All articles tagged with #edge rushers
Trey Hendrickson signed with the Baltimore Ravens after a Maxx Crosby trade fell through, and he said he was excited to rush opposite Crosby and believes Baltimore has a realistic shot at a championship.
A detailed NFL mock draft spotlights a pass-rush–driven first round, with Las Vegas targeting QB Fernando Mendoza at No. 1 amid buzz that Tom Brady supports Mendoza, and multiple teams prioritizing edge players, tackle, and secondary needs across the top picks. The mock also notes offseason moves like the Chargers signing Dalvin Tomlinson and Trey Lance, and includes a side-item about Travis Etienne’s name pronunciation.
The Chicago Bears, led by GM Ryan Poles, are pursuing a disciplined, cap-friendly free-agent strategy rather than splashy, top-market signings. They’ve signed modest, multi-year deals (e.g., safety Coby Bryant at about $13.3M/yr and LB Devin Bush at about $10M/yr), traded for a center, and added two left tackles, two defensive tackles, and a starting linebacker while focusing on preserving cap flexibility for the draft and future moves. They’ve avoided major investments at edge rush, cornerback, and multiple other positions, signaling plans to spend big on those areas in the near future with four picks in the first three rounds. Historical data cited in the piece suggests massive free-agent spending rarely yields championships, reinforcing the Bears’ approach as prudent and potentially more sustainable for sustained success.
The Patriots’ opening day of free agency featured four external signings and several departures that alter depth and roles. Safety Kevin Byard arrives, boosting the defense and allowing Craig Woodson to line up closer to the ball, while Elijah Ponder and Bradyn Swinson are elevated into larger roles on the edge. The arrival of safety Mike Brown and the continued competition at safety threatens Dell Pettus and Marte Mapu’s spots, and the three-year deal for tight end Julian Hill pushes CJ Dippre down the depth chart behind Hunter Henry, signaling a potential draft emphasis at TE. Additionally, the club added Dre’Mont Jones earlier and released Anfernee Jennings as part of reshaping the pass rush.
The New York Giants went on a major free-agent spending spree, signing seven players including Greg Newsome II to bolster their defense. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys, despite a few moves like trading for Rashan Gary and adding Jalen Thompson and Sam Williams, appear unlikely to land Trey Hendrickson due to injury concerns, leaving them to pursue lower-tier free agents or the draft as they cope with an aging edge-rush situation.
New England outlines a blockbuster offseason to return to Super Bowl contention, weighing a true No. 1 receiver (Alec Pierce on a rich deal or a trade for A.J. Brown), bolstering edge pressure with Jaelan Phillips or Boye Mafe (Ebikitie/Jones as backups), and upgrading left guard/tackle with Bitonio or Vera-Tucker plus swing-tackle options, while re-signing Hawkins and Tonga to stabilize the defense and depth.
Five edge rushers stood out at the 2026 NFL Combine for Lions fans: T.J. Parker, David Bailey, Keldric Faulk (drills only), Dani Dennis-Sutton, and Malachi Lawrence. Parker, Bailey, Dennis-Sutton, and Lawrence posted strong athletic marks and solid drills, with Faulk showing length and on-field control; the group underscores depth and potential draft intrigue for Detroit.
Live coverage from Indianapolis shows edge rushers and defensive linemen kicking off testing, with notable 40-yard dash times (Zane Durant 4.76, Demonte Capehart 4.86) and standout performers like Texas Tech's David Bailey (unofficial 4.51). Rueben Bain Jr.'s 30⅞-inch arms spark discussion on how arm length will factor into pro evaluations, while Caleb Banks exits early due to cleats as testing continues.
Dallas is turning its Shrine Bowl scouting toward defensive prospects after the Cowboys’ defensive-coordinator shift to Christian Parker. Standouts included edge rushers Mason Reiger (Wisconsin), Wesley Williams (Duke) and Keyshawn James-Newby (New Mexico), plus linebacker Shad Banks (UTSA), cornerback Brent Austin (Cal) and safety Cole Wisniewski (Texas Tech). Reiger notched three sacks, Williams forced a strip-sack TD, Banks and Austin flashed playmaking ability, and Thompson Jr. (Illinois) earned honorable mention, making these players intriguing fits for Dallas’ evolving defense.
Myles Garrett is one of five edge rushers named as NFL Defensive Player of the Year finalists—Will Anderson, Nik Bonitto, Aidan Hutchinson and Micah Parsons join him. Garrett set the single-season sack record with 23; Hutchinson had 14.5, Bonitto 14, Parsons 12.5, and Anderson 12, with the winner to be revealed at the NFL Honors; analysts note the lineup leans heavily toward pass rushers.
Haason Reddick's limited sack production for the Buccaneers is attributed to injuries, and despite high expectations, his impact has been less than hoped. The team has struggled with developing effective edge rushers, and while some recent draft picks show promise, overall pass rush production remains a challenge. The Bucs' defense has relied on veteran players like Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul for pass rushing, but with limited time remaining in the season, improving the pass rush is a pressing concern.
Sports Illustrated's early 2026 NFL mock draft predicts key picks including quarterbacks Dante Moore and LaNorris Sellers, offensive linemen Spencer Fano and Kadyn Proctor, and pass rushers Rueben Bain Jr. and Jermod McCoy, reflecting team needs and player performances midway through the college football season.
The early 2026 NFL Mock Draft features a surprising dominance of top quarterbacks and elite edge rushers, with teams like the Saints, Titans, and Panthers targeting future stars such as Dante Moore, Rueben Bain Jr., and Fernando Mendoza, highlighting a strong quarterback class and significant defensive talent expected to shape the upcoming draft.
The 49ers are exploring trade options to replace the injured Nick Bosa, considering players like Jaelan Phillips, Trey Hendrickson, Kayvon Thibodeaux, and Cameron Jordan to bolster their pass rush and run defense for the rest of the season.
The Chargers are exploring options to replace Khalil Mack by working out former Raiders first-round pick Clelin Ferrell and ex-Titans player Rashad Weaver, both of whom have NFL experience as edge rushers.