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Feb 23, 2015

NFL Top Free Agents and Signings: Rushers

As NFL teams prepare for the opening of free agency March 10, TSN.ca takes a look at the top free agents at each position. Today the pass rushers, headlined by Justin Houston and Jerry Hughes, are tackled.

Jason Worilds

Jason Worilds , Wesley Hitt/Getty Images

Houston sacks Rivers
Justin Houston

The Chiefs placed the non-exclusive franchise tag on Houston March 2

2014 Stats

  • Tackles
    68
  • Sacks
    22.0
  • Stuffs
    6
  • FF
    4
Houston's not only the best pass rusher available, he's the best pass rusher in the league. The former third-round pick led the league in sacks with 22 last year, and has 48.5 over his four-year career.
Jason Pierre-Paul
Jason Pierre-Paul

The Giants placed the franchise tag on Pierre-Paul March 2

2014 Stats

  • Tackles
    77
  • Sacks
    12.5
  • Stuffs
    6
  • FF
    3
Pierre-Paul is coming off the second best season of his career in a contract year. The 26-year-old racked up 12.5 sacks, which was only outdone by his amazing sophomore season in which he tallied 16.5 QB takedowns.
Jerry Hughes
Jerry Hughes

Re-signed with Bills (five years, $45 million)

2014 Stats

  • Tackles
    53
  • Sacks
    9.5
  • Stuffs
    6
  • FF
    3
Hughes has been a different player since signing with the Bills two seasons ago. Since the Colts cut bait with the now 26-year-old, Hughes has amassed 19.5 sacks, 14.5 more than his first three seasons in Indy combined.
Jason Worilds
Jason Worilds

Age: 26

2014 Stats

  • Tackles
    59
  • Sacks
    7.5
  • Stuffs
    5
  • FF
    1
Worilds had another solid season for the Steelers after they placed the transition tag on the pass rusher for the 2014 season. Worilds won't put up the gaudy sack totals like a Justin Houston, but has 25.5 sacks over his five year career with the Steelers.
Brian Orakpo
Brian Orakpo

Age: 28

2014 Stats

  • Tackles
    24
  • Sacks
    0.5
  • Stuffs
    1
  • FF
    0
Orakpo's 2014 season was cut short with a pectoral injury which means he's entering free agency with less than impressive stats, but he is just one year removed from a 10-sack season and has 40 sacks over his six-year career.

Other Notables

Player Age '14 Team Sacks
Pernell McPhee 26 Ravens 7.5
Jabaal Sheard 25 Browns 2.0
Brandon Graham 26 Eagles 5.5
Akeem Ayers 25 Patriots 4.0
Greg Hardy* 26 Panthers 1.0

*suspended for all but one game last season