Ebony Bird
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8 positional battles to watch for 2020 Baltimore Ravens

By Richard Bradshaw

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Justin Madubuike #52 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – SEPTEMBER 28: Justin Madubuike #52 of the Texas A&M Aggies during the Southwest Classic at AT&T Stadium on September 28, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Sub-defensive tackle:

Contenders: Daylon Mack vs. Justin Ellis vs. Justin Madubuike vs. Broderick Washington

Gone is Michael Pierce, a three-year starter for the Baltimore Ravens, via Free Agency. To replace him is Brandon Williams, who has been the team’s 3-tech defensive tackle over the last three years. Derek Wolfe was brought in this offseason to take Williams’ spot at 3-tech. The front-three looks terrific with those two and Calais Campbell taking those spots.

Beyond those three it becomes a crapshoot who the next guy is. Baltimore will run a lot of nickel packages, meaning they’ll only use two down-linemen. For sub-packages, who would be the guy to flex out for Williams?

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The Ravens did draft Daylon Mack in the fifth-round of the 2019 NFL Draft and it seemed that he was Pierce’s eventual replacement. However, the team added two more guys to this group in Justin Madubuike (third-round) and Broderick Washington (fifth-round). Madubuike, in particular, brings a very well-rounded game compared to the other two.

Justin Ellis was also brought back for 2020 after being a mid-season signing in 2019. Ellis is a strong fixture to be the team’s second-string nose tackle and his experience could get him the edge over these young guys.

Baltimore’s starting three are as good as any in the league, so they won’t need to worry too much about who’s next up. The depth here is really nice and it will be fun to see who emerges as the next-best player here.

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