7 pass rushers the Ravens can sign after the Za’Darius Smith snub

2. Ravens target: Justin Houston

After missing out on Za’Darius Smith, the Ravens might just pivot and bring back a player who proved to be a very reliable contributor this past season. A Justin Houston return still makes plenty of sense.

The Ravens signed Houston last summer to provide additional pass-rush depth. The 11-year NFL veteran went on to start 15 games finishing with 4.5 sacks. Much like Ingram, he was a bit more productive than his sack numbers would indicate.

Houston finished the year as Pro Football Focus‘ 19th-best edge defender and he was particularly effective against the run.

Even at age 33, Houston proved last year that he still has plenty left in the tank and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see the Ravens bring him back before the draft.

1. Ravens target: Derek Barnett

Perhaps the most intriguing edge rusher remaining on the market is former Philadelphia Eagles’ first-round pick, Derek Barnett. Ravens fans might remember the team’s pre-draft interest in Barnett dating back to 2017.

The Ravens’ front office was high on Barnett and it wouldn’t be surprising at all to see the team look to sign him this offseason, especially after the Za’Darius Smith snub.

Barnett has fallen short of expectations in Philadelphia and is coming off a down year where he recorded just two sacks in 16 games. But at just 25-years-old, there’s undoubtedly still some untapped potential here.

Derek Barnett just feels like a Ravens signing, and with the team in need of pass-rush help, his addition would certainly be welcomed.