Baltimore Ravens: What Pernell McPhee's Departure Would Mean for the Team

The Baltimore Ravens could be dealt a major blow to their defense, as outside linebacker Pernell McPhee looks set to depart. McPhee is a pending free agent, and coming off the back of a career-best 2014, he will be tough to replace for the Ravens.

Per The Baltimore Sun's Aaron Wilson, McPhee is likely to command a lucrative contract in the range of $8 million to $10 million per year. McPhee's asking price is significantly higher than his $2.2 million rookie contract that is set to expire. Despite that, he's open to a return to Baltimore.

"I would love to be here," McPhee told The Baltimore Sun in December. "It's a business. I hope they'll want me back. I hope so, man. I don't know if they're talking, but I hope so."

The Ravens are expected to have approximately $5.8 million in cap space available this offseason, according to Over the Cap. Without restructuring deals and making roster cuts, it would be almost impossible to bring back McPhee.

Defensive tackle Haloti Ngata is set to account for a team-high $16 million on the 2015 cap, and cornerback Lardarius Webb will account for $12 million. The Ravens will most likely look to restructure these deals in order to free up cap space. Even then, the re-signing priorities will probably be with running back Justin Forsett, wide receiver Torrey Smith and tight end Owen Daniels.

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McPhee didn't start a single game in 2014, but he impressed in each of the 16 regular season games when featured. The Ravens are expected to face competition for his signature. According to Wilson, there are five teams who could make a move.

"Among the teams regarded as potential fits for McPhee: the Oakland Raiders, Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns and Indianapolis Colts," Wilson wrote.

NFL Insider Jason La Canfora of CBS believes that the Colts could indeed be a team with strong interest in signing McPhee:

Despite not starting a single game last season, McPhee had his most impressive year as a Raven. Per ESPN stats, he registered 27 combined tackles, 7.5 sacks and a forced fumble—all of which are career bests. Other career bests include his four pass defenses and six stuffs.

McPhee has become a force in the Ravens defense, and he will be tough to replace should he walk. Due to the salary cap issues, it's unlikely general manager Ozzie Newsome will spend big in free agency for a replacement, so he will need to look to the draft.

If the Ravens look to address outside linebacker in the first round, Clemson's Vic Beasley could become an attractive option. Beasley is the all-time sack leader in Clemson history and would bring speed and explosion. Beasley (6'3", 246 pounds) is of similar size to McPhee (6'3", 280 pounds) and could be seen as a like-for-like replacement. Beasley finished 2014 with 28 combined tackles and 11 sacks. Many project him to go in the first round, and he could easily be taken before the Ravens' 26th-overall selection.

The Ravens could find good value in the second or third round with Mississippi State defensive end Preston Smith. Smith has the potential to become a solid pass-rusher in the NFL. After an impressive showing at the combine, he's been praised by scouts. The Clarion-Ledger reporter Michael Bonner tweeted:

It's looking likely the Baltimore Ravens will be without Pernell McPhee in 2015. McPhee's production has been solid, even as a backup, and he will attract a host of attention should he become a free agent on March 10.

If his days in Baltimore are almost up, the Ravens will have to look into the pool of linebackers available in the draft to find a talented replacement. In the opening three rounds, there are talented options who could be productive in the Baltimore defense. Football is a game of replacement, and the Ravens will hope to find a talented pass-rusher who can make an instant impact.