3 Super Bowl players the Baltimore Ravens must pursue in free agency
By Mike Luciano
1. LB Willie Gay
The Ravens, who need to figure out if they will pay big money to former first-round pick Patrick Queen this offseason, aren't the only Super Bowl favorite with some linebacker depth issues. Kansas City has both Gay and free agent standout Drue Tranquill hitting free agency.
The versatility Tranquill brings to the table might be enough to give him priority, and youngster Leo Chenal's role keeps growing. This would leave an opening for Gay to go elsewhere, and Baltimore could use a player with championship experience and a history of making big plays in the postseason.
Could Chiefs LB Willie Gay join the Baltimore Ravens?
Gay is never going to be an old-school, plug-the-A-gap middle linebacker who stuffs the run. Where he does excel is in coverage. With tremendous mobility for a player listed at just over 240 pounds, Gay is a quality athlete at the position that is just entering his prime.
Roquan Smith appears to be the best linebacker in the AFC, and it can be reasonably argued he is the finest at this position in the entire NFL. As good as he is, the Smith-Queen pairing is what helped make Baltimore's unit so nasty last season. If Queen leaves, Gay needs to be at the top of the replacement list.
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