The Ravens have placed a second-round tender on linebacker Patrick Onwuasor, per ESPN's Jamison Hensley.
A second-round tender is worth about $3 million this year. If a team were to sign Onwuasor to an offer sheet, the Ravens could either match it or get a second-round pick in return.
Onwuasor, 26, emerged as one of the defense's top playmakers down the stretch last season. Entering his fourth season, the former undrafted rookie (2016) nicknamed "Peanut" appears to be a key piece of Baltimore's front seven.
He started 12 games next to C.J. Mosley and made 59 tackles, 5.5 sacks, one interception and two forced fumbles. Onwuasor forced fumbles in Atlanta and Los Angeles that were returned for late-game touchdowns (both times by cornerback Tavon Young).
Onwuasor was all over the field in the Ravens' playoff loss to the Chargers, notching seven tackles, one sack and another forced fumble.
Defensive tackle Michael Pierce is the Ravens' other big restricted free agent. A first-round tender costs a baseline of $4.4 million. Pierce could also be a candidate for an extension .
