NFL free agents 2026: Best edge rusher fits for Patriots originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
Editor’s note: In the coming days, we’ll be rolling out the best free-agent fits for the Patriots at key positions. We begin the series with five impactful edge rushers New England should consider in free agency.
The New England Patriots’ defense was the least of their concerns for most of the 2025 NFL season, but there’s room for improvement — particularly on the edge.
An elite pass rush would help the Patriots’ defense make the leap from good to great in 2026. New England ranked 26th among NFL teams in total sacks during the regular season (35) and 20th in sack percentage (5.9 percent).
Offseason additions K’Lavon Chaisson and Harold Landry combined for 16 sacks. Chaisson is scheduled to hit free agency again this spring, while Landry is entering his age-30 season.
The Patriots could find their pass-rush upgrade via trade (Maxx Crosby, perhaps?) or prioritize the position in the draft. But if they hope to sign an edge defender in free agency, they’ll have several intriguing options to choose from.
Here are five of the best pass-rush fits for New England:
1. K’Lavon Chaisson, New England Patriots
2025 stats: 7.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, 10 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles (16 games)
Chaisson did enough in his first season with the Patriots to earn the top spot on our list. The 26-year-old was worth every penny of his $3 million deal with New England, and then some.
After recording 7.5 sacks during the regular season, Chaisson took his game to another level during the Patriots’ playoff run. He notched two sacks and a forced fumble in the team’s Wild Card win over the Los Angeles Chargers, then added another sack in the Divisional Round win against the Houston Texans.
Chaisson is a big reason why the Patriots’ defense was a strength in 2025. He started the season as a backup/situational pass rusher and finished it as a key starter. He’ll get a hefty pay raise from whichever team signs him this offseason, and New England should strongly consider rewarding him for his outstanding year.
2. Trey Hendrickson, Cincinnati Bengals
2025 stats: Four sacks, eight QB hits, three tackles for loss, one forced fumble (seven games)
Hendrickson is the best edge defender in this year’s free-agent class. If the Patriots are going to make a big splash to bolster their pass rush, he’s the player they should be spending on.
Hendrickson racked up 17.5 sacks in back-to-back seasons (2023 and 2024) with the Bengals. Injuries slowed him down in 2025, but there’s little doubt he can regain his elite form next season. The only real question is whether the Patriots would want to spend big money on a 31-year-old coming off a season-ending injury.
While there’s some concern there, Hendrickson could be worth the risk. If healthy, he’d give the Patriots one of the most feared defensive fronts in the league.
3. Khalil Mack, Los Angeles Chargers
2025 stats: 5.5 sacks, 11 QB hits, six tackles for loss, four forced fumbles (12 games)
Mack isn’t the game breaker he was during his first few NFL seasons with the Raiders and Bears, but he’s still an impactful pass rusher heading into his age-35 season. The three-time All-Pro would be a solid short-term solution if the Patriots fail to land an elite edge defender like Crosby or Hendrickson.
At 35 years old, Mack wouldn’t break the bank for a Patriots team that could use significant upgrades at other positions, such as wide receiver and the offensive line. It’d be a beneficial move for both sides, as Mack would likely prefer to join a Super Bowl contender at this stage of his illustrious career.
4. Odafe Oweh, Los Angeles Chargers
2025 stats: 7.5 sacks, 18 QB hits, nine tackles for loss (17 games)
Oweh was outstanding after being traded from Baltimore to L.A. in October. The 27-year-old emerged as the Chargers’ best pass rusher, racking up 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the team.
L.A. should look to lock Oweh up long-term, but if he’s available, he’d be a tremendous pickup for a Pats team that witnessed his ability first-hand in the Wild Card Round. Oweh racked up three sacks — including a strip-sack — in the losing effort.
5. Boye Mafe, Seattle Seahawks
2025 stats: Two sacks, four QB hits, four tackles for loss, one forced fumble
The Patriots reportedly called the Seahawks about a potential trade for Mafe during the 2025 season. Now, they’ll have their chance to land the 27-year-old in free agency.
Mafe wasn’t as productive in 2026 as he was in his previous three seasons with the Super Bowl 60 champions. His two sacks marked a career low, though that can be attributed to playing only 50 percent of the defensive snaps in head coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme.
Despite the low sack total, Mafe recorded 40 pressures and a career-high 13.2 pressure percentage last season. That would translate well to a Pats defense that struggled to get to the QB consistently during its surprising Super Bowl run.