7 pass rushers the Ravens can sign after the Za’Darius Smith snub
By Justin Fried
6. Ravens target: Dante Fowler
If the Ravens aren’t able to land one of the top names remaining on the market, one veteran rotational option that makes sense is Dante Fowler.
A former top-three pick, Fowler never lived up to expectations in the NFL, but he’s managed to settle into a nice role as a rotational pass rusher.
The 27-year-old has 7.5 sacks over the last two years and even recorded a whopping 11.5 playing in the Los Angeles Rams’ stacked defense front in 2019.
The pass-rush upside is there with Fowler and he shouldn’t cost much to add. This would be a move that signals the Ravens plan to address pass rusher early in the 2022 NFL Draft.
5. Ravens target: Arden Key
Arden Key looked like a total draft bust after three uneventful seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders. The former third-round pick failed to make an impact despite being given ample opportunities.
When he was released last spring, few were surprised. But after signing on with the San Francisco 49ers, Key essentially managed to salvage his career developing into a quality rotational pass rusher.
The former LSU standout finished with 6.5 sacks and 17 QB hits in 17 games, despite entering the season with just three career sacks. Key was a disruptive force in San Francisco’s pass-rush rotation and an important part of his team’s defense.
At just 25-years-old, Key is an ascending player whose best years might still be ahead of him. He would be an exciting addition to this Ravens’ pass-rush corps.