Ravens News 1/23: Early extension candidates and more

Matt Judon not concerned about pending free agency - Nick Shook

“It’s going to be a fun process but I’m trusting it right now. Right now, I’m really worried about, you know, I just had a little baby. So I’ma worry about him a little bit and then I’ma let that handle itself out. I’m not going to stress over it. It’s going to happen when it’s going to happen and it’s gonna be on God’s time.”

Judon’s statistics are actually slightly better than Smith’s were through four years, with Judon racking up 10 more combined sacks than Smith. Judon’s total tackles and forced fumbles were also higher than Smith’s after four seasons.

The Ravens draft the position well, we can conclude. But after letting one walk, they’d be wise to keep the other, which coach John Harbaugh said last week is Baltimore’s goal.

“It’s different situations. Za’Darius blossomed in Green Bay,” Judon said. “He took over as a leader, a vocal leader, a community leader and a team leader. And he had his best season. I feel like he was comfortable, he was in his own skin so anywhere and everywhere players can blossom. So I gotta just have patience.

These Young Ravens (Not at the Pro Bowl) Emerged in 2019 - Ryan Mink

OG Bradley Bozeman

Bozeman ironed out the questions about who would start at left guard this season. He started every game and was an effective blocker in both passing and running situations. Bozeman proved he’s nimble enough to move around in Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman’s diverse schemes and powerful enough to anchor against top-notch defensive tackles.

Baltimore Ravens’ decisions: Marlon Humphrey among players eligible for first contract extension - Aaron Kasinitz

Outside linebacker Tyus Bowser

While Bowser ranked second on the Ravens with five sacks in 2020, he hasn’t held down a full-time starting job through three NFL seasons. He’s done enough to stick around and will have a chance to contribute next year. Bowser probably needs to accomplish more to earn a contract extension, however.

Safety Chuck Clark

Baltimore needs to shore up the future of the position, and if DeCosta believes Clark can serve as a long-term linchpin for the defense, the team might consider negotiating a deal with the one-time backup sooner rather than later.

If the Ravens view Clark as more of an adequate replacement than a worthy defensive centerpiece, it’s unlikely they’d sign him to a new deal. In that scenario, they’d need to chart a new path forward at an important position.

End Of Season Roster Evaluation-Offense 2019 - Josh Sroka

Developmental (6): Miles Boykin, Justice Hill, Trace McSorley, Patrick Mekari, Ben Powers, Matt Skura

Mekari: Patrick played every snap at center after Skura was hurt. The dropoff was significant, but he has the advantages of both versatility (in theory he can play any OL position) and physicality, which the Ravens may take more time to develop.

Powers: Questions about his inactive status for the first 16 weeks were partially answered with a fine performance in 29 snaps during the finale against a motivated Steelers team. If Yanda returns, but Skura is unable to start the season, it’s possible the Ravens will consider moving Bozeman to center to make a starting spot for Ben.

Skura: The injury Skura suffered against the Rams throws his future into question entering his 4th season. If he is unable to start the 2020 season active, I expect the Ravens will try to work out a 1-year extension as they have for other players coming off injuries in their contract years (Brent Urban and Dwan Edwards come to mind). He had taken another step forward before the injury and had been one of the most durable players in the league.

2020 SENIOR BOWL DAY 2 NORTH PRACTICE: OFFENSIVE RECAP - Benjamin Solak

OFFENSIVE LINE

Best player: Jonah Jackson, Ohio State

Jonah Jackson is a tank and a half. One of the most fun players to watch in the one-on-one and drill sessions, Jackson regularly wrenched open gaps for his running backs across the course of the day; utilizing some excellent phone booth power and intentional footwork to generate and finish his angles. The biggest concern with Jackson at this stage is mobility as the Rutgers transfer doesn’t work too well on the hoof. But today, his angles climbing into the second level were true, and he created rushing lanes on multiple combo blocks.

Jackson projects like a scheme-specific guy for sure, but Day 2 isn’t out of the range of possibilities.