How Will Free-Agency Losses Impact Ravens’ Top Defense?

In Baltimore, some defensive stepbacks are expected after losing several crucial pieces of last year’s unit to free agency, but not as many as you may think.

The 2019 NFL season is just a few weeks away, so Andy Benoit makes a few predictions for each NFL team. Up first, the Baltimore Ravens, who finished 10–6 and first in the AFC North last year.

Baltimore’s AFC-leading defense regresses. But not as much as expected. The front seven was ravaged this past offseason—the Ravens likely anticipated losing free agents OLB Za’Darius Smith and DL Brent Urban, but they likely did NOT anticipate also losing star linebacker C.J. Mosley and future Hall of Fame edge defender Terrell Suggs in free agenc.…