3 underrated EDGE options for Commanders to target during 2026 NFL free agency period with younger upside
The Commanders could save salary cap while banking on potential upside for Dan Quinn and the defense in the 2026 season with these three free agents.
The Washington Commanders will look to retain some of their own 32 pending free agents this offseason, but they also need to bring in fresh talent.
The Commanders have a top-5 salary cap space heading into the offseason, and they can create more in the upcoming weeks. They have to be calculated with who they sign, because the salary cap can be absorbed quickly. Free agent contracts are expected to be heavily inflated this offseason after the NFL salary cap boost, so the Commanders can’t drop a big bag on just one target.
They do need to find a high-producing pass rusher on the EDGE this offseason, and there are three underrated players I’m keeping an eye on during free agency who I think could be a sneaky signing.
Kingsley Enagbare, Green Bay Packers
Kingsley Enagbare has been on my radar at just 26 years old, and he is still coming into his best form as a pass rusher. The Packers traded for Micah Parsons and have Rashan Gary, but Enagbare would rotate in and produce. The numbers weren’t always flashy with three sacks and 24 pressures, but he also played in just 243 pass-rushing snaps.
Enagbare is a stout run defender at 6-4, 258 pounds, and could be ready for a bigger role, which he would clearly have in Washington under Daronte Jones’ new defensive scheme. He’s projected to make around $6-$9 million per year in free agency, which is perfect for the Commanders.
Arnold Ebiketie, Atlanta Falcons
Arnold Ebiketie is another younger option the Commanders need to pursue at 27 years old. He had a limited role as a pass rusher with the Falcons, spending heavy draft capital on Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr, and now he’s looking for a new home. Ebiketie is a 6-3, 256-pound pass rusher who uses an arsenal of moves to get to the quarterback with both speed and power.
He finished 2025 with a 16.8% pass rush win rate on 183 pass rush snaps. Ebiketie is projected to get a one or two-year deal this offseason at around $8-$9 million per year to reset his market for the next offseason, and hopefully a bigger deal. He had six sacks and 39 pressures in 2024 before the Falcons added Walker and Pearce Jr., and he just needs his opportunities to produce again.
Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders
Malcolm Koonce is a very underrated pass rusher in the league at just 27 years old. He suffered a torn ACL in 2024, but signed a one-year deal to return to the Raiders to prove himself once again. Koonce bounced back and collected five sacks, 35 pressures, and a forced fumble. He’s ready for a bigger role as well and looks to be 100% healthy.
He had eight sacks and 52 pressures in 2023 before his ACL injury, and getting that kind of production again would be a massive win. Koonce is smaller at 6-2 and 250 pounds, but he stops the run at a high level like the bigger defenders. He’s projected to get a three-year, $30 million contract in free agency, which is a great deal for both sides.
The Commanders don’t have to risk throwing a bag at a player like Trey Hendrickson when they can sign one of these under-the-radar players this offseason. They found Dorance Armstrong as a rotational player in 2024, and now he’s a top pass rusher, so hopefully Enagbare, Ebiketie, and Koonce could be the same.
Washington Commanders News
Three cut candidates for Commanders to free up more salary cap space before 2026 NFL free agency period
The Commanders have three cut candidates who could free up even more salary cap space before they go on a spending spree in free agency.
