June is officially here, so the free agent market could start heating up for players like Yannick Ngakoue. Any team that used a post-June 1st designation on a player will soon receive additional cap space, which usually leads to a late-season signing spree. Ngakoue is arguably the best pass rusher left on the open market, assuming he’s fully recovered from his broken ankle. Starting and appearing in 13 games for the Chicago Bears, the former third-round pick finished the season with four sacks, 22 tackles, six tackles-for-loss, and seven quarterback hits.
Yannick Ngakoue isn’t the player he once was, but the free agent can still contribute in a situational role. Additionally, head coach Matt Eberflus commended the veteran on being a “great teammate ” for the younger players and should be a positive locker room influence. With all this in mind, Bleacher Report believes the Los Angeles Rams should go after the veteran.
By partnering Verse and Fiske with Turner and Byron Young, the Rams might actually improve on a pass rush that produced 41 sacks last season. It wouldn’t hurt to add another piece to the rotation, though, and Yannick Ngakoue could be a fine situational piece if fully recovered from last year’s broken ankle.
Rams Linked To Free Agent Yannick Ngakoue
Yannick Ngakoue is not the most well-rounded player in the league, but the free agent can still make a difference as a situational pass rusher. Now entering his age-29 season, the former member of the famed “Sacksonville” defense makes sense for the Los Angeles Rams. As mentioned in the excerpt above, the Los Angeles Rams finished the 2023 season with 41 sacks, the second-fewest in the league. This is less than ideal, and it will get worse with Aaron Donald retiring.
Even if Yannick Ngakoue was an interior defensive lineman, the free agent could not replace Aaron Donald. The defensive tackle is arguably the best defensive player of his generation and no single human being can match his production. However, someone will need to get after the quarterback somehow, and the Rams could use a deep rotation of edge defenders to try and mimic Donald’s impact on the quarterback.
Of course, the Rams won’t be the only team interested in signing Yannick Ngakoue as a free agent. Getting after the quarterback is a valuable skill in today’s pass-happy NFL, and Ngakoue is just one year removed from a 9.5-sack season. Assuming he’s fully healthy, these five teams could go after him.
Other Potential Teams
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens believe that former first-round pick Odafe Oweh has what it takes to replace the departed Jadeveon Clowney. They could be right, but adding a veteran free agent like Yannick Ngakoue wouldn’t hurt. In a best-case scenario, Ngakoue can serve as valuable depth in a situational role for one of the best teams in the league. However, if Oweh doesn’t live up to expectations, the one-time Bear can be an adequate starter on the edge.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have the offensive pieces to compete, and now they need to fortify the defense. While the team added some promising young faces to the defensive line, they could use a veteran free agent like Yannick Ngakoue to contribute right out of the gate. Playing in a relatively weak NFC South, Atlanta should be favorites to finish atop the division if the defense can hold up its end of the bargain.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers had arguably the worst collection of edge defender talent after trading Brian Burns for a second-round pick. Seeing as they (understandably) used most of their early picks on the offensive side of the ball, Carolina added veteran Jadeveon Clowney and D.J. Wonnum to shore up the edge. While these two can do the job, the Panthers could still use a free agent like Yannick Ngakoue. These three won’t remind anyone of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens, but they should be good enough to get after the quarterback at a decent clip.
New Orleans Saints
On paper, the Saints have a strong duo of starting edge rushers in Chase Young and Cameron Jordan. However, both players are coming off injuries, Young has struggled with consistency throughout his career, and Jordan is getting up there in age. While these two have the potential to be great, New Orleans should sign Yannick Ngakoue as a free agent for some additional insurance.
Detroit Lions
After decades of mediocrity, the Detroit Lions are finally Super Bowl contenders. The 2023 season proved this team has the talent for a deep playoff run, and they could use a free agent like Yannick Ngakoue to be the finishing piece for this defense. Aidan Hutchinson and Marcus Davenport are good enough to start, allowing Ngakoue to be a situational pass rusher who won’t need to worry about responsibilities in the run game.
Main Photo: Jamie Sabau – USA Today Sports
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