NFL free agents: Trey Hendrickson leads top 5 edge defenders available

There is always a need for pass rushers in free agency, and there are plenty of them this season.

The list is led by Trey Hendrickson, who had 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons with the Bengals in 2023 and 2024, but there are more intriguing players behind him. All teams could use more pass rushing help, and those pass rushers will dominate this free agency cycle.

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Here are the top five edge defenders in free agency:

1. Trey Hendrickson

Hendrickson led the NFL with 17.5 sacks, but finished second in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting, losing his lead after just one season. There’s a reason he’s the No. 1 free agent prospect this offseason. Hendrickson, 31, is coming off an injury-plagued season with the Bengals in which he had just four sacks, but leaving Cincinnati after a lengthy contract dispute could rejuvenate him.

2. Jaylan Phillips

Phillips’ injury history limits him to just seven games between 2023 and 2024. But he did play in all 17 games between the Dolphins and Eagles last season, including a midseason trade to Philadelphia, where he will be just 27 next season. Phillips is an efficient pass rusher when healthy, and his prime age is also an advantage.

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3. Oduffy Ovie

Ovie is a former first-round pick who just turned 27 and has 30.5 career sacks, including 10 sacks in 2024. The Ravens traded him to the Chargers midway through last season, which was odd, but Ovie totaled 7.5 sacks in 12 games with Los Angeles. He plays a major position, has good draft pedigree, and is relatively young. He will get a good contract.

4. Khalil Mack

Mike just turned 35 years old, and now that he has stated that he will come back for another season, there will be many teams interested in him. Mack had another solid season with the Chargers and continues to be a productive veteran. He has nine Pro Bowl selections on his resume and won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award. He can still be an asset in his 30s.

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5. Clavon Chaisson

Not long ago, Chaisson seemed to be on the verge of exiting the NFL. His time as a first-round pick with the Jaguars didn’t pay off, and he was cut by the Panthers before the 2024 season, but then had a promising year with the Raiders. He signed with the Patriots before last season and became an important part of the AFC Championship defense with 7.5 sacks. As he enters his age-27 season, he looks like a classic case of a first-round talent who needs time and the right plan to finally thrive.