Baltimore Ravens free agency 2020: Top 5 targets

3. Cory Littleton, ILB

In a very similar instance, but larger impact, as the Za’Darius Smith decision, the Ravens watched Pro Bowl inside linebacker C.J. Mosley sign a massive contract with the New York Jets last offseason.

Letting Mosley walk was all about the dollar amount he and the Jets agreed on. Rather miraculously, Mosley’s departure hasn’t directly affected the defense too significantly. Although, Derrick Henry made the Ravens feel this hole a lot in the Divisional Round.

Patrick Onwuasor and Josh Bynes did a solid job as the team’s inside linebackers. Bynes much more than Onwuasor. Now, both are free agents this offseason and expecting to get by without a real Mosley replacement is too much to ask for once again in 2020.

Cory Littleton will most likely be in high demand this offseason. So, he may be priced out of the Ravens range. But, that shouldn’t persuade them away from at least making a strong run for him.

At first, you may think Littleton isn’t the same player Mosley is. The correlation is closer than you’d think. No, he isn’t as physical as Mosley, but he still makes a ton of plays as a tackler and coverage linebacker.

Littleton was a key member on the Los Angeles Rams team that went to the Super Bowl in 2018. In fact, he was named to the Pro Bowl last season and could have gotten the same honors in 2019.

The 26-year-old had 134 combined tackles, two interceptions, 3.5 sacks, six tackles for loss and five quarterback hits in 2019. That’s what you call a dynamic player.

Going out and getting Littleton would really solidify the interior part of the defense. Getting a field general at one of the inside linebacker spots is what this team has needed since Mosley left, and Littelon would absolutely be a suitable replacement.