DT Brandon Williams
The Ravens added a ton of help on the defensive line this offseason. Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe were added to the group to bolster Baltimore’s run defense and provide more of a pass rush. The other upside from those additions is that they’ll allow Williams to move back inside where he really excels.
Williams hasn’t really lived up to his massive contract. There seemed to be some hope Williams would provide more of a pass rush presence when he was extended, but it never really happened. Instead, moving him around the defensive line actually took away from his run-defending ability, which is what Williams was best at. With Williams now able to spend more time inside being a plug in Baltimore’s run defense, he’s going to have to be absolutely outstanding in that role to justify his $14.17 million cap hit.
Now, that’s not to say Williams won’t continue to be moved around, especially with Martindale’s more elaborate defensive schemes. But Wolfe and Campbell are going to be the guys expected to get penetration on the defensive line, while Williams is the primary run stuffer. If the Ravens continue to struggle to stop the run, Williams is going to get the brunt of the backlash. However, if Williams eats up offensive linemen and running backs all season long, Baltimore should be on the road to another Super Bowl appearance.