2026 IDP Free Agent Primer: Defensive Line

Feb 17, 2026

Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

The biggest fish in the pond technically isn't a free agent, but the most fascinating potential move this offseason, on either side of the ball, is Maxx Crosby. The Raiders' relentless defensive end was not happy with how things played out at the end of the season, and multiple outlets have speculated that his days as a Raider are over. From an IDP standpoint, no move will negatively impact Crosby's status as a top-five pick in 2026 redraft leagues.

Free agency and the draft will sneak up on us over the next few weeks and months, so it's never too early to start planning ahead. I'll have thoughts on all the relevant incoming rookies soon, but let's start our offseason by looking at the known commodities along the defensive line who could be changing teams, and the teams that may have needs at those subsequent positions. NFL Draft big boards are chock-full of defensive linemen, edge rushers in particular, who should come off the board on the first two days. We'll also see more big names released in the coming days, as we saw on Monday morning with Miami's Bradley Chubb.

I'll list the player, their age entering the 2026 season, and their 2025 team. I'll finish my notes with a prediction of where they'll be in 2026. Let's dig in.

More IDP Primers: Defensive Backs | Linebackers

2026 Free Agents: Defensive Line

Edge Rushers

Trey Hendrickson (31) - Cincinnati Bengals

There's still a chance the Bengals use the franchise tag on Trey Hendrickson with the hope of working out a long-term extension, but it feels like an extension would've happened already if that were truly a viable option for both sides. I think Hendrickson wants a fresh start, and if he's willing to take a shorter, incentive-laden deal, he'll have a ton of potential suitors.

Hendrickson is a year removed from leading the NFL in sacks, an impressive feat because his supporting cast along Cincinnati's defensive line left a lot to be desired. I expect the Bears, Colts, Patriots, Chargers, Cowboys, and Buccaneers to be in the mix here, and I would expect Chicago to be aggressive if it can't pull off a trade for Maxx Crosby. But, since I think the Bears will trade for Crosby, I think Hendrickson ends up with his former defensive coordinator, Lou Anarumo, in Indianapolis.

2026 Team: Indianapolis Colts

Jaelan Phillips (27) - Philadelphia Eagles

You can make the case that Jaelan Phillips is the most appealing edge rusher in free agency, blending the best combination of age and production. Phillips has top-tier traits, posting 22 sacks over his first two-and-a-half seasons in Miami. Concerns about his injury history are fair, and will likely be baked into his upcoming contract, but 27-year-old former first-round edge rushers who've been productive don't pop up in free agency very often.

Phillips was more impactful than his stat line would show after the trade to Philadelphia this past fall. There are a number of teams that have a need and significant cap space, including the Commanders, Chargers, and Patriots. He could also return to Philadelphia, though I doubt they can match the deals he'll see from other clubs.

2026 Team: Washington Commanders

Odafe Oweh (28) - Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers have a ton of effective cap space, and a need at edge rusher with both Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack set to hit the market. Oweh was a beast for the Chargers, who unlocked his potential after he was mostly a disappointment during his tenure in Baltimore. Oweh appeared in 12 games for the Chargers, racking up 7.5 sacks and single-handedly keeping them competitive in the Wild Card round against the Patriots, where he forced two fumbles along with three sacks.

Tuli Tuipulotu also emerged last season, and keeping this young edge duo around, especially with Khalil Mack also set to hit free agency, has to be a top priority for the Chargers this offseason.

2026 Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Khalil Mack (35) - Los Angeles Chargers

Khalil Mack spoke last off-season about the possibility of retirement before signing a one-year deal to go back to the Chargers. He missed part of the season with an elbow injury suffered in Week 2, but for the most part, Mack remained an exceptional player when he was on the field. Sure, he's not a massive IDP asset at this point, and he's no longer one of the league's truly elite edge rushers, but he'll have many suitors if he's up for one more year of ball.

His sack production has dipped, but he still posted an elite PFF grade because he's still so good at setting the edge against the run. It's unlikely that Mack blindly pursues the most lucrative deal at this point. With retirement on the table, a situation that suits him personally, along with giving him a chance to win, feels like the only option. Chicago is fascinating because it checks both boxes, as does Buffalo, since Mack played his college ball there. I think he returns for one more season in Southern California.

2026 Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Boye Mafe (27) - Seattle Seahawks

I'm still a big believer in Boye Mafe, who got squeezed a bit in Seattle once they signed DeMarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu got healthy. The market for Mafe will be intriguing to watch. He's had enough on-field production, including a nine-sack season back in 2023, for a team to give him a lucrative multi-year offer.

The Raiders will be in the market for edge help regardless of what happens with Maxx Crosby, and they have the second-most effective cap space heading into the offseason. The Commanders have money to spend and will likely swing for other names on this list, but Mafe's youth and speed line up with what their new defensive coordinator, Daronte Jones, has spoken about since landing the job.

2026 Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Joey Bosa (31) - Buffalo Bills

Joey Bosa played in 15 games for the Bills, the most he's played since 2021. That alone will get someone's attention, considering the oft-injured edge rusher is still just 31 years old. He got off to a hot start, forcing fumbles, creating pressure, and landing four sacks in Buffalo's first eight games of the season. Down the stretch, he was nowhere to be found.

The most compelling landing spot for Bosa is San Francisco, joining forces with his brother Nick, who's recovering from an early-season ACL injury. Last year's first-round pick, Mykel Williams, also went down mid-season with an ACL injury, so this is a 49ers' team need that works beyond the fun storyline.

2026 Team: San Francisco 49ers

K'Lavon Chaisson (27) - New England Patriots

The Patriots tapped into something that we hadn't seen at the NFL level yet from the former first-round pick of the Jaguars back in 2020. Chaisson was the ED41 in balanced scoring last season in New England after signing a one-year, $3-million dollar deal last offseason. He finished the season with 7.5 sacks, 10 TFLs, and 54 pressures, plus he added three more sacks in the playoffs.

It sounds like he wants to stay in New England, and it'd make a lot of sense for the Patriots to bring him back. Last week, Chaisson stated, "This franchise, this staff, my teammates, they've done everything and more to change my life for the better, and I don't take it for granted. Not one bit."

2026 Team: New England Patriots

Kwity Paye (28) - Indianapolis Colts

Kwity Paye picked the wrong time to have his worst season. The Colts picked up his $13.4 million fifth-year option before last season, and he disappointed with just 4 sacks and 38 pressures, well short of his 2023 and 2024 production.

Paye is still in his 20s and has the pedigree and prior production that'll appeal to a cap-rich team this offseason. The team that makes the most sense to me is the Tennessee Titans, who have the most cap space and the greatest need, considering most of their 2025 snap-leaders from the edge are also free agents.

2026 Team: Tennessee Titans

Other Notable Free Agent Edge Rushers:

Arnold Ebiketie (27) - Atlanta Falcons

2026 Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Jadeveon Clowney (33) - Dallas Cowboys

2026 Team: Las Vegas Raiders

Samson Ebukam (31) - Indianapolis Colts

2026 Team: Tennessee Titans

Dre'Mont Jones (29) - Tennessee Titans

2026 Team: Carolina Panthers

Arden Key (30) - Tennessee Titans

2026 Team: Washington Commanders

Jihad Ward (32) - Tennessee Titans

2026 Team: New York Giants

Malcolm Koone (28) - Las Vegas Raiders

2026 Team: Arizona Cardinals

D.J. Wonnum (29) - Carolina Panthers

2026 Team: Philadelphia Eagles

Defensive Tackles

DJ Reader (32) - Detroit Lions

DJ Reader returning to Cincinnati after two years in Detroit almost makes too much sense. Reader has been an important piece of the Lions' defense the past two seasons, but they spent a first-round pick on Tyleik Williams in 2025, so there are in-house replacements besides Alim McNeill who can step up for Dan Campbell's defense.

Reader has expressed a desire to stay in Detroit, but the Lions are currently on the wrong side of the salary cap, so they'll need to restructure a few deals before jumping into the free-agent pool this offseason. Even so, it's no lock that Reader is a top priority once they have money to spend.

2026 Team: Cincinnati Bengals

Calais Campbell (40) - Arizona Cardinals

Calais Campbell was the iDL16 in IDP leagues last season, an insanely impressive feat for the 17-year veteran. Like all of these defensive tackle free agents, Campbell is only on IDP radars in the deepest of leagues, but if your league requires an interior defensive lineman, he's worth monitoring.

2026 Team: Arizona Cardinals