Breaking: Ravens Closing In On Deal To Sign $25 Million Edge Rusher

The Baltimore Ravens may use their nine draft picks to replace linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, who had a combined 18.5 sacks in 2023, due to free agency.

That’s why Matt Holder of Bleacher Report believes the Ravens are one of the best options for former Penn State edge rusher Chop Robinson.

“Robinson is undoubtedly on the Ravens’ radar … [and] could easily hit the ground running and be a productive pass-rusher in Baltimore this fall,” Holder wrote in a March 31 article about the “best fits for top defenders to contribute as rookies.”

Holder noted that Robinson is “probably a year or two away from being a full-time starter or every-down player” but that his “elite athleticism will help him make an impact as a pass-rusher in year one.”

The Ravens have the 30th overall pick in the first round, with B/R ranking Robinson as the 20th best prospect and fourth best edge rusher. Robinson is expected to be taken between 22nd and 29th, according to multiple mock drafts.

Holder described the Dallas Cowboys, who had the 24th overall pick, as the “best fit” for Robinson.

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All About Potential for Chop Robinson

Robinson didn’t put up big numbers at Penn State, but he was voted first-team All-Big Ten by coaches and the media in 2023 after recording 7.5 tackles for loss and 4 sacks.

His most prolific season came in 2022, when he produced 10 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks as a sophomore.

Robinson believes his draft stock is all about potential.

“Robinson’s electric athletic traits alone should give him a floor as a good NFL starter,” NFL.com noted in Robinson’s draft profile. “If he develops a rush strategy and learns to link moves/counters together, he could achieve his potential as a destructive force capable of compelling teams to game plan around him.

Robinson showed off his athleticism at the NFL Scouting Combine, clocking the second fastest 40-yard dash time for an edge at 4.48 seconds. He was also second best in the broad jump and the 20-yard shuttle.

Ravens’ Big Pass Rush Need

The Ravens’ ability to get to opposing quarterbacks played a significant role in their defensive success in 2023.

They lead the league in sacks, with 60.

Unfortunately, their pass rush appears to be a lot less impressive in 2024.

The team has already lost Jadeveon Clowney to free agency, who recorded 9.5 sacks for them last season. Van Noy is still trying free agency after nine sacks in 2023.

The team also lost Patrick Queen, who had 3.5 sacks as an inside linebacker.

Without those three on the roster, the Ravens are missing more than a third of their sack total from last season.

They have some players that could step into larger this roles to help make up for it.

Odafe Oweh had five sacks last season and should see a lot more playing time opening up for him. David Ojabo has struggled to stay healthy through the first two years of his NFL career, but was seen as a pretty strong prospect before a torn achilles suffered at his Pro Day did major damage to his draft stock.