Omenihu finished the 2025 season with 28 tackles (15 solo), including 3.5 sacks, over 17 games.

EDGE Analysis

Omenihu signed a one-year deal to stay in Kansas City, a decision that resulted in an increase in production that will be useful in negotiating his next contract. As a rotational defensive end behind starters George Karlaftis and Mike Danna, he logged 2.0 more sacks than in 2024 and 22 more tackles. He did so while playing the same number of games as he had in the past two seasons combined, proving that the 28-year-old still has the durability to survive an NFL season. Omenihu will enter the 2026 season as a free agent, and it is unclear if he will seek another contract with Kansas City or if he will take his talents elsewhere.

Gillotte ended the 2025 season with 38 tackles (14 solo), including 1.5 sacks, as well as one interception over 17 games.

EDGE Analysis

Gillotte saw defensive snaps in every game of the season, logging 25 percent or more of the team's defensive snaps in all contests except the Week 1 matchup with the Chargers. The third-round rookie will likely see a similar amount of snaps and opportunities in year two, as starting defensive ends George Karlaftis and Mike Danna will both remain with the Chiefs for the foreseeable future.

Hicks saw snaps at strong safety and slot cornerback as he worked to amass 42 tackles (29 solo), including 0.5 sacks, and four passes defensed over 17 regular-season games in 2025.

EDGE Analysis

Hicks saw an uptick in defensive snaps during his sophomore campaign, jumping from 312 as a rookie to 445 in the 2025 season. While the defensive back was utilized as a Swiss Army knife in multiple areas of the secondary, he maintained his role as a special-teams contributor throughout the season as well. Hicks will head into his third year with a shot to take over at slot cornerback full-time if the Chiefs do not sign or move someone to replace Mike Edwards, whose one-year deal is up.

Newsome appeared in 17 regular-season games between the Browns (five games) and Jaguars (12 games) in 2025 and accumulated 52 tackles (41 solo) and nine pass defenses (one interception).

EDGE Analysis

Newsome started the season on the Jaguars before being traded to the Jaguars in early October. He played a key role in both team's defenses, and despite dealing with shoulder, hamstring an ankle injuries throughout the season, he ended the 2025 campaign with a career high in total tackles. Newsome enters the offseason as an unrestricted free agent and should attract offers from teams looking to upgrade their secondary.

Williams ended the 2025 season with 48 tackles (30 solo), including 1.0 sacks, and seven passes defensed over 17 games.

EDGE Analysis

Williams was a consistent special-teams contributor who earned a shot at being a full-time defensive starter towards the end of the campaign. The cornerback ended the season strong with 23 of his 48 total tackles coming in the last five games, along with his sole sack and four of his passes defensed. The third-round rookie has the potential to be a consistent starting cornerback for the Chiefs, as Jaylen Watson (groin) and Mike Edwards are on expiring deals.

Hamilton recorded 38 tackles (15 solo), including 1.0 sacks, across 17 regular-season games with the Jaguars in 2025.

EDGE Analysis

Hamilton was coming off a productive 2024 campaign in which he logged 62 total tackles over 17 regular-season games. He saw his tackling numbers dip significantly in 2025, which was in part due to a noticeable decrease in defensive snaps. Hamilton enters 2026 in the final year of his three-year, $34.5 million contract extension that he signed with Jacksonville in April of 2023.

Walker posted 38 tackles (19 solo), including 3.5 sacks, and two pass defenses across 14 regular-season games in 2025 with the Jaguars.

EDGE Analysis

The Jaguars exercised Walker's fifth-year option in April after he logged double-digit sacks in both 2023 and 2024. However, the fourth-year pro came nowhere close to that level of production in 2025, though that decreased production can be partially attributed to him dealing with wrist and knee injuries throughout the season. The 2026 season is the last year of Walker's contract, and it's possible that Jacksonville lets the 2022 first-rounder play out his rookie deal rather than offer an extension.

Gardeck logged 48 tackles (28 solo), including 2.5 sacks, two pass defenses and one forced fumble across 17 regular-season games for the Jaguars in 2025.

EDGE Analysis

Gardeck ended the 2024 regular season on the Cardinals' injured reserve after tearing his ACL in October. He caught on with the Jaguars on a one-year deal in 2025 and progressed enough in his recovery to be available for Week 1. He worked in a rotational role on defense, and while his sack total was his lowest over his last three years, he finished with a career high in tackles while appearing in every single game for the Jaguars, including in the AFC wild-card round against the Bills. Gardeck is an unrestricted free agent but could remain in Jacksonville.

The Seahawks elevated Jones from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Jones was elevated for the NFC Championship Game against the Rams, but ended up inactive on game day as the Seahawks chose Cam Akers to be the No. 3 running back behind Kenneth Walker and George Holani. A similar fate is likely in store for Jones this Sunday as the Seahawks take on the Patriots in Super Bowl LX.

The Seahawks elevated Akers from the practice squad to the active roster Saturday, John Boyle of the team's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Akers will be elevated for a second consecutive playoff game. The running back saw just one offensive snap in the NFC Championship Game victory over the Rams, being elevated as a depth piece due to the absence of Zach Charbonnet (ACL). The 26-year-old will likely see similarly minimal usage in Super Bowl LX against the Patriots this Sunday, as George Holani will be the relief back behind Kenneth Walker.