The Ravens and former Raiders linebacker Rolando McClain have come to terms on a one-year, $700,000 contract, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Wednesday.
The Raiders released the 23-year-old McClain last week after three seasons with the club. He had a disappointing 2012 campaign, one marked by a two-game team suspension for detrimental conduct.
McClain, who was the No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft, recorded 62 tackles in 11 games (nine starts) a season ago. The previous season, he racked up a career-best 99 tackles and five sacks.
McClain projects inside in the Ravens’ base 3-4 scheme. The Ravens lost two of their key performers at the position earlier this year when Ray Lewis elected to retire and Dannell Ellerbe signed a lucrative multi-year deal with the Dolphins.
In many ways, this is a crossroads moment in McClain’s NFL career. There is a real opportunity for playing time in Baltimore, perhaps even as one of the two starters inside. If he fares well in 2013, he will hit free agency at just 24 years old. But if he struggles in Baltimore, it would be a real setback in a career that has already failed to meet expectations.