Top Free Agents by Position: Defensive Edge Edition
Defensive End/ Edge Rusher
Jadeveon Clowney
Shaquill Barrett
Matt Judon
Dante Fowler
Yannick Ngakoue
Honorable Mention
Shaq Lawson
Ezekiel Ansah
Arik Armstead
Bud Dupree
Vic Beasley
Jadeveon Clowney
At this point in his career, everyone knows that Clowney is a force to be reckoned with either against the run or pass. He had one of the highest run-stop percentages over the three seasons at the edge position. While he also has racked up 21.5 sacks and 7 forced fumbles over the last three seasons. Last season he dealt with injuries again and played through a lot of them, but when he needed to be, he was an issue for opposing offenses. If he can get with a team that can help him stay healthy and give him a sidekick, you will see a guy that was the number one overall pick again. Any team looking for a pass rusher should be interested in his services as well as the team just wanting a significant piece on the defense to add on. He can play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 system with ease so he can accommodate most every team. His possible destinations are Lions, Dolphins, Jets, Colts, Falcons, Texans, Seahawks and Ravens. His best fits are either with the Seahawks or the Ravens. The Seahawks know how to use the man and can revamp their defensive line with him as the star of it. The Ravens can add him to an already strong defense that just needs another pass rusher to pair with Matt Judon (if he is resigned). You add Judon and Clowney to a front seven that can blitz the opposing offense like they can, then add in the amazingly stout secondary, you have a top-three defense on your hands where everyone can have tremendous success.
Yannick Ngakoue
Ngakoue is a beast. He has shown to be a force since he entered the league and managed to get 37.5 sacks and add 14 forced fumbles along with that. No other player has that type of production in their first four years other than him. He has played in a 4-3 system his entire career but has the athleticism to play in the 3-4. His only problem currently is that the Jaguars want to retain his services, while he has no plan to sign a long-term deal there. He is scheduled to be franchised tagged but can still leave in a sign and trade deal this offseason. The Jaguars are probably going to be looking for at least a second or third-round pick for him, while wherever he goes, he will be looking for a long-term deal. The best options for that to happen is with the Colts, Seahawks, Dolphins or Lions. The best fit for him would be either the Colts or the Lions. The Colts can offer good money along with a running mate in Justin Houston for the short term. Adding him to a defense that is continually growing will allow them to finally make it in the top 10 next year. The Lions can offer him something similar to the running mate in Trey Flowers. Yet, they still need to work on the backend of their defense a bit more before they can be a legitimate threat.
Vic Beasley
Beasley is an interesting case to watch during free agency. In his early career, he managed to lead the league in sacks with 15.5 in his second season. After that his next two and a half-season were disappointments. He only managed 11.5 sacks over that time, which was a far cry from what the Falcons expected from him. Then in the last nine games of 2019, he showed the same promise form 2016 in which he had 6.5 sacks over that span. Most teams won’t know whether they will be getting the underachieving player or the former first-round talent form 2016. The best thing for him is to get a one year to prove it deal and show that he can thrive once again in the right system. I think the best spot for him would be either with the Rams, Colts, Buccaneers or Ravens. All these teams can afford to take a chance on him as they all have a solid pass rusher or group of rushers that can take the pressure off him. He has been at his best when allowed to just rush the passer either from a 3-4 or end spot in a nickel defense. He can win one on ones with good speed and pass rush moves. Just don’t ask him to be the main guy for you. I like him best with either the Rams or Ravens best teams have a solidified guy (Donald, Judon), while also have a few role players that can get after the quarterback. They both have either solid or very good secondaries that can cover well also. Let’s just see who will make it the move to test him.
-By: Darren Braxton
Writer/Interviewer