Is Kyle Van Noy Enough For Baltimore Ravens Super Bowl Pass Rush?

Despite missing out on a return of Jadeveon Clowney, the Ravens were able to bring back another veteran edge rusher. Is that enough to keep this defense elite?

As experienced defenders come, Kyle Van Noy is among the oldest and most effective across the NFL. That, among many other reasons, was why the Baltimore Ravens chose to re-sign him to a two-year, $10 million deal in free agency.

The real question, though, is wondering if Van Noy is even enough out on the edge?

Nov 16, 2023; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy (50) warms up

Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Last season the 33-year-old linebacker out of BYU set a career-high in sacks in his first season with Baltimore and paired nicely with other veterans like Jadeveon Clowney, and Justin Madubuike. Madubuike might have a new deal with the team, but Clowney's absence leaves the question of if Baltimore has enough out on the edge.

After all, as good as Van Noy was last season, the Ravens still lost plenty of defensive star talent throughout free agency over the last month. Outside of Clowney, Patrick Queen and Geno Stone are both gone from the team. As things stand right now, former second-round pick David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh remain the organization's lone depth along the edge. The two players have combined for just 15 total sacks in five seasons.

Van Noy is under tremendous pressure this season to not just play as well as he did last year, but to be the catalyst on the edge for the Ravens. It's also why the Ravens need to determine if they trust the aging veteran enough to do that.

If not, an early-down edge rusher could be in the team's future for the NFL Draft.