Could the Ravens Add Yannick Ngakoue?
The Baltimore Ravens went 14-2, had a top 5 defense and 23-year-old Lamar Jackson capped his historic season by winning league MVP. Not much went wrong for the Ravens in 2019 and they look poised to rival the Chiefs as the class of the AFC for the foreseeable future. The question is how do they ensure it?
At a glance everything looks good: Baltimore was #1 in points scored and #3 in points allowed, 1st in passing TDs and the best rushing offense in league history while boasting a healthy +10 TO differential. Obviously a 14-2 team doesn’t have many holes but if you look closely there are areas in need of improvement.
The Ravens defense gave up 20 or more points only six times in 17 games, thanks in large part to one of the most talented secondaries in the league. They rarely broke but there was plenty of bend, particularly in the front 7 where the Ravens surrendered 100+ rushing yards 9 times. The front was also overmatched in the pass game as well, finishing 21st in the league in with 37 sacks. That number includes 6 sacks from the secondary and only one player, Judon, recording more than 5. The pass defense was still able to excel thanks to the aforementioned back end and defensive coordinator Martindale scheming pressure all season, but the Ravens are in need of a front 7 talent infusion sooner rather than later.
The offense is also in need of some attention. The Ravens had one of the better offensive lines in the league but long time cornerstone Marshal Yanda is nearing the end of his career, they could use an upgrade over current starting guard Bradley Bozeman and Center Matt Skura has one more season before hitting free agency as a 28 year old looking to cash in. The more glaring need on offense is at wide receiver. Baltimore had one receiver eclipse the 500 yard mark and yes they were last in the league in pass attempts but at least some of the reason for that was the lack of talent in that position group.
With $30 million in cap room, Jimmy Smith likely to leave in free agency and Matt Judon and Hayden Hurst possibly moved for draft picks, the Ravens have several options to address their needs:
1) Go all in on defense. Franchise and trade Matt Judon to Jacksonville for a younger, better edge rusher in Yannick Ngakoue who publicly announced he has no interest in returning to Jacksonville. Sign Ngakoue to a long term deal and then use your 1st, 2nd, and either a day 3 or future pick to move into the top 15 and draft K’Lavon Chaisson. Chaisson provides a huge boost in athleticism and versatility and should instantly improve Baltimore’s pass rush and run defense. In this scenario Baltimore would need to add a free agent WR (Demarcus Robinson, Nelson Agholor etc.) and use rounds 3-7 to add talent/depth to both lines.
2) Focus on surrounding Lamar with playmakers. Matt Judon is still being traded in this scenario, this time for a draft pick in round 2 or 3. In free agency Baltimore takes a big swing and brings in Amari Cooper to pair with Hollywood Brown and Miles Boykin. In the first round of the draft Baltimore takes the best LB/Edge available. Murray, Queen, Baun, Gross-Matos, Lewis are all options and would instantly upgrade Baltimore’s front 7. Day two would have Baltimore taking the best WR left and adding another workhorse RB in an effort to make their offensive weapons overwhelming.
3) Address both sides of the ball in free agency and reinforce the O-line. The Ravens could sign a reasonably priced veteran receiver (Robby Anderson?) while also looking to upgrade the front 7 (Addison, Correa, Schobert, Martinez). Followed by addressing the offensive line through the draft. Nick Harris, Lloyd Cushenberry, Ezra Cleveland, Cesar Ruiz, Prince Tega Wanogho and Jon Runyan would be names to watch over the first few rounds.
Regardless of which path they take Baltimore is set to be a force for years to come with GM Eric DeCosta and electric QB Lamar Jackson leading the charge.