Sometimes a position’s value cannot be found inside of a box score. This is especially the case for most defensive tackles as most of the dirty work they do, doesn’t show up on a stat sheet. Depending on the scheme, they can be used you eat up blocks to allow the linebackers to make plays or they can be used as upfield interior pressure players. Whichever is the case, they do not normally get the gaudy stats that defensive ends or linebackers get; however, that does not mean they aren’t as valuable. In this vein, we have compiled a list of the top defensive tackles who are scheduled to hit free agency in 2015.

1. Ndamukong Suh

Ndamukong Suh is a former top-two pick who has been known for his nasty and physical style of play for the Detroit Lions. Suh plays with incredible strength on the football field. He can put an interior lineman on skates with his bull rush or he can stack and shed a double team in the run game. Outside of J.J. Watt, Suh has been one of the two best interior defenders in the NFL. He is consistently near the top of the league in quarterback hurries and defensive stops among defensive tackles.

The problem with Suh is that he is going to likely command a boatload of money and it will be up to a team if they deem a defensive tackle worthy of making quarterback type of money.

The great thing about Suh is that he is entering the prime of his career and he doesn’t look to be slowing down anytime soon. He is everything you want in a defensive tackle. He has the quickness and hand usage to excel in a one-gap aggressive front along with the strength to two-gap and control offensive linemen.

While the price tag may be exorbitant, whoever signs Suh will be getting one of the most dominant players in the NFL.

2. Jared Odrick

One of the most underrated and under appreciated players in the NFL is the Miami Dolphins’ Jared Odrick. He lines up all over the Dolphins defensive line, but his main home is at the 3-technique defensive tackle spot in Miami’s four-man front.

Odrick is a well-rounded player who wins in a variety of ways. He can beat you with his first step quickness or he can beat you with leverage, leg drive and overall power. Odrick is the engine that allows the Dolphins defensive line to go. The pressure he creates in the interior of the line often leads to sacks and tackles for loss for his teammates. It is because of this that Odrick isn’t mentioned with the best defensive tackles in the league, even though he should be.

Odrick is another player who is entering the prime of his career and should only get better. If a team wants an extremely productive defensive tackle, but doesn’t want to pay Suh’s price; then Odrick may be their man.

3. Dan Williams

Dan Williams has been a solid player for the Cardinals since they drafted him in 2010; however, this year Williams has developed into a great player. He was one of the biggest reasons why the Cardinals were the only team to hold DeMarco Murray under 100 rushing yards thus far this season.

He is a mammoth defensive tackle as he stands in a 6-foot-2 and 327 pounds. He has a great deal of power in his hands as he jolts opposing blockers with his punch. His size and strength allow him to occupy multiple blockers on nearly every single play, which allows for his teammates to make a considerable amount of plays.

Williams is a prototypical 0-technique nose tackle in a 3-4 defense as he can defend multiple gaps on nearly every play. While the first two players may not be ideal for a 3-4 that is looking to improve the interior of their line, Williams would be a perfect fit and a much cheaper option.

4. Nick Fairley

The second Detroit Lion on this list is the player who lines up next to Suh on most occasions, Nick Fairley. On most snaps, Fairley plays the 1-technique while Suh occupies the 3-technique; however, they flip flop on some snaps, which shows the type of versatility that each player has.

Fairley is the type of player who can be as dominant as he wants to. Nevertheless, there have been reports of him being lazy and letting his weight get out of control, which has caused the Lions to have to limit his snaps. Despite that, Fairley is still an incredibly impactful and productive defensive tackle who is one of the biggest reasons the Lions have the best statistical defense in the NFL. He has the strength that someone who is 6-foot-5 and 308 pounds, but he also has quick and nimble feet that you wouldn’t expect from such a giant.

Because of his work ethic concerns, it is unlikely that someone will hand Fairley a big contract with a lot of guarantees, but instead, he will likely receive an incentive-laden contract that will force him to work hard if he wants to get paid well. All in all, if Fairley is more consistent with his effort than he will be a huge steal for someone in free agency.

5. Terrance Knighton

The unsung hero of the star-studded Denver Broncos defense is defensive tackle Terrance Knighton. While Knighton can provide some pass rush, which is a foreign concept to most 1-technique defensive tackles, he really makes his impact against the run. Like Odrick, Knighton doesn’t get a ton of stats, but his impact on the game is felt by opposing teams on every play.

Terrance Knighton is listed at 6-foot-3 and 331 pounds, but he plays with surprising lateral mobility against outside zone runs for a player of his stature. However, he does anchor against a double team like you would expect a 331 pounder to do.

Knighton is another under the radar player who should be able to cash in this offseason, if he continues to play at a high level. Another thing that helps Knighton is that he is scheme diverse as he can play a 1-technique in a 4-3 or a 0-technique in a 3-4, which should increase his value to teams.

Best Of The Rest

Some of the other defensive tackles that are scheduled to hit free agency include Stephen Paea, C.J. Mosley, Pat Sims, Roy Miller, Karl Klug, Tommy Kelly, Letroy Guion and Corey Peters.