Finding a traveling pass-rusher to play the Micah Parsons position for the lowest-ranked defense in the NFL is one of the issues confronting new Washington Commanders’ head coach Dan Quinn. By raiding the New York Jets for dynamic edge-rusher Bryce Huff in 2024 NFL agency, he can find the guy he needs.
Huff “may be a name to watch out for,” according to Pro Football Focus’s Brad Spielberger. He cited PFF data, which indicates that Huff outperforms Parsons with a pass rush victory rate of 23.8 percent to 23.8 percent.
Recent years’ success over Parsons suggests what Huff may accomplish if given more creative freedom. Quinn would have no trouble increasing how Huff attacks offenses. For the last three seasons, he sent Parsons after quarterbacks from every angle while playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
Parsons became a two-time first-team All-Pro thanks to the Quinn strategy. The Commanders require it after placing last in terms of points scored and yards allowed in 2023.
After defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat were traded in the middle of the season, a lack of reliable pressure became a major issue.
Bryce Huff Is Expected to Benefit from Free AgencyÂ
Huff is aware of his worth, even though Parsons isn’t. Huff was not on the latter’s list of his top five pass-rushers, which was released lately.
“You can’t name top 5 pure pass rushers in the league without putting my name in that conversation top 3 really.. off straight stats and film,” the Jets’ D-end wrote on X in response to his exclusion.
And this is me being humble. I don’t have the excitement behind my name yet for people to really argue that I’m number one just because I play a lot of games. Just wait and see what I accomplish over the next five to ten years, Huff said.
Although they are audacious claims, Huff did earn 10 sacks in 2023 while playing in a situational position. According to Pro Football Reference, he blitzed 19 times, producing 33 pressures, 12 hurries, and 10 QB knockdowns.
Huff makes sense as Quinn’s replacement for Parsons for more reasons than just his astounding statistics. Huff, who stands six feet three and weighs 255 pounds, has the ideal build. He weighs only ten pounds more than Parsons, but he has comparable mobility and can rush from the inside, as a standard defensive end, or as a standup outside linebacker.
Huff’s passing maneuver is more sophisticated. Three things that he demonstrated for this sack against the New England Patriots in Week 18: quickness, elusiveness, and leverage.
A player possessing Huff’s primary ability will consistently fetch a high price in the open market. According to Connor Hughes of SNY.tv, who believes it is “wildly unlikely” that the Jets will bring Huff back, that is where he will end up. “If they wanted to do that, they should have signed him in season,” Hughes says. Not even a contract offer was ever offered by them. Huff’s current goal on the free-agent market should be to maximize his earnings. There won’t be a hometown discount, he himself stated.
The Commanders have enough money to compensate Huff fairly for his output. With the 25-year-old’s skills, they also desperately need a pass-rusher.
Leaders Need to Locate Micah Parsons-Style Pass-Rusher
Premium draft picks were acquired by the Commanders by trading Young to the San Francisco 49ers and Sweat to the Chicago Bears. Still, those transactions took pressure off a defense that was already having trouble.
Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. will seek to improve on the 39 sacks this season. Hiring pass-rushers with a track record of success is the easiest approach.
Huff is a good fit, but there are some other interesting players that are eligible for free agency as well. Someone with adequate versatility to follow in Parsons’ footsteps is Jerome Baker of the Miami Dolphins, an outside linebacker.
So is Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Josh Allen, a two-time Pro Bowler. Quinn’s old teammate, Cowboys end Dorance Armstrong Jr., is also a viable option.
The Commanders, who according to Spotrac.com have $83,543,548 in cap space, will need to sign at least one high-end pass-rusher this offseason. The most valuable will be the one with the skill closest to Parsons’.
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