NFL free agency DL/Edge rankings: Leonard Williams, Shaq Barrett headline group
By Sheil Kapadia 2h ago
Editor’s note: Sixth in an eight-part series
Today’s tiers focus on defensive linemen and edge defenders who are pending unrestricted free agents. Ages as of Week 1 are in parentheses.
Tier 1: Empty out the wallet
These are players who can expect to find deals at or near the top of the market for their position. That means roughly in the range of $16 million to $21 million per season.
Leonard Williams, DL, New York Giants (27)
Williams got hit with the franchise tag last offseason and proceeded to turn in a career year with 11.5 sacks (seventh league-wide) and 30 quarterback hits (third). Teams could view him as a player who is finally playing to his potential and entering his prime. Williams’ stock is higher than it would have been last offseason.
The floor for Williams is probably the deal Kenny Clark signed (four years, $70 million) in August. And it would be no surprise to see Williams find an offer in the neighborhood of DeForest Buckner’s four-year, $84 million deal with the Indianapolis Colts. The Giants also have the option of using the franchise tag on him a second time, which would mean paying Williams roughly $19.3 million on a one-year deal for 2021.
Shaquil Barrett, Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28)
He was dominant during the Bucs’ Super Bowl run with four sacks and eight quarterback hits in Tampa’s last two games. Barrett was a monster in 2019 (19.5 sacks, 37 QB hits and six forced fumbles), and the Bucs used the franchise tag to retain him. His regular-season numbers (eight sacks, 16 QB hits) weren’t as impressive in 2020, but he made his mark in the playoffs. Barrett will likely be looking to cash in on a deal that could be in the neighborhood of $20 million per year.
Yannick Ngakoue, Edge, Baltimore Ravens (26)
He has had eight sacks or more in each of his first five seasons and has missed just two games in his career. That production and durability should get Ngakoue paid, especially given how young he is. Having said that, Ngakoue was not an impact player in 2020. Over the last five years though, his 45.5 sacks rank 12th, and his 95 QB hits rank tied for 14th. Arik Armstead signed with the 49ers for $17 million per year last offseason. That could be a good comp for what Ngakoue is seeking.
Matt Judon, Edge, Baltimore Ravens (29)
The Ravens used the franchise tag on Judon last offseason. He produced just six sacks, but his 21 QB hits were tied for 11th most. Judon hit the quarterback on 8.5 percent of his pass-rush opportunities, which ranked third behind only T.J. Watt and Joey Bosa. He would best fit a 3-4 scheme where he’s asked to do a little bit of everything. For 4-3 teams looking for an every-down defensive end, Judon is probably not a fit. Using the franchise tag again on Judon
would cost north of $20 million. That seems like an unlikely option. Like Ngakoue, Judon should be able to find a deal in the $17 million per year range.
Bud Dupree, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers (28)
His skill set is similar to Judon’s. Dupree’s best asset is he can do a little bit of everything. He tore his ACL in December, but given how common it is for players to return to full strength after that injury, Dupree should still find a deal near the top of the market. He had eight sacks and 15 quarterback hits in 11 games before the injury. In 2019, Dupree had 11.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits. Given his age, production and versatility, it would be no surprise to see Dupree land a lucrative long-term deal for a 3-4 team in need of an outside linebacker.
Tier 2: Just a notch below
These are players who are likely to find deals in the neighborhood of $10 million to $15 million per season.
Leonard Floyd, Edge, Los Angeles Rams (29)
The Bears released Floyd, and the Rams signed him to a one-year, $10 million deal last offseason. Floyd finished ninth with 10.5 sacks and tied for 19th with 19 QB hits. He played 90 percent of the snaps and has not missed a game in the past three years. Last year, Dante Fowler left the Rams and signed a three-year, $45 million deal in free agency. Floyd’s new contract could be similar.
Carl Lawson, Edge, Cincinnati Bengals (26)
He’s another player who made the most out of his contract year. Lawson had just 5.5 sacks, but his 32 QB hits ranked second to only T.J. Watt. Some teams may view Lawson more as a rotational pass rusher than an every-down player, but he played a career-high 68 percent of the defensive snaps in 2020 and has been consistently productive. Lawson’s 83 QB hits over the past four seasons are tied for 11th league-wide.
Haason Reddick, Edge, Arizona Cardinals (27)
His background is different from the other players on this list in that Reddick has been both an edge rusher and an off-ball linebacker. He had a big second half last season and finished with 12.5 sacks, which was tied for fourth league-wide. Reddick finished second behind only Myles Garrett in
Brandon Thorn’s sack score rankings. Reddick’s role in Arizona changed about 400 times in four seasons, but he has shown serious pass-rushing chops. He’s a hybrid-type player who could be really fun with the right defensive coordinator. The concern with Reddick is that he had just 7.5 sacks in his first three seasons.
Trey Hendrickson, Edge, New Orleans Saints (26)
He’s a tricky player to project. Hendrickson finished second league-wide with 13.5 sacks and tied for eighth with 25 quarterback hits. But according to
Brandon Thorn’s True Sack Rate, just three of Hendrickson’s sacks were high quality. In other words, he benefited from coverage sacks and clean-up sacks where teammates produced the initial pressure. Hendrickson had never played more than 38 percent of the defensive snaps in a season prior to 2020, when he was on the field 53 percent of the time. Teams will have to weigh his 2020 production against previous years to determine whether Hendrickson is a one-year wonder or an ascending player. He had 6.5 sacks and 18 QB hits during his first three seasons.
Dalvin Tomlinson, DT, New York Giants (27)
He’s started 64 games in four seasons and has been a steady presence on the Giants’ defensive line. Tomlinson has seven sacks and 19 quarterback hits over the past two seasons. He’ll be a nice option for teams in the market for a run-stopping defensive tackle, and some may view Tomlinson as a player with pass-rushing upside. D.J. Reader got a four-year $53 million deal from the Cincinnati Bengals last offseason. That could be the ceiling for a potential Tomlinson contract.
Justin Houston, Edge, Indianapolis Colts (32)
He’s on the wrong side of 30, but Houston continues to produce. He was eighth among edge defenders in
pass-rush win rate and had eight sacks to go along with 12 QB hits. Houston signed a two-year, $23 million contract with the Colts in 2019. He could find something similar on the open market this time around.
Jadeveon Clowney, Edge, Tennessee Titans (28)
He was searching for a big payday last offseason but didn’t find it and had to settle for a one-year, $13 million deal with the Titans. Now Clowney’s stock is likely to be even lower. He failed to notch a single sack in eight games and then underwent season-ending knee surgery. Clowney might have a hard time finding the deal he’s looking for once again this offseason.
Melvin Ingram, Edge, Los Angeles Chargers (32)
It was a tough contract year for Ingram. He appeared in seven games before heading to injured reserve with a knee injury. Ingram has had a very good career, but he finished 2020 with no sacks and four QB hits. If healthy, Ingram is a disruptive player and a versatile pass rusher capable of lining up in different spots. His market will likely come down to whether teams are confident he can bounce back from the injury.
Tier 3: Starters/key rotational options
These are players who can be expected to either start or rotate in and play a high percentage of snaps.
Romeo Okwara, Edge, Detroit Lions (26)
He could be a nice sleeper option for teams that aren’t looking to spend at the top of the market. Okwara made the most of his contract year, finishing 10th with 10 sacks and tied for 22nd with 18 QB hits. Okwara
ranked fifth in sack score, as seven of his sacks were labeled high quality. However, teams will have to balance that production with Okwara’s first four seasons, when he totaled 10 sacks in 51 games. He’s one of the trickier players to project on this list, but given Okwara’s age, there’s reason to think he could be an ascending player.
Ndamukong Suh, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (34)
He played well in 2020, producing six sacks and 19 quarterback hits. Suh has not missed a game in nine seasons. Last offseason, Suh signed a one-year, $8 million deal to return to Tampa. A similar deal again could make sense for both sides.
Larry Ogunjobi, DT, Cleveland Browns (27)
He started 47 games in four seasons and produced 14.5 sacks and 37 quarterback hits. Ogunjobi should find a starting DT job somewhere.
Denico Autry, Edge, Indianapolis Colts (31)
He joined the Colts in 2018 and started 38 games in three seasons. Autry had 7.5 sacks and 10 quarterback hits last season. He might not have huge upside but can be a solid, dependable starter.
Everson Griffen, Edge, Dallas Cowboys/Detroit Lions (33)
Griffen signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Cowboys last offseason and then was traded to the Lions. He’s likely to see a reduced role going forward but still produced as a rotational rusher with six sacks and 14 QB hits.
Ryan Kerrigan, Edge, Washington Football Team (33)
The four-time Pro Bowler got phased out last season, playing just 38 percent of the snaps. But he still produced 5.5 sacks. Kerrigan will likely look to catch on somewhere as a rotational pass rusher, although it’s possible he could find a starting job.
Markus Golden, Edge, New York Giants/Arizona Cardinals (30)
Coming off a 10-sack season, he didn’t find the market he was looking for last offseason and had to settle for a one-year, $4.1 million deal. The Giants traded Golden to the Cardinals during the season. He was again productive as a pass rusher with 4.5 sacks and 20 quarterback hits.
Deatrich Wise, DL, New England Patriots (27)
He’s started 18 games in four seasons and has 14 career sacks to go along with 56 quarterback hits. Considering his age and production, Wise could get an opportunity to be a full-time starter somewhere.
Dawuane Smoot, Edge, Jacksonville Jaguars (26)
He didn’t receive much attention in Jacksonville, but Smoot had 5.5 sacks and 17 quarterback hits last season.
Adam Butler, DL, New England Patriots (27)
He started 12 games in four seasons with the Patriots and totaled 15 sacks with 22 quarterback hits. Butler has never played more than 47 percent of the snaps in a single season. A team could look at him as a player deserving of more playing time or as a quality rotational defensive lineman.
Tyus Bowser, Edge, Baltimore Ravens (26)
He played a career-high 51 percent of the snaps last season and is a versatile edge defender. Bowser had just two sacks but produced 14 quarterback hits. The Ravens could consider bringing him back and expanding his role if they lose Judon and Ngakoue.
Jordan Jenkins, Edge, New York Jets (27)
He’s started 62 games in five seasons and has 22.5 sacks and 46 QB hits. Jenkins could be an option for 3-4 teams that need an outside linebacker with a versatile skill set.
Davon Godchaux, DT, Miami Dolphins (26)
Originally a fifth-round pick in 2017, Godchaux started 42 games in four seasons. He was limited to five starts last season because of an injury. Godchaux could be an option for teams in need of a nose tackle against the run.
Kerry Hyder, Edge, San Francisco 49ers (30)
He was a great value signing for the 49ers last offseason (one year, $1.5 million). Hyder had 8.5 sacks and 18 quarterback hits. In 2016 and 2020, Hyder combined for 16.5 sacks and 37 quarterback hits. In his other five seasons, he’s produced two sacks and six quarterback hits.
Samson Ebukam, Edge, Los Angeles Rams (26)
He started 35 games as an outside linebacker in the Rams’ 3-4. Ebukam has 14 career sacks and 28 QB hits.
Kyler Fackrell, Edge, New York Giants (29)
He signed a one-year, $4.6 million deal with the Giants last offseason. Fackrell had four sacks and 10 QB hits. He started nine games and played 55 percent of the snaps. He could be looking at a similar deal this offseason.
Morgan Fox, DT, Los Angeles Rams (27)
He started six games in four seasons, but Fox was productive in a rotational role last season, producing six sacks and nine QB hits.
DaQuan Jones, DT, Tennessee Titans (29)
He’s started 93 games in seven seasons. Jones has produced just three sacks over the last three seasons but will be an option for teams looking for a veteran run-defending interior lineman.
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Las Vegas Raiders (29)
He’s started 102 games during his eight-year career, including 46 over the past three seasons with the Raiders. Hankins hasn’t shown much pass-rushing juice (2.5 sacks over the past three seasons) but has held up well against the run.
Lawrence Guy, DL, New England Patriots (31)
He started 60 of 64 possible games over the past four seasons for the Patriots. Guy has never had more than 4.5 sacks in a season but has been a solid, dependable interior defensive lineman.
Tanoh Kpassagnon, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs (27)
He started 24 games in four seasons and has seven career sacks to go along with 18 quarterback hits. Kpassagnon is likely looking at a rotational role.
Derek Wolfe, DT, Baltimore Ravens (31)
He’s started 116 games in nine seasons. Wolfe was a free agent last offseason and signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Ravens. He could be looking at something similar this time around.
Shelby Harris, DT, Denver Broncos (30)
He was a free agent last offseason and returned to Denver on a one-year, $3.25 million deal. Harris had 2.5 sacks and 11 quarterback hits. He does an excellent job of getting his hands on the football with 16 deflected passes over the past two seasons. He’ll be an option for teams in the market for interior pass rush.
Roy Robertson-Harris, DL, Chicago Bears (28)
He missed eight games last season because of a shoulder injury but has flashed as an interior pass rusher with 7.5 sacks and 30 QB hits in four seasons.
Bruce Irvin, Edge, Seattle Seahawks (33)
He suffered a torn ACL last season and was limited to two games, but Irvin had 8.5 sacks in 2019. He’s probably looking at a one-year deal somewhere.
Benson Mayowa, Edge, Seattle Seahawks (30)
He signed a one-year, $3.05 million deal with the Seahawks last offseason and had six sacks to go along with nine quarterback hits. Mayowa should find a home as a rotational edge rusher.
Pernell McPhee, Edge, Baltimore Ravens (32)
He played 43 percent of the Ravens’ defensive snaps last year, starting 13 games and producing three sacks with 15 quarterback hits.
Takkarist McKinley, Atlanta Falcons (25)
It’s tough to know what his future holds. McKinley appeared in four games last season and dealt with injuries before the Falcons cut him. He’ll look to resurrect his career.
Tyson Alualu, DT, Pittsburgh Steelers (34)
He has 109 career starts, including 10 last season. Alualu should find a home as an early-down, run-stuffing interior lineman.
D.J. Jones, DT, San Francisco 49ers (26)
He has 29 starts in four seasons, including 14 last year. Jones is mostly a run-stuffing defensive tackle, but he did have three sacks last year.
Corey Peters, DT, Arizona Cardinals (33)
A knee injury limited Peters to nine games last season. But he has 121 career starts and should be able to compete for playing time if he’s healthy.
Sheldon Rankins, DT, New Orleans Saints (27)
He played 40 percent of the snaps last season and had 1.5 sacks with nine QB hits. Rankins will likely be viewed as a rotational defensive tackle.
Mike Daniels, DT, Cincinnati Bengals (31)
He joined the Bengals on a one-year, $1.45 million deal last season and started 11 games. Daniels could be looking to find a similar deal this offseason.
Olivier Vernon, Edge, Cleveland Browns (30)
He got hit with an injury at the worst possible time, rupturing his Achilles tendon right before the playoffs. Vernon had been playing well with nine sacks and 16 quarterback hits. But that injury requires intense rehab, and it’s unclear when he will be able to return.
Maliek Collins, DT, Las Vegas Raiders (26)
He signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Raiders last offseason and had zero sacks with one QB hit in 12 games. Collins had been more productive in his first four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys. He has 66 career starts.
Aldon Smith, Edge, Dallas Cowboys (32)
He returned to the NFL after a four-year hiatus and started all 16 games, producing five sacks and 14 quarterback hits.
Trent Murphy, Edge, Buffalo Bills (30)
He was a healthy scratch for eight games last season, but Murphy should catch on somewhere as part of an edge rotation.
Tier 4: Depth/competing for roster spots
These players will likely be vying for depth spots, and some will be competing for roster spots.
- Solomon Thomas, DT, San Francisco 49ers (26)
- Branden Jackson, DT, Seattle Seahawks (28)
- Damon Harrison, DT, Seattle Seahawks (32)
- Vic Beasley, Edge, Las Vegas Raiders (29)
- Mario Edwards Jr., DL, Chicago Bears (27)
- Damion Square, DT, Los Angeles Chargers (32)
- Jabaal Sheard, DE, New York Giants (32)
- Jihad Ward, DL, Baltimore Ravens (27)
- Alex Okafor, Edge, Kansas City Chiefs (30)
- Charles Harris, Edge, Atlanta Falcons (26)
- Vinny Curry, DE, Philadelphia Eagles (33)
- Brennan Scarlett, Edge, Houston Texans (28)
- Mike Pennel, DT, Kansas City Chiefs (30)
- Austin Johnson, DT, New York Giants (27)
- Barkevious Mingo, Edge, Chicago Bears (30)
- Al-Quadin Muhammad, Edge, Indianapolis Colts (26)
- Rakeem Nunez-Roches, DT, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (28)
- Angelo Blackson, DT, Arizona Cardinals (28)
- Justin Ellis, DT, Baltimore Ravens (30)
- Jack Crawford, DL, Tennessee Titans (33)
- DeMarcus Walker, DL, Denver Broncos (27)
- Tarell Basham, Edge, New York Jets (27)
- Tyrone Crawford, DL, Dallas Cowboys (31)
- Jeremiah Attaochu, Edge, Denver Broncos (28)
- John Simon, Edge, New England Patriots (30)
- Shilique Calhoun, DL, New England Patriots (29)
- Brent Urban, DL, Chicago Bears (30)
- Steve McLendon, DT, New York Jets/Tampa Bay Buccaneers (35)
- Margus Hunt, DT, New Orleans Saints (34)
- Jaleel Johnson, DT, Minnesota Vikings (27)
- Steven Means, Edge, Atlanta Falcons (31)
- Christian Covington, DT, Cincinnati Bengals (27)
- Adam Gotsis, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars (29)
- Carlos Watkins, DT, Houston Texans (27)
- Dion Jordan, DE, San Francisco 49ers (31)
- Isaiah Irving, Edge, Arizona Cardinals (27)
- Xavier Williams, DT, Cincinnati Bengals (29)
- Jordan Willis, DL, San Francisco 49ers (26)
- John Jenkins, DT, Chicago Bears (32)
- Vincent Taylor, DT, Cleveland Browns (27)
- Trevon Coley, DT, Arizona Cardinals (27)
- Eli Ankou, DT, Dallas Cowboys (27)
- Damontre Moore, Edge, Seattle Seahawks (29)
- Sylvester Williams, DT, Denver Broncos (32)
- Domata Peko, DT, Arizona Cardinals (36)
- Anthony Chickillo, Edge, Denver Broncos (28)
- Chris Wormley, DL, Pittsburgh Steelers (27)
- Abry Jones, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars (30)
- Cassius Marsh, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers (29)
- Caraun Reid, DT, Jacksonville Jaguars (29)
- Montravius Adams, DT, Green Bay Packers (26)
- Hassan Ridgeway, DT, Philadelphia Eagles (26)
- Aaron Lynch, DE, Jacksonville Jaguars (28)
- Derek Rivers, Edge, Los Angeles Rams (27)
- Chris Smith, DE, Las Vegas Raiders (29)
- Jonathan Bullard, DL, Seattle Seahawks (27)
- Taco Charlton, DL, Kansas City Chiefs (26)
- Josh Mauro, DE, Arizona Cardinals (30)
- Daniel McCullers, DT, Chicago Bears (29)
- Daniel Ross, DT, Las Vegas Raiders (28)
- Brandon Copeland, Edge, New England Patriots (30)
- Woodrow Hamilton, DL, Carolina Panthers (29)
- Billy Winn, DT, Green Bay Packers (32)
- Jayrone Elliott, Edge, Pittsburgh Steelers (30)
- Ezekiel Ansah, DL, San Francisco 49ers (32)
- Ronald Blair, DE, San Francisco 49ers (28)
- Carl Davis, DT, New England Patriots (29)
