Getting after the quarterback was something that the Baltimore Ravens struggled to do in 2019. Despite blitzing at the highest rate in the NFL, Baltimore pass rushers managed just 37 sacks — 20 teams got to the quarterback more. With their leading pass rusher Matt Judon heading for free agency and potentially on the trading block, the Ravens will be looking to bolster their pass rush prior to the 2020 season.
One pending free agent the Ravens should pursue is outside linebacker Shaq Barrett, who enjoyed a breakout season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2019. After signing a one-year deal last offseason, Barrett had a franchise-record 19.5 sacks, with a further 19 tackles for loss. It was a dramatic leap up in production for Barrett, who had 14 sacks and 25 tackles for loss combined over five seasons with the Denver Broncos prior to 2019.
Pro Football Focus, in their piece about a free agent that every time should target, notes that Barrett outplayed every Baltimore pass rusher last season.
“His 82 pressures on the year were the fourth most and 20 more than any other Raven.”
A proven pass rusher would certainly be a boost to the Ravens defense. But there are a number of reasons why I don’t think it’s likely that Barrett will be a Baltimore Raven in 2020.
First of all, there is the worry regarding whether we can actually class Barrett as a proven pass rusher. After all, 2019 was the only year he’s really put it all together. Granted, he was among PFF’s top-25 ranked pass rushers in his first five seasons while with the Broncos. But PFF grades are one thing, actual sack totals are another and 58.2% of Barrett’s career sacks came in a single season, albeit the last one.
Secondly, Barrett isn’t going to be cheap. If the Ravens will potentially balk at what Judon could earn on the free-agent market, Barrett could easily earn a lot more given his sack total last year. Spotract puts Barrett’s market value just shy of $16 million per year, which isn’t much in savings over where they have Judon.
Plus, and this is the most important — I don’t think it is likely that Barrett will actually get to the open market. The Buccaneers have the fourth-most estimated effective cap space heading into 2020, so they don’t have to be cheap when it comes to keeping their best players around. Barrett was the one good thing about Tampa Bay’s pass defense last season and they’d be really crazy to let him walk. If a long-term deal cannot be reached, then there are also the franchise or transition tags.
Don’t get me wrong, the Ravens need to upgrade the pass rush and Barrett is a name we’re going to hear as a dream free agent for Baltimore. But for all the reasons Judon isn’t a slam dunk to re-sign, Barrett falls into the same problems for the Ravens.
[vertical-gallery id=41592]