It’s the offseason in the NFL, which means it’s time to start thinking about how each team can improve ahead of next season. But before we even begin thinking about which free agents and draft prospects the Baltimore Ravens should acquire, the Ravens have to think of their own. And with an impressive list of pending free agents about to hit the open market, Baltimore has its work cut out for it in the next few weeks.
Just how impressive of a free-agent list is it for the Ravens? Well, Mark Schofield and Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire compiled their list of the 101 top free agents and Baltimore finds two of their own — defensive end Yannick Ngakoue and outside linebacker Matthew Judon — being talked about. Ngakoue appears at No. 34 on the list while Judon sits at No. 48.
While neither player had the best production in 2020, that was largely the case around the league as offenses used quick passes to get the ball out faster and beat the pass rush. For Judon, his versatility meant that he didn’t have just a standard role as a pure pass rusher. For Ngakoue, being on three separate teams over the course of the 2020 season undoubtedly had an impact on his effectiveness. But as Schofield and Farrar pointed out, both showed plenty of flashes and promise.
With limited salary-cap space, Baltimore likely has the funds to sign just one pass rusher to a long-term deal. Though Judon has been with the Ravens since they selected him in the fifth round of the 2016 NFL draft and Baltimore traded for Ngakoue, there are no guarantees either returns in 2021. With other pass rushers hitting free agency, the Ravens could choose to go a different route entirely. However, that hasn’t often been Baltimore’s strategy, usually aiming for continuity over big splashes.
If the Ravens do indeed want to bring Ngakoue and/or Judon back, they don’t have much time remaining. March 15 marks the legal tampering window where teams can begin talking to free agents; and as both Ngakoue and Judon are among the top free agents this offseason, they’ll receive plenty of attention.
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