Baltimore Ravens: Eric DeCosta era starts off with a bang
By Erik Lambert
The Baltimore Ravens entrusted longtime #2 man front office man Eric DeCosta to make the transition from Ozzie Newsome as smooth as possible.
Bare months into his tenure, it’s been anything but that. Here’s a team that went to the playoffs in 2018. They have one of the best defenses in the NFL and a ground attack that few teams were able to stop. One would think they’d want to keep as much as possible in place while trying to find the necessary pieces to push them further in 2019. Instead it feels like DeCosta is prepared to completely reshape the roster.
Not only is he prepared to take a gigantic risk by allowing star inside linebacker C.J. Mosley to hit the open market as a free agent. He also doubled down by releasing veteran safety and defensive leader Eric Weddle. This after he reached his sixth Pro Bowl including a third in three years with the team. If that weren’t enough, they’ll also be allowing two of their best pass rushers in Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith to reach the market as well.
Source: The #Ravens have cut Eric Weddle. Wow.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 5, 2019
A representative for C.J. Mosley said he has been told that Baltimore will not use its franchise tag on the Ravens' linebacker, per a league source. Mosley expected to be an unrestricted free agent, without a tag.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 4, 2019
Baltimore Ravens defense could take a big step back in 2019
There’s still a chance that the Ravens will be able to bring a couple of those names back, but not all of them. Weddle is almost certainly gone and it’s likely Smith will get more money from another team. Their best hope is that Mosley gives them a chance to counter any offers he gets but that’s dangerous living in this league. If things don’t go as hoped, they could be without four of their best defensive players when the 2019 season kicks off.
Given how much they leaned on that unit last year, it’s an astoundingly high risk they’re taking. Either they’re that confident they can keep the players they need or they believe quarterback Lamar Jackson will take a big step forward under new offensive coordinator Greg Roman. One thing is for sure. If this team ends up going through a considerable regression this coming year, people will be looking back at this time as to where it went sideways.