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3 Best NFL Defensive Ends Likely to Hit Free Agency in 2020 Offseason

By Tristan Jung

Jadeveon Clowney makes a tackle against the Vikings.
Jadeveon Clowney makes a tackle against the Vikings. / Alika Jenner/Getty Images
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Teams looking to make a big addition to their defensive line will have plenty of options in the 2020 NFL free agent class. With passing attempts up league-wide again in 2019, a good pass rush will continue to be a key component of any defense.

This year will see a strong group of pass rushers who will receive plenty of interest from teams. Here's a look at three of the best defensive ends who could hit the open market.

1. Jadeveon Clowney, Seattle Seahawks

Jadeveon Clowney runs after intercepting a pass against the Cardinals.
Jadeveon Clowney runs after intercepting a pass against the Cardinals. / Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

Although Jadeveon Clowney has had a bit of a down year after being traded to Seattle from the Houston Texans, he's still a top pass rusher. He's dealt with some injuries, starting just 11 games this season, but the former No. 1 pick remains one of the standout talents at his position, with the versatility to play end or linebacker. Although he's had just 3 sacks in 2019, he had back-to-back seasons with 9 sacks in Houston. In addition to his pass rushing ability, Clowney is arguably an even better run stopper, with 71 tackles for losses over his 6-year career. He's set for a big payday if the Seahawks don't give him the franchise tag.

2. Yannick Ngakoue, Jacksonville Jaguars

Yannick Ngakoue makes a tackles in a game against the Buccaneers.
Yannick Ngakoue makes a tackles in a game against the Buccaneers. / James Gilbert/Getty Images

The stats tell it all for Yannick Ngakoue: he's picked up 37.5 sacks and 85 quarterback hits in four seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. A third-round pick out of Maryland, Ngakoue has paid off for the Jaguars, missing just two games over the last four years. With the Jaguars' leadership in flux after Tom Coughlin was fired, Ngakoue could hit the open market at the perfect time. The standout pass rusher turns just 25 in March and has already proven himself worthy of a big-time contract.

3. Chris Jones, Kansas City Chiefs

Chris Jones plays in a game against the Vikings.
Chris Jones plays in a game against the Vikings. / Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

Chris Jones has anchored the Kansas City Chiefs defensive line for the past three seasons. After making the Pro Bowl in 2018 with a magnificent 15.5-sack campaign, Jones has backed it up with another strong season in 2019. Although Jones has missed a few games in 2019, he remains one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the NFL. Even with the Chiefs losing another stud pass rusher in Justin Houston heading into the 2019 season, Jones hasn't missed a beat, once again providing the bulk of Kansas City's production. His combination of speed and power remains difficult for offensive linemen to deal with. If the Chiefs can't find a way to extend him, teams like Detroit, Seattle, and Atlanta will be calling in on his services.

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Tristan Jung is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Tristan Jung also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username tristan1117. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.