Free Agent Targets - EDGE
A position of perpetual need, if the Falcons are serious about turning around their defense they have to find a solution at EDGE
While not boasting the top end talent of the DT class there is real depth to this EDGE class and with it the opportunity for some value deals
Similar to our DT preview we have highlighted the players we feel will potentially be of interest to the Falcons with a more detailed look at those most relevant.
Marcus Davenport:
Another former Saint who many will be hoping hits the open market as he ticks a lot of the Falcons boxes. While he may never live up to the ridiculous haul the Saints made to draft him Davenport has been a premier EDGE defender since he entered the league. While not thought of in the same terms as the true elite at the position (Bosa, Garrett, Parsons) Davenport is very much in the second tier.
It could also be said that as Davenport has never crossed the 600 snap mark in his career he has never had the chance to put up the gaudy stats of others. Still only 26, Davenport is the right age, make-up and profile for what the Falcons need, they will simply have to decide whether they want to get involved with a player who will absolutely be asking for top of the market money.
2022 stats: 490 snaps, 34 pressures, 1 sack
Charles Omenihu:
From the seemingly never ending list of 49ers EDGE prospects Omenihu hit the ground running with the Texans and has continued to go from strength to strength in San Francisco.
Similar to Davenport, Omenihu has managed to fill up the stat sheet despite never playing more than 600 snaps in a season. Per PFF Omenihu’s PRP (Pass Rush Production) was 21st among EDGE players. Considering he has only played four seasons in the league and only just turned 25 Omenihu looks like one of the most promising up and coming EDGE rushers in the league.
While Omenihu has a huge 6’5, 280lb frame he is ionically much more one dimensional than say Davenport who impacts vs both the pass and run.
22 stats: 572 snaps, 54 pressures, 5 sacks
Arden Key:
Signed a one year deal with the Jags and looks set to be rewarded coming off a very impressive season in Jacksonville.
While he has played with both standing up and with his hand in the ground Key may be viewed as more scheme dependant than others as he is on the skinnier side with some coordinators preferring bigger frames on the perimeter.
22 stats: 475 snaps, 44 pressures, 5 sacks
Samson Ebukam:
Yet another 49ers EDGE and another player who would comfortably go to the top of the Falcons depth chart. Drafted by the Rams, it is the past 2 seasons in the Bay where Ebukam has really come into his own, putting up back to back 40+ pressure seasons.
22 stats: 559 snaps, 43 pressures, 5 sacks
Melvin Ingram, Justin Houston:
Two veteran pass rushers who are still operating at an extremely high level. While neither can give you starting down snaps at this point they would be elite DPR’s to slide in on passing downs while also offering veteran mentorship to a young and evolving EDGE room.
22 stats:
Ingram - 509 snaps, 35 pressures, 7 sacks
Houston - 397 snaps, 39 pressures, 11 sacks
Shaq Lawson:
A no thrills player but Lawson would make a lot of sense as a dependable veteran who could come in and play early downs before ideally giving way to a pass rush specialist on passing downs.
22 stats: 467 snaps, 20 pressures, 4 sacks
DeMarcus Walker:
A similar player to Lawson in that while not bringing the high end rush potential of others Walker is a big, physical end who can from part of a DL rotation. While somewhat of a slow burner to start his career Walker has really come to life the past 2 seasons in Tennessee. At 28 there should also be confidence that you are getting Walker in his prime with the chance he could still be ascending.
At 280lbs while Walker may not fit every scheme, with his size brings legitimate versatility.
22 stats: 427 stats, 32 pressures, 8 sacks
Clelin Ferrell:
Will probably never rid himself of the ‘bust’ label, however similar to Davenport, you can’t blame Ferrell for the failings of others. Ferrell probably isn’t a player who fans would love but for what we assume may be a cheap/short term contract he wouldn’t be the worst player to take a swing on as we often see players take a jump when able to escape from the failings of the team who drafted them (cough John Cominsky).
22 stats: 492 snaps, 23 pressures, 3 sacks
Jadeveon Clowney:
Speaking of players no one wants, Clowney ended the year publicly feuding with the Browns with the aesthetics pretty terrible on both sides. While Clowney has probably been somewhat of a disappointment as a pro and now seemingly comes with some baggage/risks attached he is still a more than capable player. Due to the discourse around him, Clowney is probably never going to get the long term commitment he has been seeking.
As a result he will likely be a year to year mercenary for the rest of his career, which is perfect for a team such as Atlanta who is in the perfect situation to roll the dice on short term risks.
22 stats: 494 snaps, 29 pressures, 3 sacks
Overall an interesting EDGE group with a couple of real standouts. Davenport is a player who makes obvious sense, in truth it probably just depends how interested the team is in playing at the front end of the market. Further down there are multiple older or riskier players who would be more than worth a roll of the dice. After all, the Falcons EDGE room is in need of multiple additions.