NFL Free Agency 2020: 5 Best landing spots for Dante Fowler Jr.

After a career year with the Los Angeles Rams, outside linebacker Dante Fowler Jr. could chase a significant pay raise in 2020 NFL free agency.

The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Dante Fowler Jr. with the third overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Unfortunately, the Florida product never found his footing with the team. Midway through the 2018 season, Jacksonville traded Fowler to the Los Angeles Rams. In 2019, Fowler posted career numbers with his new team.

Fowler set career-highs with 11.5 sacks, 16 quarterback hits, 58 tackles and six passes defensed this past season. While he’s not an elite pass rusher, Fowler could become the top option for a needy team. He’d work even better as a complementary piece to other qualified sack artists.

While the Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins need edge rushers, they’ don’t represent good landing spots for Fowler. Schematically and financially, the following five teams are the best suitors for the young edge rusher. Of course, in a free agency class loaded with pass rushers, anything is possible.

5. New York Jets

The Jets should chase Fowler, or another highly-regarded pass rusher with their $49.1 million in cap space. Gang Green is currently stuck between rebuilding and competing, as the team’s 7-9 record shows. If the team fixes needs along the offensive line, in the pass rush, and at wide receiver this offseason, the Jets could turn into a surprising playoff contender.

Now, I don’t believe the Jets can fill all of their needs this offseason. The offensive line completely fell apart last season, and most of the starters will enter free agency this spring. New York could also lose two of their top-three sack artists from 2019. Jordan Jenkins led the team with eight sacks, and Neville Hewitt finished third with 3.5.

As a team, the Jets produced 35 sacks last season, the tenth-fewest in the NFL. Even if Jamal Adams continues his tremendous sack production from the safety position and Quinnen Williams plays better in 2020, the Jets still need at least one pass rusher who can approach the ten-sack mark.

New York could also pursue Bud Dupree or Matt Judon. They both play 3-4 outside linebacker roles, the same as Fowler, and posted career numbers in 2019. All of them are young enough to sign to long-term deals as well. Either way, the Jets will sign a pass rusher this offseason.