Each of the 32 NFL team have decisions to make before the league’s free agency period gets underway in just over two weeks. So far we have taken a look at the moves both the Arizona Cardinals and Atlanta Falcons should make in terms of which player they should re-sign and which performer they should allow to test the free-agent market. Hence the league’s new fiscal year begins on March 9 at 4 p.m. ET.
John Harbaugh’s Baltimore Ravens are coming off a very disappointing 8-8 showing. The club won their first three games only to drop eight of their final 11 contests.
These days, they also have 11 potential unrestricted Free Agents. This offseason, they have already seen veteran wide receiver Steve Smith Sr. leave the NFL for the television studio. So which Ravens’ player will the franchise retain and who will be allowed to spread his wings? It’s an intriguing question.
Bring him back
Only four teams in the NFL allowed fewer rushing yards per game this past season that the Baltimore Ravens. In fact, the club ranked seventh in the league in total defense and were ninth in fewest passing yards allowed per contest. Ageless outside linebacker Terrell Suggs led the club with eight sacks but the Ravens got to opposing quarterbacks only 31 times. However, Harbaugh’s team doubled its takeaway total from a year ago, forcing 28 turnovers – including 18 interceptions.
But it’s that ability to stop the run that is very important. And while nose tackle Brandon Williams didn’t have his best year, he’s still one of the top performer at his position when it comes to this craft. Baltimore does have some issues when it comes to their secondary but remain stout up front. And that should continue if they decide to Bring back the 2013 third-round pick from Missouri Southern.
Let him go
This is somewhat of a no-brainer. With the final pick in the first round of the 2013 NFL draft, the then-defending Super Bowl champion Baltimore Ravens used the 32nd overall selection to grab UCLA safety Matt Elam. He has been utilized in numerous roles during his stay with the team. But he was limited to only nine games this past year after sitting out all of 2015 due to injury. The disappointing performer has suited up for 41 regular-season contests and has totaled only one career interception.
