NFL Offseason Predictions for Where Top 6 EDGE Rushers Land in 2026

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NFL Offseason Predictions for Where Top 6 EDGE Rushers Land in 2026

NFL Offseason Predictions for Where Top 6 EDGE Rushers Land in 2026 — Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Matt Johnson · Sportsnaut

Mon, Feb 16, 2026 ·

5 min read

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The 2026 NFL offseason is still a few weeks away from ramping up with moves, but the quantity of pass rushers available this spring is already generating a lot of buzz. From NFL trade rumors involving Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby to some of the more underappreciated free agents available, there are enticing options for pass-rush-needy teams.

Let's dive into our NFL offseason predictions for where the top edge rushers in both the trade market and NFL free agency will land this spring.

Trey Hendrickson: Indianapolis Colts

A tag-and-trade for Trey Hendrickson feels inevitable. With the way the Cincinnati Bengals have handled contract talks with their All-Pro edge rusher over the last few years, we see no reason to believe they would let him hit the open market and leave for nothing. The issue for Cincinnati is that a tag-and-trade creates more drama, and any team interested in acquiring Hendrickson will need to both pay for the trade and then sign him to a long-term deal. With general manager Chris Ballard on the hot seat and already having sacrificed future draft capital to build this defense, we think the Indianapolis Colts will swing big and reunite Hendrickson with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

Khalil Mack : Baltimore Ravens

In 2025, the Baltimore Ravens finished the regular season with the fifth-lowest pressure rate (19%) and the second-lowest sack rate ( 4.6% ) in the NFL. We are very confident that first-year head coach Jesse Minter will help fix some of that, but Baltimore's pass rush still leaves a lot to be desired. Fortunately, the club has more than $20 million of cap space this offseason, and it can create a lot more with a Lamar Jackson contract restructure. Doing so will give Baltimore the financial flexibility to bring in Khalil Mack on a one-year deal, adding a high-end edge defender who can still generate pressure and stop the run.

Read More: 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Boye Mafe : Washington Commanders

Instead of splurging on the top pass rusher in NFL free agency, we think the Washington Commanders take a different approach. That would be spending a significant portion of their cap room on improving the supporting cast around Jayden Daniels and using that top-10 pick on an edge rusher. It will not be all that Commanders general manager Adam Peters does. He will tap into the defense that just carried its team to the Lombardi Trophy, bringing in Boye Mafe. While his sack numbers—8 in the last two seasons—do not jump off the page, the 27-year-old is above-average both against the run and in creating pressure.

Odafe Oweh : Los Angeles Chargers

The Los Angeles Chargers must retain one of their top pass rushers who is bound for NFL free agency. Given that Odafe Oweh is younger, we think the 27-year-old will be brought back with Khalil Mack headed elsewhere. After landing in Los Angeles a few weeks ahead of the NFL trade deadline, Oweh generated 19 pressures, 13 quarterback hits, 8 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Chargers. Plus, with Jesse Minter gone, the club needs to retain one of the primary reasons for its defense's success this past season.

Bradley Chubb : Dallas Cowboys

Because he is being released, signing edge rusher Bradley Chubb will not factor into the NFL's compensatory-pick formula. That makes him very attractive for clubs needing pass-rushing help that will not be able to splurge in NFL free agency because they do not want to negate the picks they will receive for departing talent. A team like the Green Bay Packers could be an option, but we are going in a different direction. New Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Christian Parker worked in Denver when Chubb earned his second Pro Bowl selection in 2022. Dallas also needs veteran pass-rushing help, especially at a reasonable price.

Maxx Crosby: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

We do think Maxx Crosby will request a trade this offseason, convincing the Las Vegas Raiders to move him to a contender. While the Detroit Lions are a popular pick as his landing spot, we are projecting the All-Pro edge rusher to land with another NFC contender. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are likely looking at a narrow window for contention, with a core that is aging if Mike Evans and Lavonte David are re-signed. Crosby would be a monumental upgrade for the Buccaneers' pass rush, giving them a difference-maker whose very presence would also help the likes of Vita Vea , Calijah Kancey , and Yaya Diaby . Las Vegas picks up premium draft capital and moves Crosby to the NFC, while the Buccaneers land a player who could help them compete for the NFC crown next season.

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