NFL free agency 2019: Top 50 available players

By Conor Myles | Feb 6, 2019

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 31: Houston Texans defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (90) lines up before the snap during the NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans on December 31, 2017, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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HOUSTON, TX – DECEMBER 30: Houston Texans outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney (90) rushes in during the football game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans on December 30, 2018 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Daniel Dunn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Jadeveon Clowney, OLB

Clowney has come into his own and has shown many signs of being worth the first-overall pick the Houston Texans spent on the University of South Carolina product in 2014. While the edge rusher has always been stellar in run defense, his pass rush ability has steadily begun taking shape and rounding out Clowney into a dominant defender.

The 25-year-old joined the Texans after enjoying a college career that saw him produce 24 sacks and 47 tackles for loss in three seasons. Most importantly, Clowney transitioned from rushing the passer with his hand in the dirt in college to standing up as a 3-4 outside linebacker in the pros. In his five seasons with Houston, Clowney has recorded 28 sacks and 147 quarterback hurries in 2,119 pass rush snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.

Clowney is still so young and has shown not just potential but the ability to develop and improve as a player. If he hits the open market, a team with a need at pass rush that runs a 4-3 scheme should convince Clowney to return to his natural position: Pressuring the quarterback with his hand in the dirt.

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