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Baltimore Ravens: How they can replace Eric Weddle

By Mike Reid

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Nasir Adderley #23 of the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens tackles Quinshad Davis #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 41-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 26: Nasir Adderley #23 of the Delaware Fightin Blue Hens tackles Quinshad Davis #14 of the North Carolina Tar Heels during their game at Kenan Stadium on September 26, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. North Carolina won 41-14. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA – DECEMBER 23: Free safety Tyrann Mathieu #32 of the Houston Texans celebrates an interception by inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney #55 (not pictured) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the third quarter at Lincoln Financial Field on December 23, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

Tyrann Mathieu (Free Agent)

The former Arizona Cardinals and most recently Houston Texans safety might be the perfect replacement for the Ravens. At the age of 26, the “Honey Badger” still has prime years left. He is a versatile play-making safety that would fit right into the Ravens versatile defensive scheme. He can cover the slot, blitz and play center field on the back-end. Mathieu also has ties with current Ravens safety Tony Jefferson, they were former teammates with the Arizona Cardinals. Pairing Mathieu and Jefferson back together would create a dangerous safety duo for the Ravens. Adding more hype to the Mathieu to Baltimore train, Pro Football Talk tweeted a report saying the Ravens will make a “strong push” for the free agent safety. 

The question is if the Ravens can afford Mathieu? The team is still looking to re-sign CJ Mosley to a long-term deal, as well as Terrell Suggs, and add pieces to the offense too. Mathieu won’t be cheap, but if the Ravens can create enough cap space, a younger and faster Mathieu would certainly be an upgrade at the safety position over Weddle.

Nasir Adderly (Delaware)

If the Ravens don’t chose to address the safety position during free agency they could look to the draft, where Nasir Adderley would be an enticing option. Adderley is considered one of the best free safeties in this year’s draft and would bring instant ball-hawking ability and speed to the secondary. A four-year starter at Delaware, Adderley had 10 career interceptions to go along with 22 pass break-ups. He also has experience playing cornerback so cover skills on the back-end come naturally to him. The Ravens shouldn’t be afraid of Adderley coming from a small school like Delaware, they’ve of course had success drafting Blue Hens, like Joe Flacco and Nick Boyle.

If the Ravens want Adderley it will likely cost them their 1st round selection. With a long list of needs though, including wide receiver, interior offensive line, and pass rusher, a 1st round pick on a safety might not be in the cards.

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