The Baltimore Ravens won’t be bringing in Michael Brockers. Who are viable alternatives in NFL Free Agency? Here are three available players that make sense:
1. Everson Griffen
Don’t worry about whether or not Everson Griffen is a scheme fit for the Ravens. He’s an edge rusher. His talent works in a 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker just like it does in a 4-3 as a defensive end. The number one thing to remember here is that Griffen would help the Ravens get after the quarterback. Matt Judon and Griffen would make the best pair of outside linebackers in Baltimore since Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Many fans are going to start back up the wish of getting Jadeveon Clowney. It seems unlikely that the Ravens could have both Clowney and Judon. In an unpopular opinion I would rather have Judon if I was Eric DeCosta.
Before the Brockers deal fell through, the Ravens wouldn’t have a great shot at getting Griffen. Now the move becomes a lot more realistic. The Baltimore defense would essentially be swapping needs here. Instead of desperately needing another edge rusher in the NFL Draft, the Ravens would need a defensive end. This would just be another method of improving the pass rushing situation. It’s going at the same overarching goal from a different side of things.
If the Ravens signed Griffen, Baltimore would get what it wanted most under the free agency Christmas tree. They would be getting a prolific pass rushing duo at the outside linebacker positions. Griffen still has a good bit of football left in the tank and he’ll be less expensive than a player like Clowney. This is the first player that the Ravens should call.