Derek Wolfe will make a serious impact on the Ravens’ roster if he can stay healthy. He’ll help the run defense and pressure the QB
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After their deal with defensive tackle Michael Brockers fell through, the Baltimore Ravens had a hole on their defensive line to fill. It wasn’t an ideal situation, as the team saw their targets go off the market one by one while the Brockers deal was still in place. However, general manager Eric DeCosta and the Ravens made the best out of an unusual situation and still were able to add a playmaker to their defensive line.
Baltimore agreed to a one year, $3 million deal with former Denver Broncos defensive tackle Derek Wolfe that can be worth up to $6 million with earned incentives. It’s a bargain deal for the Ravens, as Wolfe has been a solid contributor on defense ever since coming into the league in 2012. Over the course of his career, Wolfe has accumulated 299 tackles and 33 sacks while also being a top player against the run. His addition means a few things for the Baltimore defense.
First off, Wolfe is extremely versatile. He can play both defensive tackle and defensive end, which will allow Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale to move him around the defensive line, especially in third-down situations. Baltimore also doesn’t need Wolfe to be an every-down player, which should increase his productivity and efficiency.
The fact Wolfe can play defensive tackle also allows Brandon Williams to move back inside to nose tackle. Last season, Baltimore had Williams playing out of position while former Raven Michael Pierce occupied the nose tackle position so both could be on the field at the same time. With Williams back at his natural spot, he could see an uptick in production playing next to other new Ravens Calais Campbell and Wolfe.
The addition of Wolfe also means Baltimore will certainly be generating more pressure and getting to the quarterback more often from the inside. The Ravens’ new defensive line of Campbell, Wolfe and Williams accounted for a total of 14.5 sacks and 55 pressures last season compared to the paltry total of 3 sacks and 17 pressures from Williams, Chris Wormley and Pierce.
The Ravens had a goal and that was to improve their run defense while also being able to get to the quarterback without having to blitz as often. With their secondary being one of the best (if not the best) in the NFL, a good pass rush can be deadly to opposing offenses. Campbell has already caught onto that.
The addition of Wolfe will be a welcome one in Baltimore. Despite losing a big body in Pierce, they’ve packed on the weight and height this offseason with their additions. The Ravens gained Campbell who is 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds and also brought back Justin Ellis who is a massive 350 pounds. That isn’t even mentioning Williams, who himself is 336 pounds. Add in Wolfe who’s 285 pounds and Baltimore has one of the biggest defensive lines in the NFL.
The Ravens didn’t have a great year defending the run in 2019. Despite ranking fifth in the league by giving up 93.4 yards per game on the ground, the team gave up 4.4 yards per carry, which was tied for 20th in the NFL. Wolfe gives them a consistent run stopper who fights hard and wins at the point of attack. According to PFF, Wolfe’s been stout against the run throughout his career and especially when lining up inside.
The Ravens knew they had to act fast once the deal with Brockers fell through. There weren’t a lot of options remaining on the market and they needed a replacement if they were to salvage their early 2020 free agency period. They did just that, as they added a key piece on an affordable contract who does just about everything Brockers does. As Brockers’ name fade from Baltimore’s memories, Wolfe should make a lasting impact.
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