The Cincinnati Bengals will have two highly regarded free agent defensive ends this year. Let’s take a look at how they stack up against some of the other fringe free agents in 2026.
Trey Hendrickson (6’4” 270 lbs)
Due to injury, Hendrickson only played seven games in the 2025 season. He still finished the year with 16 tackles and four sacks. He had 23 pressures and had a turnover rate of just 7.7%. The 31-year-old had a pass rush grade of 90.0 and a run defense grade of 56.8.
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Joseph Osei (6’4” 263 lbs)
Orsay is about to turn 26 years old. He returned to Cincinnati on a one-year deal before the start of the 2025 season. This year, he has 43 tackles and 5 sacks this season. His pass rush grade was 62.4 and his run defense grade was 70.7. Osei missed several late-season games due to injury. He still ended up leading the team with 43 points in total pressure.
O’Duffy Ovie (6’5″ 257 lbs.)
These early rosters often fall apart quickly with extensions and franchise tags in order for players to stay with their current teams. Ove is probably the prime candidate for this to happen. If he hits the open market, his performance this year after being traded from the Ravens to the Chargers will make him a lot of money. The 27-year-old finished the season with an 81.0 pass-rushing grade. His defensive rating is 64.1. He finished the season with 43 tackles, 51 pressures and 10.5 sacks.
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Draymont Jones (6’3” 281 lbs)
Jones has the versatility to play on the edge or inside. In 2025, he had 43 tackles and seven sacks. He had a pass rush grade of 69.6 and a run defense grade of 57.8. Jones had 19 pressures in nine games with the Titans. He was then traded to the Ravens during the second half of the season. In nine games with the Ravens, he totaled 32 pressures. Jones is approaching 30 years old, which usually gives the Bengals some concern in free agency.
Jaylan Phillips (6’5” 263 lbs)
Phillips will turn 27 at the end of May. In 2025, he had 53 tackles and five sacks between Miami and Philadelphia. He finished the season with a pass rushing grade of 76.2 and a run defense grade of 60.3. Phillips generates pressure at a high rate. A total of 76 pressures were endured throughout the year.
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Joey Bosa (6’5” 280 lbs)
Bosa signed a one-year contract with Buffalo in 2025. Will he be looking for a similar short-term deal in 2026? If so, the Bengals should be interested here. Bosa will be 31 years old this year, but he still completed 32 tackles, 54 pressures and 5 sacks this season. He had a pass rush grade of 85.5 and a run defense grade of 52.0.
K’Lavon Chaisson (6’3” 245 lbs)
Chaisson’s season continues in the Patriots’ playoff race. The 26-year-old currently has 68 pressures, 37 tackles and 10.5 sacks this season. He had a pass rush grade of 63.0 and a running back grade of 48.4. Chaisson is undersized and has a missed tackle rate of 37.8%, which is worth noting.
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Quitty Paye (6’2” 265 lbs)
Paye’s pass-rushing grade in the 2025 season is just 56.8. He still recorded 38 pressures, 39 tackles and four sacks. Paye recently turned 27 years old. His defensive rating on the year was 65.8. The former first-round draft pick spent five seasons of his career with the Indianapolis Colts.
Jadeveon Clowney (6’5” 255 lbs)
Clowney will turn 33 in February. Looking ahead to the 2025 season, he shows no signs of slowing down. Clowney finished the season with 41 tackles, 8.5 sacks and 40 pressures. His PFF grades this season have been impressive. His pass rush grade was 80.6 and his run defense grade was 70.6.
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Khalil Mack (6’3” 269 lbs)
Mack is the oldest player on this free agent list at 35 years old. He has 42 pressures, 5.5 sacks and 33 tackles this year. While it’s still a solid season for the veteran, he’s no longer as dominant as he once was. It’s also possible that Mike decides to call it a career. If not, someone could still use a player with a 67.5 pass rush grade and a 77.2 run defense grade in 2025.
Arden Key (6’5” 240 lbs)
Key will turn 30 in February. In 2025, he had a pass-rushing grade of 56.7 and a run-defense grade of 71.1. He finished the year with 22 tackles, four sacks and 33 pressures. Prior to the 2026 season, Key had 30.5 career sacks.
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Boyer Maffei (6’4” 261 lbs)
Mafe recently turned 27 years old. He’s still set to play in the division championship game with Seattle this weekend. Mafe’s sprint grade was 68.0. He also posted a defensive rating of 68.1. So far this year, he has accumulated 34 tackles, 41 pressures and 2 sacks.
Arnold Ebichetti (6’3” 256 lbs.)
Ebiketi is a former second-round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons who recently turned 27 years old. His pass rush grade was 73.4. In 2025, his run defense grade was 65.2. Ebiketi has 36 tackles, 25 pressures and 2 sacks this year. He had 16.5 sacks in his first four seasons in the NFL.
Other notable free agent defensive end prospects: AJ Epenesa, Logan Hall, Charles Omenihu, David Ojabo and Cameron Thomas
