With the kickoff of voluntary organized team activities this week, the Ravens have added a pair of defensive players to the mix with the return of veteran defensive end Brent Urban and the addition of former Navy linebacker Diego Fagot.
A 2014 fourth-round pick out of Virginia, Urban returns to the place where his NFL career began and where he spent his first five professional years. The 31-year-old agreed to terms on a one-year deal on Friday — with his wife Kate breaking the news on Twitter — and will give Baltimore another depth option on the defensive line, which is notable with Derek Wolfe’s future with the organization unclear after offseason hip surgery. Unfortunately, the 6-foot-7, 295-pound Urban has been no stranger to injuries himself over the course of his career, but his massive frame and run-stopping ability would make him a solid backup to Calais Campbell at the 5-technique defensive end spot if healthy.
Urban appeared in six games for Dallas in 2021 before a triceps injury ended his season in October. In 76 career games with the Ravens, Tennessee, Chicago, and the Cowboys, Urban has collected 107 tackles and six sacks.
After a decorated career in Annapolis where longtime head coach Ken Niumatalolo called him the best defensive player he’s coached at the Naval Academy, Fagot will have the opportunity to compete for a 53-man roster spot at a position that’s historically been kind to undrafted free agents in Baltimore. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound inside linebacker took part in rookie camp on a tryout basis earlier this month and recently received permission from the Department of Defense to pursue a career in professional sports, according to The Sun. Fagot, 24, was twice named a first-team All-American Athletic Conference selection and was voted an East-West Shrine Game Most Valuable Player in early February.
The Ravens are scheduled to conduct voluntary OTA sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday this week with the second day of practice open to local reporters.
