Yannick Ngakoue signed a new contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. Since entering the league, Ngakoue has quietly been one of the league’s most consistent pass rushers.
This is now done: The #Raiders land one of the top pass-rushers available. https://t.co/edndJCWacm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 15, 2021
Yannick Ngakoue, Las Vegas Raiders, Agree to Contract
It has been quite the year for Yannick Ngakoue. Just 12 months ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars placed the franchise tag on the edge defender. However, it quickly became clear that Ngakoue was unwilling to play for the organization, thus, leading him to be dealt to the Minnesota Vikings in late August. 2020 marked his first season out of Jacksonville, and his role completely changed. He became primarily a situational rusher, playing only 29% of defensive snaps. Eventually, the team’s struggles saw them trade Ngakoue to the Baltimore Ravens. He never found his footing, starting only three of nine games in Baltimore. Ultimately, he finished 2020 with eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and 23 total tackles as a situational rusher.
Nonetheless, it was not long ago that Ngakoue broke onto the scene as a promising, young rusher. The 6-2 and 246-pound Maryland product was selected 69th overall back in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Jaguars. In a class meant to revamp their defense, Ngakoue helped do just that alongside fellow rookies Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack. As a rookie, he had eight sacks, four forced fumbles, and an interception. By year two, Ngakoue made his first Pro Bowl, with 12 sacks and six forced fumbles on the year. Then, between 2018 and 2019, Ngakoue racked up 17.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and 48 quarterback hits. In other words, his reliable production off the edge is what made Ngakoue such an attractive free agent.
Now, Ngakoue is going to be hungry to return to his old Jaguars form. Even in his “down” season, Ngakoue earned a 74.5 grade as a pass rusher according to PFF, which ranks 23rd among 100 qualifying edge defenders. He has only missed two games in his entire career too, providing more stability off the edge. As Ngakoue enters his age 26 season, for a player to hit the market with 45.5 sacks in his first five seasons, he could wind up being one of the steals of free agency.
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