Pros and cons of available pass rushers

[darthseinfeld]

With a Crosby trade still possible and FA right around the corner. I wanted to take a look at the pro's and cons of some of the available pass rushers

Maxx Crosby

Pros: All Pro caliber player who is elite a pass rusher and very strong as a run defender. Very system flexible. Franchise caliber player. Under contract until 2030

Cons: Trade cost. Lower body injuries the last two years


Trey Hendrickson

Pros: The best pure pass rusher available (including Crosby)and the best player available on the free agent market. Has had recent MVP caliber seasons

Cons: Will be expensive and is 31 years old. Mediocre run defender. Had hip surgery in December


Jonathan Greenard

Pro: Strong as both a pass rusher and run defender. 24.5 total sacks in 2023 snd 2024. Played for Marcus Dixon. Signed through 2027 at only 19m AAV

Cons: Will need to be traded for. Didn't finish sacks as well in 2025 as he did in 2023 and 2024. Shoulder surgery in December


Odefe Oweh

Pros : Came on strong as a pass rusher the last couple season after a slow start to his career. Could be starting to peek.

Cons: So so pressure totals despite strong sack numbers. Could be overpriced on the open market. Mediocre run defender


Jaelan Phillips

Pros: Strong pressure player. Finished in the top 10 in pressures. Has experience in the type of 3-4 we will run. Only 26

Cons: Has had durability issues. Has never been a great finisher despite elite pressure stats. Could be overpriced on the market


Bradley Chubb

Pros: Productive veteran rusher. Capable of playing standing up or with his hand in the dirt. Strong bounce back year from ACL with 8.5 sacks. Could be undervalued on the market

Cons: ACL tear in 2024. Mediocre run defender. Will be 30 in June



K'lavon Chaisson

Pros: Career has been surging since leaving Jacksonville. Strong 3-4 fit. Key part of strong NE defense. Top 20 in the NFL in pressures with decent sack production. Could outplay his contract. Still only 26

Cons: Sack production was was decent, but still middling at 7.5. Only one year of real production


Boye Mafe

Pros: Win rate near 19% last year. Quality run defender. Probably a better fit as a stand up in an odd front than an even. Has a 9 sack season. Super Bowl champiom A down sack season could keep his asking price down. Could outplay his contract

Cons: Only 2 sacks last season. Wasnt a starter last season, with snap count under 600

 

[My3Sons]

Based on your write ups, bargain bin shoppers are all in on Mafe and Chubb. They will sign one of them or just draft for need

 

[darthseinfeld]

Based on your write ups, bargain bin shoppers are all in on Mafe and Chubb. They will sign one of them or just draft for need

You're probably still talking 12m+ AAV for either

 

[Ring6]

the Polymarket trend in where Maxx Crosby play in 2026 is wildly erratic but fun to monitor

 

[Zekeats]

I would rather trade both number 1s to move up and draft Bailey.

 

[big dog cowboy]

I would rather trade both number 1s to move up and draft Bailey.

You know that's not gonna happen, right?

 

[darthseinfeld]

@Cowboyny Thought about your guy Hebrig, but left him off because I haven't seen him linked to any trade rumors so far

 

[Cowboyny]

@Cowboyny Thought about your guy Hebrig, but left him off because I haven't seen him linked to any trade rumors so far

He could be this years’s pickens. We didn’t hear anything until after the draft.

Out of your list the last two really intrigue me, but I am starting to think they want a proven guy

 

[ccb04]

Another possibility I'd explore would be a trade with the Steelers. It's been said they may look to keep & extend Herbig, so I'd inquire about Alex Highsmith. He has a 14.5 sack season to his credit; is coming off a 9.5 sack season; 45 career sacks; he's a plus run defender; obviously experienced in the 3-4; he's under contract through 2027.

Perhaps something like:

Steelers get: #12 & TE Schoon (reunites with McCarthy)
Cowboys get: #21, Highsmith, and either #85 or #99

Cowboys get a solid edge with 3-4 pedigree, and retain two 1st rd picks while also regaining the 3rd given for Pickens.

 

[darthseinfeld]

He could be this years’s pickens. We didn’t hear anything until after the draft.

Out of your list the last two really intrigue me, but I am starting to think they want a proven guy

Chaisson's run deficiencies are pretty staggering though. 36% missed tackle rate is crazy.

Reports seem to be the favor Hendrickson. If they miss out, I can see them pivot to a trade for Greenard. 12 for 18 works as a base. That is 300 points, or pick 60 on the chart. Id want a 4th back at least

 

[darthseinfeld]

Another possibility I'd explore would be a trade with the Steelers. It's been said they may look to keep & extend Herbig, so I'd inquire about Alex Highsmith. He has a 14.5 sack season to his credit; is coming off a 9.5 sack season; 45 career sacks; he's a plus run defender; obviously experienced in the 3-4; he's under contract through 2027.

Perhaps something like:

Steelers get: #12 & TE Schoon (reunites with McCarthy)
Cowboys get: #21, Highsmith, and either #85 or #99

Cowboys get a solid edge with 3-4 pedigree, and retain two 1st rd picks while also regaining the 3rd given for Pickens.

I think they are more likely to move on from Watt when they extend Hebrig. Watt will be 32 this year

 

[dupree89]

With a Crosby trade still possible and FA right around the corner. I wanted to take a look at the pro's and cons of some of the available pass rushers

Maxx Crosby

Pros: All Pro caliber player who is elite a pass rusher and very strong as a run defender. Very system flexible. Franchise caliber player. Under contract until 2030

Cons: Trade cost. Lower body injuries the last two years


Trey Hendrickson

Pros: The best pure pass rusher available (including Crosby)and the best player available on the free agent market. Has had recent MVP caliber seasons

Cons: Will be expensive and is 31 years old. Mediocre run defender. Had hip surgery in December


Jonathan Greenard

Pro: Strong as both a pass rusher and run defender. 24.5 total sacks in 2023 snd 2024. Played for Marcus Dixon. Signed through 2027 at only 19m AAV

Cons: Will need to be traded for. Didn't finish sacks as well in 2025 as he did in 2023 and 2024. Shoulder surgery in December


Odefe Oweh

Pros : Came on strong as a pass rusher the last couple season after a slow start to his career. Could be starting to peek.

Cons: So so pressure totals despite strong sack numbers. Could be overpriced on the open market. Mediocre run defender


Jaelan Phillips

Pros: Strong pressure player. Finished in the top 10 in pressures. Has experience in the type of 3-4 we will run. Only 26

Cons: Has had durability issues. Has never been a great finisher despite elite pressure stats. Could be overpriced on the market


Bradley Chubb

Pros: Productive veteran rusher. Capable of playing standing up or with his hand in the dirt. Strong bounce back year from ACL with 8.5 sacks. Could be undervalued on the market

Cons: ACL tear in 2024. Mediocre run defender. Will be 30 in June



K'lavon Chaisson

Pros: Career has been surging since leaving Jacksonville. Strong 3-4 fit. Key part of strong NE defense. Top 20 in the NFL in pressures with decent sack production. Could outplay his contract. Still only 26

Cons: Sack production was was decent, but still middling at 7.5. Only one year of real production


Boye Mafe

Pros: Win rate near 19% last year. Quality run defender. Probably a better fit as a stand up in an odd front than an even. Has a 9 sack season. Super Bowl champiom A down sack season could keep his asking price down. Could outplay his contract

Cons: Only 2 sacks last season. Wasnt a starter last season, with snap count under 600

nicely done. That took some time. I appreciate your work here.

 

[ccb04]

I think they are more likely to move on from Watt when they extend Hebrig. Watt will be 32 this year

It may be quite a bit harder to move on from Watt, as he signed an extension in July 2025 that made him the highest paid edge at the time & includes $108 million in guaranteed money. Either way, doesn't hurt to inquire.

 

[Cowboyny]

Chaisson's run deficiencies are pretty staggering though. 36% missed tackle rate is crazy.

Reports seem to be the favor Hendrickson. If they miss out, I can see them pivot to a trade for Greenard. 12 for 18 works as a base. That is 300 points, or pick 60 on the chart. Id want a 4th back at least

He wants a big extension too

 

[darthseinfeld]

He wants a big extension too

Who Greenard?

 

[Kingofholland]

With a Crosby trade still possible and FA right around the corner. I wanted to take a look at the pro's and cons of some of the available pass rushers

Maxx Crosby

Pros: All Pro caliber player who is elite a pass rusher and very strong as a run defender. Very system flexible. Franchise caliber player. Under contract until 2030

Cons: Trade cost. Lower body injuries the last two years


Trey Hendrickson

Pros: The best pure pass rusher available (including Crosby)and the best player available on the free agent market. Has had recent MVP caliber seasons

Cons: Will be expensive and is 31 years old. Mediocre run defender. Had hip surgery in December


Jonathan Greenard

Pro: Strong as both a pass rusher and run defender. 24.5 total sacks in 2023 snd 2024. Played for Marcus Dixon. Signed through 2027 at only 19m AAV

Cons: Will need to be traded for. Didn't finish sacks as well in 2025 as he did in 2023 and 2024. Shoulder surgery in December


Odefe Oweh

Pros : Came on strong as a pass rusher the last couple season after a slow start to his career. Could be starting to peek.

Cons: So so pressure totals despite strong sack numbers. Could be overpriced on the open market. Mediocre run defender


Jaelan Phillips

Pros: Strong pressure player. Finished in the top 10 in pressures. Has experience in the type of 3-4 we will run. Only 26

Cons: Has had durability issues. Has never been a great finisher despite elite pressure stats. Could be overpriced on the market


Bradley Chubb

Pros: Productive veteran rusher. Capable of playing standing up or with his hand in the dirt. Strong bounce back year from ACL with 8.5 sacks. Could be undervalued on the market

Cons: ACL tear in 2024. Mediocre run defender. Will be 30 in June



K'lavon Chaisson

Pros: Career has been surging since leaving Jacksonville. Strong 3-4 fit. Key part of strong NE defense. Top 20 in the NFL in pressures with decent sack production. Could outplay his contract. Still only 26

Cons: Sack production was was decent, but still middling at 7.5. Only one year of real production


Boye Mafe

Pros: Win rate near 19% last year. Quality run defender. Probably a better fit as a stand up in an odd front than an even. Has a 9 sack season. Super Bowl champiom A down sack season could keep his asking price down. Could outplay his contract

Cons: Only 2 sacks last season. Wasnt a starter last season, with snap count under 600

Nice summary by player for me Hendrickson, Gary, and Chubb would be my preferences. If they can't get one of those then they should just sign a couple guys as part of the rotation, Mack, Clowney, etc. then see how the draft pans out.

 

[darthseinfeld]

Nice summary by player for me Hendrickson, Gary, and Chubb would be my preferences. If they can't get one of those then they should just sign a couple guys as part of the rotation, Mack, Clowney, etc. then see how the draft pans out.

Gary is apparently unavailable. He/GB have back peddled that. At least for now

 

[Gambit]

He could be this years’s pickens. We didn’t hear anything until after the draft.

Out of your list the last two really intrigue me, but I am starting to think they want a proven guy

I think Parker said he wants a mix of experience and youth there

 

[Kingofholland]

Gary is apparently unavailable. He/GB have back peddled that. At least for now

Bummer still weird, but something has to be up there.

 

[75boyz]

Another possibility I'd explore would be a trade with the Steelers. It's been said they may look to keep & extend Herbig, so I'd inquire about Alex Highsmith. He has a 14.5 sack season to his credit; is coming off a 9.5 sack season; 45 career sacks; he's a plus run defender; obviously experienced in the 3-4; he's under contract through 2027.

Perhaps something like:

Steelers get: #12 & TE Schoon (reunites with McCarthy)
Cowboys get: #21, Highsmith, and either #85 or #99

Cowboys get a solid edge with 3-4 pedigree, and retain two 1st rd picks while also regaining the 3rd given for Pickens.

This is not terrible. Nice job.

I'd still want an additional edge too though.
Maybe if they resigned Clowney along with this guy.

Those 2 could be better than just a Crosby or Hendrickson single man acquisition.

Just throwing it out there.