The Baltimore Ravens could make some veteran additions at edge rusher, as there are plenty of options to reunite with. They include former veterans and stars of the past or big free-agent pickups, like Jadeveon Clowney, Matthew Judon, and Za’Darius Smith.
Even though they drafted Mike Green in the second round, you can never have enough edge rushers, especially with offseason camps starting back up. On paper, the depth chart is better than last year, despite having a few young but unproven players.
At this point, David Ojabo isn’t a proven option due to on-field consistency (and health), and some competition in camp would benefit the team in general. He is definitely on the roster bubble, as the former second-rounder with have to shine in preseason to keep a roster spot.
The same can be said with Adisa Isaac, to a lesser extent, as the former third-rounder was injured most of his rookie season. Tavius Robinson, a former fourth-rounder, played meaningful snaps in a rotation last year and flashed at times as a rookie. This is a big year for both in Baltimore, as they should be on the Ravens’ roster as depth but will need to step up regardless in camp and the preseason.
Veteran Kyle Van Noy is still the starter opposite Odafe Oweh, with the former first-rounder potentially on the bubble despite having 10 sacks last year. While Van Noy also had back-to-back career years with the Ravens from 2023 and 2024, with nine sacks to 12.5 sacks this past season, there were times the pass rush lacked juice and impact late in games.
But even though the Ravens have established starters, I would not be surprised if one of the free agent options mentioned came back to Baltimore for the 2025 NFL season at some point.
Clowney Potentially Back in Baltimore?
After Jadeveon Clowney was released by the Carolina Panthers, a potential reunion in Baltimore is already a rumor picking up steam, according to NFL on Fox Insider Jordan Schultz. As a fan, I was surprised how they didn’t end up re-signing him after a career season in 2023, as it was due to the Ravens getting out-priced.
However, after one season in Carolina with a down year (5.5 sacks) and playing near his former college in South Carolina, the best chance for Clowney to potentially get a ring is in Baltimore. With the Ravens as a starter, he was so close to hitting double-digit sacks, tying his previous career-high with 9.5 (2017 in Houston with the Texans).
The 32-year-old can still play and could be a big-time role player in a rotation that could use some veterans and experience.
Judon and Za’Darius Smith are also Potential Free Agent Options
Judon, another 32-year-old, is also on the market after not being re-signed by the Atlanta Falcons after a down season (5.5 sacks). He was traded from the New England Patriots in 2023, but the year prior, he had 15.5 sacks in 2022.
This could be another realistic option, as he could help his former team win a ring, as he was drafted by them in the fifth round. The Ravens could use an established player who has double-digit sack ability, as he had only had 9.5 sacks (2019) in Baltimore but had 12.5 with the Pats in 2021.
Za’Darius Smith, also 31 years old, has been more of a journeyman compared to Judon but similar to Clowney, as he could head back to the Detroit Lions. They traded for him but let him walk after he was traded from the Cleveland Browns.
The veteran had double-digit sacks (12.5 and 13.5) for the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings (10) but not for the Ravens. For Baltimore back in 2018, his career high was 8.5. Judon does fit the outside linebacker profile better, but Smith does offer more size and could rotate in as a defensive end in the Ravens’ 3-4 defensive scheme.
Either way, whether it is one of those two or Clowney, who is sort of a blend of both in terms of versatility, I could see the Baltimore Ravens signing one or two. This could be either in the offseason, preseason, or even regular season, for a playoff push late into 2025 if they are still on the market.
