Former Bears DL Angelo Blackson signs with Ravens

Phillip Pavely - USA Today Sports

by Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Thu May 25 09:35:17 GMT-05:00 2023

The Baltimore Ravens have added another former Chicago Bears player to their roster with the signing of defensive tackle Angelo Blackson on Wednesday.

Blackson's addition follows the Bears' recent trade of linebacker Roquan Smith to the Ravens and offensive lineman Sam Mustipher's signing with Baltimore earlier in May.

Angelo Blackson joined the Bears in 2021, signing a two-year deal after being a fourth-round pick.

During his time in Chicago, Blackson started in 12 games and appeared in 32 total. He made 65 total tackles, recorded 2.5 sacks, and registered four tackles for loss.

However, his performance earned a modest overall grade of 35.2 from Pro Football Focus, with better marks for his pass-rushing ability (51.7) than his run defense (30.3).

During his NFL career in 117 games with 42 starts, he’s recorded 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 27 quarterback hits.

Fortunately for Blackson, joining the Ravens will allow him to return to a more familiar system. The Ravens employ a 3-4 defensive scheme, which should better suit his skill set and provide a sense of comfort and familiarity.

The change in defensive schemes likely played a significant role in Blackson's performance fluctuations during his time with the Bears, but now he has the opportunity to thrive in a scheme that aligns with his strengths.

With his previous NFL experience and the potential to excel in their defensive system, Blackson could become a valuable asset for the Ravens in their pursuit of making a playoff run.