7 Best Tier 1 Edge Rushers Hitting the Market This Offseason Part 2

BY ADAM GREENE

We’re deep in it now, counting down the best Tier 1 edge pass rushers that your team’s general manager can add to his team with only the cost of a few tens of millions of dollars in the way.

3. DANTE FOWLER JR., OLB, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT

2019: 58 tackles, 16 for a loss, 11.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, six passes defended

For the first time since the Jacksonville Jaguars drafted him in the first round out of Florida in 2015, Fowler looked like the pass rusher he was projected to be. He also happened to do it on a one-year prove-it deal with the Los Angeles Rams and, much like Shaq Barrett, the guy ranked right above him, it’ll add a few zeroes to his next payday.

Fowler set new career highs in tackles, sacks and tackles for a loss in 2019 and he only got better as the season wore on. With fellow outside linebacker Clay Matthews out with a broken jaw in the middle of the season, Fowler more than held his own wreaking havoc in the opposing team’s backfield. Once Matthews returned, he only got better as he garnered less attention.

Where he should end up: Los Angeles Rams

The Rams nearly made the playoffs in 2019 and if the new NFL collective bargaining agreement goes into effect, likely won’t miss them again for some time if they keep the good parts of this roster together. With new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley, a Vic Fangio disciple, rolling in, Fowler could be even more valuable. The Rams need to find a way to keep him on the team.

4. YANNICK NGAKOUE, DE, UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENT

2019: 41 tackles, 13 for a loss, eight sacks, four forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, one interception, one defensive touchdown, six passes defended

Ironically the guy that cost Fowler his job in Jacksonville hits the market at the same time. Unlike Fowler, a natural 3-4 OLB, Ngakoue is a pure 4-3 defensive end, which should keep them from competing against each other in the market like they did on a loaded Jaguars roster that accomplished absolutely nothing.

As the best 4-3 DE in the wind, Ngakoue will require $22 million to sign and he won’t budge on that. The dude has played the last four years on a rookie third-round contract. He wants his money and he’ll get it.

Where he should end up: Indianapolis Colts

There’s plenty the Colts should do this offseason (and adding Philip Rivers at quarterback should be priority No. 1), but they need help on the defensive side and Ngakoue would be a monster upgrade over NFL journeyman Jabal Sheard at defensive end. Indy has the second most available cap money in the league, $86.137 million, and that’s before they even make a cut. There’s no reason not to really work this free agent period for a team that was an Andrew Luck away from being a contender in 2019.

The Jags would love to keep Ngakoue, but blew their chance at it last year. They’re cap is a mess in spite of having nothing to show for it and are likely in rebuilding mode. Again.

We wrap up our Tier 1 edge rushers in Part 3.

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