3 major storylines to follow on Baltimore Ravens defensive line this preseason

2. Can Angelo Blackson catch Brent Urban on the Baltimore Ravens depth chart

When the Baltimore Ravens signed Angelo Blackson, it did not look like much more than a training camp addition. Blackson had a solid career, but he is coming off of the worst season of his career, where he was a leading factor in the Chicago Bears league-worst run defense.

Blackson is 30 now, and his best days may be behind. However, the more you dig in, you can see that he signed with the team in 2021, and they changed coaching staff and defensive coordinators. The Bears had him playing nose tackle when that is not his role. Now, Blackson will be back in a scheme that fits him, and with Travis Jones and Michael Pierce, he will not be in the nose tackle role.

So, we could see a lot better from Blackson this year. Brent Urban had a fine season as a depth option last year, but he is now going to be 32 years old. Before 2022, you could make the case that Blackson was a better asset than Urban, and now he may be able to play more versatility up and down the line.

Blackson will be competing not only to make the roster as the sixth defensive lineman but he also will be competing with Urban for the fifth defensive line spot. He could be as far as off the roster or as high as beating someone on the depth chart.