Veteran Pass-Rushers Still Offer Situational Value on Stagnant Free-Agent Market

Talented pass-rushers almost always find free agency to be a lucrative venture. 

In just the past few weeks, two edge-rushers received the eight-figure franchise tag and another seven signed deals worth at least $6 million per season. The ability to pressure the quarterback remains one of the most coveted traits in football, and teams are willing to pay gobs of money to obtain it from any source necessary. 

Yet free agency can be a much different enterprise for pass-rushers once Father Time has his value-killing hands on them.

The market is now a full two weeks old, but a number of veteran edge players remain on the market. Those aging pass-rushers awaiting an opportunity include Dwight Freeney, Anthony Spencer, Osi Umenyiora, Mathias Kiwanuka, Shaun Phillips and John Abraham, among others.

It was never likely for this group to find work early or stumble upon a huge deal. And it's equally unlikely that any of the names listed above can still be functional full-time defenders.

However, now might be the right time for teams to scavenge a situational pass-rushing asset at a palatable price.

In the following slides, we'll run down the remaining value that the available edge defenders have for teams in need of a situational edge player. 

Dwight Freeney

Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Age: 35

Experience: 13 years

Freeney appears to be a bit of an ageless wonder. Even during his 13th year in the NFL last season, he was still effective and productive while rushing the quarterback for the San Diego Chargers. 

He finished with only 3.5 sacks, his lowest total ever during a season in which he played 10 or more games. While the sacks weren't there, his pressures certainly were. According to Pro Football Focus, Freeney produced 53 total quarterback disruptions, which ranked sixth overall among 3-4 outside linebackers. 

Overall, he played less than 600 snaps. The majority of his best work came on the right side while facing left tackles.

Eventually, he'll hit the wall. Maybe it'll happen in 2015. But without much doubt, last season showed he still has something left to offer. In a role offering him 500 or so snaps in a mostly pass-rushing role, Freeney could be well worth the price of admission. 

Anthony Spencer

Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Age: 31

Experience: Eight years

Spencer remains a difficult projection due to injury. 

In 2012, he emerged as a legitimate pass-rushing terror for the Dallas Cowboys, registering a career-high 12 sacks. He produced 40 total pressures and proved to be a terror against the run, a combo punch which helped him finish as the second-best 3-4 outside linebacker at Pro Football Focus. 

Then came microfracture surgery in 2013. 

Spencer has now played in only 13 games over the last two seasons. His limited availability has equated to only a half-sack in two years. As such, his market has mostly dried up. 

But there's hope. He was still decent against the run last season while also producing 16 pressures over less than 400 snaps. He'll be another year removed from major surgery in 2015 and potentially closer to the player he was in 2012. 

Spencer shouldn't be costly. The risk is worth the reward if he's healthy. 

Osi Umenyiora

Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

Age: 33

Experience: 11 years

Umenyiora is now far removed from his double-digit-sack days with the New York Giants, but he was better than advertised while attempting a career revival in Atlanta over the last two seasons. 

The sack numbers were clearly down. He has just 10 since 2013, with only 2.5 last season. But in a limited pass-rushing role, Umenyiora was undeniably productive. 

According to Pro Football Focus, he played only 347 snaps but still registered 35 pressures. His ratio of pressures over snaps was the 15th best among 4-3 defensive ends, which is strong evidence that he still has something to offer. 

Umenyiora will turn 34 in November. But he'll have the advantage of arriving with a manageable price tag and prior production in a situational role. Some team should take the minimal risk associated with finding out if he can remain productive. 

Mathias Kiwanuka

Al Bello/Getty Images

Age: 32

Experience: Nine years

Kiwanuka will have a tough sell on the open market. 

He has 38.5 career sacks and some versatility as a rusher. But he's also coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro and a knee injury that sent him to injured reserve late last year. 

Older, injured players with obvious signs of regression often find themselves out of work for a while. 

Then again, it's possible he simply needs a lesser role. The New York Giants played him on a majority of the defense's snaps up until his injury last season, and Kiwanuka was poor as a rusher and against the run. If reduced to a role in which he plays less than 50 percent of the snaps, Kiwanuka could see a production revival. 

His last strong season came in 2012, when he was a situational player in New York. His next role will almost certainly require him to be a rotational rusher. 

Shaun Phillips

Mark Zaleski/Associated Press

Age: 33

Experience: 11 years

Like Mathias Kiwanuka, Phillips will have a difficult time establishing his market. 

He was a bust in Tennessee and failed to provide anything for the Indianapolis Colts, who acquired him late last season. It's conceivable to think he's hit the wall. And hard. 

Then again, Phillips is only a few years removed from a nine-sack season with the San Diego Chargers in 2012 and a 10-sack year with the Denver Broncos in 2013. Was last year an aberration or a sign of things to come?

And here's the good news: Finding out the answer to the question above won't cost much at all. Phillips should be dirt cheap to acquire, making him a low-risk venture for all 32 general managers.

If he looks done in August, simply part ways. Otherwise, it might be worthwhile to see if Phillips can get over 2014 and become productive one last time. 

John Abraham

Ralph Freso/Getty Images

Age: 36

Experience: 15 years

Abraham will turn 37 in May, an ancient age in the NFL regardless of position. And he's also dealing with a concussion history that cost him all but one game in 2014. 

Even with his advanced age and head-injury worries, Abraham is still worth a look. Maybe a long look. 

Before last season, he had produced four straight years with at least 9.5 sacks, including three over 10. His 133.5 career sacks are 10th all-time and second among active players, trailing only Jared Allen. Another eight sacks would tie him with Michael Strahan for fifth all-time. 

Abraham is a future Hall of Famer with a recent history of production. The head injuries are a concern, but he was also afforded a year off to heal the rest of his body. It probably wouldn't be wise to consider another disruptive season out of reach for a fresh Abraham in 2015. 

His medicals need to check out, and he needs to commit to playing next season. Still, Abraham isn't an edge-rusher you want to bet against.