The Baltimore Ravens lost several key players in free agency, but arguably none were more important than current Carolina Panthers edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. The first-overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, the South Carolina product played a vital role last year on arguably the league’s top defense. Appearing in all 17 games, the veteran finished the season with 9.5 sacks, 43 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, 19 quarterback hits, and two forced fumbles while helping the team make it all the way to the AFC Championship Game.
Following the successful season, Jadeveon Clowney landed a two-year, $20 million deal with the Carolina Panthers. At the time, the team desperately needed to find an edge defender capable of replacing the departed Brian Burns. While it’s too early to say whether or not the signing will work out, the early returns are promising. According to head coach Dave Canales, Clowney is making a name for himself on defense.
“I mean, who’s not excited to see Jadeveon Clowney,” Canales said. “Disruptive was the word that I used early on when we got him, and he was ruining things for us a lot today.”
Canales: Jadeveon Clowney “Ruining Things” For Panthers Offense
Canales means this as a compliment. The Panthers offense is trying to establish a new identity with a first-year head coach and new weapons in Diontae Johnson and first-round pick Xavier Legette, but Jadeveon Clowney isn’t letting that happen. The South Carolina product doesn’t always rack up sacks, but he is annually near the top of the league in pass rush win rate and pressures applied. Carolina won’t win the Super Bowl next year, but Clowney’s presence will be vital to improving on their league-worst record from 2023.
With Brian Burns now in New York, the Panthers entire pass rush runs through Jadeveon Clowney. With too many holes to address throughout the roster, Carolina wisely used most of their resources to fix the offense and give Bryce Young a fighting chance in 2024. The downside to this is that it means Clowney is arguably the most important player on the defensive side of the ball. If he can maintain his efficiency from last year, Carolina’s defense will have a fighting chance. If not, this could get ugly.
Ravens Remaining Pass Rushers
Losing Jadeveon Clowney to the Panthers hurts, but the Baltimore Ravens should be able to carry on without the veteran. Star defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is still around, as is veteran edge rusher Kyle Van Noy and his nine sacks. Replacing Clowney in the starting lineup will be former first-round pick Odafe Oweh, a player who has performed well in small samples but still must prove he can handle a full-time role. Supporting Oweh is the high-risk, high-reward David Ojabo and third-round pick Adisa Isaac.
If the Ravens need more help, they could also pursue a Matthew Judon trade. The veteran is in the final year of his contract, and the New England Patriots are entering a full-on rebuild. If Judon isn’t a part of the team’s future, then perhaps the Patriots would be willing to part ways with the veteran for a fifth-round pick.
Main Photo: Jim Dedmon – USA Today Sports
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