The Ravens had one of the top defenses (fantasy or otherwise) last year, but a step back in 2024 seems likely. There are some personnel changes, and the history of defenses putting up the kind of numbers they did indicates a decline is in order.
Most notably, in terms of sacks. (And we saw this just last season, with Philadelphia.) The Ravens led the league with 60 sacks, but they lost Jadeveon Clowney (9.5 sacks) in free agency. They still have 13-sack Justin Madubuike (pictured), so a collapse isn't likely. But the vast majority of 60-sack defenses experience some kind of drop (of late, in the 10- to 20-sack range) one year later.
The Eagles put up 70 sacks in 2022, and while their decline was expected (in part due to personnel losses), it was even worse than most figured. They dropped all the way down to just 43 sacks, the biggest decline by a 60-sack defense...since the Ravens themselves dropped by 28 after recording 60 sacks in 2006.
Table shows the 26 defenses to record at least 60 sacks since the move to a 16-game season (and currently a 17-game season), with their total sacks one year later also shown. Only five of those defenses had 60 sacks again (those totals are in bold). Only two actually recorded more sacks in that ensuing season. The 1982 Jets get a projected total for if they'd played 16 games (that was a strike year).
| 60-SACK DEFENSES, ONE YEAR LATER | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Defense | Sack | Next | Decline |
| 2023 | Baltimore | 60 | ?? | ?? |
| 2022 | Philadelphia | 70 | 43 | 27 |
| 2013 | Carolina | 60 | 40 | 20 |
| 2006 | San Diego | 61 | 42 | 19 |
| 2006 | Baltimore | 60 | 32 | 28 |
| 2000 | New Orleans | 66 | 53 | 13 |
| 1996 | Carolina | 60 | 36 | 24 |
| 1990 | Kansas City | 60 | 39 | 21 |
| 1989 | Minnesota | 71 | 47 | 24 |
| 1989 | Philadelphia | 62 | 46 | 16 |
| 1987 | Chicago | 70 | 43 | 27 |
| 1986 | Raiders | 63 | 44 | 19 |
| 1986 | Chicago | 62 | 70 | +8 |
| 1986 | San Diego | 62 | 45 | 17 |
| 1985 | N.Y. Giants | 68 | 59 | 9 |
| 1985 | Raiders | 65 | 63 | 2 |
| 1985 | Chicago | 64 | 62 | 2 |
| 1985 | Dallas | 62 | 53 | 9 |
| 1985 | Seattle | 61 | 47 | 14 |
| 1985 | San Francisco | 60 | 51 | 9 |
| 1984 | Chicago | 72 | 64 | 8 |
| 1984 | Washington | 66 | 52 | 14 |
| 1984 | Raiders | 64 | 65 | +1 |
| 1984 | Philadelphia | 60 | 53 | 7 |
| 1981 | N.Y. Jets | 66 | 36 (proj.) | 30 |
| 1980 | San Diego | 60 | 47 | 13 |
Readers of the magazine will note that Baltimore, which led the league in both sacks and takeaways last year, is still among our top defenses this year (2nd in standard scoring systems). They lost Clowney and Patrick Queen, but were able to re-sign veteran pass rusher Kyle Van Noy (9 sacks last year) and used their top pick on one of the draft's top corners, Nate Wiggins, addressing one of last year's problem areas. Decline doesn't always equal "bad" when you're one of the best.
But expectations for production should be lowered. Baltimore's projections are such that I don't imagine I'll actually be drafting them anywhere, content to settle for another defense in the top 5 (that will be drafted a couple of rounds later, most likely). There should be a decline from this group this season.
--Andy Richardson