Ebony Bird
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Big decisions loom for the Baltimore Ravens top-ranked defense

By Mike Reid

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Inside Linebacker C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after an interception in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 30: Inside Linebacker C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates with teammates after an interception in the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium on December 30, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after blocking a field goal against Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 06: Za’Darius Smith #90 of the Baltimore Ravens reacts after blocking a field goal against Mike Badgley #4 of the Los Angeles Chargers during the third quarter in the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

Za’Darius Smith and Terrell Suggs:

Terrell Suggs is, of course, a Baltimore Ravens legend, while Za’Darius Smith is a breakout, budding star who had a great contract year in 2018. There is probably only room for one of these two. If my first prediction is correct and the team resigns Mosley, it will be very unlikely they can afford to pay Smith as well, considering he will also be demanding top-dollar.

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As a young pass rusher, Smith should be able to get a nice payday. He looks like the classic Ravens young defensive stud that has a great final year of his contract and prices himself out of Baltimore’s range. Guys like Pernell McPhee, Paul Kruger, Arthur Jones, and Dannell Ellerbe are perfect examples of this.

On the other hand, Suggs is no doubt slowing down as he enters his 17th season. He has shown though, with 18 sacks over the past two seasons, he can still contribute as a situational pass rusher.

My Predictions: Za’Darius Smith leaves Baltimore, gets a big 4-5 years $60+ million deal from the Indianapolis Colts or Tennessee Titans. The Ravens resign Terrell Suggs to a one-year, $3-5 million deal. Suggs gets to close out his career in the purple and black.

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