The Baltimore Ravens are adding another big name to their roster by agreeing to a deal with defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, according to multiple reports.
Between the additions of Clowney and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., the Ravens would be having an incredible offseason if it was still 2019. Unfortunately for them, it is not. That is why the Ravens and their fans should approach the Clowney signing with some caution — it might not provide the impact they are hoping for.
While Clowney is still a big name, his level of production has not been all that impressive in recent years. He is also coming off one of the least productive seasons of his career in 2022 as a member of the Cleveland Browns.
In 12 games he recorded just two sacks and only four quarterback hits before being sent home at the end of the season for his comments regarding his future with the team.
Clowney entered the NFL with huge fanfare as the No. 1 overall pick with the Houston Texans in 2014, but he hasn’t always been the impact player and superstar he was projected to be, especially as a pass-rusher. While Clowney has been a consistently good run stopper, his impact as a pass-rusher has never really been elite.
It has only gotten worse in recent years, tallying just 14 total sacks over the past four years. He just isn’t somebody who is going to disrupt an opponent’s passing game, and there is usually a reason a 30-year-old free agent remains unsigned deep into August.
If the Ravens are going to compete for a Super Bowl in the AFC where they have to eventually stop the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Josh Allen and Justin Herbert, an effective pass rush is going to be essential. The Ravens did have 48 sacks as a team last year, but two of their top-three players in sacks (Justin Houston and Calais Campbell) left in free agency.
Those departures, plus a thin secondary that has been temporarily weakened with the preseason injury to Marlon Humphrey, have left the Ravens with some question marks on defense. They are hoping Clowney can help solve at least some of those.