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Update:
The Ravens have signed former 1st overall pick, Pass-Rusher Jadeveon Clowney, according to CBS’s Josina Anderson.
Original Story:
The Baltimore Ravens hosted a free-agent meeting for former 1st overall pick defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, according to a report by The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec.
The Ravens are exploring the possibility of adding the veteran pass-rusher to their roster as they gear up for the upcoming NFL season.
This move by the Ravens comes in the wake of other notable pass-rushers finding new homes in the league. Justin Houston recently signed with the Carolina Panthers, while Yannick Ngakoue inked a deal with the Chicago Bears.
With these high-profile signings, the landscape of defensive talent in the league has been shifting, prompting the Ravens to consider their options.
Jadeveon Clowney, a former standout for the Houston Texans who was selected as the 1st overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft, has had a journeyman-like career trajectory since his rookie deal with the Texans expired.
After the Texans franchise-tagged him, a trade with the Seattle Seahawks followed. Subsequently, Clowney played on one-year contracts with the Tennessee Titans in 2020 and then spent two seasons with the Cleveland Browns in 2021 and 2022.
While Clowney’s time in Cleveland began on a positive note, marked by an impressive nine-sack season in 2021, his tenure ended badly after clashes with the coaching staff.
Despite not consistently living up to the expectations of being a dominant pass-rusher, Clowney has established himself as a reliable player who excels in stopping the run.
Even at the age of 30, Clowney remains a formidable athlete and could bring a valuable dynamic to the Ravens’ defensive unit.
Throughout his career, Clowney has managed to accumulate 43 sacks, and he undoubtedly aims to build on this statistic with his next team.