Akiem Hicks is a ‘dream signing’ for the Ravens in free agency
By Justin Fried
The Baltimore Ravens will be looking to revamp their defensive line in the offseason, and one player who could certainly help that cause is veteran Akiem Hicks.
Hicks is one of a number of notable players the Ravens could target in free agency, and he’s someone who could absolutely provide a much-needed boost to a Ravens defense that struggled at times in 2021.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report recently named one “dream signing” for every NFL team, and the name that he selected for the Ravens was Hicks. This shouldn’t come as much of a surprise either.
This isn’t the first time that Hicks has been named a potential target for the Ravens. The connection makes plenty of sense.
Akiem Hicks would be a good signing for the Ravens
A third-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft, Hicks has had a long and illustrious NFL career. After playing the early stages of his career with the New Orleans Saints and New England Patriots, Hicks found a permanent home in Chicago.
In six seasons with the Bears, Hicks established himself as one of the best interior defensive linemen in the league recording seven or more sacks in 2016, 2017, and 2018, making the Pro Bowl in the final of those three years.
He’s often been referred to as one of the most underrated players in the NFL, and even at 32-years-old, he’s still playing at a pretty high level. His biggest issue has been staying healthy.
Hicks missed eight games in 2021 dealing with a variety of injuries and missed another 11 in 2019 due to knee and elbow injuries. Injuries have piled up, but he’s still been a very good player when healthy.
The Ravens will be looking to make changes to their defensive line with the likes of Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams, and Justin Ellis all set to hit free agency.
Williams and Ellis are likely goners, although there’s still a decent chance Campbell returns. Hicks would make more sense if the Ravens are unable to re-sign Campbell. He can act as his pseudo-replacement.
Next. 4 Ravens free agents who could join Wink Martindale with the Giants. dark
Akiem Hicks makes sense as a target for the Ravens. Perhaps he’s not a true “dream signing,” but he would be a worthwhile one nonetheless.