contract worth $110 million with the Las Vegas Raiders. Last season with the Miami Dolphins, he had 65 combined tackles (38 solo tackles and 27 assisted tackles), 10 tackles for a loss, 23 quarterback hits, nine sacks, two fumble recoveries, two pass deflections, and one forced fumble.

Danielle Hunter

The outside linebacker from St. Catherine, Jamaica signed a two-year deal worth $49 million with the Houston Texans. He has spent the last eight seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023. Last season, Hunter led the NFL with 23 tackles for a loss. He also had 83 combined tackles (54 solo tackles and 29 assisted tackles), 22 quarterback hits, 16.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two pass deflections.

Jonathan Greenard

The defensive lineman from Hiram, Georgia signed a four-year deal worth $76 million with the Minnesota Vikings. He has spent the last four seasons with the Houston Texans and had 52 combined tackles (36 solo tackles and 16 assisted tackles), 15 tackles for a loss, 22 quarterback hits, two pass deflections, one forced fumble, and 12.5 sacks. The forced fumble came in a 19-16 Texans win over the Tennessee Titans on December 17.

Bryce Huff

The defensive end from Mobile, Alabama signed a three-year deal worth $51.1 million with the Philadelphia Eagles after spending the last four years with the New York Jets. In 2023, he had 29 combined tackles (19 solo tackles and 10 assisted tackles), 10 tackles for a loss, 21 quarterback hits, 10 sacks and one pass deflection. The pass deflection came in a 30-28 New York Jets win over the Philadelphia Eagles on Christmas Eve.

Arik Armstead

The defensive end from Sacramento, California signed a three-year deal worth $51 million with the Jacksonville Jaguars after spending the last nine seasons with the San Francisco 49ers. In 2023, he had 27 combined tackles (15 solo tackles and 12 assisted tackles), four tackles for a loss,  13 quarterback hits and five sacks.

Xavier McKinney

The strong safety from Roswell, Georgia signed a four-year deal worth $67 million with the Green Bay Packers after spending the last four seasons with the New York Giants. In 2023, he had 116 tackles (78 solo tackles and 38 assisted tackles), two tackles for a loss, one quarterback hit, three interceptions for 22 yards, 11 pass deflections, two fumble recoveries for seven yards and half a sack. The fumble recoveries came in Giants wins. The first for seven yards in a 31-19 Giants win over the Washington Commanders on November 19, and the second in a 24-22 Giants win over the Green Bay Packers on December 11.

Patrick Queen

The Pittsburgh Steelers have signed outside linebacker Patrick Queen of Ventress, Louisiana to a three-year deal worth $41 million after spending the last four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. In 2023, Queen had 133 tackles (84 solo tackles and 49 assisted tackles), nine tackles for a loss, six quarterback hits, one interception for 21 yards, six pass deflections, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, and 3.5 sacks. The forced fumble came in a 20-10 Ravens win over the Los Angeles Chargers on November 26, the fumble recovery came in a 23-17 Ravens win over the Jacksonville Jaguars on December 17, and interception for 21 yards came in a 33-19 Ravens win over the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Day. With the win over the 49ers, the Ravens became the best team in the NFL’s regular season at the time.

Sheldon Rankins

The defensive tackle from Covington, Georgia signed a two-year deal worth $26 million with the Cincinnati Bengals. He is joining his fourth NFL team after previously playing with the New Orleans Saints (2016 to 2020), two seasons with the New York Jets (2021 and 2022), and one season with the Houston Texans (2023). In 2023, Rankins had 37 combined tackles (29 solo tackles and eight assisted tackles), nine tackles for a loss, 10 quarterback hits, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery for 13 yards and one touchdown, and six sacks. The forced fumble came in a 30-27 Texans win over the Cincinnati Bengals on November 12, and the fumble recovery of 13 yards for one touchdown came in a 26-3 Texans win over the Tennessee Titans on New Year’s Eve.

Chidobe Awuzie

The cornerback from San Jose, California signed a three-year deal worth $36 million with the Tennessee Titans. He has previously played four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys (2017 to 2020), and the last three seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals. In 2023, Awuzie had 57 combined tackles (43 solo tackles and 14 assisted tackles), two tackles for a loss, six pass deflections, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.

Dorance Armstrong Jr.

The defensive end from Houston, Texas signed a three-year deal worth $33 million with the Washington Commanders. He previously played the last six seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. In 2023, he had 38 combined tackles (20 solo tackles and 18 combined tackles), seven tackles for a loss, 12 quarterback hits, one pass deflection, and 7.5 sacks. The pass deflection came in a 41-35 Cowboys win over the Seattle Seahawks on November 30.

Justin Jones

The defensive tackle from the Bronx, New York signed a three year deal worth $31.2 million with the Arizona Cardinals. He previously played four seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers (2018 to 2021), and the last two seasons with the Chicago Bears in 2022 and 2023. This past season Jones had 49 combined tackles (29 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles), 10 tackles for a loss, 17 quarterback hits, 4.5  sacks and four pass deflections.

Denico Autry

The defensive end from Albermarle, North Carolina signed a two-year deal worth $20 million with the Houston Texans. He previously played four seasons with the Oakland Raiders (2014 to 2017), three seasons with the Indianapolis Colts (2018 to 2020), and three seasons with the Tennessee Titans (2021 to 2023). With the Titans in 2023, Autry had 50 combined tackles (30 solo tackles and 20 assisted tackles), 12 tackles for a loss, 17 quarterback hits, 11.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and two forced fumbles.

Leonard Floyd

The outside linebacker from Atlanta, Georgia signed a two-year deal worth $20 million with the San Francisco 49ers. He previously played four seasons with the Chicago Bears (2016 to 2019), three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams (2020 to 2022), and one season with the Buffalo Bills (2023). While with the Rams, Floyd won a Super Bowl. In 2023 with the Bills, Floyd had 32 combined tackles (21 solo tackles and 11 assisted tackles), nine tackles for a loss, 19 quarterback hits, 10.5 sacks, one pass deflection, and one forced fumble.

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