Top Free Agents: Pierre-Paul, Ingram highlight available edge rushers

With free agents able to officially sign at 4 p.m. ET on March 9, theScore takes a look at the top available players at each position.

Top free agents by position

• Quarterbacks
• Running Backs
• Wide Receivers
• Tight Ends
• Offensive Linemen
• Edge Rushers
• Defensive Linemen
• Linebackers
• Cornerbacks/Safeties

Edge Rushers

Jason Pierre-Paul

Age: 28 Height: 6'5" Weight: 278 lbs.

2016 stats: 7 sacks, 53 tackles, 3 FFs

Pierre-Paul heads back to free agency after playing out his one-year, prove-it deal in New York, having bounced back from the significant hand injuries he suffered in a fireworks accident. The 28-year-old proved he can still be a highly productive pass-rusher off the edge in 2016, and that's worth big money on the open market. The Giants would presumably like to keep him, but it remains to be seen whether management is willing to meet his asking price.

Potential landing spots: Giants, Buccaneers, Browns, Bengals

Chandler Jones

Age: 26 Height: 6'5" Weight: 265 lbs.

2016 stats: 11 sacks, 49 tackles, 4 FFs

Jones isn't going anywhere. A long-term deal will be the goal leading up to free agency, and the Cardinals will use the franchise tag in the event negotiations take longer than expected. That was the logical assumption when Arizona gave up a second-round pick to land Jones in a trade with the Patriots last spring, and head coach Bruce Arians confirmed as much at the end of the season. The standout pass-rusher should be in Arizona for many seasons to come.

Potential landing spots: Cardinals

Melvin Ingram

Age: 27 Height: 6'2" Weight: 247 lbs.

2016 stats: 8 sacks, 60 tackles, 4 FFs

Ingram is one of the most interesting players scheduled for free agency. After injuries resulted in a slow start to his career, the former first-round pick has quietly emerged as a force off the edge. But while the Chargers would be wise to do everything they can to strike a new deal - lining Ingram up opposite Joey Bosa for the foreseeable future - it's always tough to predict how this team will handle its contract situations. One way or another, Ingram is about to get paid.

Potential landing spots: Chargers, Colts, Bears, 49ers

Nick Perry

Age: 26 Height: 6'3" Weight: 265 lbs.

2016 stats: 11 sacks, 52 tackles

Perry couldn't be hitting free agency at a better time. His breakout year in 2016 - coming after he managed just 12.5 sacks across his first four seasons combined - has put the USC product in position for a lucrative deal. The Packers have long found ways to keep players they wanted to keep, so an extension is very much on the table. But the number of teams with salary cap space, and in need of a boost on the edge, could put Perry's price tag through the roof.

Potential landing spots: Packers, Colts, Jets, 49ers

DeMarcus Ware

Age: 34 Height: 6'4" Weight: 258 lbs.

2016 stats: 4 sacks, 15 tackles

Ware will likely have to settle for a one-year deal, as age and health are prime concerns. Considering the pass-rush ability he's maintained across three seasons with the Broncos, though, there's plenty of reasons to believe Ware has something left in the tank. Re-signing in Denver is, of course, the most logical outcome. But Ware is reportedly also open to rejoining the Cowboys. Dallas certainly needs help up front, and it probably goes without saying that Jerry Jones would love to bring the Cowboys legend home for a Super Bowl run.

Potential landing spots: Broncos, Cowboys

Julius Peppers

Age: 37 Height: 6'7" Weight: 287 lbs.

2016 stats: 7.5 sacks, 23 tackles, 2 FFs

Peppers continuing to produce at this stage of his career has been incredible to watch. The Packers could explore a new deal in the event he intends to return for a 16th season, but Peppers should also receive interest elsewhere. Getting another few years out of a veteran defender would be a classic Patriots signing, while perhaps finishing his career with the Panthers - who drafted Peppers back in 2002 - could be on the table.

Potential landing spots: Packers, Patriots, Panthers

Jabaal Sheard

Age: 27 Height: 6'3" Weight: 265 lbs.

2016 stats: 5 sacks, 33 tackles

The Patriots got solid production out of Sheard after landing him on a cheap two-year deal in 2015. Any market above the $5.5 million he earned annually in New England could very well lead to his departure, as there are plenty of teams that could slot Sheard in as a full-time starter.

Potential landing spots: Patriots, Buccaneers, Giants, Saints

James Harrison

Age: 38 Height: 6'0" Weight: 242 lbs.

2016 stats: 5 sacks, 53 tackles, 2 FFs

Harrison returning for another season in anything but a Steelers uniform seems unlikely. He's been Pittsburgh's most consistent pass-rusher since coming out of retirement in 2014, and he's somehow shown no signs of slowing down. This should be an easy deal to get done.

Potential landing spots: Steelers

Mario Addison

Age: 29 Height: 6'3" Weight: 260 lbs.

2016 stats: 9.5 sacks, 27 tackles, 2 FFs

Addison exploded for a career high in sack production despite continuing to see work in a rotational role, starting just one of his 14 games in 2016. While teammate Charles Johnson is also heading for free agency and could open up a more prominent role with the Panthers, there will be plenty of other options for starting jobs around the league. How about joining Sean McDermott in making the move from Carolina to Buffalo?

Potential landing spots: Panthers, Bills, Bengals

Lorenzo Alexander

Age: 33 Height: 6'1" Weight: 245 lbs.

2016 stats: 12.5 sacks, 76 tackles, 3 FFs, 1 INT

Alexander came out of nowhere in taking advantage of his opportunity to start on the edge, racking up more sacks in Buffalo than he posted across his first nine seasons. There will be doubts about a career special-teamer matching that production so deep into his career, however, so the market for Alexander's services could be somewhat thin. The most logical move is a deal to rejoin the Bills that gives him a chance to recreate that 2016 magic.

Potential landing spots: Bills

Other notable free-agent QBs

• Chris Long
• Dwight Freeney
• Charles Johnson
• Erik Walden
• Trent Cole
• Andre Branch
• Paul Kruger
• Datone Jones
• John Simon
• Dion Jordan

(Photos courtesy: Action Images)