3 free agent pass rushers Ravens must sign after Jadeveon Clowney joins Panthers

The Baltimore Ravens have seen their once-great defense lose their main architect in Mike Macdonald and several impactful starters in free agency. Star pass rusher Jadeveon Clowney joins the likes of Geno Stone, Patrick Queen, and Ronald Darby in finding new homes in 2024.

Clowney, who recorded 9.5 sacks after signing a very cheap deal with Baltimore last year, spurned both the Ravens and New York Jets to sign a two-year contract worth as much as $24 million with his hometown Carolina Panthers. This is a fatal blow to Baltimore's already thin pass rush.

The Ravens currently have Odafe Oweh (who has yet to really his his stride as a sack master after three seasons) and David Ojabo (who can't be counted on for much of anything due to his injury concerns) penciled in as starters. Even if that is the intended plan, more help is needed behind those two.

The Ravens need to spend what is left of their cap space on one of these three pass rushers. Doing so would not only provide a noticeable short-term upgrade to a major position of need, but it would also allow them to focus purely on offensive tackles and wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft.

3 pass rushers Ravens must sign after Jadeveon Clowney joins Panthers

3. Mike Danna, Kansas City Chiefs

The cost of doing business in the NFL means that Kansas City had to jettison names like L'Jarius Sneed and Willie Gay to afford the record-setting contract given to star defensive tackle Chris Jones. After the Chiefs drafted a defensive end in consecutive first rounds (George Karlaftis, Felix Anudike-Uzomah), Danna seems to be as good as gone.

Danna, another Michigan product John Harbaugh might like to work with, has recorded 11.5 sacks in the last two seasons with a fairly respectable pressure rate. While he isn't going to be the run defender Clowney was, the difference between him as a rookie and what he is now in this area is night and day.

Mike Danna could be a worthwhile addition for the Baltimore Ravens

Danna is much younger than most of the veterans still percolating around the free agent market. The Ravens opted for a younger offensive tackle in Josh Jones after Morgan Moses was traded away, which could signal that Eric DeCosta might be more likely to spend on young players with potential over experienced veterans.

Danna was able to do all of this while playing over 54% of defensive snaps just once in his four years with the Chiefs. With the top picks ready to take flight, the Chiefs could push Danna away to one of the biggest contenders for the AFC title as the Ravens try to make up for the loss of Clowney.