In NFL Free-Agent Market, Is an Edge Rusher a Luxury or Necessity for Tennessee Titans?

Making a quarterback uncomfortable and disrupting the opposing offense is arguably Job One for a defensive coordinator. In next month's NFL free-agent market, edge defenders rank among the most desirable assets. Can the Tennessee Titans afford to sign one? Can they afford not to?

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans know first-hand how edge rushers can disrupt an offense. Their quarterbacks were sacked 64 times last season, and 29 of those were pass rushes that exploited the Titans' left side.

With his left tackles tumbling like dominoes, rookie quarterback Will Levis ranked near the bottom of the NFL. But even the most elite quarterback will struggle if the pass rush speeds up his internal clock.

Hence, the edge defender has become a celebrity position — see Nick Bosa, Micah Parsons, and Myles Garrett — and is a hot commodity in this year's NFL free-agent market.

In a list compiled by The Athletic, seven of the top 22 available free agents are edge rushers. 

Pro Football Focus (PFF), a sports analytics company that measures the performance of every NFL player, lists 25 edge defenders among their top 150 free agents. Depending on a team's priorities and budget, the player price tags range from $5 million to $23 million in average annual salary.

Defensive coaches are constantly looking for ways to quickly generate pressure on the quarterback, and not just sacks. Hit the passer, make him uncomfortable, reduce the time needed to go through his receiver options. 

A good edge rusher is typically the most direct route to the quarterback. Long arms help in the hand-to-hand combat with offensive tackles, typically the biggest players on the field. Strength is needed to move that blocker off balance. Quickness and foot speed are necessary to contain mobile quarterbacks and defend wide running plays by setting an "edge."

Last season, the Tennessee Titans defense ranked 16th in the NFL for sacking opposing quarterbacks. 

Given the Titans' urgent needs at offensive line, secondary, and wide receiver, an edge rusher might be a luxury purchase. But a team can't have too many pass rushers. 

Free agency begins March 13 and the Titans have roughly $65 million in salary cap space. Here are profiles of 10 edge rushers collected from rankings by ESPN, The Athletic, and PFF.

Brian Burns, Carolina Panthers 

• Age: 26
• PFF Position Grade: 74.1 
• One key stat: Eight sacks last season
• PFF Projected Contract: Franchise tag. 1 year, $22.79 million

Danielle Hunter, Minnesota Vikings

• Age: 29
• PFF Position Grade: 78.0
  
• One key stat: 16.5 sacks last season
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 3 years, $21.67 million annual average

Josh Allen, Jacksonville Jaguars

• Age: 27
• PFF Position Grade: 89.5
  
• One key stat: 17.5 sacks last season
  
• PFF Projected Contract: Franchise tag. 1 year, $22.79 million 

Chase Young, San Francisco 49ers

• Age: 25
• PFF Position Grade: 73.6
  
• One key stat: 7.5 sacks last season
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 1 year, $15 million 

Za'Darius Smith, Cleveland Browns

• Age: 31
• PFF Position Grade: 83.1
  
• One key stat: 60 pressures
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 2 years, $12 million annual average

Bryce Huff, New York Jets

• Age: 26
• PFF Position Grade: 79.7
  
• One key stat: 10 sacks
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 3 years, $16.67 million annual average

Jonathan Greenard, Houston Texans

• Age: 27
• PFF Position Grade: 76.7
  
• One key stat: 12.5 sacks
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 3 years, $16 million annual average

Josh Uche, New England Patriots

• Age: 25
• PFF Position Grade: 57.1
  
• One key stat: 37 pressures
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 1 year, $7.25 million 

Leonard Floyd, Buffalo Bills

• Age: 31
• PFF Position Grade: 58.7
  
• One key stat: 10.5 sacks
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 1 year, $6 million 

Jadeveon Clowney, Baltimore Ravens

• Age: 31
• PFF Position Grade: 82.9
  
• One key stat: 9.5 sacks
  
• PFF Projected Contract: 1 year, $9 million

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