3 position groups the Ravens must rebuild this offseason
By Justin Fried
2. The Ravens must rebuild their defensive line
The Ravens desperately need to get younger up front on defense, and that starts with a defensive line that should look very different in 2022.
The likes of Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams, and Justin Ellis are all pending free agents, and even if Campbell returns, the Ravens still need to make some changes.
Campbell announced his intention to play another year shortly following the conclusion of the Super Bowl, and the hope is that he returns to Baltimore this season.
His return would provide a major boost to the defensive line, but that doesn’t mean the position group won’t still be one of the team’s top priorities this offseason.
Williams looked like a shell of his former self in 2021 while Ellis is little more than adequate depth. The Ravens need to find their heir apparent at nose tackle while also adding more depth at the position.
At the same time, it’s hard to rely on Derek Wolfe given his age and recent injury history. There’s no guarantee that Wolfe will be ready for Week 1, and unless the Ravens are sold on Justin Madubuike and Broderick Washington as key contributors, it’s probably best to add some more talent up front.
Ultimately, the Ravens just need to get younger. Campbell and Wolfe are playing out their final days while Williams and Ellis seem unlikely to return. The Ravens need youth on their defensive line, and this offseason presents a golden opportunity to make that happen.