Ebony Bird
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5 free agents Baltimore Ravens could go either way with

By Chris Schisler

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Outside linebacker Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his sack with teammate inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - NOVEMBER 17: Outside linebacker Matt Judon #99 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates his sack with teammate inside linebacker Patrick Onwuasor #48 of the Baltimore Ravens against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 17, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets fumbles and is recovered by defensive end Jihad Ward #53 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 12, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Sam Darnold #14 of the New York Jets fumbles and is recovered by defensive end Jihad Ward #53 of the Baltimore Ravens in the third quarter of the game at M&T Bank Stadium on December 12, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /

4. Jihad Ward:

The Ravens made a really savvy mid-season pick up when they gave Jihad Ward a spot on the defense. He wasn’t a stat producer, but he was a decent player to put in the rotation and he did have a sack on Tom Brady. If you’re only going to have one sack in a season, doing it against the New England Patriots is exceptional maximizing of that moment. Ward is a player that the Ravens may feel they want to see more of.

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He’s 25 years old. He hasn’t gotten much of a chance with the either the Oakland Raiders or Indianapolis Colts. He could be a player that is just starting to get it. The Ravens have to watch Raheem Mostert be a play-making running back in the Super Bowl. They gave up on Mostert too early and now his potential is playing out elsewhere. It’s a different position than Ward, but the lesson could be applicable to his pending free agency. Sometimes it’s a good thing to keep a player who hasn’t quite blossomed yet. Ward has a big 6’5″ frame and some quickness for a defensive end. If he takes the next step, it could provide the interior pass rush Baltimore lacks.

Ward’s future depends on what happens with the rest of the defensive line. The Ravens have four free agents on the defensive line (I’m about to talk about another one of them on the next slide. Ward should be the cheapest free agent deal of the defensive linemen. There aren’t a lot of negatives about bringing Ward back. He’s just not a player that the Ravens really need to prioritize bringing back. It’s certainly not a player that is going to make or break the offseason.

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