NFL Free Agency: top team-player fits post-NFL draft

3. Zach Brown and Baltimore Ravens

In what was perhaps the most surprising move of the draft, the Baltimore Ravens did not draft a linebacker. A once proud and deep defensive unit has been diminished over time with retirements, losing players in free agency, and natural attrition.

But right now, the Ravens have only one inside linebacker on the roster. The team is in desperate need of a veteran to lead a young/inexperienced linebacker corps. Fortunately, like the Bengals before them, the team has a few very quality options for how to proceed with the 2019 roster.

Zach Brown is one such option; and is one that Baltimore should pursue post-draft with gusto. Pro Football Focus rated Brown a the No. 3 inside linebacker in all of football last year, and for a player of that caliber to still be available this late in to the offseason is a dream come true for a young and aspiring team like the current Ravens squad.

Most would likely agree that with Lamar Jackson taking the helm early last year, the team over-performed down the stretch and made the playoff. That performance was largely based on the exceptional play of C.J. Mosley, who this offseason accepted and $85 million contract to play for the Jets.

It is irresponsible of Baltimore to not address this largest position of need in order to continue the upward momentum built from last year’s playoff appearance. It is incumbent upon general manager Eric DeCosta to fill this whole as quickly as possible. A shallow class of available players in the draft is not the fault of the team, but a decision not to address the position now is.