Tag: Pernell McPhee

Ravens re-sign OLB Pernell McPhee

The Ravens re-signed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee to their active roster

The Baltimore Ravens parted ways with outside linebacker Pernell McPhee during final cutdown day as they trimmed their roster down to 53 players. It widely expected that McPhee would return to the active roster in short order, but with players like defensive tackle Justin Ellis and defensive back Anthony Levine Sr. re-signing with the team’s practice squad, some began to get a bit antsy, wondering if something unexpected was happening with the veteran defender.

Despite it taking a bit longer than anticipated, on Thursday Baltimore officially announced that McPhee was returning to the team in a move that many are excited about.

McPhee has been a key rotational piece on the Ravens’ defense ever since returning to the organization in 2019. He was originally drafted by Baltimore in the fifth round of the 2011 draft, and spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens before signing a big-money deal with the Chicago Bears. After his stop in Chicago as well as another in Washington, he signed back in Baltimore, where he’s seen success playing outside while also being able to kick inside.

In 10 NFL seasons, McPhee has accumulated 246 total tackles 37 sacks, and six forced fumbles.

Ravens trim roster to 53 players, officially announce 21 moves

The Ravens officially announced 21 roster moves, trimming their team to 53 players

The Baltimore Ravens trimmed their final roster to 53 players on Tuesday. There were multiple tough decisions that had to be made, and although they parted with many talented playmakers, their roster still consists of a great mix of depth who all have diverse skill sets and can play multiple positions.

Shortly after the 4 pm EST deadline to trim the roster, Baltimore officially announced the moves that they made to get their final team to the required number of players, which included plenty of transactions that made a lot of sense but also a few definite surprises that shocked quite a few people.

Some of the surprises include the Ravens letting go of OLB Pernell McPhee, DB Anthony Levine Sr., and DB Nigel Warrior. All three players could return to the team in some way, with McPhee and Levine being more likely to at this point, as Warrior has to clear through waivers. Another surprise was Miles Boykin making the final roster, as he hasn’t played much during camp and has struggled a bit during his first two NFL seasons.

The initial 53-man roster won’t be what the team likes in a few days. Players such as Rashod Bateman and Nick Boyle are likely to be placed on injured reserve, paving the way for others to be re-signed. Guys who were cut from other teams could peak the Ravens’ interest as well, which could spark another move. There is still a bit of roster construction to do, but overall Baltimore has a very good initial team.

Jaylon Ferguson details how much Ravens’ veterans have helped him grow

Jaylon Ferguson has benefited from the multiple talented veterans on the Ravens’ roster

The Baltimore Ravens have a lot of depth at outside linebacker this year, especially with the signing of Justin Houston. With the veteran’s arrival, it pushed third-year player Jaylon Ferguson to the roster bubble, as he hasn’t shown as much production as anticipated over his first two years in the NFL.

During his 2021 preseason action so far, Ferguson has stepped up to the plate and put his name right into the conversation for not only a roster spot, but a decently sized role on Baltimore’s defense. When asked about how learning from Justin Houston has impacted him, Ferguson pointed out a number of veterans who have helped him grow.

“…Between him, Pernell [McPhee], Tyus Bowser, even Calais Campbell – he helped me out – Derek Wolfe, especially, because he’s got the ferocity inside, but he’s still got all the moves … Just being with guys like that, I’m learning not to look at, so much, physical stuff, [but to look at] little keys, like which way they’re moving, which way they’re leaning, pre-snap stuff to help me. Before, I would just look at a player, just thinking that I can beat him by myself.”

Not only have the veterans helped Ferguson from a technical point of view, but also from a mentality standpoint. Houston, McPhee, Campbell, Wolfe and others have a plethora of valuable NFL experience that can help younger players like Ferguson flourish, and the third-year defender is seemingly taking advantage of the information and secrets that he’s been given by the veterans on the roster.

Edge rusher named Ravens’ biggest spot up for grabs during 2021 training camp by Bleacher Report

Edge rusher named Ravens’ biggest spot up for grabs during 2021 training camp by Bleacher Report

The Baltimore Ravens are able to stay competitive year in and year out due to their roster depth and talented playmakers. They can withstand unfortunate injuries at multiple positions, and how deep they are also means that they can keep their players fresh throughout games and the entire season as well.

When listing out the biggest spot up for grabs during 2021 training camp for each NFL team, Maurice Moten of Bleacher Report identified the edge rusher position as his choice for Baltimore. Moten acknowledged that the Ravens lost multiple talented pass rushers in free agency such as Matthew Judon and Yannick Ngakoue, but highlighted players who could earn big roles during training camp at the position, including Tyus Bowser and Pernell McPhee.

“Tyus Bowser, a 2017 second-rounder, will likely line up as the strong-side linebacker. In March, the Ravens signed him to a four-year extension worth $22 million with $12 million guaranteed. Pernell McPhee could hold off a trio of developing players on the opposite side after starting in 13 contests last year.”

Moten also talked about Baltimore’s two edge rushers that they selected in the 2021 draft with Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes.

“The Ravens selected Odafe Oweh in the first round of this year’s draft. The rookie may take on a big role, though he could back up Bowser while developing his pass-rushing skills. As a collegian, the Penn State product recorded seven sacks…As a rookie fifth-rounder, Daelin Hayes has an outside shot to emerge, but he turned some heads during the spring with simulated sacks at practice.”

Finally, Moten mentioned Jaylon Ferguson, who with a strong training camp and preseason could earn a big role for himself.

“Jaylon Ferguson, who’s the all-time NCAA sack leader, hasn’t translated his pass-rushing potential into significant production yet. He’s recorded just 4.5 sacks in two seasons, but the Louisiana Tech product will have a prime opportunity to break out with a pathway to more snaps on the edge.”

How the edge rusher position performs for the Ravens will be a key in how successful this team can be in 2021. The group has a high ceiling, and if they can rush the passer at a high level, the sky’s the limit for Baltimore’s defense. Training camp should provide plenty of opportunities for the Ravens’ edge defenders to separate themselves from the pack, and the team will certainly get a good look at what they have at the position over the coming weeks.

Ravens left off of best edge defender list by Pro Football Focus

The Baltimore Ravens lost a trio of productive edge rushers during the 2021 offseason. They saw none of their edge rushers on a list by PFF

The Baltimore Ravens lost three edge defenders during the 2021 offseason in Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Jihad Ward. While the team did re-sign Tyus Bowser and Pernell McPhee, as well as draft Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes, the edge position is somewhat of a question mark heading into the season.

When ranking his top 32 edge defenders entering the 2021 season, Ben Linsey of Pro Football Focus didn’t put any Baltimore players on the list, omitting names like Bowser and Oweh. However, both Ngakoue and Judon were present. Ngakoue was ranked at No. 24, while Judon came in at No. 31. Linsey’s description of Ngakoue’s ranking is as follows.

“Ngakoue should give some new life to the pass rush under first-year defensive coordinator Gus Bradley. He has recorded at least 42 pressures in each of his first five NFL seasons, with pass-rushing grades of 74.5 or higher in each of the past four years. Ngakoue just hasn’t quite gotten back to the dominance he flashed in 2017 as a pass-rusher, nor has he graded above 60.0 in any season against the run.”

Linsey also went into detail about what made him place Judon at No. 31.

“The addition of Judon was just one piece of the puzzle to a revamped front seven in New England this offseason — a transformation that was overshadowed by some of the big moves on offense. Judon is coming off four seasons of steady contribution in Baltimore, grading between 66.0 and 69.2 on at least 600 defensive snaps in every season since 2017.”

While no Ravens edge defenders made Linsey’s list, that doesn’t mean that the team doesn’t have talent at the position. They could even add more, as it’s thought that Baltimore could sign veteran pass rusher Justin Houston. Even though the Ravens will be relying on some unproven players, their talent could shine through and surprise some people in 2021.

Ravens’ free agent pass rushing options beginning to dwindle

The Baltimore Ravens could look to sign a veteran pass rusher in free agency. However, their options are slowly dwindling

The Baltimore Ravens lost a good amount of production from the edge position during the 2021 offseason. The team saw Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Jihad Ward leave in free agency, creating a huge need at pass rusher.

While the Ravens did end up re-signing edge defenders Tyus Bowser and Pernell McPhee, along with draft Odafe Oweh and Daelin Hayes, Baltimore doesn’t have a ton of pass rushing juice from the position right now. Even throwing in third-year edge Jaylon Ferguson doesn’t do much to ease some of the concerns that many have felt about the Ravens’ pass rush heading into the season.

Baltimore has explored outside options to help their ability to get to the quarterback, including visiting with former Colts edge rusher Justin Houston. However, the veteran options are slowly dwindling as players begin to find new homes after the 2021 NFL draft. Former Washington Football Team edge defender Ryan Kerrigan is the latest pass rusher to go off of the board, signing with the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday.

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With Kerrigan now officially off of the market, that leaves the Ravens with only a few veteran pass rusher options remaining, with the biggest names including Houston, Melvin Ingram, and Olivier Vernon. Baltimore could opt to not sign an outside free agent and roll with who they already have, especially if they feel confident that players like Bowser, Ferguson, and Oweh can provide better production than some people anticipate.

When looking at the statistics for the edge defenders that the Ravens currently have on their roster, the combination of Bowser, McPhee, and Ferguson have combined for 52 sacks in 15 seasons between the three. For comparison, Houston has 97.5 sacks in his 10 year career. Oweh and Hayes don’t factor into the equation because they both haven’t played in and NFL game.

Overall, the Ravens have plenty of talent at the edge position. However, despite having players who can set the edge and drop back into coverage, right now it doesn’t seem like the team has any pure pass rushers who can be 10-12 sack players. That’s not to say that the pass rushers currently on Baltimore’s roster can’t develop into a sack artist with increased snaps, but the safer option could be to add a veteran who has proven that they can get to the quarterback consistently.

3 biggest needs for Ravens entering 2021 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens have a very competitive roster already, but they have a few needs that need to be filled. Which needs are most glaring?

The Baltimore Ravens have put together a very competitive roster. They have a plethora of stars surrounded by depth all around, which makes the team not only good at the top, but good all the way to the last man. There is a nice foundation already in place for the Ravens, as young studs such as Lamar Jackson, Ronnie Stanley, and Marlon Humphrey will carry the torch for a long time in Baltimore.

Despite having such a talented roster already, the Ravens now have the opportunity to get even better by drafting immediate impact contributors at positions of need in the 2021 NFL draft. Rounding out their roster should be a top priority for the team, so what needs are their most glaring heading into the draft?

Ravens Draft Prospect Profile: Gregory Rousseau

The Baltimore Ravens might opt to choose a edge rusher on night one of the 2021 Draft. Gregory Rousseau could be an option for the team

The Baltimore Ravens could be looking for edge help during the 2021 NFL Draft. There are plenty of intriguing prospects who they could look at to fill their hole at edge, one of which is Gregory Rousseau.

Rousseau opted out in 2020, but had a dominant 2019 season that included 59 total tackles and 15.5 sacks at the University of Miami. He’s an outstanding athlete, standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 260 pounds, and uses that to his advantage by using his length to overwhelm blockers and get to the quarterback. He can also bend around offensive tackles, using his frame to get past them.

While Rousseau certainly has the size and production to be a productive player at the NFL level, he’s still learning how to play the edge position. He primarily played wide receiver and safety in high school, so he doesn’t have a lot of experience rushing the passer or setting the edge against the run.

Not having a lot experience at edge is the main knock on Rousseau, as he needs major refinement in his game in order to fully blossom into a star. With Baltimore, he would have a chance to learn from players such as Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, and even Pernell McPhee, so there might not be a better landing spot for Rousseau’s development than with the Ravens.

Campbell has publicly praised Rousseau and has even acted as a mentor for the young Hurricane. If Baltimore wants to take a chance on crazy potential, Rousseau would give them a raw prospect who has a real shot to become a star with the right coaching and mentorship.

Ravens Draft Prospect Profile: Kwity Paye

The Baltimore Ravens will most likely be looking for an impact playmaker at the edge rusher position. Could Kwity Paye fit?

The Baltimore Ravens currently have just three edge defenders on their roster in Tyus Bowser, Pernell McPhee, and Jaylon Ferguson. The team will most likely be looking for a bit of juice at the position during the 2021 NFL Draft, and they’ll have plenty of great options to choose from.

One prospect who could be an option for Baltimore is Kwity Paye. The former University of Michigan edge defender accumulated 97 total tackles and 11.5 sacks in his four years as a Wolverine, including a career high 6.5 in 2019. While his college production doesn’t pop off of the screen, his tape certainly does.

 

Paye has an unconventional stance that lets him use his athletic abilities to his advantage. He plays with an extremely high motor and gives 110% effort on every play, which are both traits that the Ravens value in potential draft picks. He also has both speed and power moves that he has shown the ability to use at times, but does need to refine his overall technique a bit.

The biggest concern with Paye is the fact that he’s a bit raw overall, but if he’s put in the right situation with the right coaches, he can thrive. He has the potential to be the best edge rusher to come out of the 2021 class, but does need to continue to grow his game.

With Paye, Baltimore would be getting an extremely talented player who uses his powerful hands to win at the point of attack and can jump through tight creases by taking near-perfect angles. He is also sound at defending the run, something the Ravens would task Paye with doing early and often when he got on the field.

The overall consensus about where Paye could be selected in the draft is all over the place. Some believe he could go as early as the 14th overall pick, while others think he’s an early Day 2 prospect. For Baltimore, if Paye somehow dropped to them at No. 27, they’d most likely seriously consider taking him. His talent is undeniable, and his potential is off of the charts. He would fill a position of need for the Ravens while giving them a great prospect both on and off of the field.

Grading the Ravens’ 2021 offseason through one month of free agency

The Baltimore Ravens have now navigated through one month of 2021 free agency. How have they fared so far?

The Baltimore Ravens have had plenty of mixed reviews when it comes to their 2021 offseason moves so far. Many came into this offseason expecting the Ravens to be major players, but instead they’ve operated in the same way they always have.

They’ve made a few additions and re-signed multiple players that will continue to perform well in a Baltimore uniform. Although the team did see a few players depart, their current roster is still extremely competitive, even without breaking the bank for a free agent or signing a massive amount of new players.

The legal tampering period began on March 15th, so we are officially one month into 2021 free agency. How have the Ravens’ fared so far?

The team has added just three outside players throughout the first month of the offseason in guard Kevin Zeitler, tight end Josh Oliver, and wide receiver Sammy Watkins. While Oliver is more of a reclamation project after playing in just three games during his first two NFL seasons, Zeitler and Watkins instantly make Baltimore’s offense better than it already was. Zeitler will shore up an interior offensive line group that struggled at times last season, and Watkins is an extremely versatile option who brings veteran leadership to an extremely young wide receiver room.

Despite adding some impact players, they did miss out on a few as well, such as Corey Davis, Marvin Jones Jr., Emmanuel Sanders and others. They were also reported to have interest in both JuJu Smith-Schuster and T.Y. Hilton, both of which spurned the Ravens to return to their former teams. The team could have stood to make one or two more additions during the first month of free agency, but they value compensatory picks, so signing a lot of unrestricted free agents would limit their ability to acquire those picks.

When it comes to who Baltimore has re-signed, a few key names include linebackers Tyus Bowser, Pernell McPhee and L.J. Fort, defensive end Derek Wolfe, safety Anthony Levine Sr., and more. While the Ravens’ outside additions focus on the offensive side of the ball, their re-signings are defense oriented, making sure they brought back as many key pieces from a unit that proved to be one of the best in football last season. Bowser should have an increased role in 2021, while McPhee, Fort, Wolfe and others should continue to play well.

The Ravens weren’t able to re-sign everyone from their 2020 roster, losing a few key pieces that include linebackers Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue and Jihad Ward, wide receiver Willie Snead IV, and long snapper Morgan Cox. The team also opted to cut running back Mark Ingram II, who signed with the Houston Texans.

Losing Judon and Ngakoue are big blows to Baltimore’s pass rush, and losing Ward on top of both means that the Ravens will have to prioritize acquiring multiple edge rusher throughout the rest of the offseason. Snead was a key part of Baltimore’s offense for the three seasons he was with the Ravens, but with him primarily being a slot receiver, Baltimore opted to move in a different direction. For Ingram, it made sense for the Ravens to move on after a down year where he was phased out of the offense.

Overall, Baltimore has followed their blueprint from previous offseasons, so it’s not overly shocking to see the team not as active as many imagined. However, with Lamar Jackson on his rookie contract, the Ravens could have considered signing a few more unrestricted free agents, even if it meant sacrificing a compensatory pick to do so. The new players that they brought in and the old ones they re-signed keep the team extremely competitive, and as the offseason continues, Baltimore should slowly begin to sign more players and round out their roster.

Final grade: B-/C+