Top 5 Available Edge Rushers
The Baltimore Ravens finished last season 14-2 with the league MVP, the top scoring offense and one of the best defenses in football. They seemed to be on a collision course with the eventual champion Chiefs, but everything came off the rails against the Titans. Derrick Henry put on a show, steamrolling the Ravens overmatched front seven to the tune of 195 yards and a Tebow jump pass TD for good measure. The offense abandoned their run first identity as quickly as they abandoned the pass the previous year, with 59 largely ineffective passes in the 28-12 loss. Coming into the offseason it seemed clear the Ravens needed to address MLB and WR, and they have through free agency and the draft.
Inexplicably though, the Ravens have all but ignored what was arguably their biggest need on the defensive side, Edge Rusher. Baltimore ranked 15th in adjusted sack rate and among the bottom half of the league in hurry percentage, pressure percentage and total pressures. These disappointing rankings came despite being the most blitz happy team in the league by a wide margin. Matt Judon recently signed his franchise tag, the 28 year old is currently the lone proven edge rusher on the roster. The Ravens are poised to have the best and most intimidating defense in the NFL next season but could conceivably rival the greatest units of the past, including the Ray Lewis led 2000 crew if they add another Edge. Below are the top 5 Edge rushers still available in free agency.
Jadeveon Clowney
The former #1 overall pick finished 2019 with just 3 sacks but the boxscore doesn’t tell the tale of Clowney’s impact. Still just 27 (six months younger than Judon), Clowney is a difference maker in both the pass and run games and is a player opposing coordinators will constantly have to account for. Clowney will be difficult for the Ravens to get under contract, but if they’re able to open up the extra cap space his talent more than justifies the price.
2. Everson Griffen
Griffen had a nice bounce back year in 2019 after off field issues (mental health) derailed his season in 2018. Griffen finished with 8 sacks, bringing his career total to 74.5, and a pass rushing grade of 76.6 from PFF. He fits the mold of a Ravens free agent pickup being over 30 and having a long history of producing. The thing he doesn’t have is experience standing up in a 34, Griffen certainly has the ability to make an impact for the Ravens but this signing would have to be made with the understanding that he would be a situational pass rusher rather than a full time starter. If Griffen is willing to take on a reduced role, it could pay big time dividends come playoff time.
3. Markus Golden
In five seasons Markus Golden has two double digit sack years (including 10 in 2019) and three lackluster/injury filled seasons. One would think hitting free agency after a 10 sack season would have suitors lined up for his services, however there are those who believe his production last year was a bit of a fluke, recording clean up and coverage sacks rather than actually winning one on one matchups and pressuring the QB. Golden is, rightfully, looking to cash in and may find the best combination of money and situation with a Ravens team willing to spend a bit more during their Super Bowl window.
4. Clay Matthews
We’re several years removed from the “Claymaker” soaring through the air to clothesline Colin Kaepernick, but even at 34 and having lost a step or two, there’s still a role for Matthews on the right team. Last year he tallied 8 sacks playing a bit over 50% of the defensive snaps. On the other hand Matthews missed tackles at a very high rate and was a non factor in coverage. Clay’s days of being a superstar or even full time starter are behind him, but on a snap count as a pass rush specialist he can still be a valuable member of the Ravens defense in 2020.
5. Ezekiel Ansah
At this point on the list Baltimore is looking for a bit of a Hail Mary. In 2017 Ansah had 12 sacks, 15 TFL and 17 QB hits, unfortunately that was also the last time he was healthy. No one can say whether or not Ansah, still just 31, has that level of play left in him but on a team whose 2-5 edge rushers combined for 11.5 sacks he’s worth a no risk flier.
Today Baltimore is relying on their young Edges (Bowser, Ferguson) to take a step forward and fill the void left by Za’Darius Smith when he signed in Green Bay. Those two, along with the return of Pernell McPhee and Jihad Ward in theory makes for a solid rotation with a good amount of depth, however, McPhee can’t be trusted to stay on the field and the other three haven’t done much to inspire faith. GM Eric DeCosta should look to bring in a vet either as insurance, or to take over the other starting spot altogether. Baltimore has put a lot of resources into their defense lately and if they want to be celebrating a third Lombardi next February the smart move would be to finish the job.