Ebony Bird
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Baltimore Ravens: 5 franchise cornerstones 25-years old or under

By Richard Bradshaw

OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - JUNE 10: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens poses for a photo at the Under Armour Performance Center on June 10, 2019 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
OWINGS MILLS, MARYLAND - JUNE 10: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens poses for a photo at the Under Armour Performance Center on June 10, 2019 in Owings Mills, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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FRISCO, TX – DECEMBER 20: Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl on December 20, 2017 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
FRISCO, TX – DECEMBER 20: Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs during the 2017 DXL Frisco Bowl on December 20, 2017 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

5. Jaylon Ferguson

Matt Judon may be the established leader on the edge for the Baltimore Ravens, but he falls just outside of our age group. Judon is currently 26-years old and will turn 27 before the 2019 season gets underway. It also hurts his cornerstone argument because he’s an unrestricted free agent following the season. There’s simply no guarantees he stays with Baltimore.

On the other hand, we have rookie edge rusher Jaylon Ferguson. Ferguson, drafted in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, is entering his rookie season with considerably high-expectations. Fair or not, Ferguson at least has a good chance to produce in what appears to be a wide-open competition for a starting spot opposite Judon on the edge.

During his time with the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, Ferguson recorded 45.5 sacks in four-seasons, enough to topple former Ravens edge rusher Terrell Suggs NCAA career sacks record (with hopes of breaking more as a rookie). Naturally, Baltimore pounced on the opportunity to replace one sack monster with the “sack daddy.”

Even as a rookie, the Baltimore Ravens will be counting on Jaylon Ferguson it carry a big-load headed into 2019 and beyond. Having that premier edge rusher is huge for every NFL team, and Baltimore is crossing their fingers a that they finally got it right in Ferguson (especially if they can resign Judon).

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