Baltimore Ravens Named 'Best Fit' for San Francisco 49ers' Free Agent Chase Young
At the heart of a Baltimore Ravens defense last season that was the NFL's top scoring defense, allowing 16.2 points, No. 6 in passing yards, and No. 12 in rushing yards per game, was their havoc-wreaking front seven. The Ravens' front seven was one of the most disruptive units in the league, as they finished the season No. 1 in sacks with 60.
But now, as they are heading into an offseason where they already lost their defensive coordinator, Mike Macdonald, who took the Seattle Seahawks coaching job, they could be at risk of losing some of their top defensive linemen, like defensive end Justin Madubuike and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney.
This may explain why ESPN's Matt Bowen named Baltimore the "best fit" for the San Francisco 49ers' pending free-agent edge rusher Chase Young.
"I could see Young signing a one-year deal to play in Baltimore. He had 7.5 total sacks with Washington and San Francisco during the 2023 regular season, and he added a sack and two pressures in the Super Bowl," Bowen writes. "He has the physical traits to fit as an edge in a Baltimore defense that should deploy multiple fronts and schemed one-on-ones under new coordinator Zach Orr."
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The former No. 2 pick out of Ohio State hasn't lived up to his draft status. After a promising rookie season where he won the Defensive Rookie of the Year award after totaling 44 tackles, 10 for a loss, 7.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles, Young had just four sacks in the 21 games after when he was traded to the Niners this past season.
Yet, after injuries plagued him in Washington, Young showed flashes in San Francisco of what made him a top pick coming out of college. Young finished last season with 15 tackles, six for a loss, and 7.5 sacks while playing in 16 games. It was his best season since his rookie year, and he did so despite never starting a game as a Niner.
However, despite the struggles in recent seasons, at 24 years old, Young still has time to develop into the top pass rusher many envisioned him becoming. As the Ravens recently showed with Clowney, another former high draft pick that hasn't exactly lived up to that status, can play a significant role in Baltimore's defense.
In fact, Clowney could even serve as the blueprint for Young's usage in the Ravens defense.
While a one-year deal may not be the long-term solution to replacing Clowney, it could be a win for both sides. Young would get another season where he could prove his worth and further increase his value while the Ravens add a high-upside player to their already fearsome front seven.
