The Baltimore Ravens lost several key contributors during free agency, and the team could turn to a cost-effective free agent like Carl Lawson to replace some of their departed players. Jadeveon Clowney had a season to remember in 2023, recording 9.5 sacks, 43 tackles, nine tackles-for-loss, and 19 quarterback hits while appearing in every game. Following a series of one-year deals, the veteran used this remarkable campaign to cash in with the Carolina Panthers, leaving Baltimore without an experienced edge defender to complement Justin Madubuike.
While Baltimore retained Kyle Van Noy, they have not properly replaced Clowney. Thanks to salary cap issues and losses throughout the roster, the Ravens couldn’t afford a high-priced edge defender in free agency and attacked other positions early in the NFL Draft. Perhaps rookie third-round pick Adisa Isaac can contribute right out of the gate, but Bleacher Report believes the Ravens should sign free agent Carl Lawson as a low-risk, high-reward veteran.
Carl Lawson is an intriguing option that makes sense. He dealt with a back injury for much of the 2023 campaign and was stuck in a deep defensive line rotation with the Jets but he’s only 28 and has solid production in previous seasons.
Ravens Could Target Free Agent Carl Lawson
Carl Lawson is one of the more overlooked players on the free agent market, in large part due to injuries. After starting his career with four strong seasons on the Cincinnati Bengals, the Auburn product cashed in with a three-year, $45 million deal in free agency. Unfortunately, the injury bug bit shortly thereafter, as a torn Achilles kept him off the field in 2021 and back issues limited him to just six games in 2023. Lawson hardly saw the field even when he was healthy, finishing the season with just five tackles and no sacks.
