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Baltimore Ravens: Linval Joseph makes a ton of sense

By Chris Schisler

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Linval Joseph #98 of the Minnesota Vikings runs out of the tunnel prior to the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 11: Linval Joseph #98 of the Minnesota Vikings runs out of the tunnel prior to the NFC Divisional Round Playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Ravens should seriously consider signing Linval Joseph in free agency:

One area the Baltimore Ravens need to upgrade is the defensive line. The Ravens may lose Michael Pierce in free agency and need more push from the defensive line in general. Joseph is a defensive lineman that basically offers the same thing as Pierce. He’s a space eating plug for the run game. He would however be a slight upgrade from a pass rushing standpoint.

While Pierce doesn’t offer much in the terms of pushing the pocket and getting after the quarterback, Joseph has a track record of getting to the quarterback. He has had six seasons with three sacks. Adding Joseph would mean that if they lost Pierce they wouldn’t miss a beat in run defense and they could be just a bit better at pressuring the quarterback.

Joseph wouldn’t break the bank for the Ravens. He was a cap cut by the Vikings and because of that he wouldn’t count against the compensatory picks formula. The Ravens are a great fit for the 31 year old defensive tackle. This wouldn’t be a huge splash in free agency, yet it’s a move that the Ravens should be able to get done.

The Ravens will want to go after two or three free agents at position of need. When you look at this from the angle of cap room, Joseph would conceivably cost less than Pierce. The Ravens don’t want to neglect the defensive line. It’s certainly not a position they can afford to get worse at however it’s not the top need in Baltimore. Signing Joseph would be a balanced approach to how the address the defensive line.

If the Ravens add Joseph he will add to a group that has at least Brandon Williams, Chris Wormley, and Jihad Ward as the main ingredients. The Ravens selected Daylon Mack in the 2019 NFL Draft and he has some potential. If Mack lives up to that potential he will be a decent rotational player for the defensive line.

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The Ravens have to make smart moves in free agency. They can’t just read off their wish list and make it magically happen. Joseph is a common sense solution in free agency. If the Ravens don’t intend on bringing back Pierce (which is a big if), they have to do something to replace him. Joseph is one of the most appealing options and he’ll come at the right price.

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