Top 5 Edge Rushers Washington Could Target in This Offseason
- Michael Campbell
- Feb 20
- 4 min read
Washington has the 3rd most cap space in the NFL this offseason, and there are numerous areas the Commanders can improve, free agency and the draft. Adam Peters likes to build through the draft, but with the amount of cap space, free agency cannot be ignored. Let's dig into possible free agents that could satisfy some of the team needs.
Identifying the team needs will help in navigating the free agent market.
EDGE Rusher
Numerous names are circling due to players wanting out of their current situations like a Myles Garrett, but is the return of investment worth the ransom the Browns might want considering the actual productivity Garrett can bring?
Khalil Mack
He is 33 years old and might be winding down, but if given the opportunity, he could be a productive edge rusher for Joe Whitt's defense. In 2023, Mack had 17 sacks on the season, but in 2024 only had 6. Prior to 2023, Mack failed to reach double digit sacks in consecutive seasons, but at this point in his career, the value could be better than the ransom considering Mack is a free agent.
Market Value
3 years, $70,911,135
Avg. Salary: $23,637,045
NFL Rank: 54
OLB Rank: 6
Josh Sweat
I fully expect the Eagles to bring back Sweat unless his number gets to be too high. The Eagles are in a smaller window for signing top tier free agents and the upside for Sweat is his age. He has never reached double digit sacks, but with the amount of talent on the Eagles defense, he never really had to be that productive. In 7 seasons with the Eagles, Sweat has a career total of 43 sacks but has only achieved double digit sacks in one season. I think he could be an upgrade over Clelin Ferrell.
Market Value
3 years, $56,466,831
Avg. Salary: $18,822,277
NFL Rank: 103
OLB Rank: 10
Josh Uche
Uche is a young free agent and has shown the ability to be a dominant edge rusher with a season of double digit sacks with New England. The other 4 years in the league, he didn't surpass more than 5 sacks in a season. The interesting part would be how Joe Whitt could use him knowing what he can do versus what he has done. This would be a cheaper option but could be low risk high reward.
Market Value
1 years, $4,628,633
Avg. Salary: $4,628,633
NFL Rank: 403
OLB Rank: 28
Trades
Myles Garrett - Cleveland Browns
I would entertain this considering he has been such a force at the Edge position for the Browns. The problem with that is, he is not a free agent. Garrett has requested a trade out of Cleveland, which I don't blame him, but the ransom for a player of his caliber is going to be way too high to acquire him without mortgaging the future. I think we would be talking quarterback trade scenarios. Multiple first round picks, maybe a player or two. Then you have to sign Garrett to an extension which, his dead cap space for the Browns would be over $36M. It is likely the Browns ask for a good portion of that in return to offset the hit.
I don't think the investment is worth the return. He will be 30 this coming season.
Maxx Crosby - Las Vegas Raiders
Crosby is another Edge rusher that is slightly younger than Garrett but is also in the same situation, he wants out of Las Vegas and wants to play for a winning franchise. The problem comes down to his latest contract signing which he would have a hit of $26M this season, and if traded, would create a near $11M dead cap hit. He did have 8 sacks on the season but was hampered by an ankle injury. Double digit sacks in 2023 and 2022.
He does have an out in his contract after 2025 but still creates the amount of dead cap for the Raiders.
The take might be a 1st and 3rd rounder and maybe a player, but Washington might have to add another 2nd or 5th to sweeten the deal.
Conclusion
The free agent class right now for Edge rushers is slim with a top level talent in Josh Sweat, but the age is ideal for hitting that 2nd contract at 27. There is the short term option in Khalil Mack who is still productive at the age of 33 and could really benefit in Joe Whitt's defensive scheme. And most fans are looking to trade for Garrett because of the dominance factor and his ability, but I can't go along with that considering his cost and how much of that mortgages the future for Washington.
Edge is not a huge need for the Commanders but if the right one is there in the draft, they could grab one early to bolster that pass rush. Draft the future, don't mortgage it.
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