Five free agent sack artists still on the market who can instantly upgrade a team’s pass rush in 2025
The veteran pass rush market has become increasingly more robust throughout the summer time in recent years. This year is no exception, with no less than a half-dozen veteran sack artists still unattached to new teams for the year ahead. The most accomplished of the bunch, Von Miller, appears to have a handful of teams interested, […]
The veteran pass rush market has become increasingly more robust throughout the summer time in recent years.
This year is no exception, with no less than a half-dozen veteran sack artists still unattached to new teams for the year ahead. The most accomplished of the bunch, Von Miller, appears to have a handful of teams interested, at least according to Brian Baldinger of NFL Network and Fox Sports — who is a former teammate of Miller's agent.
Baldinger, recently on an appearance on the 'DNVR Broncos Podcast', disclosed that Miller's agent suggested three teams were very interested — but should they be? The remainder of market may have some more attractive options at this stage in Miller's career. Miller has nearly twice as many sacks as some of the other top names available, so if you're looking for the right opportunity he could certainly be "the one". But the overall available talent that remains is one of the strongest left as teams start welcoming players back to their facilities this week and next.
Prominent free agent pass rushers still available
Za'Darius Smith – 69.0 career sacks, 618 snaps played in 2024
Smith is probably the most attractive option still available among the veteran pass rushers still out there. He'll turn 33 years old in September but is coming off of a season in which he posted 9 sacks and is still capable of providing value as a primary early down defender in addition to having alignment versatility. A reunion with one of his former teams in the NFC North makes a ton of sense as he gears up for an 11th season of play.
Jadeveon Clowney – 58.0 career sacks, 652 snaps played in 2024
Clowney never really recaptured the magic of the end of his stint with the Texans anywhere else. He's become one of the league's annual pass rush mercenaries who is available for hire — and don't let the age fool you. Clowney still shows flashes of the player that was once the No. 1 overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. He's not as twitchy as he was back then, but he does have the instincts to win at first contact via counters and he's logged over 650 snaps played in three of the last four seasons.
This isn't just a third down specialist.
Matthew Judon – 72.0 career sacks, 655 snaps played in 2024
Judon was a workhorse in New England before his 2023 campaign ended prematurely due to injury. He was traded to Atlanta for a third-round draft choice and promptly struggled to live up to his previous standard — and he's now looking for work with the Falcons having completely rebuilt their pass rush room via the NFL Draft. He was credited with the same amount of QB hits (9) in 2024 as he was in 2023 despite playing in 13 more games and almost 500 more snaps.
Buyer beware on Judon, as he's set to turn 33 this summer, too.
Von Miller – 129.5 career sacks, 279 snaps played in 2024
Baldinger says there's a few teams that are very interested. They'd better have the right role in mind. Miller still has that first step and twitch that made him a special athlete. But with his pedigree, he may come at a higher cost than some of his other contemporaries on this list. What's more, he played less than 1,000 snaps across three seasons in Buffalo from 2022 through 2024. He's missed at least four games in each of those three seasons, including a four game suspension last year for a violation of the league's Personal Conduct Policy related to a domestic violence arrest in November of 2023.
Miller is 36 years old and hasn't played more than 450 snaps in a single season since 2021.
Preston Smith – 70.5 career sacks, 469 snaps played in 2024
Smith was traded from Green Bay to Pittsburgh mid-season and averaged about 20 snaps a game for the second half of the season. He's now looking for a new opportunity after Pittsburgh released him to avoid paying him more than $13 million in salary in 2025. Smith probably has the least to give as a pass rusher at this stage of his career if his stint in Pittsburgh is any indication of what he has left in the tank.
Three Pro Bowl reunions that make too much sense to ignore this summer after the Seahawks’ move to bring back former Pro Bowl defender
The Seattle Seahawks brought back a familiar face on Wednesday, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with cornerback Shaquill Griffin. Griffin has spent the second-half of his NFL career chasing the magic that he once had in Seattle — even being named a Pro Bowler in his third season with the Seahawks in 2019. […]
