NFL Analysis
2/7/24
6 min read
2024 NFL Free Agency: 5 Best Fits For Jaguars Edge Josh Allen
Few pass rushers had a better 2023 than Josh Allen. He tied for second in pressure rate, second in sacks and third in quarterback hits, per TruMedia. The players he tied within those categories differed, so he was hanging with the best of the best across the board.
It’s been a steady development process for the former seventh-overall pick, who took over a full-time role in 2021 and has improved each season.
His rise to the top is well-timed because he’s set to be a free agent this offseason. If he hits the market, he’ll be among the most sought-after players. Either way, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound pass rusher is set for a massive raise.
As we did with Tee Higgins, we’ll look at some of the best potential fits for Allen in free agency.Â
5 BEST FREE AGENT FITS FOR Josh Allen
Jacksonville Jaguars
The most likely scenario is Allen getting tagged and remaining with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Teams don’t tend to let superstar players at premium positions walk away in free agency.Â
Per Over The Cap (OTC), Allen’s expected franchise tag would likely be $21.9 million because the Jaguars would tag Allen as a linebacker — the defensive end tag projects to be $23.3 million. Now for a brief interlude to complain about the NFL still tagging players as linebackers and defensive ends instead of as off-ball linebackers and edge rushers. It’s 2024.
One of the problems with the franchise tag for Allen is the Jaguars project to have about $7 million in effective cap space, per OTC. Jacksonville can move on from some expensive veterans, but a $21 million cap charge could be difficult for the team to build around.
Still, the Jaguars’ pass rush needs Allen, especially with Travon Walker slowly developing into a consistent force.
Allen could improve even more in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Ryan Neilsen, who created sack opportunities in Atlanta last season without much top-end pass-rushing talent and a below-average pressure rate.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are in danger of losing a lot of their 2023 pass rush. Justin Madabuike will be a free agent after becoming a dominant interior force with 33 quarterback hits (tied with Allen). The Ravens did a great job on the edges getting the most out of low-cost veterans such as Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, both of whom will both be free agents, as well.
Four of Baltimore's top five defenders in quarterback hits aren't scheduled to be on the 2024 roster.Â
Instead of patching together a pass rush with veterans, the Ravens could get a premiere edge rusher, which they haven’t had since Matt Judon left.
Historically, Baltimore often allows free agents to walk and replaces them with multiple cheaper options. Still, with Mike Macdonald gone, it could make things easier for new defensive coordinator Zach Orr to have a standout player on the edge.
Like the Jaguars, the Ravens aren’t flush with cap space and would need to open up room for an Allen contract — though that would be slightly easier to do with a low Year 1 figure on a long-term deal.Â
Los Angeles Rams
Byron Young was an immediate impact player as a rookie third-round pick. He had 19 quarterback hits and was 28th among all defenders in early-down pressures. Michael Hoecht played opposite Young. While the 310-pound interior-lineman-turned-standup-linebacker has been fun to watch, he often found himself picked on in coverage.
No team is signing Allen for his ability to drop into coverage. But for many teams around the league that use five-man fronts, the ends need that talent in their arsenal.Â
In 2023, Allen rushed the passer on 85 percent of his pass snaps. Young was at 78.8 percent, and Hoecht did so on just 60.1 percent of his pass snaps.
In Raheem Morris' absence, the Los Angeles Rams promoted pass-rush coordinator and linebackers coach Chris Shula to defensive coordinator. With an internal promotion, many aspects of Los Angeles' defense could stay the same.
After the Rams exceeded expectations in 2023, they could be looking to build and get the most out of an aging offense by building up a young defense. Los Angeles had the sixth-oldest offense and the seventh-youngest defense by snap-weighted age this season. The team also had the lowest spending on defense in the league due to many rookie contracts.
The Rams have about $27 million in effective cap space, which ranks 13th and could allow them to be more aggressive in free agency than in the past. A defensive line of Allen, Kobie Turner, Aaron Donald and Young could allow Los Angeles' defense to hang with the league’s best offenses.
Seattle Seahawks
Macdonald with Allen is one of the more fun player-coach fits that could happen. As mentioned in the Ravens section, Macdonald did wonders getting production out of veterans such as Clowney and Van Noy, who were consistently schemed as plus-pass rushers.
The Seattle Seahawks were 12th in pressure rate during the regular season but didn’t have the type of player to take over on the defensive line. On third downs, Seattle dropped to 27th in pressure rate.
Boye Mafe was the best edge rusher on the team, but he was just 53rd in quarterback hits despite an impressive nine sacks. Mafe should be unlocked in Macdonald’s defense regardless, but his impact could be multiplied by pairing him with Allen.
The Seahawks already have an excellent secondary with Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon. Witherspoon is already one of the league’s most exciting defensive players and could go to a new level with Macdonald calling the shots.
So adding a top pass rusher could also be a force multiplier for the back end. That would force opposing quarterbacks to get the ball out under duress more often.
Financially, this would be one of the trickier fits. Seattle is projected to be over the cap, but a few releases and restructurings could get the Seahawks in fine cap health.Â
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Washington Commanders
No team needs pass rushers more than the Washington Commanders, who traded Montez Sweat and Chase Young at the deadline. After those trades, James Smith-Williams and Casey Toohill took over as the starting edge rushers. However, both are scheduled to be free agents.
Washington has about $63 million in effective cap space, the most in the league, so it could be looking to throw some free agency money around. The Commanders have holes to fill across the defense, but grabbing a top-of-the-market pass rusher would be at the top of their wish list.
Dan Quinn, Washington’s new coach, just spent the past few years developing Micah Parsons as a pass rusher with the Dallas Cowboys. Allen won’t be Parsons, but he’s not as far away as expected.
Allen can move around the formation as Parsons did and use speed off the line to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. With Allen paired with Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne, Washington could instantly build back its dangerous defensive front that powered the defense for the past few seasons.
