News: The Browns have reportedly reached an agreement with pass rusher Paul Kruger, formerly of the Ravens. Kruger had a career-high 9.0 sacks last season while helping Baltimore to the Super Bowl. He'll likely continue to play as an outside linebacker.
Analysis: Kruger is considered a bit overrated as he played in a defense with a number of other playmakers that helped him draw lesser coverage. It took him three years to rack up 5.5 sacks in a season and four years to get to 9.0. With minimal tackle totals to go with the kind of production that might fade in Cleveland, Kruger is no better than a late-round pick.
News: The Baltimore Sun reports Sunday that the Colts and the Browns are expected to compete in a bidding war for free agent linebacker Paul Kruger. Kruger had a career-high 9.0 sacks last season with the Ravens.
Analysis: Kruger is a free agent and is expected to receive $10-12 million once the free agency period begins on Tuesday. We'll continue to keep an eye on his situation moving forward. Kruger is not known to be a great source of tackles, despite his high sack count. Consider him a solid IDP option in most formats on Draft Day.
News: Baltimore linebacker Paul Kruger was able to get at the quarterback some more in the Week 14 overtime loss at Washington. Kruger racked up 1 1/2 sacks in the contest as he finished with seven tackles overall.
Analysis: The 26-year-old Kruger has recorded at least one sack in five straight games and now has 8.0 sacks on the season for the Ravens. That comes with 39 tackles and an interception. He's been a solid Fantasy option but mostly in very deep Fantasy formats as he lacks in the tackling department.
News: Ravens linebacker Paul Kruger notched four tackles and a sack during Baltimore's 16-13 overtime win at San Diego in Week 12. Kruger took down quarterback Philip Rivers to give him a sack in each of his past three games (four total) and lift his season total to 5.5 sacks.
Analysis: Kruger has been a force in the pocket for opposing team recently and matched his sack total from last season in six fewer games. He could supplant Courtney Upshaw for more playing time and is worth scooping up in deeper Fantasy IDP formats while he's rolling.
News: Baltimore DL Paul Kruger had two sacks and two tackles during the Ravens' 30-27 victory over Arizona in Week 8. Kruger now has three sacks over his past two games and has already surpassed his career high established during the 2010 campaign.
Analysis: Kruger may finally be living up to his lofty draft status when he was a second-round selection in the 2009 NFL Draft as injuries have limited his brief career. He could add to his sack total in the Ravens' stellar defense, and Fantasy owners should keep an eye on his progress.
News: Ravens LB/DL Paul Kruger will miss a minimum of two weeks with a strained knee ligament.
Analysis: Kruger has only played in one game this season and defended one pass without making a tackle. He has no Fantasy value in IDP leagues at this time.
News: Baltimore DE Paul Kruger will get an MRI on the strained left knee he suffered against the Steelers, coach John Harbaugh said Monday.
Analysis: Kruger has only played in one game this season and defended one pass without making a tackle. He has no Fantasy value in IDP leagues at this time.
News: Notable Ravens defenders from Week 12 include: LB Ray Lewis (nine total tackles), DB Dawan Landry, DL Dwan Edwards and DL Kelly Gregg (eight total tackles each) and LB Paul Kruger (two total tackles, interception).
Analysis: Of these defenders, only Landry and Lewis warrant use in Fantasy play. The Ravens play at the Packers in Week 13.
News: Baltimore will be without DL Haloti Ngata for Week 9 at the Bengals. The following players are also inactive for that game: DB Frank Walker, RB Jalen Parmele, LB Antwan Barnes, DL Paul Kruger, QB John Beck and DL Oniel Cousins.
Analysis: Ngata is one of the NFL's best defensive tackles, but he is a better run stuffer than pass rusher. Therefore, he remains nothing more than a low-end Fantasy DL in IDP formats, when healthy. Keep him and the rest of the players listed above inactive for Week 9.
News: Baltimore has listed the following players as inactive for Week 8 against Denver: QB John Beck, RB Jalen Parmele, CB Frank Walker, OLB Antwan Barnes, NT Kelly Talavou, and LB/DE Paul Kruger.
Analysis: The Ravens have listed a bunch of players who are most likely never going to be viable Fantasy options this season. You can leave them all on waivers in all leagues.
News: Baltimore has listed the following players as inactive for Week 6 at Minnesota: WR David Tyree, RB Jalen Parmele, LB Antwan Barnes, DL Oniel Cousins, DL Kelly Talavou, DL Paul Kruger and 3rd QB John Beck.
Analysis: The Ravens have listed a bunch of players who are most likely never going to be viable Fantasy options this season. You can leave them all on waivers in all leagues. Tyree is an intriguing new wrinkle to the roster but has yet to showcase any Fantasy value.
News: The Ravens list the following players as being inactive for Week 3 hosting Cleveland: QB John Beck; RB Jalen Parmele; LB Dannell Ellerbe; TE Tony Curtis; NT Kelly Talavou; LB Paul Kruger.
Analysis: There are no shocking names on this list. Most of these players are reserves or contribute on special teams for the Ravens. They have little to no Fantasy value. Keep them reserved Week 3.
News: The Ravens have listed QB John Beck (third QB), DB Tom Zbikowski, LB Dannell Ellerbe, DL Brandon McKinney and DL Paul Kruger as inactive for Week 2 at San Diego.
Analysis: There are no shocking names on this list. Most of these players are reserves or contribute on special teams for the Ravens. They have little to no Fantasy value. Keep them reserved Week 2.
News: Notable inactives from Week 1's Chiefs-Ravens game include: Chiefs QB Matt Cassel, QB Matt Gutierrez (No. 3/emergency QB), CB Brandon Flowers, RB Dantrell Savage, TE Jake O'Connell, DE Turk McBride and LB Pierre Walters. For the Ravens, QB John Beck (No. 3/emergency QB), RB Jalen Parmele, LB Dannell Ellerbe, TE L.J. Smith and LB Paul Kruger are inactive.
Analysis: Brodie Croyle is expected to start for the Chiefs in place of Cassel. No other Chiefs are worth using in Fantasy play. As for the Ravens, L.J. Smith's inactivity might mean a decent week for Todd Heap, so you might want to consider him. Everyone else on the Ravens isn't worth using in Fantasy play.
