Fansided

One perfect 2020 NFL free agency signing for each team

By Russell S. Baxter

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 20: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints plays against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - OCTOBER 20: Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the New Orleans Saints plays against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field on October 20, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images) /
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LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Dante Fowler Jr. #56 of the Los Angeles Rams chases Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – NOVEMBER 25: Dante Fowler Jr. #56 of the Los Angeles Rams chases Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of a game at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on November 25, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Ravens: DE/OLB Dante Fowler Jr. (Los Angeles Rams)

For all of their splendor in 2019, the Baltimore Ravens failed to even get to the AFC Championship Game despite owning a league’s best record at 14-2. John Harbaugh’s club boasted the NFL MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson, who set new standards for the position in terms of rushing yards for a season (1,206) and led the NFL with 36 scores through the air.

But the once-proud Baltimore defense, despite showing some big-time improvement during the second half of the season, proved to be far too vulnerable in the playoffs in the loss to the upstart Tennessee Titans.  And after years of terrorizing quarterbacks with the likes of Terrell Suggs, Za’Darius Smith and more, the lack of a consistent pass rush would hurt this team when it was all said and done.

Unsung Matt Judon led the Ravens with 9.5 QB traps, followed by three-year pro Tyus Bowser (5) and fellow linebackers Pernell McPhee (3) and Patrick Onwuasor (3). But it’s worth noting that all but Bowser are set to see their contracts expire on March 18.

Dante Fowler Jr. amassed a career-high 11.5 sacks in 2019 for the Los Angeles Rams and has lined up as a defensive end (4-3) and outside linebacker (3-4) in four seasons. He could be a major asset for Harbaugh’s squad.

Next: Buffalo Bills

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