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How many EDGEs should the Tennessee Titans sign in free agency

By Will Lomas

Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) reacts while running onto the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2020; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson (58) reacts while running onto the field prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 8, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws as Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) rushes during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 8, 2020; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Andy Dalton (14) throws as Baltimore Ravens defensive end Yannick Ngakoue (91) rushes during the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Scenario 1: Big-ticket EDGE

Using Spotrac, I took a look at the AAV of the top EDGEs and these are the players who are projected to make $15 million or more.

Names to know: Shaq Barrett, Bud Dupree, Matt Judon, Yannick Ngakoue

That is a group of above-average players, but I really don’t know if there is anyone on that list that I think is a team-changing talent.

-Barrett is obviously very productive, but I think people are getting caught up in the moment with him. Barrett’s presence wasn’t enough to keep the Broncos from drafting Bradley Chubb in the top-5 a few years ago, and if you remove his amazing year in 2019, he has 22 career sacks in 76 games (or an average of 4.5 every 16 games).

-Dupree is interesting and despite starting his career as a rotational player, he averages 8 sacks per 16 games. That is a nice rate and he has really taken off over the last two seasons. However, Dupree is coming off of an ACL injury and who knows when/if he will return to that rate?

-Matt Judon’s red flags are obviously his age and his lack of high-end production. Though he has been consistent, Judon has never had a 10-sack season and he will be 29 this season.

-Yannick Ngakoue is the one player on this list who has superstar potential in my mind. He is just 26 years old and he averages a whopping 9.5 sacks per 16 games. His one big flaw is that you just aren’t going to get very much from him as a run defender and that isn’t a reason not to sign him, but it might be a reason not to break the bank for him. (Side note, one of the funnier stories this season was how it helped the Titans that Ngakoue didn’t make the Pro Bowl)

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