Yannick Ngakoue landing spots: 3 teams that should target former Colts DE

Former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Yannick Ngakoue is still a free agent. After the 2023 NFL Draft, teams who failed to strengthen certain positions on their roster will turn their attention to the free agent pool for some bargains.

Yannick Ngakoue has a lot going for him. He is only 28 years old and still has room for improvement. Ngakoue is coming off a solid season for the Colts. He compiled a team-leading 9.5 sacks, eight tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits in 15 games. So the production is still there.

But which teams could use a 28-year-old free-agent pass rusher? There are a few possible options.

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Pittsburgh Steelers v Indianapolis Colts

3) Houston Texans

One team that needs to bolster their pass rush is the Houston Texans. They had the 27th-ranked defense in the NFL last season, giving up 24.7 points per game. They could use more talent and experience on defense, and Ngakoue fits their needs.

Jerry Hughes was the Texans' best pass rusher last season with nine sacks. The second best on the team was Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, who recorded five sacks on the season.

Adding a veteran who compiled 19.5 sacks over the last two seasons could be worth exploring.

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2) Washington Commanders

Washington appears to be out on Chase Young after declining to pick up his fifth-year option. Does that mean the Commanders will look at bringing in Yannick Ngakoue to help Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen?

It would create quite the trio for Jack Del Rio's defense and give the Commanders one of the best pass-rushing units in the NFL.

Ngakoue's salary demands could be an issue. He will likely seek a contract similar to the two-year, $26 million deal he signed with the Las Vegas Raiders in March 2021.

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1) Minnesota Vikings

A reunion could be on the cards for Yannick Ngakoue and the Vikings. He played six games for the franchise in 2020 and had five sacks.

Minnesota had the 28th-ranked defense last season, allowing 25.1 per game. The majority of their sacks came from their linebackers.

Their best defensive lineman was Dalvin Tomlinson with 2.5 sacks. While the Vikings have nice depth, teams can never have enough pass rushers on their roster.