5 potential edge rushers the Kansas City Chiefs can target in free agency to replace Mike Danna
The Kansas City Chiefs will need an edge rusher from free agency.
On Monday, the Kansas City Chiefs moved on from edge rusher Mike Danna, a move that was expected. Danna saved the Chiefs nearly $9 million, and let’s face it, he wasn’t playing where the Chiefs needed him anymore.
Danna’s last average annual pay (APY) was $8 million. The Chiefs may be able to identify a replacement who can deliver improved performance for a lower cost. On 192 pass rush snaps, Danna had a pass rush win rate of 6.6%, nine total pressures, and one sack, which is below league averages for the position.
Several free agents have better numbers than Danna and could cost less than $8 million per year. With that in mind, let’s get into the options.
Good free agency options for the Chiefs to consider in replacing Mike Danna
Boye Mafe, 28, Seattle Seahawks
Mafe, like Danna, is 28, so the Chiefs wouldn’t be going older. He had a better pass-rush win rate at 11.6% on 383 snaps. The only issue is that Mafe may get re-signed by the Seahawks, so the Chiefs might not have a chance to sign him. If available, he could command around $12 million a year, about $4 million more than Danna, but it would be worth it.
Drake Jackson, 25, Washington Commanders
The Chiefs should definitely look into Jackson, who played only a handful of snaps last year after recovering from an injury that left him on the sidelines so many times since 2023. But it feels like he could finally be recovered, and if he is, his injury history will make him cheap. Jackson hurt his patellar tendon. After being waived by the San Francisco 49ers in early 2025, he signed with Washington in mid-October but was immediately placed on Injured Reserve (IR).
He finally made his season debut in Week 16 against the Philadelphia Eagles and appeared in the final three games of the year. During this brief stretch, he played a total of 30 pass rush snaps, where he finished with three total tackles and four quarterback pressures. Jackson also finished with an insane pass-rush win rate of 21.4%, although that is a bit inflated because of the limited snaps. Still, he looks great, and he could be very, very cheap.
D.J. Wonnum, 29, Carolina Panthers
Wonnum had a pretty decent year for the Panthers, but there’s a chance they don’t bring him back. His 8.6% pass rush win rate on 396 is better than Danna’s 6.6%, and he would likely be cheaper at around $5 million a year. Wonnum was previously with the Minnesota Vikings and signed a two-year deal with the Panthers. Now, he could be heading somewhere else.
K’Lavon Chaisson, 27, New England Patriots
Chaisson started his career with the Jacksonville Jaguars as a first-round pick, but things didn’t go well. He ended up reviving his career with the Las Vegas Raiders, playing across from Maxx Crosby and filling in when the team had injuries. Now, he’s coming off a season where he played in the Super Bowl, and he’s looking for some money. Chaisson could be a great addition to the Chiefs, as his deal is anywhere from $8-$12 million a year, but it would be worth it. Chaisson finished 2025 with a pass rush win rate of 11.5% on 535 snaps.
Sam Williams, 27, Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys could end up re-signing Williams, for all we know. But if not, the Chiefs need to go after Williams, as he could be a good rotational pass rusher. His 8.7% pass rush win rate on 270 pass rush snaps is higher than Danna’s, so it would be an upgrade. His current market value is about $2.3 million, giving the Chiefs some room to continue to make other changes.
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