After taking a look at the premium positions, we take a look at maybe the biggest question mark of them all with five free agent edge rushers who could impact the Washington Commanders
Arguably the top priority for the Washington Commanders defensively sits in the front seven with a need to address the pass rush. With several available, we already profiled one with former Patriots edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson headed to free agency as we take a look at five other candidates:
Jaelan Phillips, Philadelphia
After battling injuries to end his time with the Miami Dolphins, Phillips posted a pair of sacks and 44 pressures in nine games after being traded to the Eagles ahead of the trade deadline. The 27 year old also posted a pass rush win rate of 18.8%, higher than Maxx Crosby (14.4%) and Kobie Turner (13.7%) while recording three seasons where he's notched five sacks and seven TFLs while playing at least 70% of snaps in three of the last four seasons, with the fourth being lost due to injury. Expected to command one of the higher price tags in free agency, Phillips was one of three players projected to sign with Washington by ESPN in their latest free agent overview, keeping him inside the NFC East. We dove into why Phillips is a perfect fit for Washington in a free agent profile.
Arnold Ebiketie, Falcons
A productive edge rusher over his four seasons with the Falcons, Ebiketie has yet to miss a game in his NFL career and has registered 16.5 sacks including consecutive six sack seasons. He's also registered four forced fumbles and 129 total tackles, though he saw his role shift into a rotational piece after Atlanta added former first-round pick James Pearce, who is no longer with the team. But while he posted just two sacks in 2025 as he shifted under defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, Ebiketie also adds a lot of intrigue as a financially attractive option in free agency with Spotrac projecting a three year, $27 million contract.
Boye Mafe, Seahawks
After shifting from starter to rotational piece under head coach Mike McDonald, Mafe still appeared in every game where he posted just two sacks and 31 total tackles. Mafe became a household name across the league after registering nine sacks in 2023 then six in 2024. But he was efficient when on the field as his 18.7% pass rush win rate ranked eighth among edge rushers and his 11.4% pressure rate ranked 17th. He'll turn 28 midseason, joining the rest as younger options who add disruption to a Commanders front seven that lacked exactly that. ESPN projected a three year, $48 million deal with $25 million guaranteed.
Odafe Oweh, Chargers
After an inconsistent start to his career in Baltimore, Oweh settled in with the Chargers after his midseason trade, finishing with 7.5 sacks in 12 games. It marked his best season since posting ten sacks in his fourth season with the Ravens - after combining for 13 in his first three year - and was an encouraging sign after failing to register a sack in his first five games of the 2025 season in Baltimore. The speed rusher with unique athleticism will now look to capitalize on his production where he's viewed among the top available pass rushers, while ESPN projected a four year, $76 million contract with $42 million guaranteed.
Kwity Paye, Colts
An underrated available pass rusher this offseason, Paye has posted at least four sacks in all five seasons with the Colts including 8.5 in 2023 then eight in 2024. Maybe one red flag is that 2025 marked the first time that Paye played the full season, but he's provided a steady presence along Indianapolis' defensive line through his career, especially in run support. Spotrac projected a three year, $53.6 million contract for Paye.
Bonus: what about Trey Hendrickson?
Trey Hendrickson, Bengals
Maybe the biggest - and most controversial defensive - free agent target this offseason with veteran Trey Hendrickson back in free agency for the second time in his career. Hendrickson's final year with the Bengals was highlighted by his offseason holdout before injuries limited him to just seven games as the season ended with him on injured reserve to due to hip/pelvis surgery. Now that he's available, Hendrickson may top Phillips' price tag in free agency, but the biggest question is he'll be 31. General manager Adam Peters noted the need to get younger and add a pass rusher, but Hendrickson only fills one of those roles. If Washington was a piece or two away, Hendrickson may be more realistic, but adding a veteran coming off an injury -filled season at a high price tag might not be the right move for the Commanders this offseason.