Chicago Bears: 5 Edge rushers to target in 2020 NFL free agency

Jadeveon Clowney, Seattle Seahawks (6-5, 255 pounds)

Jadeveon Clowney was the Houston Texans’ first-round pick (#1 overall) in the 2014 NFL Draft. He has the athletic tools that made him one of the most sought-after prospects in recent memory.

Once he got into the league, injuries kept Clowney from reaching the heights many expected from him. He only played in four games for Houston in his rookie season before he missed the rest of the season. He came back and played in 13 games in 2015 but he’s only had one season during his career in which he played all 16 games (2017).

Let’s not get it wrong, however, he has been a very good player but a lot of people thought he’d be a once in a generation kind of player. Interestingly, in each of the three seasons in which he played the most games (2016-2018 when he played in 45 of a possible 48 games), he made the Pro Bowl.

One of the positives for Floyd has been his play against the run. Clowney continues that. He’s been amazing against the run, finishing in the top ten against the run in the last five seasons. In terms of stops resulting in negative plays, Clowney finished in the top five in the last three seasons.

Clowney has been good but not great against the pass, however. He only registered three sacks in 2019 but ranked seventh in pass rush win rate. That means he often beat blockers and opposing offenses need to give him some attention.

Having Clowney paired with Mack also helps Clowney. For both players, a number of those pressures they had in 2019 could result in sacks in 2020 with them playing together.

Clowney is expecting a monster deal this year. I think he may be surprised that he won’t get as much as he expects. The name of the game is to get sacks and wreak havoc in the opponent’s backfield. It’s good to do well against the run but sacks bring in dollars. Many don’t want the Bears to pay $13.22 million for a run stopper in Floyd so I don’t think Clowney cashes in on a megadeal.

Yes, that’s what we’re criticizing Floyd for and why would the Bears want a similar player? Well, Clowney is better against the pass without Mack at the moment and playing alongside Mack could help make him a better player. Floyd already showed that playing alongside Mack hasn’t done anything for his game.