When the Ravens lost linebacker Paul Kruger to the Browns, most shrugged and presumed that Baltimore believes 2013 second-rounder Courtney Upshaw is ready. Indeed, the team’s website trumpeted Upshaw’s ability to become a pass rusher in the wake of Kruger’s departure.
So with Upshaw on one side and Terrell Suggs on the other, the Ravens were set, right?
Wrong. Landing Elvis Dumervil shows that the Ravens had misgivings about relying on Upshaw to step up in 2013.
Though the Ravens still believe Suggs can be a great player in the short term, Dumervil will likely supplant Suggs at some point down the road, opening the door for Upshaw. Given that Suggs has two years left on his current contract with big cap numbers, the Dumervil-Upshaw duo could come in 2014 or 2015.
For now, Dumervil gives the Ravens an alternative to Kruger at less money than the five-year, $40 million contract Kruger signed with the Browns. It’s a rare offseason win for a Super Bowl champion that has been losing plenty of players.