Ravens sign one of the most polarizing free agents available ahead of key matchup with Bills
The Baltimore Ravens pass rush has been somewhat of an issue so far during the 2024 season. They have the ninth-most sacks in the league after two weeks, but they need more sustained pressure. Baltimore ranks 29th in pressure rate (26.7%). They're looking to a familiar face to bolster that part of their defense. Ravens […]
The Baltimore Ravens pass rush has been somewhat of an issue so far during the 2024 season. They have the ninth-most sacks in the league after two weeks, but they need more sustained pressure. Baltimore ranks 29th in pressure rate (26.7%).
They're looking to a familiar face to bolster that part of their defense.
Ravens reportedly bring back Yannick Ngakoue
Adam Schefter was first to break the news that Baltimore is bringing back the veteran edge rusher.
Ngakoue played for the Ravens in 2020. He has 69 sacks during his pro career.
Ngakoue will sign to the Ravens practice squad to get up to speed at first, according to Jeff Zrebiec.
For Baltimore, it makes plenty of sense. Adding veteran depth on the DL always makes sense, and Brent Urban is a veteran who is dealing with an injury currently.
Ngakoue slides in behind defenders like Travis Jones, Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh, and David Ojabo.
That being said, Ngakoue is polarizing for a reason.
He has had a few outlier seasons, statistically, in his NFL career. The pass rusher totaled 9.5 sacks for the Indianapolis Colts in 2022. In 2023, he had four sacks in 2023 for the Las Vegas Raiders.
During his career, he's gotten labeled as a bit of a "clean-up artist" as a linemen. He does not necessarily force the initial pressure, but he is close enough to the passer to finish the play and record a sack on the stat sheet.
For Baltimore, that could have some value for the rest of this season. Only time will tell.
