The Ravens have made no secret about their desire to increase the pass rush, especially with one of the NFL’s best off the edge in outside linebacker Terrell Suggs.
With opposing quarterbacks focused on getting the ball out of their hands quickly, Baltimore’s sack numbers were down (27) in 2010. Bookend linebacker Jarret Johnson logged 1 ½, while defensive tackle Haloti Ngata was second on the team with 5 ½.
The Ravens thought they addressed their pass rush need by drafting Sergio Kindle last year, but the question still looms as to whether he will return to the field after suffering a season-ending head injury last summer.
And certainly Paul Kruger, Baltimore’s second-round selection in 2009, could develop as he completed his first season as more of an interior lineman.
But there should be some intriguing talents hitting free agency in the coming months.
Here is a look at who could be available on the open market:
Note: Until there’s a new collective bargaining agreement, the Ravens can only re-sign their own players or assign them tenders. If there is a work stoppage, free agency will be postponed. Until further notice, Baltimore is operating under the 2010 free agency rules, which doesn’t grant unrestricted free agency until a player has at least six years in the league. That could change with a new agreement and make veterans with at least four years in the NFL unrestricted.
DE Mathaias Kiwanuka, New York Giants
Restricted; 6-foot-5, 265 pounds; 5 years
2010 Stats: 11 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 forced fumble (in three games)
An explosive pass rusher, Kiwanuka played in only three games last year after a neck injury landed him on Injured Reserve. But during that time, he logged four sacks for the Giants’ talented front seven. The Boston College product also broke his leg during the 2007 campaign. Kiwanuka is young and productive, but injury concerns could be a factor.
(Upside – Technique, Length; Downside – Injuries)
DE Ray Edwards, Minnesota Vikings
Restricted; 6-foot-5, 268 pounds; 5 years
2010 Stats: 38 tackles, 8 sacks
Edwards, a more traditional 4-3 end, is another fifth-year player who toes the restricted/unrestricted line. If he is restricted, the Vikings could give him a first-round tender, as they did last year. A boxing and mixed martial arts enthusiast, Edwards notched 21 ½ sacks over the past three seasons. Some would argue that Edwards benefitted heavily from his defensive line teammates, however.
(Upside – Hands, Aggressiveness; Downside – Consistency)
OLB LaMarr Woodley, Pittsburgh Steelers
Restricted; 6-foot-2, 265 pounds; 4 years
2010 Stats: 50 tackles, 10 sacks, 2 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles
One of the hottest free agents to potentially hit the market, Woodley has logged 39 sacks in his four-year career, including 10 this year. Woodley is likely to get the franchise tag if both sides cannot come to a long-term agreement, but he will no doubt be highly sought-after.
(Upside – Power, Speed; Downside – Price)
OLB Tamba Hali, Kansas City Chiefs
Restricted; 6-foot-3, 275 pounds; 5 years
2010 Stats: 52 tackles, 14.5 sacks, 4 forced fumbles
As the Chiefs’ only sack artist, Hali amassed 14 ½ sacks this season and owns an impressive 41 ½ for his career. Hali is durable, having only missed one game in five years. The Chiefs have repeatedly said that Hali is one of their top priorities to re-sign, with the franchise tag existing as a possibility.
(Upside – Durability, Motor; Downside – Price)
OLB Kamerion Wimbley, Oakland Raiders
Restricted; 6-foot-4, 255 pounds; 5 years
2010 Stats: 58 tackles, 9 sacks, 1 forced fumble
In his one year in Oakland, the former Cleveland Browns first-round draft pick totaled nine sacks, the most since posting 11 as a rookie. Wimbley, another converted college defensive end, showed growth as an outside linebacker as the Raiders seemed to know how to maximize his talents. The Florida State product has only missed one game in his career.
(Upside – Versatility, Durability; Downside – Consistency)
Other Players to Watch
- DE Charles Johnson, Carolina Panthers
- OLB Manny Lawson, San Francisco 49ers
- OLB Matt Roth, Cleveland Browns
- DE Jason Babin, Tennessee Titans