J.J. Watt would be the perfect Baltimore Ravens free agent acquisition

With his recent release from the Houston Texans, J.J. Watt is looking for a new team this offseason. The Baltimore Ravens seem like a match made in heaven.

There was a point in time where acquiring J.J. Watt wasn’t the most feasible option for the Baltimore Ravens. Between his massive cap hit and the potential cost of trade value, it didn’t make a ton of sense for Baltimore to heavily pursue Watt’s services. It doesn’t help that Watt isn’t what he used to be and would not have been worth the price both for his contract and via trade.

That has come to a very sudden turn, however, as Watt was cut from the Houston Texans in a cap saving move. Watt is now headed into Free Agency for the first time in his career and he will have plenty of suitors. Watt’s market will range from teams looking to win a title to teams in desperate need of pass-rushing help, meaning he’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

With this in mind, the Ravens seem to be a very good fit for his play.

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J.J. Watt, as we already stated, is not the player he once was. Watt has accumulated just nine sacks over the last two seasons and missed eight games in that time span. Additionally, Watt has played all 16 games just twice since 2016. That’s likely an immediate turn off for most teams, especially when you factor in that the three-time Defensive Player of the Year is turning 32-years old towards the end of March.

This may end up playing in a teams’ favor. Watt is obviously not who he once was and while he is still a Hall of Famer in most people’s books, he could definitely use a boost in the latter half of his career to get back on track. A move from the Texans could kickstart that jump and motivate Watt to get back to a Pro Bowl level.

This is where the Ravens come into play. Baltimore’s pass rush has left a lot to be desired over the past several years with the team recording fewer than 40 sacks each of the last two seasons. The Ravens are also slated to lose four of their top six pass rushers in Free Agency. Considering the team was already in need of pass-rushing help, this only emphasizes that need.

As of now, Calais Campbell is the team’s best pass rusher and he generated just four sacks in 12 games in 2020. That’s not exactly ideal from a guy you’re paying $15 million to in 2021. With likely a lot less help in 2021 as of now, there’s a chance that Campbell remains underwhelming. He needs help from somewhere, and J.J. Watt seems like the perfect answer for this calling.

Now there is a chance that Derek Wolfe is back for the 2021 season despite being a free agent, as both parties may have a mutual interest in making a deal. This would make a move for Watt a tad irrelevant, as Wolfe and Watt would be playing similar positions opposite Campbell. That being said, Watt is a definitive upgrade. Both players are stout vs. the run, but Watt is the superior pass rusher, and as we noted already that’s where the Ravens need the most help. Wolfe was a fan favorite a year ago and we should be rooting for his return, but bringing in Watt would be the better move.

With this in mind, all signs point to Lauderdale… excuse me, all signs point to Baltimore. The Ravens give Watt the best opportunity to win a championship and still make a decent amount of coin. Baltimore, in return, gets a well-rounded defender who fills a massive need on the team, especially if it loses so many of its pass rushers.

Next. Baltimore Ravens must build upon their strengths this offseason. dark

Is J.J. Watt likely to regain his All-Pro, DPOY status in Baltimore? No, and no one should be betting on that. Watt is, however, exactly what the Ravens love to bring into their organization and makes a ton of sense for both parties involved. I’m not trying to predict the future, but I will say that I can absolutely picture J.J. Watt in a #99 Baltimore Ravens jersey… and it’s beautiful.

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