The Seattle Seahawks could try to add an edge rusher in the 2026 NFL Draft. But that might not stop them from acquiring a veteran edge rusher, such as Dante Fowler, beforehand.
The Seahawks hosted Fowler for a free agency visit Thursday according to the NFL transaction report.
Fowler has racked up 58.5 sacks, 74 tackles for loss and 97 quarterback hits over a decade in the league. He’s played 159 games, starting 58 of them, for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Los Angeles Rams, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders.
The Jaguars drafted Fowler at No. 3 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft.
Last season, Fowler posted 15 combined tackles, including four for loss. He also had 10 quarterback hits with three sacks and three pass defenses in 17 games. Fowler started 11 contests for the Cowboys in what was his second stint with the team.
In 2024, Fowler had 10.5 sacks with the Commanders, helping them make a surprise appearance in the NFC championship game.
Over 11 years in the NFL, Fowler has made about $74.07 million according to Spotrac.
Seahawks Host Dante Fowler for NFL Free Agency Visit: Report
GettyThe Seattle Seahawks hosted veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler for a free agency visit on Thursday.
Fowler has shown flashes throughout his career why he was a top 5 pick. But he never consistently lived up to his draft hype. Fowler will also turn 32 years old before the 2026 NFL season.
That doesn’t make him a viable free agency option for most teams. Quite frankly, that’s why he’s still available.
But in Seattle, Fowler could be a quality addition as a rotational pass rusher on a defense already filled with great players.
Veteran Boye Mafe is the main edge rusher the Seahawks might still be trying to replace this offseason. Mafe broke out with nine sacks during his second season in 2023. He also had six sacks with eight tackles for loss during 2024.
Last season, Mafe was still a crucial rotational piece, but he only started four games and had two sacks with four tackles for loss.
Fowler actually posted similar production without the same defensive playmakers around him in Dallas that Mafe had with the Seahawks in 2025.
Fowler has reached double-digits in sacks twice during his career — 2019 with the Rams and 2024 with the Commanders. In his other eight NFL seasons, he’s registered 36.5 sacks in 126 games.
Seahawks Edge Rushing Depth Without Fowler Entering 2026 NFL Draft
GettyFormer No. 3 overall pick Dante Fowler spent the 2025 NFL season with the Dallas Cowboys.
The Seahawks will return defensive ends Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence along with linebackers Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall from their Super Bowl defense. Defensive tackle Byron Murphy and linebacker Drake Thomas were key pass rushers for Seattle last season as well, and they will be back.
All of those defenders at least matched Mafe in sacks during 2025.
Furthermore, defensive tackle Jarran Reed and safety Nick Emmanwori will be back, and they had more sacks than Mafe.
If the Seahawks add Fowler to the mix, they will have an extremely formidable pass rushing group.
Seattle could add a rookie edge rusher in the first three rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. But Fowler would come with experience. He’s spent 11 years in the league and has played in two NFC championship games.
During January 2019, he appeared in the Super Bowl for the Rams.
Seahawks Expressing Interest in $74 Million Edge Rusher