The 2022 NFL free agency period is off and running at a furious pace. As players continue to sign during free agency, predictions for free agent EDGE Jadeveon Clowney continue to be discussed. Which teams in need of additional pass-rush help could benefit from acquiring Clowney in free agency?
Predictions for Jadeveon Clowney in 2022 NFL free agency
Edge rushers are starting to cash in during free agency. It was one of the deepest positional groups of the 2022 free agency class, and sitting towards the top is Clowney, No. 12 in PFN’s Top 100 Free Agent Rankings.
Clowney entered 2021 coming off a forgetful season with the Tennessee Titans. The former No. 1 overall pick played in just eight games and failed to record a sack before a knee injury ended his season.
He then went to the Cleveland Browns and found instant success. Clowney played alongside Myles Garrett and posted 9 sacks, just a half-sack off his career-best 2017 campaign. Recording 53 total pressures, 2 forced fumbles, and 37 tackles (24 solo), Clowney re-established his standing as one of the more disruptive edge defenders in the NFL.
Still just 28 years old, Clowney has plenty of football left in him. Spotrac lists Clowney’s annual projected value at $12.7 million. Given the need for disruptive pass rushers, this could be well worth the investment for a team competing for a title in 2022.
Miami Dolphins
As PFN NFL Insider Mike Kaye writes, the Miami Dolphins have been linked with Clowney before. The Dolphins are a team on the verge of the playoffs but could slip further down the Wild Card race given the moves being made by other AFC teams.
Generating pressure will be critical for the Dolphins in the AFC East. This was a strength of their team last season, as they caused pressure on 28.5% of opponents’ dropbacks (third-best in the NFL). Clowney could come in as an instant contributor while being a veteran presence for 2021 first-round pick Jaelan Phillips, who came into the NFL raw but full of promise.
Los Angeles Rams
Initial predictions pointed towards Von Miller coming back to chase another title with the Rams. But money talks. $120 million over six years talks even louder as Miller goes across the country to join the Buffalo Bills. So what do the Rams do now? One option could be to pair Aaron Donald with Clowney.
Clowney appeared to thrive the last season due to defenses needing to keep eyes on Garrett. The same thing could happen in LA with the focus shifted toward the interior, as Donald draws more center/guard double-teams than anyone else in the NFL. With all attention being paid to Doland, rightfully so, offenses can’t double both him and Clowney. The Rams continue to prove the salary cap is a myth. They can do it again with Clowney and maintain a lethal pass rush.
Cleveland Browns
The Cleveland Browns’ acquisition of QB Deshaun Watson sent a seismic shockwave through the NFL, which will permeate into free agency. The news didn’t escape Clowney, who shared a post on his Instagram of Watson in a Browns jersey.
While the team did add Taven Bryan in free agency and traded for Chase Winovich, would they say no to bringing back Clowney? I wouldn’t think so. It was a mutually beneficial relationship last season. If the Browns plan on contending for an AFC North title, re-signing Clowney makes too much sense if the money is right.
New York Jets
What if Clowney is more interested in landing in the best scheme fit than going to a contender? After all, schemes are what set players up in the best situations, not the commas in a bank account. The New York Jets could fit the bill as Clowney has found success in 3-4 schemes and 4-3 hybrids like Robert Saleh uses.
The Jets have a young roster and talented pass rushers in John Franklin-Myers and Carl Lawson. They also signed former Texans pass rusher Jacob Martin to a three-year, $13.5 million deal. Does this take them out of the Clowney market? Perhaps, but Saleh may want to double-down on this strength, allowing the Jets to keep fresh legs coming off the edge all game.
