Derek Wolfe

Wolfe inked a one-year deal with the Ravens after recording a career-high 7.0 sacks. However, he ended the season on IR after suffering an elbow injury in Week 13. He has an immediate path to significant playing time after the Ravens jettisoned Chris Wormley to the Steelers during the offseason. If healthy, Wolfe should be able to pick up all the snaps he can handle as it's unlikely that rookie Justin Madubuike will push him for significant playing time.

The 1.5 sacks Wolfe tallied in 2018 tied a career low for a season, but he found other ways to contribute with a career-high six passes defended and his first career interception. Wolfe, along with linemate Adam Gotsis, is working for a new contract this season. Wolfe, one of the leaders of the team, is over two years older, but may be the safer bet despite likely competition for pass rushes from up-and-comers Dre'Mont Jones and DeMarcus Walker.

Wolfe's 2017 season ended with a stint on injured reserve after aggravating a neck injury that has bothered him for several seasons. He finally went under the knife this offseason and is looking to rebound in 2018. The team showed some faith in his recovery by not selecting a defensive lineman in the draft and limiting free-agency expenditures to Clinton McDonald, a potential pass-rush specialist inside. Wolfe makes his money stuffing the run but has notched at least four sacks in four of his six seasons in the league. Look for an improved edge rush with first-rounder Bradley Chubb and move inside by 2016 second-rounder DeMarcus Walker to help free up Wolfe for improved pass-rushing penetration in 2018.

Seldom much of a pass-rusher out on the edge in former defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio's schemes early on in his career, Wolfe enjoyed a renaissance under position coach Bill Kollar after shading inside in Wade Phillips' odd-front. The result was 5.5 sacks in 2015, 0.5 off his career high, and another 2.5 sacks in the playoffs. He followed up with another 5.5 sacks in 2016 despite being the Broncos' primary threat on the defensive interior, with former running mate Malik Jackson having left for Jacksonville. Wolfe should be more difficult for offensive lines to key on in 2017 under new defensive coordinator Joe Woods, who will reportedly keep much of Phillips' defense intact. The Broncos have invested their last two second-round picks on interior linemen to play opposite Wolfe. Adam Gotsis, the team's 2016 selection, has drawn the nickname "Baby Wolfe" given his similarly nasty playing style and should be a force on early downs after shaking off the rust of a torn ACL much of last year. DeMarcus Walker, the team's 2017 pick, figures to contribute early as a pass-rusher after picking up 16 sacks at Florida State last year. New noseguard Domata Peko is not known for his pass rushing, but sacked the quarterback five times as recently as 2015 and, combined with new blood on the line, should give Wolfe more one-on-one opportunities.

Wolfe was asked to occupy blockers as a strongside end in Jack Del Rio's 4-3 during his first three seasons in the league, but flourished as a one-gap end under Wade Phillips in 2015, recording 5.5 sacks - tied for third on the team - during the regular season and another 2.5 in the playoffs. Locked up in a four-year contract, Wolfe will be the Broncos' most lethal interior rusher with Malik Jackson now in Jacksonville.

Wolfe suffered from seizure-like symptoms in January last season, forcing the team to place him on injured reserve during the playoffs. He's back to full health again and he'll likely spend training camp trying to fight off Malik Jackson for a starting job on the defensive line opposite DeMarcus Ware. Wolfe had four sacks in 11 games last year, but three of them came in his final four games. If Ware and Von Miller become the focus for opposing offenses, Wolfe could find some extra space to get to the quarterback this season.

After recording six sacks in his rookie season, Wolfe should start at defensive opposite Robert Ayers in 2013.

Wolfe is a major boom-or-bust player, but his upside is undeniably high on paper for 2012. He will likely start from Week 1 after the Broncos spent the 36th overall selection on him in the 2012 draft, and he just doesn't have much competition for snaps in Denver. Wolfe is a big, strong tackle who plays with good leverage and good side-to-side range. He totaled 70 tackles (37 solo), 9.5 sacks and 21.5 tackles for loss in just 13 games for Cincinnati last year.