Could a Top Pass Rusher Fall to the Baltimore Ravens?

The Baltimore Ravens have been hosting a number of players ahead of the draft, and notably some of the top ranked pass rushers are among those already brought in. Randy Gregory and Shane Ray have already visited, and more pass rushers are likely to come in the following weeks.

Obviously, it is not exclusively pass rushers being brought in, though it does prove the Ravens have a strong interest in a position that may need someone to step up soon. With Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil quickly reaching the twilight of their careers and Pernell McPhee no longer a Raven, there is a need for a young pass rusher. With a nearly absurd amount of depth at OLB and DE this year, the 2015 draft may well hold the future for the Ravens feared pass rush.

There appears to be a consensus top 5 available which includes: Leonard Williams, Dante Fowler Jr, Vic Beasley, Randy Gregory, and Shane Ray.

In most mock drafts, this group is typically off the board within the top 15 picks. With so much talent at the same position and the unknown factor of what teams think of these players, there is a good chance at least one of them will be waiting for their name to be called much longer than expected. With the Ravens showing an early interest, could they get a steal with the 26^th pick and grab a game changing pass rusher?

In my opinion, if any of them are likely to drop, it would be Shane Ray. Ray has shown a quick step and good leverage to get around the edge. He played his college career in a 4-3 system and mostly rushed with his hands in the dirt as a DE, though occasionally was asked to stand up as a LB.

As an NFL prospect, Ray is not big enough to be a DE and will be asked to play OLB even though he still lacks ideal length. He only had limited participation at the combine and followed up with a disappointing pro day, and many are starting to wonder if he can make the transition to be successful at the next level.

With other prospects impressing, it is starting to look like Shane Ray may fall down the draft board and this could work in the Ravens favor. If taken by the Ravens, he would be asked to stand up as a 3-4 OLB and who better could a short, quick and surprisingly powerful rookie pass rusher ask to learn from than Elvis Dumervil, who himself once faced a lot of the same criticism that now faces Ray.

This would very much be a boom or bust pick as Ray has not proven that he can be successful as an OLB. In the first round the Ravens and their fans alike may well be looking for more of an instant impact than a guy who will have to learn behind two veterans. Also, if OLB is a priority, then Bud Dupree may well present more of a three down skill set as opposed to the pass rushing expertise of Ray.

With lots of teams in need of pass rushing help, the realistic chance of any of these prospects falling is slim. But the Ravens are doing their due dilligence by meeting with them, and it’s safe to say that if one does fall, the Ravens may grab one. Either way, the team will be confident in whether to pounce or pass on the opportunity, and you can bet that Ozzie Newsome is getting ready for those possibilities.

Next: Randy Gregory Visits the Ravens

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