Potential landing spots for available edge-rushers

NFL teams will always have a need for pass rushers, yet several prominent ones remain on the free agent market.

Here is a look at 10 of the biggest names and where they would fit best in 2023.

Frank Clark

2022 stats: 15 starts, 39 tackles, five sacks | 2023 team: Kansas City Chiefs

Clark had a 1.5 sack performance against the Cincinnati Bengals to help Kansas City reach Super Bowl LVII and the franchise hasn't replaced his production in free agency. While Clark could chase a ring somewhere else, if winning a championship is the goal, the place that makes the most sense for him is back with the Chiefs.

Jadeveon Clowney

2022 stats: 12 games (10 starts), 28 tackles, two sacks | 2023 team: San Francisco 49ers

An ugly end to Clowney's tenure with the Cleveland Browns leaves few teams rushing to sign him, but he could rehabilitate his image by matching with the San Francisco 49ers, which project to have one of the best defenses in football this coming season.

Leonard Floyd

2022 stats: 17 starts, 59 tackles, nine sacks | 2023 team: Carolina Panthers

As the Panthers move to a 3-4 defense, Floyd could fit a need as a pass-rushing outside linebacker. Ejiro Evero, the team's defensive coordinator, has familiarity with Floyd after the two spent time with the Los Angeles Rams in 2020 and 2021.

Markus Golden

2022 stats: 17 games (14 starts) 48 tackles, 2.5 sacks | 2023 team: Denver Broncos

Like Floyd, Golden signing with Denver would mark a reunion with a former defensive coach. Vance Joseph was Golden's defensive coordinator with the Arizona Cardinals from 2020-22 before he was signed by Broncos' head coach Sean Payton this offseason.

Justin Houston

2022 stats: 14 games (one start), 21 tackles, 9.5 sacks | 2023 team: Baltimore Ravens

Per ESPN's Mike Clay, the Ravens have the 25th-ranked edge rush unit in the NFL. Houston has what his former team the past two seasons needs, paving the way for the two to reach an agreement that would have the 12-year pro playing in Baltimore for the 2023 campaign. 

Melvin Ingram

2022 stats: 17 games (three starts), 22 tackles, six sacks | 2023 team: Indianapolis Colts

Another reunion. This time, it's Ingram and defensive coordinator Gus Bradley linking up after doing so in L.A. with the Chargers from 2017-20. The defense wasn't the reason Indianapolis had a rough 2022 and Ingram's familiarity with Bradley's scheme could raise the unit's floor even higher in 2023.

Yannick Ngakoue

2022 stats: 15 starts, 29 tackles, 9.5 sacks | 2023 team: Chicago Bears

Any team looking for a 4-3 defensive end should sign Ngakoue, who recorded at least eight sacks in each of his seven NFL seasons. His production would be most valued on the Bears, a team that finished 2022 with 20 sacks, the worst in the league.

Jason Pierre-Paul

2022 stats: 14 games (13 starts), 26 tackles, three sacks | 2023 team: New York Giants

If Ngakoue is off the board, the Giants would be wise to float the idea of a reunion with Pierre-Paul. He played a key role in the team's run to Super Bowl XLVI and has enough in the tank to serve as a part-time pass rusher opposite 2022 first-round pick Kayvon Thibodeaux.

Robert Quinn

2022 stats: 13 games (seven starts), 10 tackles, one sack | 2023 team: Seattle Seahawks

One year removed from recording 18.5 sacks, Quinn aims to prove he has something left to offer an NFL franchise. The Seahawks, a team that Clay lists as 26th in terms of edge rushers, can risk taking a flier on a veteran who, if he returns to his 2021 form, would bolster the team's pass rush.

Kyle Van Noy

2022 stats: 17 games (13 starts), 46 tackles, five sacks | 2023 team: Miami Dolphins

The Dolphins' defense should improve this season with the addition of Jalen Ramsey at cornerback and Vic Fangio as defensive coordinator. Bringing Van Noy back after he played for the Dolphins in 2020 would be a nice late off-season addition. Renaldo Hill, Van Noy's defensive coordinator with the Chargers a season ago, is on the Dolphins' 2023 coaching staff, further tightening the connection between Van Noy and Miami.