The Baltimore Ravens added even more weight to their defensive line, bringing back Justin Ellis on a one-year contract. The move comes as a part of Baltimore’s clear attempt to build up their defensive line this offseason to help shut down the type of rushing attacks they struggled so much against last season. But considering Ellis was a midseason addition that only played in 60 snaps over four games, where does he fit on the Ravens’ defensive line and what does it mean for the team through the rest of free agency?
In truth, Ellis isn’t the same type of splash addition Baltimore is set to pull off with Michael Brockers and Calais Campbell. Ellis should be viewed as rotational depth in the center of the Ravens’ defensive line. Depending on what his final contract numbers end up being, he might simply be some competition for Daylon Mack — Baltimore’s fifth-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft — in training camp, and a player the Ravens are willing and able to cut at the 53-man roster deadline without much in the way of financial repercussions.
However, the flurry of moves on the defensive line does point Baltimore away from Michael Pierce, one of their top pending free agents. The writing was already on the wall once the Ravens signed Brockers but adding Ellis back to the lineup on top of that pretty much cements it. That shouldn’t be much of a shock considering what Pierce is expected to earn in free agency but there was some hope Baltimore was going to bring him back.
The Ravens entered last season with just five defensive linemen on their roster, a move they quickly found to be a mistake. It caused them to bring on Ellis, Domata Peko, and Jihad Ward to patch up their holes and provide more depth. Even then, poor showings against Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb and Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry showed they still had a long way to go. Clearly, Baltimore doesn’t want the same problem to pop up this season, especially after going 14-2 last season and choking an opportunity at a Super Bowl away.
Ellis’ signing isn’t likely going to be a move that many will point to later in the season as a defining moment. But it’s these smaller signings and depth players that can turn a good team into a great one that can go the distance.
[vertical-gallery id=44016]