A day after a failed deal between the Baltimore Ravens and defensive tackle Michael Brockers, the Ravens found their replacement. Baltimore is set to sign defensive lineman Derek Wolfe to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. What had been panic from quite a lot of Ravens fans turned into Baltimore being calm, cool and collected to find a player that might actually be a better bargain when everything is said and done.
The Ravens’ deal with Wolfe should be viewed as a “prove-it” contract. At 30 years old, a one-year deal allows Wolfe to prove his worth this season and perhaps earn another Super Bowl ring before getting back on the free-agent market. If Wolfe plays well in Baltimore and stays healthy, he has a shot to earn one last large contract next offseason. And with top defensive lineman earning contracts paying above $10 million per year this offseason, that’s a bet Wolfe and the Ravens are eager to make.
However, that excitement comes with a caveat and is likely the reason Wolfe remained unsigned thus far. Wolfe has struggled to stay healthy, missing 15 games over the last five seasons alone. Over his eight-year career, Wolfe has managed to play a full 16-game season just three times. But when on the field, Wolfe is a stout run defender that offers upside as a pass rusher.
Just last season, in 12 games before going on injured reserve, Wolfe accounted for seven sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 18 pressures. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked 25th in pass-rush grade in 2019 with a 68.5 overall grade.
Wolfe also brings flexibility to the Ravens’ defense. He’s capable of playing at defensive end or bouncing inside as a defensive tackle. Being able to line up all over the defensive line, when combined with the productivity and flexibility of Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell, should give defensive coordinator Don Martindale plenty of different looks he can give opposing quarterbacks. Considering Martindale blitzed the most of any team in the NFL by a wide margin last season, that added flexibility often means havoc for opponents and ultimately more pressure and sacks.
However, what the Ravens are going to ask Wolfe to do primarily is stop the run. That just so happens to be what Wolfe does best from the inside. According to Pro Football Focus, Wolfe’s lowest grade as an interior defensive lineman was 82.9 (19th at the position) in 2016 while his highest was 87.7 (sixth at the position) in 2015.
While there should be no doubt Wolfe isn’t Baltimore’s first option considering they had agreed to terms with Brockers and showed interest in Ndamukong Suh, he’s a great option that still makes the Ravens’ defense better. But everything seems to be riding on how healthy Wolfe can stay this season and if he can live up to last year’s production as a pass rusher. If so, Wolfe might end up being a better bargain than Brockers.
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