The NFL is a league that shies away from players based on age, so don’t be surprised if the free agents south of 30 have a hotter market than those who have been alive for three decades. Here, in the first of a two-part series, is a look at 30 of the top defensive free agents expected to be available if they don’t re-sign with their current teams before March 18, which is the official date free agents can be signed by other teams.

(Omar Kelly, Kenny Rosarion)