Former Miami Dolphins Edge Defender Emmanuel Ogbah Is The Best Pass Rusher Left On The Free Agent Market And Should Find A New Team Soon.
While league rosters are mostly set following the 2024 NFL Draft, there are still a few talented players available on the open market who can immediately help an organization. One such player is free agent Emmanuel Ogbah, a pass rusher coming off a five-sack season with the Miami Dolphins. A one-time Super Bowl champion, the cash-strapped Miami Dolphins had no choice but to part ways with the edge defender before free agency.
Ogbah originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft but had his best years with the Miami Dolphins. From 2020 to 2021, the edge defender recorded a combined 18 sacks under then-head coach Brian Flores. Unfortunately, injuries struck in 2022, as a triceps injury limited him to just nine games in his first year under Mike McDaniel. While he had a decent year in his return from injury, it wasn’t enough to save his job.
Emmanuel Ogbah might not have a 10-sack season left in his tank, but the free agent is good enough to contribute on the right team. While he hasn’t found a home yet, the following five organizations could sign him in the coming weeks.
5 Teams Who Could Sign Free Agent Emmanuel Ogbah
Atlanta Falcons
After shocking the world with the Michael Penix selection, the Falcons spent the rest of the NFL Draft investing in the defensive side of the ball. While they added multiple rookies to the trenches, they could use a proven veteran. Outside of second-round pick Ruke Orhorhoro, Atlanta’s rookie defensive linemen will probably be nothing more than role players in 2024. The Falcons believe they can win it all with Kirk Cousins under center, and signing Emmanuel Ogbah as a free agent will add some much-needed security to the defensive line.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs have a strong pass rush, but they could use a veteran free agent like Emmanuel Ogbah. With L’Jarius Sneed in Tennessee, getting after the quarterback will be more important than ever. Opposing receivers will get open quicker, but that won’t matter if the quarterback is scrambling from a collapsing pocket. Felix Anudike-Uzomah didn’t do much of anything as a rookie, and Ogbah is a fine insurance policy if the former first-round pick cannot make the Year 2 leap.
Detroit Lions
The Lions have the offense to win the Super Bowl, and they spent the offseason trying to build a complementary defense. Free agent signee Marcus Davenport is a fine veteran, and the rookie duo of Terrion Arnold and Ennis Rakestraw Jr should improve the secondary. However, if they want their defense to go from good to great, they should consider signing Emmanuel Ogbah as a free agent. In today’s pass-heavy NFL, you need three players capable of getting after the quarterback. Aidan Hutchinson is a star in the making, while Davenport and Ogbah can provide veteran support.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints made a high-risk, high-reward one-year gamble on Chase Young. While the former second-overall pick has the potential to be a 10-sack guy, he’s currently coming off an injury and doesn’t have the best track record. Emmanuel Ogbah lacks Young’s ceiling, but the free agent could provide a safe Plan B in case Young doesn’t work out.
Baltimore Ravens
Jadeveon Clowney is in Carolina, which means Baltimore needs another edge defender. The team brought back Kyle Van Noy and used the fifth-year option on Odafe Oweh, so they don’t have a desperate need for an edge defender. With that being said, Van Noy is on the older side, and Oweh has yet to handle a full-time starting role. Baltimore could use a rotational defensive line, and Emmanuel Ogbah is a perfect free agent for such a role.
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