Top 5 EDGE Free Agents to Watch

One of the premium positions in the game is going to have some interesting names to track this year. Edge rushers are typically some of the highest paid positions on the field. The impact they make on a game cannot be understated. Teams will be looking to add these guys in the hopes of changing their defense. With that mindset, this group is not necessarily the cream of the crop, but teams will certainly overpay for any of these edge rushers. At the time this is being posted, the deadline for the franchise tag has passed and all these players are now free agents.

1. Trey Hendrickson

Here we go again. The headlines last offseason were dominated by unhappy AFC North pass rushers. It eventually worked out for Myles Garrett as he broke the bank and backed it up with a record breaking 23 sacks in 2025. Trey Hendrickson, on the other hand, was franchise tagged and is trending towards another tag. Hendrickson has expressed his interest in being traded after not being paid what he feels he is owed. However, the Bengals have never been known for spending money so this drama looks like it will continue to drag on.

Hendrickson is a 9-year vet who has turned himself into one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He recorded 17.5 in both 2023 and 2024. In 2024, that was good enough to lead the league. Despite this success, he has yet to sign a long-term deal which makes his future uncertain.

Despite informing the team that he would like to be traded, he was franchise tagged and returned to Cincinnati. His season showed exactly why players are ambivalent about being tagged. He was seeking a longer term of commitment and guaranteed money. He didn’t get it, played, got hurt, and had a down year. He managed to appear in just 7 games and recorded 4 sacks. Now he is 31 years old and coming off of a down year plagued by injuries with no certainty or control over his future.

Now with the news that he will not be tagged, he will be the top edge rusher in this free agent class. Given his age, a long-term deal is most likely off the table, so he will have to sign a 2- or 3-year contract and try to maximize his earnings.

Prediction: Signs with Lions

2. Odafe Oweh

Next up on our list is Odafe Oweh. Oweh is a 27-year-old edge rusher that most recently played for the Chargers. He is going to be on top of a lot of lists around the league as free agency begins. While the other members of this list are very good, Oweh has the benefit of youth. Teams will overpay for youth and potential, especially at a premium position.

Oweh was originally drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in 2021. He spent about 4.5 seasons as a Raven and has been steadily improving from a production standpoint. After only recording a high of 5 sacks in his first three season, Oweh recorded 10 sacks in 2024.

Last year, he was traded mid-season to the Chargers after a slow start on the Ravens. With the Chargers, he played in 12 games and recorded 7.5 sacks. He made the most of his change of scenery and is looking to cash in this offseason.

Spotrac is projecting that Oweh will command around $19 million AAV. There is always a chance that he returns to the Chargers. However, there are plenty of teams that could use an experienced pass rusher and will certainly pay his price. I would look out for teams like the Lions, Chiefs, and Bills as they are in the edge rusher market.

Prediction: Signs with Chiefs

3. Jaelan Phillips

Jaelan Phillips is another player that was traded mid-season and is looking to cash in this year. Phillips is a 26-year-old pass rusher that is still looking to find a home after dealing with some serious injuries early on in his career. He should have plenty of suitors as he is an interesting player who has all the physical gifts but has not really had his true breakout year yet.

Phillips spent the first 4.5 seasons of his career with the Miami Dolphins. He was the 18th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. There were certainly some red flags that the Dolphins chose to ignore regarding his durability. He was medically retired from football in 2018. However, he was still drafted and appeared in all 17 games during his rookie year. He recorded 8.5 sacks, which remains his career high. He appeared in 17 games and started 15 in 2022. 2023 and 2024 were severely impacted by injuries and he only appeared in 12 games between those two seasons.

Last year, he was building back but the Miami team was struggling. They became sellers at the trade deadline and traded Phillips to the Eagles for a 3rd round pick. Overall, he recorded 5 sacks and is seemingly going to be able to overcome some injury concerns this year during free agency.

The Eagles are going to try and re-sign Phillips, but they have other players that might take priority. I would never count Howie Roseman out though. He might find a way to keep all of his great pass rushers while adding a few more. That being said, if Phillips is allowed to hit the market and does leave Philly, he will be highly sought after. Speculation is going to continue until March 9th rolls around but I could see him being in the mix for the Patriots, Lions, Raiders, and several others.

Prediction: Signs with Patriots

4. Boye Mafe

Anytime a team wins a Super Bowl, their roster gets picked apart by other teams in free agency. Other organizations are typically willing to bring in members of a Championship roster at a higher price than they would typically pay for that player. That might be the case for Boye Mafe as he is set to hit the market for free agency.

Mafe was drafted by Seattle in the second round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Over his four years in Seattle, he has carved out some production but has struggled to become a full-time starter. He had a career high 9 sacks in 2023 and has only had 8 sacks since. However, he proved to be a key rotational piece for Seattle in their championship run.

When Mafe hits the market, he should have plenty of inquiries. One place that would make sense, given his role as rotational guy, would be Philadelphia. As mentioned above, Howie Roseman never shies away from signing defensive ends.

Prediction: Signs with Eagles

5. Khalil Mack

Rounding out our list is an all-time great. Khalil Mack appears to be readying up for his 13th NFL season. He has entered the stage of his career where he is signing 1-year deals and is going to be a great veteran presence for any team that signs him.

Mack will bring 113 career sacks with him to wherever he ends up. He has spent time with the Raiders, Bears, and Chargers over his 12-year career. He has made a huge impact at every spot that he has played. He posted a career high 17 sacks just a few years ago during the 2023 season for the Chargers. This past year, he battled through some injuries and only appeared in 12 games. He still managed 5.5 sacks and will still command attention out there on the field.

Despite his age (35), Sportrac is projecting that he earns around $18 million AAV. He very well could end up sign a new deal in LA and stay with Jim Harbaugh. He could also head over to Philly or any of the teams like the Lions, Chiefs, or Bills that I have mentioned. He is at the point of his career where he is going to want to be part of a championship roster and will most likely head to a contender.

Prediction: Signs with Bills