The Baltimore Ravens still clearly have work to do one week into free agency.
A need could soon become urgent if EDGE Jadeveon Clowney bolts in free agency. The current free agent is scheduled to meet with the New York Jets this week and has other interest around the NFL.
If Clowney’s tenure in Baltimore is done after a season, the Ravens will need to fill his void left quickly.
The Ravens should be on the phone with Chase Young
One of the top-edge rushers left on the market is Chase Young, who hasn’t lived up to his draft stock but is still a plus rusher available. In 2023, Young tied his rookie total of 7.5 sacks between time spent with the Commanders and 49ers. Young is from Maryland, so it would be a return home.
There is still upside to be had here with the soon-to-be 25-year-old. Chase’s second and third seasons were derailed by injury but he was able to stay healthy in 2023 for the most part. He hasn’t even played in 50 NFL games yet, so he’s still quite young and could develop into a double-digit sack guy.
Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo are the top two edge rushers on the Ravens right now and they combined for just six sacks last year, five of those came from Oweh. Replacing the 9.5 sacks that Clowney would leave would be important for the defense.
Ravens are one team that makes sense to take a shot on Young especially since there will not be an overwhelming amount of suitors looking to pay him with big deals already given out over the last week.
Getting younger at the position with Young filling in for Clowney is another bonus if they were to make such a move. While the Ravens want to bring back Clowney, it may not happen. The consultation prize to that isn’t all that bad.
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