The Baltimore Ravens have multiple needs that they can look to improve during the 2022 offseason. They can make adjustments on both sides of the ball to make sure that they are keeping up with a loaded NFL and even a very challenging AFC.
When listing out each NFL team’s biggest need in the 2022 offseason, Maurice Moten of Bleacher Report listed a position in the trenches for Baltimore. However, instead of choosing offensive line, Moten went with defensive line for the Ravens, and when explaining why talked about how the team has a plethora of free agents hitting the market on their defensive line.
“Through the 2021 campaign, Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams and Justin Ellis played 1,447 defensive snaps combined, and they’re all set to hit the free-agent market. Before the draft in April, Baltimore should add a solid veteran defensive lineman in order to maintain its top-ranked run defense.”
Moten gave some potential free agents that Baltimore could target, including Austin Johnson of the New York Giants, Jarran Reed of the Kansas City Chiefs and Akiem Hicks of the Chicago Bears.
“The Ravens can offer contracts to Austin Johnson, Jarran Reed and even Akiem Hicks if he’s over the nagging injuries that cost him several games last season. Their defensive front needs an established veteran alongside Justin Madubuike, who’s going into his third year with 14 starts.”
Moten also named a draft prospect who the Ravens could look at on their defensive line.
“Perhaps the front office targets Perrion Winfrey in the draft following his standout performances during Senior Bowl week. The 6’3″, 303-pounder must work on his functional strength at the point of attack, but he has impressive quickness and ball-tracking skills, recording 11 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries in his final year at Oklahoma.”
Baltimore’s defensive line could undergo a big transformation in the offseason. However, they were the top run defense in the NFL, so they have a very nice foundation to build on.