Ravens send tackle Haloti Ngata to Lions for draft picks

The Baltimore Ravens parted with one of their defensive mainstays on Tuesday, sending tackle Haloti Ngata and a 2015 seventh-round draft pick to the Detroit Lions in a trade for fourth- and fifth-round picks.

The deal, which is contingent on Ngata passing a physical, was first reported by the Baltimore Sun and confirmed by the Ravens.

The Lions added Ngata to fill a big hole in their defensive line after losing free agent Ndamukong Suh to the Miami Dolphins.

The Ravens had salary cap issues with Ngata after he refused to take a pay cut and contract negotiations stalled. He is scheduled to make $8.5 million in 2015 and would have counted $16 million against the Ravens’ cap in 2015.

CBSSports.com reported that the Lions are discussing a new contract with Ngata.

“Haloti has been an outstanding player for us for many years,” Ravens executive vice president and general manager Ozzie Newsome said in a statement. “He consistently showed tremendous leadership in our locker room and on the field. At times, he was one of the NFL’s most dominant players.”

The 31-year-old Ngata will be reunited in Detroit with Lions defensive coordinator Teryl Austin, who previously served on the coaching staff in Baltimore.

The veteran Ngata is a five-time Pro Bowl selection who had spent his entire nine-year career with the Ravens. Last season after being suspended for the first four games for violating the league policy on performance-enhancing drugs, the defensive tackle returned to collect 32 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions.

A first-round draft pick by the Ravens in 2006, Ngata totaled 528 tackles, 25 1/2 sacks and five interceptions for Baltimore.

“Haloti is a great player but an even better person,” Ravens coach John Harbaugh said. “He has been an anchor of our success for many years. We appreciate everything he has done for our organization and the Baltimore community. We wish he and his family nothing but the best.”