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Former Baltimore Ravens defensive end Brent Urban was released by the Tennessee Titans this morning. Adam Schefter of ESPN broke the news:
Titans releasing veteran DE Brent Urban, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) October 19, 2019
Urban was a fourth round draft pick in 2014 and went on to start 16 games for the Ravens last season. He recorded 27 tackles and 0.5 sacks during the 2018-19 season. Urban signed a one year deal with the Titans in late April, and the Ravens were set to gain a compensatory draft pick for his departure. However, Urban played a limited numbers of snaps and failed to record a tackle on defense this season. As a result of his release, the Ravens will lose a fourth round compensatory pick that they were slated to receive for John Brown.
The Titans cutting Brent Urban before Week 10 removes the Ravens' 4th rounder for John Brown from the 2020 compensatory picks board. https://t.co/Ic9YlTleU0
— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) October 19, 2019
This costs the Ravens a fourth-round compensatory pick. As @nickkorte has said, they could get it back by cutting Justin Bethel before Week 10. But Bethel is probably their best special teams player. https://t.co/bEATHVk73N
— Jeff Zrebiec (@jeffzrebiec) October 19, 2019
The team could always explore bringing Urban back. He was a standout player on special teams blocking three kicks with the Ravens.
#OTD in 2015, Canadian Brent Urban (@urbanlegend96) made his NFL debut with the @Ravens. #RavensFlock
— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) November 30, 2018
You could say he had a hand in the victory... pic.twitter.com/baItQKk9RC
Nevertheless, an already crowded defensive line depth chart makes a reunion unlikely, but Urban's value primarily comes from his special teams play anyway. It would not hurt to sign him for the remainder of the season.
The Ravens could also simply regain the compensatory pick by cutting Justin Bethel, but losing Bethel would not be a wise move. He is a valuable special teams player, and the Ravens will need him as we draw closer to the postseason. Teaming up Bethel and Urban actually could be the best option.