By Austin Medina
For as great as the Ravens defense played in 2018, their pass-rushing ranked 11th among NFL teams. With 43 sacks combined, the pass rush provided some consistency though how much will be coming back to Baltimore?
Veteran Terrell Suggs racked up seven sacks and will be a free agent. Although he wants to return, Suggs’ status relies heavily on the Ravens. Will Baltimore resign Suggs or move in a new direction?
Terrell Suggs will play in 2019, hopes to stay with Ravens https://t.co/2qpIFWctZY
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk)
January 7, 2019 Outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith produced a tremendous season for the Ravens, racking up 8.5 sacks.
JaDaveon Clowney: 47 tackles, 9 sacksZaDarius Smith: 45 tackles, 8.5 sacksYet so many Ravens fans saying we should pony up for Clowney and let ZDS walk. Paying for a name, folks.
— AdamBMore (@AdamBMore)
January 21, 2019 Although he may be a prime “franchise-tag” candidate, there is no assurance that middle linebacker CJ Mosley will be extended long-term this offseason. If Mosley receives the franchise tag, Smith may be on his way out of Charm City.
How would the Ravens counteract losing nearly a third of their pass-rushing production? Losing both Suggs and Smith would intensify the Ravens urgency for the pass-rush.
Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser have shown some flashes, but limited playing time and injuries has not given any reason to believe they will be able to start in 2019. The Ravens drafted both in 2017 and have combined for 5.5 sacks over two seasons.
The easiest solution is to resign Suggs (on a lower deal), extend Mosley long-term, and franchise Smith. That said, that’s a ton of money locked up into three players. (The projected franchise tag for linebackers is roughly a $15 million price tag,
according to CBS Sports.)
C.J. Mosley and Za’Darius Smith make the list, with Terrell Suggs an honorable mention.Only one QB listed, too. Will be interesting to see how this year’s free-agent and draft classes affect interest in Joe Flacco. https://t.co/JU2Vgdawlf
— Jonas Shaffer (@jonas_shaffer)
January 17, 2019 Another solution would be to franchise tag Mosley and let Smith walk. There have been multiple cases of players showing out in contract years. As great as Smith played, the Ravens may be able to get an elite pass rusher in this year’s draft.
The Ravens have the 22nd pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. They do not currently have a second-rounder.
Baltimore, in the second scenario, could look to replace Smith with a younger player at a smaller price tag.
Here are three possible selections that can help Baltimore move on from Smith and save cap space.
Montez Sweat from Mississippi State has dominated the SEC. Over the past two seasons, Sweat has recorded 22.5 sacks along with 30 tackles for loss. Listed at 6’6, 245 lbs., Sweat would be a long-term solution in replacing Smith.
NFL evaluators were eager to see what slim-profiled Miss State DE Montez Sweat would measure today. He was listed at 6-6, 245. Actual size: 6-6, 252 with nearly 36-inch arms. #NailedIt
— Matt Barrows (@mattbarrows)
January 22, 2019 Devin Bush from Michigan is a quick linebacker who does great in run defense. Although he does well in pass coverage, Bush is a smaller linebacker (5’11, 233 lbs.). It remains to be seen, but Bush’s smaller frame may make it tough for him to produce sacks and pressure. This would be a reach for Baltimore.
Oshane Ximines played at Old Dominion the past four seasons. Regarded as a small school, Old Dominion actually won a bowl game with Ximines. In 2016, Ximines produced 7.5 sacks en route to a Bahamas Bowl victory for the Monarchs. In 2018, he ranked fifth in the FBS with 12 sacks. Over his four-year career, Ximines
shattered ODU records with 33 sacks, 51.5 tackles for loss and 11 forced fumbles.
In the latest Mock Draft, Senior Analyst Steve Palazzolo has the Rams getting another ferocious pass-rusher in Oshane Ximines. See all 32-first round picks below. https://t.co/WCegyOxLyx pic.twitter.com/9Ff0dzdy1v
— PFF College (@PFF_College)
January 22, 2019 A third, an most plausible solution, may be for the Ravens to prioritize Mosley and Smith while waiting to see Suggs' market.
Baltimore can look to use their 22nd overall pick on an edge-rusher as mentioned above. However if the Ravens resign Suggs, extend Mosley, and franchise Smith, they can look to draft at another position of need such as safety.
