Edge rusher free agent grades
By: Jake Rajala
There has been a plethora of superb free agent signings from quality edge rushers. We’ve seen Hall of Fame talent edge rushers sign with teams that could win the Super Bowl in the near future. With that said, I’m going to lay out notable edge rusher free agent grades thus far.
Trey Hendrickson: A
Trey Hendrickson is an annual All-Pro talent at DE. He only had four sacks in several games last season, but he did record 17.5 sacks in 2024. That led the league and earned him first team All-Pro honors. He took send in DPOY votes, as well. Hendrickson is 31, but that shouldn’t be too much of an issue. Cameron Jordan and Von Miller are 36 years old and still playing at a high level. Hendrickson signed a four year deal worth $112 million dollars over four years.
Jaelan Phillips: B
Jaelan Phillip went from Philly to Carolina. I don’t love him leaving a Super Bowl contender to join a slightly below average Panthers team. Nonetheless, he should make a difference for CAR. He recorded five sacks, 14 QB hits, and several tackles for loss. last season. He also had 73 pressures, which was ninth in the league. He had has four seasons of at least five sacks. I believe Jadeveon Clowney would be a better fit in CAR. Let’s not forget that he played there in 2024.
Odafe Oweh: B-
Odafe Oweh is the most underrated edge rusher signing this offseason. He registered several sacks, 18 QB hits, nine TFLs, and 38 combined tackles. He had a PFF grade of 73.7. Odafe is 27 years old, so he is just starting to heat up. He signed a four year deal worth $100 million dollars. I don’t love the idea of the Commanders signing Oweh to a deal worth $20 million per season. Saquon Barkley makes $20 million per season and Oweh is nothing close to him.
Boye Mafe: C+
I don’t love the Bengals letting Hendrickson leave and then replacing him with Boye Mafe. He only had a couple of sacks, four QB hits, four TFLs, and five pass deflections. He did notch nine sacks in 2023. The question is: does he still have that in him? Boye also had a PFF grade of 69.2, which placed him at 46th among edge rushers. I would have preferred to see Cincy bring in Joey Bosa, Haason Reddick, Cam Jordan, or Von Miller instead of Mafe.
Kwity Paye: B
The former first round pick on the Colts, Kwity Paye, isn’t a Pro Bowler, or a gifted edge rusher. However, the former Indianapolis Colt can step in well in a rotational role. He only had four sacks last season, but he had eight sacks in 2024 and 8.5 sacks in 2023. The Raiders still have Maxx Crosby. He should open up opportunities for Paye. He signed a three deal worth $48 million dollars.
Bradley Chubb: B-
Bradley Chubb inked a contract worth $43.5 million dollars over three seasons. Chubb went from Miami to Buffalo. I see revenge game all over it. He had 8.5 sacks, 20 QB hits, eight TFLs, a couple of forced fumbles. In 2024, he led the league in forced fumbles with six! Chubb is 29, so he has some gas left in the tank. I do believe the Bills took a bit of a step back by going from Bosa to Chubb.
Al Quadin-Muhammad: B
The former Detroit Lion Al-Quadin was arguably the most underrated pass rusher in the league last season. He unleashed 11 sacks, 20 QB hits, and nine TFLs. He earned his contract for one year with potentially $6 million dollars. I really believe the Bucs got a bargain out of him. He will really look to stand out, so he can sign a two to three deal after this one year contract. He had a PFF grade of 74.3, which was good enough for 30th in the league.
Dre’Mont Jones: B-
Dre’Mont Jones is a superb rotational pass rusher, similar to many figures on this list. However, he is turning the corner at the right time in his career. He had 70 sacks (career-high), 24 QB hits (career high), and 43 combined tackles. Furthermore, he had 51 pressures (which was 25th in the league).
Arden Key: B-
Arden Key is a modest edge rusher right now. He won’t get double digit sacks, but he will make a lot of plays happen. Over the past five seasons, he has had at least 4.5 sacks. Let it be known that he even missed five games last season. Key is a lengthy pass rusher that has a lot of speed to get around the edge.
Joseph Ossai: C+
Joseph Ossai isn’t a game wrecker, but he can be consistent at rushing the QB. He had five sacks in 2024 and five sacks last season. He even missed a few games and that didn’t hold him back too much. He also had 12 QB hits and nine TFLs last season. PFF didn’t treat him nicely, however. They gave him a grade of 64. At least, I’m happy the Jets took steps to find another LB to join LB Demario Davis.
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