John Harbaugh 'Feels Really Good' About Ravens Pass Rush

The Baltimore Ravens added a proven commodity to their defense by signing defensive end Jadeveon Clowney to a one-year deal on Friday.

But how will he fit in with the rest of the Ravens' pass rush?

Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said Clowney and outside linebacker Odafe Oweh's versatility and how they can line up in multiple spots along the defense. He also noted defensive tackle Justin Maubuike has impressed with his ability to get after the quarterback.

"[Clowney] can go inside," Harbaugh said. "Odafe can go inside. We've got some real options there. Madubuike is rushing the passer really well. I feel really good about our pass rush...We've definitely got the guys to do it."

The Ravens are Clowney's fifth team as he heads into the 10th year of his career. The former No. 1 overall pick has played for the Houston Texans (2014-2018), Seattle Seahawks (2019), Tennessee Titans (2020) and Cleveland Browns (2021-2022). Clowney thrived in his first year in Cleveland with nine sacks, then only had two sacks in 14 games last season.

Which version of Clowney the Ravens get will go a long way in determining how good their pass rush can be this season. Baltimore will also need third-year outside linebacker Odafe Oweh to improve and second-year outside linebacker David Ojabo to stay healthy and become more of a focal point.

Ojabo only appeared in two games in 2022 after tearing his Achilles during a pre-draft workout. He had one sack in his limited action.

"We want to have enough guys," Harbaugh said of his pass rushers. "There's a lot of snaps. You've got about 1,200 snaps in a season. You need all of those guys."

The Ravens were tied for fifth in sacks last season with 48 but will have to replace key production. Justin Houston, who led Baltimore with 9.5 sacks in 2022, signed with the Carolina Panthers, and Calais Campbell, who tied for second on the team with 5.5 sacks, went to the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year deal.

Madubuike had 5.5 sacks, and linebacker Patrick Queen had five last season.

No matter how confident Harbaugh feels about his team's pass rush, there are questions that'll only be answered once the regular season begins on Sept. 10. If Clowney can find some semblance of his 2021 self, and players like Oweh and Odjabo to step up they may not miss a beat.

But if the absence of Houston and Campbell is noticeable, a defense that allowed the third-fewest points per game in 2022 may have to get even more creative in how they get after opposing quarterbacks.

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