Having elite move rushers can carry a franchise to a Tremendous Bowl title. Simply ask the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers how that turned out over the past two years, as each franchises had dominant move speeding models that performed an important position in main them to championships.
The Rams did not blink when giving up two Day 2 draft picks for Von Miller, who led the NFL with 18 tackles for loss and tied for third within the league with 52 pressures since becoming a member of Los Angeles in Week 10. Miller joined Justin Tuck as the one gamers in Tremendous Bowl historical past with a number of sacks in a number of Tremendous Bowls, showcasing the significance of getting an elite move rusher on the sting.
Seven of the highest 10 groups in whole pressures made the playoffs and 6 of the highest ten groups in whole sacks made the postseason in 2021. Having a premier move pusher is important, even when this 12 months’s free agent class is not as deep as final 12 months’s group. Just one participant on this 12 months’s edge rusher class completed within the high 10 in sacks and no gamers completed within the high 10 in whole pressures. The highest edge rushers are nonetheless going to command a excessive wage in the marketplace, as free company is about to start in lower than two weeks.
Whereas this class is not deep, there’s some expertise available that can instantly enhance a move rush for any unit. Groups should get inventive with a few of these edge rushers when the authorized tampering interval opens March 14. Listed below are the highest edge rushers out there this free agent season:
- Free-agent rating: 1
- Age: 32
- Market Worth: $14.6 million
Jones had the bounce-back season in 2021 after taking part in simply 5 video games the earlier 12 months with a biceps harm. He nonetheless put up double digit sack numbers (10.5) to go along with 41 tackles, 26 quarterback hits, and 6 pressured fumbles (the second-highest whole of his profession).
Considered one of 4 gamers with six pressured fumbles on the 12 months, Jones additionally completed ninth within the NFL in quarterback hits. Jones additionally had 45 pressures and 25 hurries on the 12 months, which are not among the many league leaders — regardless that the move rusher was wonderful at attending to the quarterback and creating turnovers.
Jones might not be the participant who had 49 sacks from 2017 to 2019, however he is nonetheless a distinction maker on a protection. He is the best edge rusher in the marketplace and needs to be paid handsomely in free company.
- Free-agent rating: 2
- Age: 32
- Market Worth: $10.6 million
Miller was dominant as soon as he was traded to Los Angeles on the commerce deadline, showcasing he nonetheless has the expertise to be an affect participant and distinction maker on a protection. Main the NFL with 18 tackles for loss since taking part in his first sport with the Rams in Week 10, Miller additionally racked up 52 pressures (third in NFL) and 9 sacks (tied for sixth) with Los Angeles (together with postseason).
Making his cash within the postseason, Miller completed with 14 tackles, 4 sacks, six quarterback hits, and a pressured fumble. His 22 pressures trailed solely Aaron Donald (23) and 16 hurries led all NFL defenders, a important half within the Rams profitable a championship.
Miller completed with 50 tackles, 9.5 sacks, 17 quarterback hits, and a pressured fumble within the common season — together with 55 pressures and 47 hurries (seventh in NFL). A Tremendous Bowl contending group ought to significantly check out including Miller later this month.
- Free-agent rating: 3
- Age: 25
- Market Worth: $17.1 million
When it comes to expertise and age, Landry is arguably the most effective edge rusher in the marketplace. Heading into his second contract, Landry had a breakout season with the Tennessee Titans as he completed with a career-high 75 tackles, 12 sacks, and 22 quarterback hits — incomes his first Professional Bowl look after 4 seasons within the league. Landry additionally recorded a career-high 57 pressures and completed with 41 hurries.
Landry is the one free agent edge rusher that completed within the high 10 in sacks (tenth), as he completed within the top-15 in pressures (fifteenth). Bettering in quarterback hits and tackles each season, Landry has grow to be extra constant in attending to the quarterback. His greatest soccer is forward, as Landry ought to get a formidable deal in free company — one he might outplay over the primary few years of the contract.
- Free-agent rating: 4
- Age: 27
- Market Worth: $15.7 million
This previous season was a prove-it 12 months for Reddick, one which he confirmed he is one of many high edge rushers within the league. Reddick has 23.5 sacks over the previous two seasons (fifth-most within the NFL) and his eight pressured fumbles are tied for the third-most within the league throughout that span.
Reddick completed with 68 tackles, 11 sacks, two pressured fumbles, and 18 quarterback hits in 2021 — proving he was value greater than what he was paid ($6 million). He did have 42 pressures in 2021 (eight fewer than in 2020) and 10 missed tackles, however Reddick demonstrated he can get to the quarterback on a constant foundation.
This time round, Reddick ought to get a multi-year deal in free company. He’ll have a powerful market in a weaker free agent class than final 12 months.
- Free-agent rating: 5
- Age: 28
- Market Worth: $10.1 million
Ogbah lastly showcased his potential with the Miami Dolphins, recording 83 tackles, 18 sacks, 45 quarterback hits, and 17 passes defensed — probably the most for a defensive lineman in that span. Ogbah was the one defensive lineman within the NFL with double-digit passes defensed final 12 months (12), a season during which he completed with 41 tackles, 9 sacks, 24 quarterback hits, and a pressured fumble.
Ending with 56 pressures and 41 quarterback hurries, Ogbah had fewer pressures (63) and hurries (45) than his breakout 2020 season. He did end sixteenth within the league in pressures, twelfth in hits, and twenty first in hurries. Ogbah proved 2020 wasn’t a one-hit surprise and will have loads of suitors in free company, particularly together with his skill to defended the move together with his 6-4, 275-pound body.
- Free-agent rating: 6
- Age: 29
- Market Worth: $13.1 million
The place Gregory matches by way of a long-term deal is unsure, however there isn’t any denying he was an excellent move rusher for the Dallas Cowboys final season. A beginning defensive finish for the primary time in his profession, Gregory completed with 19 tackles, six sacks, 17 quarterback hits and three pressured fumbles in simply 12 video games (missed a month in the midst of the common season with a calf pressure).
Gregory showcased he can get to the quarterback as a No. 2 edge rusher, however is younger sufficient to command high greenback in a subpar free agent class. Whether or not some group will take an opportunity on Gregory based mostly on his suspension and harm historical past is up for debate.
Present process knee surgical procedure this offseason, it is clear Gregory is productive when he is on the sector. Staying on it’s his greatest impediment.
- Free-agent rating: 7
- Age: 29
- Market Worth: $12.7 million
Clowney had a bounce-back season with the Cleveland Browns after ending the 2020 marketing campaign and not using a single sack. The previous No. 1 total decide upped his sack whole to 9 in 2021, ending with 37 tackles, 19 quarterback hits, and two pressured fumbles as a dependable possibility reverse Myles Garrett.
Ending with 50 pressures and 32 quarterback hurries, Clowney confirmed flashes of the participant who made three consecutive Professional Bowls from 2016 by means of 2018. Clowney had his most pressures and quarterback hits in a season since 2018, so he nonetheless possesses the flexibility to get to the quarterback.
Greatest suited as a No. 2 defensive finish, Clowney ought to thrive because the second move rusher in a protection.
- Free-agent rating: 8
- Age: 32
- Market Worth: N/A
Ingram’s worth lies with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs, as he allowed Chris Jones to slip again to the within after being acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers halfway by means of the 12 months. He nonetheless can get after the quarterback, ending with 15 tackles, 5 quarterback hits, a sack, and a pressured fumble in 9 video games with Kansas Metropolis.
The 2 sacks between Pittsburgh and Kansas Metropolis do not inform the entire story, as Ingram completed with 41 pressures and 33 hurries. Proving he can keep wholesome for a full season. Ingram is a wonderful slot in the suitable scheme — a participant value signing to a short-term deal.
- Free-agent rating: 9
- Age: 27
- Market Worth: $8.6 million
A former first-round decide, Harris appeared to have the bust label on him as he performed for 3 completely different groups in 5 years. Harris signed a one-year, $1.75 million take care of the Detroit Lions and was the group’s greatest free agent signing — ending with a career-high 65 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, and two pressured fumbles. He additionally set career-highs in pressures (48) and hurries (36).
Is Harris a one-year surprise, or did he determine issues out in Aaron Glenn’s protection with Todd Wash teaching him up on the line of defense? These questions will probably be answered in free company, as he is one of many high edge rushers within the class. Harris will probably be a coveted free agent heading into the prime of his profession, however his greatest wager could also be to stay with Detroit.
- Free-agent rating: 10
- Age: 24
- Market Worth: N/A
Inexperienced earned a chance to start out final 12 months, extra of a product of Seattle missing edge rushers in coaching camp. The Seahawks might have found a gem within the former third-round decide, as Inexperienced recorded a career-high 48 tackles, 6.5 sacks, and 15 quarterback hits. Inexperienced additionally had 32 pressures and 20 hurries on 67% of the defensive snaps.
Whereas there’s room for enchancment, Inexperienced’s age and potential make him one of many hidden gems in free company. Inexperienced will probably be simply 25 years outdated for the 2022 season, and he is simply scratching the floor of how good he may be. Some franchise goes to signal Inexperienced to a team-friendly contract he may outplay by the again finish of the deal. He is value taking a flyer on.
