Denver Broncos: 20 free agent defensive linemen to target

Tier 1 – The likely franchise tag candidates

Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

At this point, Chris Jones is one of the top players on the free agent market in general.

With 72 career quarterback hits and 33 career sacks, Jones is one of the most disruptive big men on the defensive line in the entire league. Although Aaron Donald has received a lot more fanfare, Jones is probably a lot closer to the same type of impact than people really realize.

It would be a shocker if the Chiefs let him get to the open market, and he should be expected to receive the franchise tag. If he doesn’t, he’s worth the $20 million annual price, or whatever it would be.

Arik Armstead, San Francisco 49ers

Over the last two years, the former first round pick out of Oregon has really come along nicely for the San Francisco 49ers.

He racked up 10 sacks and 18 quarterback hits this past regular season and added another pair of sacks and four more hits in the playoffs.

At 6-foot-7, 292 pounds, Armstead’s length is hard for offensive linemen to deal with but when you combine that length with quickness, leverage, and strength, he becomes an absolute wrecker up front.

Armstead is in the same boat as Chris Jones as a likely franchise tag candidate. Still, his name is currently in the pool, and he would be worth a big-money deal if he gets to market.