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The Seattle Seahawks are one of the most shocking teams of the 2025 season, with not many expecting them to be as good as they are so soon after switching quarterbacks.
Sam Darnold has been one of the best trigger men in football this season, and second-year head coach Mike MacDonald has his defense playing lights out.
But a few key pieces of that staunch defense are impending free agents, one of whom ESPN thinks is going to be a top pass rusher available in free agency come March 2026.
ESPN lists Boye Mafe as 22nd-best free agent in 2026
Edge rusher Boye Mafe was ranked by Matt Bowen and Jeremy Fowler as the 22nd-best free agent who will be available in 2026.
The fourth-year pass rusher even received interest at the trade deadline.
"Like Jaelan Phillips, Mafe had interest at the trade deadline. His numbers are down -- one sack in 2025 compared to 15 through his first three seasons -- but as one NFL coordinator said, 'He can win one-on-one in pass rush, he's strong at the point of attack and versatile enough to drop in coverage,'" wrote Fowler.
"Others think he needs to get stronger against the run. The Chiefs were among the teams inquiring last week. Perhaps they will make a move for him in March."
Mafe was Seattle's 40th overall selection in the 2022 NFL Draft and has been a mainstay of the defense since then.
In four seasons, the Minnesota product has appeared in 57 games, starting 34 of them. He's racked up 148 tackles, 19 sacks, and 11 passes defended.
Whether he's playing with the Seahawks or another team in 2026, it's fair to say the 26-year-old will make an impact wherever he lands.
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