7 pass rushers the Ravens can sign after the Za’Darius Smith snub
By Justin Fried
4. Ravens target: Jadeveon Clowney
The Ravens are already familiar with Jadeveon Clowny as the former first overall pick spent last season in Cleveland with the Browns. While he’s never quite lived up to expectations, Clowney remains a rock-solid edge defender who can certainly help the Ravens’ defense.
The 29-year-old is one of the best run stoppers in the NFL and he’s coming off one of his most productive pass-rushing seasons in years. Clowney recorded nine sacks in 14 games with the Browns in 2021 showing that he still has some pass-rush upside.
Ideally, Clowney is at his best when he’s allowed to create mismatches using his speed and power. He’s not a star pass rusher by any means, but he’s an accomplished edge rusher who would be a strong addition to the Ravens’ defense at this stage.
3. Ravens target: Melvin Ingram
This would essentially be your Justin Houston signing of the offseason. Melvin Ingram is far from the player he used to be, but he’s still an effective pass rusher even if he doesn’t put up the flashy numbers.
The longtime Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher split the 2021 season between Kansas City and Pittsburgh where he recorded just two sacks in 15 games. However, the metrics indicate he was far more disruptive as a pass rusher.
Ingram totaled a whopping 51 pressures which tied for 23rd among all edge rushers in football with the likes of Brian Burns and Cameron Jordan.
Ingram likely isn’t going to be a double-digit sack guy at this stage of his career, but that doesn’t mean he still can’t be an effective and important part of the Ravens’ pass-rush rotation.