1. Jadeveon Clowney, EDGE, Seattle Seahawks
Signing Jadeveon Clowney might require a team to back up the Brinks truck to his front door, given that the talented defender is seeking a “market-setting” contract this off-season. But even with the financial risks, Clowney is still a very attractive option for teams looking to bolster their pass rush. According to ESPN’s Pass Rush Win Rate statistic, Clowney was one of the most consistent pass rushers during the 2019 season, winning on 24% of his pass rushing snaps a year ago. He may be expensive, and signing him could force a team to cut corners elsewhere, but if passing is king in today’s NFL stopping the pass is a priority, and having a game-changing pass rusher is a solid weapon for a defensive coordinator to bring to bear.
Despite all of this, the market for Clowney has not been as hot as many expected. Other pass rushers have already been signed off the open market, such as Shaq Lawson, Dante Fowler, Jr., Leonard Floyd, Carl Nassib, Robert Quinn and Emmanuel Ogbah, for example. Clowney’s market might be drying up, and that “market setting” deal he was looking for might end up out of reach.