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Baltimore Ravens: Shane Ray leads cast of veteran signings

By Russell S. Baxter

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 10: Outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive pass broken up at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 10: Outside linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates a defensive pass broken up at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on December 10, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images) /
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DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 4: Linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after sacking quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 4, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO – OCTOBER 4: Linebacker Shane Ray #56 of the Denver Broncos celebrates after sacking quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #5 of the Minnesota Vikings during a game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on October 4, 2015 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /

OLB Shane Ray (from Denver Broncos)

The 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, former University of Missouri standout Shane Ray would join a Denver Broncos’ defense that was on the verge of being the main reason the franchise would capture its third NFL title.

Led by standouts such as outside linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware and featuring one of the better secondaries in recent memory, the Men from Mile High would hoist a Lombardi Trophy following a 24-10 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

Ray played in 14 games that season as well as three postseason contests. While he did not make a significant impact in the playoffs, he wound up with 20 tackles and four quarterback traps. One season later, he put up solid numbers as he started eight of the club’s 16 games. Ray amassed 48 stops and finished second on the club with eight sacks.

But his last two seasons in Denver saw him plagued by injuries. He played in a total of 19 games (seven starts in 2017) and combined for 26 tackles and a pair of sacks. Hence the Broncos opted not to pick up the fifth-year option on the four-year pro.

Next. 2019 NFL All-Bargain Team. dark

Now Ray comes to Baltimore looking to remain healthy and get his career back on track. Meanwhile, the Ravens are looking to restock their pass rush as free-agent defectors Za’Darius Smith (8.5) and Terrell Suggs (7) combined for 15.5 of the club’s 43 sacks in 2018. Hence, it could be an ideal situation for the 26-year old former first-rounder.

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