This is the eighth in a series of position-by-position analyses of the NFL's 2011 free-agent draft class.
With Baltimore?s Haloti Ngata (franchise tag), Oakland?s Richard Seymour (new contract) and Miami?s Paul Soliai (franchise tag) off the market, the defensive tackle class still has three great options at the top ? but not much after that.
Although Aubrayo Franklin is coming off a bit of a down year, the 49ers will try to retain him because they need him in front of Patrick Willis in their 3-4 scheme. (AP Photo) The top five
1. Aubrayo Franklin, 30, 49ers. With Soliai, a very similar player, getting the franchise tag, Franklin is the premier nose tackle available. Although Franklin is coming off a bit of a down year, the 49ers will try to retain him because they need him in front of Patrick Willis in their 3-4 scheme.
2. Brandon Mebane, 26, Seahawks. At 6-1, 311, this underrated player is a quick penetrator who thrives at stopping the run. Mebane comes with a minor injury concern after a bad calf cost him four games in 2010.
3. Barry Cofield, 26, Giants. He has been a well-coached, productive lineman working in New York's terrific rotation. Cofield?s age and potential to get even better will make him attractive to 4-3 teams.
4. Shaun Smith, 29, Chiefs. Simply put, he does his limited run-stopping job well in Romeo Crennel's 3-4. Smith has the potential to fill the same same role in a 4-3.
5. Anthony Adams, 30, Bears. Chicago officials want to keep their most consistent run stuffer?especially because they may cut fellow tackle Tommie Harris.
Boom or bust
Shaun Rogers, 31, Browns. Does he still have something left? In 2007 and '08, he was outstanding, but injuries limited him to 12 starts and four sacks the past two years combined.
Comeback candidate
Jonathan Fanene, 28, Bengals. Fanene, who looked good as a pass rusher two years ago, lost most of last season to a torn hamstring. He could contribute to a defense in a situational inside pressure role.
Big sleeper
Alan Branch, 26, Cardinals. At 6-5, 338, he gave Arizona a good option at both tackle and end as the team used both 4-3 and 3-4 concepts. He would be a fine backup for a DT-needy team and could take a run at a starting job.
On the decline
Marcus Stroud, 32, Bills. He struggled to make the adjustment to the Bills? 3-4 last season. After 10 years in the trenches, he may not have much left to offer.
End of the line?
Pat Williams, 38, Vikings. The oldest starting defensive player in the NFL is considering retirement. He has had a good run as half of the Williams Wall, but he may have finally hit it.
Free-agent defensive tackles
Anthony Adams, 30, Chicago
Alan Branch, 25, Arizona
Desmond Bryant, 25, Oakland
Tim Bulman, 28, Houston
Shaun Cody, 28, Houston
Barry Cofield, 26, N.Y. Giants
Ron Edwards, 31, Kansas City
Fred Evans, 27, Minnesota
Jonathan Fanene, 28, Cincinnati
Ronald Fields, 29, Denver
Andre Fluellen, 25, Detroit*
Eric Foster, 25, Indianapolis*
Aubrayo Franklin, 30, San Francisco
Gary Gibson, 28, St. Louis
Kedric Golston, 27, Washington
John Henderson, 32, Oakland
Chris Hovan, 32, St. Louis
Antonio Johnson, 26, Indianapolis
Ed Johnson, 27, Carolina*
Tank Johnson, 29, Cincinnati
Derek Landri, 27, Carolina
Damione Lewis, 32, Houston
Trey Lewis, 25, Atlanta*
John McCargo, 27, Buffalo
Tony McDaniel, 26, Miami
Brandon Mebane, 26, Seattle
Daniel Muir, 27, Indianapolis
Haloti Ngata, 27, Baltimore**
DeMario Pressley, 25, Houston
Darryl Richard, 24, New England*
Bryan Robinson, 36, Arizona
Shaun Rogers, 31, Cleveland
Clifton Ryan, 27, St. Louis
Junior Siavii. 32. Seattle
Shaun Smith, 29, Kansas City
Paul Soliai, 27, Miami**
Marcus Stroud, 32, Buffalo
Craig Terrill, 30, Seattle
Marcus Thomas, 25, Denver
Kevin Vickerson, 28, Denver
Gerard Warren, 32, New England
Gabe Watson, 27, Arizona
Pat Williams, 38, Minnesota
* Restricted free agent; ** Received franchise tag
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