Edge defender Emmanuel Ogbah is on the hunt for a new team after the Dolphins released him in February. The veteran has had a winding career so far, starting his career as a second-round pick by the Browns before being traded to the Chiefs. He signed with the Dolphins in 2020 and parlayed two breakout seasons into a new big-money deal before falling out of favor the past couple of seasons. There’s a good chance there are a couple more stops on the journey ahead.
Ogbah is a big edge at 6-4, 278. He’s always been a solid run defender, even going back to his rookie contract in Cleveland. But with the Dolphins he was able to tap into more pass rush productivity before his reduced role the past two seasons.
Prospective teams will hope he bounces back with a more consistent role in 2024.
Ogbah, 30, is a former second-round pick of the Browns in 2016. Cleveland later traded Ogbah to the Chiefs in exchange for S Eric Murray.
Ogbah finished the final year of his four-year, $6.6 million contract and made a base salary of $1,351,314 for the 2019 season. He was an unrestricted free agent in 2020 and signed a two-year, $15 million deal with the Dolphins that included $7.5 million fully guaranteed.
He was set to hit the free-agent market in 2022 before re-signing with the Dolphins on a four-year, $65 million contract that included $32 million guaranteed. He was entering the third year of his deal and was set to earn a base salary of $14,925,000 in 2024 when Miami released him.
In 2023, Ogbah appeared in 15 games and recorded 20 tackles, 5.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, one interception, one forced fumble, and two pass defenses.
We have him included in our Top 100 Available Free Agents list.
Bears
It’s the dawn of a new era in Chicago. Caleb Williams has arrived, bringing with him the hope of the city as the franchise quarterback the Bears have been trying to find for decades. Ryan Poles and Matt Eberflus have stayed on as GM and HC, respectively, as they look to turn the franchise from rebuilding to contending mode. The offense could be electric and the defense hopes to build off a promising 2023 campaign.
If there’s one weakness on this roster, it’s on the defensive line. Montez Sweat was brilliant after being brought in from Washington at the trade deadline last year, and he’ll lock down one of the edge defender spots. Across from him, however, DeMarcus Walker is a weak link. Walker had one of the lowest grades of any starting edge defender in 2023, per PFF, and the Bears could use an upgrade.
Ogbah would be a big help on this line. The only meaningful addition Chicago made to their edge rusher rotation this offseason was drafting Austin Booker in the fifth round, and he’s unlikely to be a capable starter right away. Ogbah has a traditional strength profile that Eberflus values in his edge rushers. He’d be a good fit and a potential starter, something he’s not likely to be on most NFL teams this season.
Raiders
Maxx Crosby is one of the five best edge rushers in the NFL today, and paired with Malcolm Koonce, gives the Raiders a formidable edge duo. Las Vegas also drafted Tyree Wilson at No. 7 in 2023 to be a defensive cornerstone long-term. Unfortunately, Wilson struggled mightily in his rookie season, in many cases playing his way off the field.
The Raiders are thin behind Crosby and Koonce and could use serious help at the position. Ogbah would be a good fit. He’s bigger than the Raiders typically employ at edge rusher, but he brings size and strength to their defensive line. Koonce is not a particularly strong run defender, and Ogbah would boost the Raiders’ run defense.
Las Vegas is in an awkward position as an organization right now, with some older veteran stars supporting a young roster without an established quarterback. Whether Aidan O’Connell or Gardner Minshew takes the first snap in September, neither is expected to be a major difference-maker. For the Raiders to get back to the playoffs, they need their roster to be as strong as possible elsewhere. Ogbah wouldn’t be seen as a big add, but he’d be a strong addition to a weak rotation at a critical position. That’s worthwhile value for the Raiders.
Patriots
The Patriots are kicking off a new era with a new head coach and quarterback, but their defense should have a lot of continuity. Former LB coach Jerod Mayo was promoted to the head coaching position, and they return most of their major contributors on that side of the ball.
Continuity is good, but the Patriots could use some reinforcements as well. Their edge rusher rotation features Matt Judon, Josh Uche, Deatrich Wise Jr. and Keion White. Judon is a star and Uche is a premiere pass-rushing specialist. White is a second-year player expected to make a jump, while Wise Jr. has largely been ineffective even in a depth role. There’s room for an addition here, especially if White struggles in year two.
Ogbah is built very similarly to Wise Jr. and White. He’d be an excellent fit in Mayo’s defense as the fourth or fifth rotational rusher. The 3-4 scheme New England runs relies on big ends who can anchor and hold double-teams on run downs, in addition to their pass-rushing responsibilities. Ogbah checks all those boxes.
While Wise Jr. and Uche are poor run defenders, it’s one of the strengths of Ogbah’s game. In recent years he’s improved significantly as a pass rusher, but he’s always been a solid run defender. Signing Ogbah would improve New England’s run defense and add another quality pass rusher to the rotation.
Looking for the latest NFL Insider News & Rumors?
Be sure to follow NFL Trade Rumors on TWITTER and FACEBOOK for breaking NFL News and Rumors for all 32 teams!
