Yannick Ngakoue Bio
Yannick Ngakoue is an American professional football linebacker who has played in the National Football League (NFL) since 2016. He earned recognition as one of the league’s most disruptive pass rushers during his early years with the Jacksonville Jaguars, where a strong 2017 season earned him a Pro Bowl selection. Over the course of his career, he has suited up for eight different franchises, including two separate stints with the Baltimore Ravens.
Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and listed at 246 pounds, Ngakoue has built a reputation for his speed, hand technique, and ability to force turnovers. A native of Washington, D.C., he played his college football at the University of Maryland before being drafted in the third round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
Early Life and Background
Yannick Ngakoue was born on March 31, 1995, in Washington, D.C. He was raised by a Cameroonian father and a Martiniquais mother, giving him a diverse cultural heritage that shaped his upbringing. Growing up in the nation’s capital, he discovered football at a young age and quickly developed a passion for chasing quarterbacks and disrupting opposing offenses.
He attended Friendship Collegiate Academy Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., where he starred as a defensive end and developed into one of the top high school prospects in the region. As a senior, his dominant play earned him the Gatorade Football Player of the Year award for Washington, D.C., after he recorded 17 sacks during the season. His high school teammate was Eddie Goldman, who also went on to play in the NFL.
Rivals.com rated Ngakoue as a four-star recruit and ranked him as the fourth-best outside linebacker in his class. With multiple scholarship offers on the table, he ultimately committed to the University of Maryland, College Park, to continue his football career at the college level.
Path to American Football
Ngakoue’s path to the NFL began in earnest when he arrived at the University of Maryland as a true freshman in 2013. Playing in all 13 games that season, he recorded nine tackles, two sacks, and an interception, showing flashes of the pass-rushing ability that would later define his professional career. His production steadily increased as he gained experience within the Terrapins’ defensive scheme.
As a sophomore in 2014, Ngakoue earned a starting role and played in all 12 games, finishing the year with 37 tackles and six sacks. The following season, he elevated his game even further. During his junior year in 2015, he set a Maryland school record with 13.5 sacks, earning First-team All-Big Ten honors for his dominant play off the edge. His performance that year established him as one of the top pass rushers in the conference.
Following his record-setting junior campaign, Ngakoue made the decision to forgo his senior season at Maryland and declared for the 2016 NFL Draft. His combination of production, athleticism, and sack totals made him an attractive prospect for teams in search of an edge rusher.
Yannick Ngakoue Career
Early Career (2016)
The Jacksonville Jaguars selected Yannick Ngakoue in the third round, 69th overall, of the 2016 NFL Draft, making him the seventh defensive end taken that year. On June 22, 2016, the Jaguars signed him to a four-year, $3.48 million contract that included a signing bonus of $856,176. Throughout training camp, he competed for a starting defensive end role against Dante Fowler, Chris Smith, and Jared Odrick, and was initially listed as a backup behind Fowler and Odrick.
Ngakoue made his NFL debut in the Jaguars’ season opener against the Green Bay Packers. By the second week of the season, he had already earned his first NFL start, recording his first career sack and forced fumble on Philip Rivers during a loss to the San Diego Chargers. He finished his rookie campaign with 22 combined tackles, eight sacks, two pass deflections, an interception, and a forced fumble across 16 games and 15 starts. His eight sacks set a new Jaguars rookie record at the time, and he was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team following the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Ngakoue’s breakout came in 2017, when he was named the starting left defensive end opposite new free-agent acquisition Calais Campbell. He opened the season with a dominant performance against the Houston Texans, recording four combined tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery. His relentless pressure helped the Jacksonville defense earn the nickname “Sacksonville” as the team finished the regular season with a 10–6 record and won the AFC South title.
He finished the 2017 regular season with 30 combined tackles and 12 sacks, ranking eighth in the league and second on his team behind Campbell. In the playoffs, he contributed a sack as the Jaguars reached the AFC Championship Game, where they fell to the New England Patriots. On January 22, 2018, Ngakoue was named to his first Pro Bowl as an injury replacement for Campbell. He was also ranked 88th by his peers on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2018.
The 2018 and 2019 seasons saw Ngakoue continue to produce as a pass rusher, even as the Jaguars’ overall team success dipped. He posted 9.5 sacks in 2018 and added 8 sacks in 2019, along with his first career interception returned for a touchdown against the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite his on-field contributions, tensions with the organization grew, and in March 2020, he publicly stated that he wished to be traded and would not play for the Jaguars in the future.
Minnesota Vikings Era (2020)
On August 31, 2020, Yannick Ngakoue was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for a 2021 second-round draft pick and a conditional fifth-round selection. The move gave him a fresh start with a new defensive scheme and a chance to compete for a playoff push. He wasted little time making an impact, recording his first sack as a Viking on Philip Rivers during a Week 2 loss to the Indianapolis Colts, and later sacking Deshaun Watson twice in a Week 4 victory over the Houston Texans.
His time in Minnesota was short-lived, however, as the Vikings continued to reshape their roster throughout the 2020 season.
Baltimore Ravens Era (2020, 2024)
On October 22, 2020, Ngakoue was traded to the Baltimore Ravens for a 2021 third-round pick and a 2022 conditional fifth-round pick. The move reunited him with former Jaguars teammate Calais Campbell. He recorded his first sack as a Raven on Ryan Tannehill in Week 11, and later notched two sacks, including a strip sack, against his former Jacksonville teammates in a Week 15 victory.
After spending the 2021 and 2022 seasons elsewhere, Ngakoue returned to the Baltimore Ravens in 2024. He signed with the team’s practice squad on September 24, 2024, and was elevated to the active roster for the Week 6 matchup against the Washington Commanders, where he recorded a sack of Jayden Daniels in a 30–23 win. He was signed to the active roster on October 15, 2024, before being waived on November 7, 2024.
Las Vegas Raiders Era (2021)
On March 19, 2021, Yannick Ngakoue signed a two-year, $26 million contract with the Las Vegas Raiders. He quickly became a key piece of the Raiders’ defensive front, recording four tackles, two sacks, and two passes defensed in a Week 7 victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, a performance that earned him AFC Defensive Player of the Week honors. He finished the 2021 season as the team’s sack leader, posting his first double-digit sack total since 2017.
Indianapolis Colts Era (2022)
On March 16, 2022, Ngakoue was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for cornerback Rock Ya-Sin. He started 15 games during the 2022 season, recording 29 tackles, a forced fumble, and a team-leading 9.5 sacks. His productive year was cut short on December 31, 2022, when he was placed on injured reserve with a throat injury.
Chicago Bears Era (2023)
On August 3, 2023, Ngakoue signed a one-year, $10.5 million contract with the Chicago Bears. He started 13 games during the season before suffering a broken ankle in Week 14, which ended his year. He finished the 2023 campaign with four sacks and 22 total tackles across those 13 games.
New England Patriots Era (2024)
On November 8, 2024, Yannick Ngakoue was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots. He was released by the team on December 31, 2024. Across the 2024 season with both Baltimore and New England, he finished with 1.5 sacks and 14 total tackles in 11 games.
Driving Style and Strengths
Yannick Ngakoue is widely recognized for his explosive first step, quick hands, and ability to win with speed and leverage around the edge. He excels most as a pass rusher on passing downs, using his athleticism to dip under offensive tackles and pressure quarterbacks. Throughout his career, he has been especially productive at forcing fumbles, thanks to his active hand usage and pursuit of the football in the backfield. His instincts and motor allow him to make plays in pursuit, even when initial blocking schemes appear to neutralize him.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Ngakoue’s career came in 2017, when he led the NFL with six forced fumbles and helped power the “Sacksonville” defense to the AFC Championship Game. His 12 sacks that season earned him his first Pro Bowl nod. He also set a Jaguars rookie sack record with eight sacks in 2016, a mark later surpassed by Josh Allen. His 67-yard fumble recovery touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in 2017 remains one of the most memorable scores of his career.
Yannick Ngakoue Career Wins
Yannick Ngakoue has built his reputation primarily as a pass rusher and playmaker, with career totals of 70.5 sacks, 21 forced fumbles, and two interceptions returned for touchdowns. While he has not finished with a season leading his team in tackles, he has consistently produced quarterback pressures, sacks, and turnovers throughout his career.
NFL Highlights
Ngakoue’s most productive NFL season came in 2017, when he posted 12 sacks, six forced fumbles, and 30 combined tackles for the Jacksonville Jaguars. He also recorded double-digit sack seasons in 2021 with the Las Vegas Raiders, where he led the team in quarterback takedowns. In 2022 with the Indianapolis Colts, he led the team with 9.5 sacks despite missing time late in the year due to injury.
Other Performances
Beyond his league-leading work in 2017, Ngakoue was named First-team All-Big Ten in 2015 after setting a Maryland single-season record with 13.5 sacks. He was also selected to the PFWA All-Rookie Team following his 2016 debut season with Jacksonville, further cementing his standing as one of the top young pass rushers in the game.
Yannick Ngakoue Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Yannick Ngakoue comes from a culturally diverse household, with a Cameroonian father and a Martiniquais mother. This blend of African and Caribbean heritage has been a central part of his personal identity, growing up in the Washington, D.C. area.
Personal Life
Ngakoue was raised in Washington, D.C., where he attended Friendship Collegiate Academy and built lifelong friendships, including one with fellow NFL defensive lineman Eddie Goldman. His career has taken him across the country, but he has remained connected to his hometown throughout his professional journey.
2025 Season Outlook
As Yannick Ngakoue enters 2025, he remains a free agent following his release from the New England Patriots at the end of the 2024 season. His 2024 production was limited, finishing with 1.5 sacks and 14 total tackles across 11 games split between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots, which suggested a reduced role compared to his earlier years as a featured edge rusher.
Despite the dip in production, Ngakoue’s track record as a proven pass rusher with 70.5 career sacks and 21 forced fumbles still makes him an attractive option for teams in need of veteran depth at the defensive end or outside linebacker position. His experience playing in multiple defensive schemes, including the 4-3 and 3-4, gives him the flexibility to fit into a variety of systems around the league.
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Ngakoue will be seeking an opportunity to reestablish himself as a consistent contributor and add to his career sack totals. Whether that opportunity comes in a rotational role or as a situational pass rusher, his resume and proven ability to pressure quarterbacks should keep him in demand as teams shape their defensive line rotations.