Ravens: 4 free agents who would instantly improve the roster
By Justin Fried
3. The Ravens could sign Olivier Vernon
Now on to players who would actually play a featured role with the team, first we take a look at veteran pass rusher Olivier Vernon.
The Ravens’ options to add a pass rusher are growing thin with the most recent signing being Ryan Kerrigan who’s on his way to Philadelphia. But one player who remains a free agent is Vernon.
The 30-year-old has spent the last two seasons in Cleveland but will be looking for a new home in 2021. Vernon played in 14 games last season and racked up a whopping nine sacks — his most since 2013, his second year in the league.
Even at age 30, Vernon is still going strong. The only problem is that he’s coming off a torn Achilles and likely won’t be ready for Week 1.
Vernon tore his Achilles in Week 17 of last year and there is currently no definitive timetable for his return, which certainly complicates the matter.
But it’s hard to argue that a healthy Vernon wouldn’t be an upgrade over what the Ravens currently have.
Pernell McPhee still has some juice left in him, but he’s more of a rotational player at this point. Tyus Bowser is a good player who might still have his best years ahead of him, but he’s not an overly dynamic pass-rusher.
Meanwhile, Jaylon Ferguson has been a disappointment in Baltimore. The Ravens could use a veteran edge, and Vernon makes sense if the medicals check out.