Ravens 2020 free agency preview: OLB Matthew Judon

Baltimore Ravens OLB Matthew Judon is the team’s top free agent this offseason and could get the franchise tag if they can’t work out a deal

After a fantastic 2019 season that saw the Baltimore Ravens go 14-2 and claim the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs, they’ll head into the offseason on less than stellar terms. The team that many pegged as the best in the NFL at one point will try to retain as much of their roster as possible to make another run at a Super Bowl.

However, the Ravens have 21 pending free agents this offseason and it seems unlikely they’ll be able to re-sign them all. At the very top of the list is outside linebacker Matthew Judon, who is likely going to earn a huge contract this offseason. So what better person to choose next on our free-agent preview than the guy Baltimore will try the hardest to ink to a long-term deal.

Also, check out our other Ravens free-agent previews for 2020.

Matthew Judon – 2019 review:

Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

2019 was a career year for Judon, who started all 16 games for the first time. He had 9.5 sacks, 14 tackles-for-loss and forced four fumbles. Even when not getting the sack, he still made sure the quarterbacks knew he was around. Judon dished out 33 quarterback hits, the fourth-most of any player in the NFL.

Judon played 793 defensive snaps in 2019, 80.9% of the Ravens total defensive plays and more than any other linebacker on the roster. He was also named to his first Pro Bowl. All of this came at a perfect time for Judon as he will be an unrestricted free agent when the new league year begins.

Review / Potential / ValueChances to re-sign

Ravens 2020 free agency preview: CB Jimmy Smith

Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith is set to hit free agency this offseason but could have difficulty getting a long-term deal

The 2019 season is over for the Baltimore Ravens. Now they’ll look forward to the offseason and especially free agency in order to gear up for the 2020 season.

While the Ravens will surely be interested in quite a few free agents that’ll hit the market, their biggest goal will be to retain some of their own key players. With that in mind, we’re going to do a deep dive on what Baltimore’s pending free agents are looking at this offseason.

We start things off with cornerback Jimmy Smith.

Jimmy Smith – 2019 review:

Smith carried one of the highest-paid players on Baltimore’s roster and was expected to return to full strength more than a year removed from a torn Achilles. However, Smith missed six games after suffering a knee sprain on the very first drive in Week 1. He was also held out of Week 17 along with several other starters since the Ravens had already secured the No. 1 seed.

Smith finished the season with one interception for seven yards, six passes defended, one sack and 30 combined tackles in nine games. He played just 425 total defensive snaps, losing time not only to injury but to Baltimore’s deep secondary that added Marcus Peters prior to Week 7.

Review / Potential / Value / Chances to re-sign

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