Dwight Freeney, Elvis Dumervil, and Mario Williams have combined for 16 Pro Bowl appearances, six first-team All-Pro selections, and 319 sacks during their playing careers. Yet, the trio of edge defenders still find themselves unsigned. Their current free agent status isn’t particularly surprising, especially when you consider their age and mileage. However, with several teams still needing help at edge rusher, it’s easy to assume that at least one of these guys will find a new home relatively soon.
Freeney might be the most attractive name on the list, and he was still useful as a reserve in 2016. The 37-year-old ended up playing in 15 games (one start) for the Falcons, compiling 10 tackles and three sacks. The former AFC Defensive Player of the Year also started a pair of playoff games for Atlanta, and he collected a sack on Tom Brady during the Super Bowl. The veteran is clearly slowing down, and considering that he’s started a total of 14 games over the past four seasons, he’s best used as a situational pass rusher.
Following the Falcons Super Bowl loss, there were whispers that Freeney might decide to call it a career. However, the veteran made it sound like he’d be returning for the 2017 season. The Falcons have been the only team connected to the defensive end throughout free agency, with one report indicating that Atlanta was going to wait until after the draft to decide on Freeney.
The market has been even quieter for Dumervil and Williams. Dumervil was released back in March by the Ravens, with the team saving nearly $6MM in the transaction. However, following the move, Ravens GM Ozzie Newsome said he wouldn’t rule out re-signing the 33-year-old. Since then, the market for the linebacker has apparently been non-existent. The veteran did compile 17 sacks as recently as 2014, but his production tailed off a bit this past season. Dumervil ended up playing in only eight games (three starts) in 
2016, collecting 11 tackles, three sacks, and a pair of forced fumbles.
Despite being the youngest of the three, Williams is the lone edge defender not to be connected to any teams this offseason. The former first-overall pick set career-lows in solo tackles (nine) and sacks (1.5) during his lone season in Miami, and he was subsequently released by the Dolphins in February. At only 32-years-old, there should be some optimism that Williams can return to form. Between 2012 and 2014, Williams averaged more than 12 sacks a game, so he could surely be useful in a reserve role.
There are still several teams that could use some reinforcement on the defensive line. The Cardinals have former first-rounder Robert Nkemdiche starting at defensive end, but they could seek some depth alongside him. The Panthers might be looking for some help behind Charles Johnson and Mario Addison, while the Cowboys, Lions, Chargers, and Saints are other teams that could theoretically use a pass rusher.
So, among these three veteran edge rushers, who do you think will end up signing with a team first?
If Williams was averaging more than 12 sacks a game, then I would fear for my life if I was a qb haha. But I’d go with Freeney because of the most recent production.