From left, Baltimore Ravens linebackers Matt Judon,Tyus Bowser, Kenny Young, and C.J. Mosley, stand on the field during warmups before an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

By Aaron Kasinitz | akasinitz@pennlive.com

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BALTIMORE — The decisions the Baltimore Ravens must make about their defense this offseason underscore the whirlwind nature of the NFL. Even the best units across the league often undergo makeovers from one year to the next, and Pro Bowl-calibers player aren't immune to the league's harsh realities.

Though Baltimore allowed the fewest yards in the NFL last season, it could move on from nearly half of its defensive starters. Many experts assume the Ravens will consider cutting veterans like Eric Weddle and Jimmy Smith to save cap space. Franchise sacks leader Terrell Suggs hopes to return in 2019 but isn’t sure the team wants him back.

All of this leaves the Ravens with a pile of questions to answer over the next few months as they aim to improve upon the league’s No. 1 defense. We picked out six and offered some analysis below...

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1) How much are they willing to pay inside linebacker C.J. Mosley, and what should they do if a deal isn't done?

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Mosley’s earned Pro Bowl invites in four of his first five NFL seasons, solidifying his place as one of the best inside linebackers in the NFL. Defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale has labeled Mosley the future face of Baltimore’s defense, but the 26-year-old can enter free agency this March. It’s hard to argue that losing Mosley would make the Ravens a better team, so they’ll probably at least try to work out a deal to retain him. Inside linebackers don’t carry as much value as the top edge rushers and cornerbacks in the modern NFL, though, and these negotiations could grow intense as Mosley seeks to earn a fair payday. If Baltimore doesn’t agree to a deal with Mosley, it will have the option of using the franchise tag sometime between Feb. 19 and March 5 to keep him for one more season. If the Ravens don’t sign Mosley or place the franchise tag on him, they’ll risk letting a top-tier player in his prime entertain offers from other teams, which could dislodge a linchpin from Baltimore’ defense.

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2) Which veterans should remain in the secondary?

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Smith, Weddle and cornerback Brandon Carr played large roles in the Ravens’ defensive success this season, but all three are older than 30 and carry large cap numbers into 2019. The Ravens could save a combined $22 million in salary cap space by cutting Smith ($9.5 million), Weddle ($7.5 million) and Carr ($5 million) before June 1 and could use the financial wiggle room to get younger. The Ravens might have to decide between keeping the 2018 band together for another run after an AFC North title and making shrewd moves to find the right balance of youth, capability and affordability in the secondary.

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3) Should they retain outside linebacker Terrell Suggs and/or Za'Darius Smith?

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Suggs is a franchise icon, but we’ll loop him in with Smith here, because they were similarly productive edge rushers in 2018 and both can enter free agency in March. Smith, 27, could probably earn a hefty long-term contract on the open market, while the 36-year-old Suggs is inching through the home stretch of his career. Matt Judon gives the Ravens one starting outside linebacker signed through next season and 2017 draft picks Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams are hoping to grow more useful over the next year. Still, if the Ravens let both Smith and Suggs walk, they’ll have a need for a talented pass rusher and would harbor the resources to acquire one through the draft or free agency. Bringing Suggs back for 2019 would leave the team in search of a long-term fix, but it’d make the issues less pressing. Mosley and the DBs might’ve been the brightest stars during Baltimore’s surge to the playoffs. A top-notch defense needs to pressure quarterbacks, however, and the Ravens will try to ensure they have the personnel to do it.

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4) Does Matt Judon deserve a contract extension?

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Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Matt Judon (99) leaves the field after an NFL football game against the Atlanta Falcons, Sunday, Dec. 2, 2018, in Atlanta. The Baltimore Ravens won 26-16. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)

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Sticking on the outside linebackers for a second, it’s worth noting the Ravens can consider making a deal with Judon in addition to Suggs and Smith. Judon just finished his third season and can negotiate a long-term contract for the first time. Baltimore has all the leverage here because Judon needs to play out the final year of his rookie contract in 2019 to reach free agency. Despite that, if Judon’s 19 sacks over three NFL seasons have convinced the Ravens that he should be a fixture in Baltimore for years to come, the team would be wise to weigh the benefits of locking him into a deal this offseason.

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5) Which young players can they count on to improve in 2019?

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The answers to this question could guide the Ravens’ thought process when making some of the decisions we discussed above. If coaches think fourth-round rookie Anthony Averett can develop into a starting-caliber corner by next fall, it’d be easier to move on from Carr or Smith. Bowser and Williams have flopped so far, which could give Baltimore pause before it decides whether to offer Smith or Suggs a contract. And at inside linebacker, Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young are in place to fill in for Mosley if need be — it’s just not clear how they’d fare in increased roles.

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6) Who should start at defensive end?

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Baltimore Ravens defensive end Brent Urban (96) celebrates after taking down Miami Dolphins running back Frank Gore (21) during the first half of a preseason NFL game, Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

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Assuming the Ravens retain restricted free agent Michael Pierce, they’d be at risk of losing just one contributor on the defensive line: starting defensive end Brent Urban. While the Ravens could re-sign Urban before or after he hits unrestricted free agency in March, it seems unlikely they’d shell out a ton of money to do so. Urban turned in steady play in 2018 but wasn’t a star and has an extensive injury history. So Baltimore will either bring Urban back on an affordable deal or be on the hunt for his replacement. Willie Henry and Zach Sieler offer in-house options, but the Ravens could also consider dropping some money on a free agent here if they find a fit who could give the NFL’s top-ranked defense a boost.

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More offseason coverage

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For full Ravens coverage throughout the offseason, follow our team blog and Facebook page.

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