Ebony Bird
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2018 Baltimore Ravens: Who will lead the team in sacks?

By Richard Bradshaw

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by outside linebacker Matt Judon #99 and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 3: Quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions is sacked by outside linebacker Matt Judon #99 and outside linebacker Terrell Suggs #55 of the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Outside Linebacker Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after sacking quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 3: Outside Linebacker Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after sacking quarterback Matthew Stafford #9 of the Detroit Lions in the second quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 3, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Matt Judon:

From rookie standout to impressive sophomore season, Matt Judon could be in store for a breakout year in 2018.

The son-to-be 26-year old doubled his production in 2017 from four sacks to eight and went from 27 tackles to 60. Could 2018 continue his upward trend in production? I certainly can’t think of any valid objection to counter this thought. After all, Judon simply has one more season under his belt and is more experienced in this defense.

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There’s plenty of reason to believe that Judon could wind up leading this Ravens squad in sacks. He showed in 2017 that he belongs on the field as a full-time starter and should bring the same intensity from last season into 2018. Look for Judon to keep trending upwards and potentially lead the team in sacks.

High: 13.0/Low: 6.5/Prediction: 10.0

Za’Darius Smith:

The Ravens have a history of getting the most out of there players during contract seasons. With the Ravens investments in the edge rushing position since 2016, it would take a ridiculous stat-line for the Ravens to resign  Za’darius Smith long-term.

With that in mind, Smith could be in for a breakout season in 2018. Given all the depth and competition on the Ravens defense, he’ll need it to get snaps. We’ve seen Smith’s potential before. Remember when Smith was a rookie and racked up 5.5 sacks, we thought he was primed to breakout. That didn’t happen, but now seems like his chance.

Smith rebounded nicely in 2017, but 2018 should be his cherry on top in his time with Baltimore. As long as Smith finds a way to produce in 2018, the Ravens can’t lose with his impact.

High: 7.0/Low: 3.5/Prediction: 6.0

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