Yannick

Ngakoue

The Ravens released Ngakoue yesterday, prompting the 2-7 Patriots to unexpectedly bolster their thinned-out pass rush. Ngakoue can hardly be projected for a robust snap count but he should chip in from time to time. His signing does not move the needle on the Patriots’ D/ST unit for fantasy purposes. The team released LB Raekwon McMillan in a corresponding move.

Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Ravens hope to re-sign Ngakoue to the practice squad if he clears waivers. The Ravens signed him to a one-year deal back in September, and the veteran pass-rusher has totaled five tackles and 1.5 sacks in his five games played this season. It would not be surprising if Ngakoue did clear waivers and returned to Baltimore.

Ngakoue played for the Ravens during part of the 2020 season after being traded from the Vikings. He recorded three sacks in nine games with the Ravens and has totaled 23.5 sacks over the last three seasons while playing with the Raiders, Colts, and Bears. Ngakoue, 29, should still have plenty to offer a defense as a situational pass rusher and could see the field as early as Week 4 when the Ravens play host to the Bills.

Ngakoue totaled 22 tackles and four sacks while playing with the Bears last season and has amassed 23.5 sacks over the last three years. The 29-year-old EDGE is currently in search of his sixth team since 2020 and could be a nice fit for a Dolphins team that saw their pass-rushing corps get decimated by injuries last season. In addition to Ngakoue, the Dolphins also worked out Emmanuel Ogbah, who remains unsigned after spending the last four years with the Dolphins. Ogbah totaled 5.5 sacks in 15 games for the Fins in 2023.

Ngakoue broke his ankle in Week 14’s win against the Lions and will miss the remainder of the season. It’s a blow to a Chicago defensive line that Pro Football Focus has graded as the league’s second worst pass-rushing unit. Ngakoue is playing on a one-year, $10 million deal and will likely test free agency this offseason. He had four sacks and six tackles of a loss in 2023.

The deal includes $10 million in guaranteed money and sends the top remaining pass rusher in free agency to a team that ranked dead last in sacks a season ago. Ngakoue will immediately enter the starting lineup and brings size and athleticism off the edge, having amassed 19.5 sacks over the previous two seasons while playing for the Colts and Raiders.

Yannick Ngakoue, who recently changed agents with the goal of having a contract before training camp, is regarded as the best available EDGE player on the market. “One source with a team monitoring the edge rusher market said, as of a month ago, Ngakoue was seeking a contract in the range of $8 million to $10 million per year,” Brad Biggs writes. The Bears are currently projecting to start DeMarcus Walker and Trevis Gibson on the outside.

Ngakoue has been one of the “winners” of Media Disconnect Free Agency, drawing almost no interest in the offseason that we can find but routinely being mentioned as one of the top available free agents. Indianapolis signed Samson Ebukam to replace Ngakoue. Ngakoue did finish the year on injured reserve, but he had 9.5 sacks in 15 games and is still only 28.

Ngakoue will be shut down after he was added to the injury report this week. The Colts traded for Ngakoue in March and he continued to play at high level, registering 29 tackles and 9.5 sacks in 15 games. The 27-year-old pass rusher should be fully healthy for the start of free agency this offseason.

Ngakoue is part of a deal that reportedly has CB Rock Ya-Sin going to Vegas. Reports have had the Colts hunting for pass-rush help this week, and Ngakoue stabilized his career with a 10-sack campaign in Vegas last season. Amazingly, Ngakoue is still only 27 (in 15 days). He has gotten after the quarterback everywhere he has been, he has just been a lot of places in recent years. Indy will be his fifth club in four seasons.