Free agent profile: DE Robert Quinn

NFL free agency officially kicks off on March 18. For the next few weeks up until then, we’ll be profiling some players on the market that the Ravens could potentially target. This time, the focus is on DE Robert Quinn from the Dallas Cowboys.

You can view past free agent profiles here:

• LB Cory Littleton

• WR Robby Anderson

• DT Javon Hargrave

• DE Michael Brockers

Player: Robert Quinn

Age: 29

Position: Defensive End

2019 stats: 34 tackles, 11.5 sacks, 13 TFL, 22 QB hits, 2 forced fumbles, 3 passes defended

PFF grade: 68.5

Market value (via Spotrac): $11.7 million per year (three years, $35.37 million)

In 2019, Robert Quinn had his first double-digit sack season since 2014. In 14 games with the Dallas Cowboys, Quinn recorded 11.5 sacks. In addition, his PFF pass rush grade of 78.3 was his highest since 2015.

Quinn struggled with injuries in 2015 and 2016, but he was able to return and had a respectable 8.5 sacks for the Rams in 2017. He was traded after the season to the Miami Dolphins, where he had an interesting 2018 season statistically. Quinn had only 6.5 sacks, but he led all defensive ends and outside linebackers in pass rush win rate. In fact, Aaron Donald was the only player with ahead of Quinn in that statistic.

Last season in Dallas, Quinn proved that he is still among the league's best edge rushers. Despite the injury history, he showed that he can still beat tackles on the outside with his speed; he also remains extremely quick off the line of scrimmage. Many of his sacks last season were pure speed rushes. In Wink Martindale's blitz heavy defense, Quinn could top his sack total from last season.

Quinn's biggest weakness is his run defense. He had a PFF run defense grade of only 53.4 last season. Still, his pass rushing talent and market value are good enough for his weak run defense to not become a deal breaker.

The Cowboys currently have $77 million in cap space, but Dak Prescott, Amari Cooper, Byron Jones, and Randall Cobb are all free agents. With defensive end DeMarcus Lawrence in the second season of a five-year deal worth $105 million, finding a way to retain Quinn may not be a high priority for them.

Highlights:

Fit with the Ravens:

If the Ravens cannot reach a deal with Matthew Judon, they would need to find another pass rusher immediately. Quinn is capable of providing elite production at a reasonable cost. Shaq Barrett is the only pending free agent with more sacks than Quinn last season.

As I previously mentioned, Quinn should thrive in Martindale's blitz heavy defense. The Ravens were first in the NFL in blitz percentage at 54.9%, which was over 10% higher than the second place Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 43.4%. Quinn's current team, the Cowboys, were further down that list at only 23.2%. Martindale should be able to maximize Quinn and his elite first step quickness. He should easily be able to produce another double-digit sack season in Baltimore.

Verdict:

In the event of Judon's departure, Robert Quinn is an excellent option for the Ravens. Edge rusher is one of the most important positions in the NFL, and Quinn would be able to immediately solidify that position and help the Ravens compete for a championship.