The Baltimore Ravens are signing veteran defensive finish Yannick Ngakoue to their observe squad, a crew supply confirmed Monday, to probably bolster their cross rush.
Ngakoue, 29, beforehand performed in Baltimore in 2020, recording three sacks, two tackles for loss and two compelled fumbles in 9 video games.
By means of three video games this season, the Ravens (1-2) have given up probably the most passing yards per sport (291.7) and the sixth-most factors (26.0). Including Ngakoue, a one-time Professional Bowler, may assist. He ranks fifteenth amongst energetic gamers with 69 sacks.
Ngakoue final performed with the Chicago Bears in 2023 on a one-year, $10.5 million contract. He totaled 22 tackles, six tackles for loss and 4 sacks in 13 video games earlier than breaking his ankle on Dec. 10.
The Ravens earned their first win of the season Sunday towards the Dallas Cowboys, 28-25, and can host the Buffalo Payments in Week 4 on Sunday evening.
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What Ngakoue brings to Baltimore
The Ravens led the league in sacks final 12 months, however they misplaced an enormous piece to that pass-rush puzzle when Jadeveon Clowney departed in free company. They didn’t change Clowney with a veteran, leaving them closely depending on 33-year-old Kyle Van Noy and a number of younger edge rushers taking a step ahead. The early returns have been OK. Van Noy has 4 sacks over the previous two video games.
Former first-round choose Odafe Oweh had 2 1/2 sacks in Week 2. David Ojabo, a 2022 second-round choose, is wholesome once more and exhibiting indicators of progress. Nonetheless, the Ravens’ stress price is down from final 12 months beneath first-year defensive coordinator Zach Orr. The Ravens are additionally final within the league in cross protection. Ngakoue is a participant who has proven that he can influence the quarterback. — Jeff Zrebiec, Ravens senior author
Baltimore’s fourth quarter points
The protection’s points have primarily been within the fourth quarter and it has clearly grow to be a supply of concern for Ravens choice makers. The Ravens blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead in a Week 2 house loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. On Sunday, they watched the Cowboys reel off 19 straight factors within the fourth quarter earlier than the Ravens in the end put away a three-point
Coach John Harbaugh stated Monday that one of many elements within the late-game points is the cross rush not being aligned with the protection on the again finish. Ngakoue in all probability received’t be an every-down participant for the Ravens. He’ll doubtless be used as a pass-rush specialist. Nonetheless, he’s lots able to making a play late within the sport to assist get the Ravens off the sphere. — Zrebiec
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(Picture: Ryan Kang / Getty Photos)
