The Baltimore Ravens need to focus on the trenches this offseason
By Andrew Kim
Defensive Line, EDGE, Linebackers
Calais Campbell may retire this offseason but even if he wants to come back, he is a pending free agent along with Brandon Williams. Derek Wolfe missed all last year due to injury and other than Justin Madubuike showing flashes, there wasn’t much production outside of that.
The Baltimore Ravens are known for having big run stoppers at defensive tackle but adding more pass rushers at the defensive end, especially in the draft, would help out immensely. Even though Baltimore was efficient enough at stopping the run, they will likely need a nose tackle replacement this offseason.
Odafe Oweh, a former first-round pick last year, looks like an explosive playmaker as a promising edge rusher, but he does need a running mate to assist at getting after the opposing quarterbacks. All-around linebacker Tyus Bowser, who was signed to a four-year extension, suffered an injury in the last regular-season game that could affect his status next year.
Justin Houston was signed last offseason but as an aging veteran, he may need to be replaced this offseason as a pending free agent. Younger depth and speed are lacking at outside linebacker right now, so other than Oweh, the draft could be where the Ravens find their next edge rusher.
An upgrade at linebacker to start next to Patrick Queen would help out their depth that lacks younger talent. Queen had struggled early this season as the full-time starter but later started to come around once he switched his role.
Josh Bynes was not bad as a spot starter, but more speed would benefit the group in general. L.J. Fort dealt with a season-ending injury, while Malik Harrison dealt with an unforeseen injury of his own for most of the season. Both veteran linebackers are pending free agents and adding a contributor in the draft is the likely route the Ravens would take to fill out their depth.