The Baltimore Ravens have a lot of work to do this offseason. The Ravens top concerns are rather obvious. They need to fix their secondary. They need to get Joe Flacco some weapons. Do the Ravens need to add pass rushers to their to do list?
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In the short-term the Ravens have pass rushers. Terrell Suggs is expected to return to the team. If he can give us another good season, Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are a daunting duo. Dumervil is one of the best pass rushers in football and with a healthy Suggs his numbers should go back up.
The Ravens also have a potential star in the making in Za’Darius Smith. Smith had 30 tackles and 5.5 sacks in his rookie season. Smith’s play was up and down in 2015, but there is reason to think he could be a star. He definitely has the athletic ability to shine.
Timmy Jernigan also has a lot of potential as a pass rusher at the defensive end position. Jernigan had a disappointing 2015 season. His attitude led to a reduction in playing time. He had just 36 tackles and 4 sacks and the Ravens expect more from him. He has the talent.
In the future the pass rush department could be a major need. Suggs and Dumervil won’t last forever and Suggs is coming off his second Achilles injury. The Ravens are surely going to squeeze as much football out of their veteran duo as possible.
The Ravens have the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. This means Ohio State pass rusher, Joey Bosa would be in play for the Ravens. Though the Ravens have more pressing needs than pass rusher in the NFL Draft. It seems more likely that the Ravens draft a defensive back or wide receiver, while the offensive tackle position isn’t far-fetched.
Because of the high premium the NFL puts on pass rushers, the NFL Draft is the Ravens best option to address this area of need. The Ravens should keep pass rushers on their radar in rounds 2-7. In the first round the Ravens have draft an instant starter at a position of more need.