30. Anthony Nelson, LB, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Linebacker Anthony Nelson has never been a full-time starter with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. What he’s been over the past three years is a highly productive outside ‘backer who can set the edge, clog passing lanes and get after the opposing quarterback.

Nelson, who will turn 28 in March, isn’t quite a pure pass-rusher, but he was very effective in that role in 2024. Having played both outside linebacker and defensive end in Tampa, he should be viewed as a fit for a variety of base schemes.

29. Mekhi Becton, G, Philadelphia Eagles

What a difference a year—and a change of scenery—can make.

This time last year, Mekhi Becton was a disappointing offensive tackle and a draft bust for the New York Jets. The Philadelphia Eagles moved him to guard, and the 25-year-old has reemerged as a dependable high-level starter.

The question for teams considering Becton is this: Was he simply miscast in his early career, or was this season’s success due to Eagles offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland?

That uncertainty could prevent Becton from securing a long-term deal. However, players with his combination of age, size (6’7″, 363 lbs) and recent production don’t hit the market often.

28. Charles Omenihu, DE, Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Charles Omenihu wasn’t on our post-trade-deadline big board because he had yet to return from last year’s ACL tear. Omenihu suffered the injury in the AFC title game and didn’t make his 2024 debut until late November.

However, Omenihu is back to being the same difference-maker he was before the injury. Having tallied seven sacks, five tackles for loss, 11 quarterback hits and two forced fumbles in 2023, the 27-year-old (28 in August) figures to be a hot commodity in free agency.

27. Asante Samuel Jr., CB, Los Angeles Chargers

Cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. carries a few concerns heading into the offseason. Tackling has been an issue for the 25-year-old. (He missed 12 tackles in 2023.) He also landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury after four games this season and never returned.

In years past, however, Samuel has been a largely dependable cover man when healthy. He allowed an opposing passer rating of 87.4 in coverage last season and carries a combination of youth and upside that teams can’t usually find in free agency.

26. Zack Baun, LB, Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles added Zack Baun this past offseason, made him a full-time starter and watched him thrive. The 28-year-old started all 16 games in which he appeared and finished with a career-high 151 tackles, 3.5 sacks and five forced fumbles while allowing an opposing passer rating of only 80.5 in coverage.

Baun is an off-ball linebacker who can do it all. The only real unknowns are if his breakout season was the result of Philadelphia’s scheme and if Baun is capable of having that level of production on a year-to-year basis.