The Baltimore Ravens defense has a lot of questions. Today we’re looking at what the defense has locked up already and what they don’t:
The Baltimore Ravens defense has a very good defensive coordinator in Don Martindale. Martindale proved what he could do in the 2018 season; now the Ravens have to figure out which players he has to work with. The Ravens had the number one defense in the NFL this season but it could see some change for the 2019 campaign.
The veteran leadership of the defense could change. Early in the 2018 season, when C.J. Mosley was injured, Eric Weddle took the signal calling duties. That shows you what the Ravens could be missing if neither player comes back next year, a possibility that is not unbelievable. Weddle is a potential cap cut as an ageing safety and Mosley is one of the top unrestricted free agents. Za’Darius Smith is a player that is likely to leave in free agency. These three players are getting the headlines, but let’s look at the defensive roster that is not in question.
The Ravens have one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in Marlon Humphrey, who still has two seasons on his rookie deal. Salary cap decisions may force the Ravens to choose between Jimmy Smith and Brandon Carr, either way the Ravens have a decent cornerback pairing.\
Anthony Averret just got through his rookie season and he looks promising, while Tavon Young is a player Baltimore really likes. With Tony Jefferson still under contract and coming off a decent year, most of the starting secondary is built. Chuck Clark, Anthony Levine Sr. and DeShon Elliott give the Ravens a lot of depth at strong safety and some skills for the special teams units.
The Ravens have two young linebackers that impressed in 2018. Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young are both players who are just beginning to show their true colors. Onwuasor is a restricted-free agent but the Ravens have every reason to keep him in Baltimore. They have developed him and he has become a very versatile part of the team. The Ravens still have Matt Judon under contract for one more year and it would be surprising to see Terrell Suggs leave the only team he’s played for in the NFL.
Let’s pencil Michael Pierce back to the Ravens even though he is a restricted free agent. Brent Urban is a free agent as well. Brandon Williams and Willie Henry are returning for 2019. Chris Wormley, Pat Ricard and Zach Sieler shouldn’t be going anywhere either.
The number one defense in the league is not something you want to see broken up. The fact of the matter that some change is going to happen no matter what.