A year ago, the Baltimore Ravens bled some of their most important defensive pieces in free agency and brought back precious few in return.
Lead pass rusher Za’Darius Smith, off-ball linebacker C.J. Mosley, and safety Eric Weddle each signed multiyear deals with other teams while longtime defensive stalwart Terrell Suggs left for an opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals. While general manager Eric DeCosta brought in All-Pro safety Earl Thomas, the Ravens defense would have to plug most of the holes through internal development or transactions made later in the year.
The plan ultimately worked, as the departures cleared the path for edge rusher Matt Judon, safety Chuck Clark, and others to grow into larger roles while late additions like corner Marcus Peters cemented the defense as a force during the second half of the season. Meanwhile, the Ravens, powered by soon-to-be 2019 MVP Lamar Jackson and a diverse offense, clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoff field.
After a disappointing loss to the Tennessee Titans in the divisional round, the Ravens once again enter the offseason with plenty of cause for optimism as well as significant free-agent questions to answer.
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Matt Judon
If not for the promise Judon displayed during his first three seasons in the NFL, the Ravens might have more seriously pursued re-signing Smith last offseason. Judon rewarded that faith with his best season to date. The former fifth-round pick registered a career-high 9.5 sacks while leading the team with 31 total pressures (no other Baltimore defender had more than 14). He also developed into a more complete player, setting the edge against the run and funneling ball carriers toward teammates.
Still, Judon remains a work in progress in some areas. He missed 14.3% of his tackle attempts, the highest rate among qualified front-seven defenders on the Ravens’ roster. While that flaw doesn’t negate Judon’s value as a pass rusher, it did result in the defense allowing some explosive plays during the season.
While the Ravens have seemingly manufactured quality edge defenders out of mid- and late-round picks at will, they don’t currently have an obvious replacement for Judon as they did for Smith a year ago. Smith secured a four-year, $66 million deal with the Green Bay Packers, which effectively sets the floor for Judon’s negotiations. While not an unreasonable cost for a player of his caliber, age, and upside, such a contract could force the front office to make some difficult decisions as the team enters the offseason with roughly $29 million in available cap space, 11th lowest total in the league.
Jimmy Smith
A stalwart at cornerback for the Ravens since arriving in 2011, Jimmy Smith will become a free agent this March. He has started nearly every game for the team since 2013 when healthy, though issues with health have long dominated Smith’s narrative. Multiple injuries and a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs cost him 15 games over just the past three seasons.
While Smith’s availability clouds his future in Baltimore, he remains a capable corner. When targeted this past season, Smith allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete just 56% of their passes for an average of 6.6 yards per attempt and zero touchdowns. He also tackles well for a defensive back, recording just one miss the entire year. Those skills could convince the Ravens to bring Smith back on another contract.
Still, given his age and the three-year, $42 million extension given to Marcus Peters in December, Smith might not have a place on the roster next season. Entering his age-32 season, Smith might simply present too much risk to a team with limited financial resources.
Michael Pierce
Though the NFL’s push toward the passing game has reduced the demand for true nose tackles, Michael Pierce remains an integral part of the Ravens defense. He played the majority of the team’s defensive snaps in all but two games, a testament to his influence on the run game. Baltimore generally prefers mammoth interior lineman, with Pierce teaming with Brandon Williams to form one of the heaviest two-man combinations in the NFL.
But while Pierce has a clearly defined role in Baltimore, the Ravens have already extended Williams to a lucrative contract and would have a hard time justifying another major expenditure for a non-pass-rushing defensive tackle. Pierce recorded just three pressures and a half sack during the 2019 season, numbers that fall more or less in line with his typical annual output. Entering his age-28 season, that production doesn’t seem likely to improve in the future.
Perhaps the market will not deliver a big contract for Pierce, allowing the Ravens to re-sign him at a cost they can afford. However, it seems more likely at this stage that the team goes another direction, whether a low-cost free agent or a rookie from the upcoming draft class.
Jason B. Hirschhorn is an award-winning sports journalist and Pro Football Writers of America member. He has bylines at NFL.com, SB Nation, Sports Illustrated, and other outlets.