Baltimore Ravens: The case for and against signing Muhammad Wilkerson
The case for signing Wilkerson:
The case for signing Wilkerson is that the Ravens defensive line under achieved in the 2016 season. There is no way of getting around that because during the preseason all anyone could talk about was how dominant the defensive front would be. Carl Davis isn’t exactly dominant and Brent Urban has yet to have a monster season despite having the potential. Willie Henry has grown into a stud but the Ravens still need help. The Ravens don’t want the defensive line to be a need, but it is one.
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Wilkerson is a perfect fit for the Ravens 3-4 defense. A 3-4 line consisting of Wilkerson, Michael Pierce as the nose guard and Brandon Williams would be pretty beastly. Urban and Davis would be rotational players, but they wouldn’t be leaned on. The Ravens would have three dominant space eaters and Wilkerson has better pass rushing ability than any of the Ravens defensive linemen.
The Ravens have invested a lot in the linebacker positions. They have Terrell Suggs, Matt Judon, Za’Darius Smith, Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams as their outside linebackers. One of the most likely moves this offseason is the extension of C.J. Mosley’s contract with the purple and black. The best way to maximize the investment the Ravens have made in the second level of their defense is to invest equally in the defensive line.