This season, there will be a large number of All-Pro and Pro Bowl-defensive ends hitting the open market compared to previous years. Among them are defensive ends Jason Pierre-Paul, Malik Jackson and Mario Williams. These highly talented pass rushers will likely be at the top of some teams' free agency wish lists.
Below is a list of the top Defensive ends this offseason and where they could potentially end up:
Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul will be a free agent for the first time in his NFL career. The New York Giants star was given the franchise tag last year just days after severely injuring himself in a July 4th fireworks accident.
Originally taken with the 15th pick in the 2010 Draft by the Giants, JPP has been a stellar defensive end throughout his first six seasons. In his first seasons in the, NFL Pierre-Paul has 312 total tackles, 43 sacks and eight forced fumbles. He had a down year in 2015 as he was limited to only eight games due to his fireworks accident. Still with a mangled right hand Pierre-Paul was able to put constant pressure on the quarterback and be a nightmare for opposing O-lines to face.
As a free agent it is likely that JPP will be one of the biggest risks of this year's free agency class.
It is possible that Pierre-Paul will end up back with the Giants but it was reported earlier this week by NJ.com that the Giants want Pierre-Paul back on a one-year "prove it deal".
Other options for JPP could be with the Jacksonville Jaguars or the Oakland Raiders. The Jags and the Raiders have the most cap room to spend this season and could look to use it on a premier pass rusher such as JPP as both teams finished in the bottom half of the league in sacks in 2015. If they want to get a veteran end this offseason they should look at JPP as he is a risk but can offer a very high reward.
All Potential Destinations: New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders
Malik Jackson:
Malik Jackson chose a good year to have his best season as an NFL player.
Jackson was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 5th round of the 2012 draft, a pick that now looks like an absolute steal.
Jackson had his best season in 2015 as he had 45 total tackles, five sacks and two fumble recoveries. His monster season helped the Broncos top ranked defense win the Super Bowl this season. Jackson will likely be a top target for many teams in free agency.
He could make a return to the Broncos but it may be difficult to do that as they are working on a long-term deal with Super Bowl 50 MVP, Von Miller, after they already applied the franchise tag to him.
Another team is the Giants. The Giants have been linked to Jackson for a while now as he could be a possible replacement to JPP, if he decides to leave. The Giants currently have the 4th most cap space this offseason and if they are able to lure Jackson that will be a big reason why. He could also go to the Chicago Bears to be with a team that could use an elite pass rusher as well as the chance to play again for his ex-coach, John Fox.
All Potential Destinations: Denver Broncos, New York Giants, Chicago Bears
Mario Williams:
After a 14.5 sack season in 2014, even at 30-years old, Williams was considered by many as one of the NFL's best defensive ends. Williams followed up his career season with a complete dud as he completely fell off the map.
Williams was not disruptive to the quarterback and that led to him finishing with just five sacks, his lowest since his rookie year in 2006.
But Williams, now 31, is still one of the best pass rushers in the NFL today, as he has registered 96 sacks and 15 forced fumbles
throughout his lengthy career. Now on the free-agent market, Williams will have plenty of suitors to choose from.
The Raiders could be a good fit for him as they could use an elite pass rusher to help mentor and play alongside their young stud, Khalil Mack. Also, the Giants could be a suitor as they finished dead last in the NFL in sacks last year and could use a boast at the De position. Lastly a surprise team could be the Arizona Cardinals. In the past the Cards have been known to take a flyer on a veteran player, like they did with Dwight Freeney last year.
All Potential Destinations: Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals
Olivier Vernon
Olivier Vernon is available in free agency, but at the same time he isn't.
The Miami Dolphins placed the transition tag on their 25-year-old pending free agent. The transition tag tender for Vernon is $12.73 million for the 2016 season, and the Dolphins have the right of first refusal, meaning they can keep Vernon by matching any other offer
he receives. If any team wants to get him to their team it will all come down to whether the Dolphins decide to match that offer or let him go.
Like most pass rushers the Giants will be a potential suitor for Vernon's service. It is likely another few teams with a lot of cap space like the Jaguars and Raiders could also be in play.
All Potential Destinations: Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Oakland Raiders
Best of the Rest: Defensive Ends
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