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5 breakout stars to watch for Baltimore Ravens in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Miles Boykin #80 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JANUARY 11: Miles Boykin #80 of the Baltimore Ravens looks on during the AFC Divisional Playoff game against the Tennessee Titans at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 10: Ryan Finley #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at Paul Brown Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
CINCINNATI, OHIO – NOVEMBER 10: Ryan Finley #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals is tackled by Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second quarter of the game at Paul Brown Stadium on November 10, 2019 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /

2. OLB Jaylon Ferguson

Last offseason, the linebacking corps of the Baltimore Ravens underwent quite the change. Veteran Terrell Suggs left after 16 years with the club, signed with the Arizona Cardinals, was released by that team and wound up winning a Super Bowl ring with the Kansas City Chiefs. Four-time Pro Bowler C.J. Mosley inked a big deal with the New York Jets and pass-rushing specialist Za’Darius Smith joined the Green Bay Packers.

This offseason, Patrick Onwuasor and Josh Bynes have signed with the New York Jets and Cincinnati Bengals, respectively. And to date, outside backer Pernell McPhee has not re-inked with the club. So can more be expected from 2019 third-round draft choice Jaylon Ferguson?

The 24-year-old pro appeared in 14 regular-season contests, made nine starts and finished with 31 tackles and 2.5 sacks – the latter ranking fifth on the club in QB traps. But that needs to change this year as both Onwuasor and McPhee each finished with three sacks in 2019.

Matt Judon (who was given the franchise tag this offseason) led the club with 9.5 sacks, followed by three-year pro Tyus Bowser (5). Can the 6-foot-5, 270-pounder come up a lot bigger this fall? Coordinator Don Martindale would no doubt like to improve on those 37 sacks of a season ago.

Next: No. 1

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