| Ends |
| Player | Team |
| 1. Leonard Little | St. Louis Rams |
| The Rams re-signed their best pass-rusher. |
| 2. Reinard Wilson | Cincinnati Bengals |
| After struggling his first couple of seasons, Wilson came on in 2001.Re-signed with Bengals. |
| 3. Kenny Mixon | Miami Dolphins |
| Signed with Vikings. |
| 4. Lorenzo Bromell | Miami Dolphins |
| Had 6½ sacks as a pass rusher in 2001. Signed with Vikings. |
| 5. Renaldo Wynn | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| His contract was voided, so he's on the market. A
solid run player, he improved his pass rush last season. Signed with Washington. |
| Tackles |
| 1. La'Roi Glover | New Orleans Saints |
| Maybe the top defensive player on the board. Signed with the Cowboys. |
| 2. John Parrella | San Diego Chargers |
| This self-made player continues to get better. The Raiders believed that and signed him to a six-year deal. |
| 3. Kenard Lang | Washington Redskins |
| Rejoined his former Miami Hurricanes coach Butch Davis in Cleveland. |
| 4. Grady Jackson | Oakland Raiders |
| Signed with Saints. |
| 5. Josh Evans | Tennessee Titans |
| After a year off for a suspension, he came back with a big season. |
| Outside linebackers |
| 1. Donnie Edwards | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Was cut in a cap move, but should be signed in a
hurry. Can also play inside. Signed with Chargers. |
| 2. Kevin Hardy | Jacksonville Jaguars |
| After a bad 2000 season, Hardy responded with one of his best in 2001. Signed with Cowboys. |
| 3. James Farrior | New York Jets |
| The Jets wanted him back after his best season in 2001, but he signed with Steelers. |
| 4. Roman Phifer | New England Patriots |
| This veteran was a big reason the defense played so well in 2001. |
| 5. Jessie Armstead | New York Giants |
| Went to the Pro Bowl last season but didn't
deserve it. A cap cut quickly signed by Washington. |
| Inside linebackers |
| 1. Earl Holmes | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| A very good player against the run but was
bothered some by injuries last season. Signed with Browns. |
| 2. Sam Cowart | Buffalo Bills |
| Tore an Achilles tendon last season but still coveted. Signed with the Jets. |
| 3. Marvin Jones | New York Jets |
| Bounced back after a so-so 2000 season to play well in 2001. Quickly re-signed with the Jets. |
| 4. London Fletcher | St. Louis Rams |
| After a so-so 2000 season, he came back big last year. Signed with the Bills. |
| 5. Jamie Duncan | Tampa Bay Buccaneers |
| The Bucs chose to let him walk, and the Rams signed him. |
| Cornerbacks |
| 1. Duane Starks | Baltimore Ravens |
| Signed with Cardinals. |
| 2.Eric Warfield | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Re-signed with Chiefs. |
| 3. Walt Harris | Chicago Bears |
| Signed with Colts. |
| 4. Tom Knight | Arizona Cardinals |
| Signed with Patriots. |
| 5. Artrell Hawkins | Cincinnati Bengals |
| Has struggled at times but has the ability to play man coverage. Re-signed with Bengals. |
| Safeties |
| 1. Darren Woodson | Dallas Cowboys |
| The Cowboys reward one of their toughest veterans with a new deal. |
| 2. Tony Parrish | Chicago Bears |
| A solid all-round player who got overshadowed by Mike Brown last season. Signed with Niners. |
| 3. Shaun Williams | New York Giants |
| Didn't have his best season in 2001 but has the skills to be a Pro Bowl player. Re-signed with Giants. |
| 4. Robert Griffith | Minnesota Vikings |
| He's outstanding near the line of scrimmage. Signed with the Browns. |
| 5. Lance Schulters | San Francisco 49ers |
| Coming off his best season. Loves to hit people. Signed with Titans. |
| Punters |
| 1. Mitch Berger | Minnesota Vikings |
| Has been to the Pro Bowl but released for cap reasons. |
| 2. Sean Landetta | Philadelphia Eagles |
| This veteran proved in 2001 that he's not done yet. Re-signed with Eagles. |
| 3. Matt Turk | Miami Dolphins |
| Averaged 41 yards, but had 28 downed inside the 20. Signed with Jets. |
| 4. Kyle Richardson | Baltimore Ravens |
| Another good situational punter with 29 inside the 20. Signed with Vikings. |
| 5. Tom Tupa | New York Jets |
| Still has a good leg and can be a backup QB in a pinch. |
