Could Ravens Draft Joey Bosa, Switch to 4-3 Defense?
If Joey Bosa Becomes A Raven, Things Could Change Up Front
The Baltimore Ravens have been a 3-4 defense for a long time. While they have always used hybrid concepts, the base defense relies on three big defensive linemen and two athletic outside linebackers. Is it time for a change on the Ravens defensive front?
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This thought came up after a Twitter conversation with two great follows (@briski715 & @humanipathic). I proposed the idea that Joey Bosa was not a fit for the Ravens. Bosa is a 6’6″ 275 pound edge rusher, who does his best work in a three point stance. In three seasons with the Ohio State Buckeyes, he has racked up 26 sacks and 51 tackles for a loss. 2014 was his best statistical season; he took down quarterbacks 13.5 times.
They proposed the idea of switching to a 4-3 and drafting Bosa. I’ll give them credit, it is not a bad idea. The Ravens defense is at a cross roads moment. With an aging Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, the Ravens have to find their pass rushers of the future. Getting to the quarterback is almost as important as having a quarterback in todays NFL. Bosa is clearly in play with the sixth overall pick. Drafting Bosa might mean that the Ravens are changing some things up defensively.
The Ravens have personnel that could be well suited for the 4-3 front. Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs could easily play with their hand in the dirt as defensive ends. Suggs is a versatile player. I think he could manage to succeed at any linebacker position. Za’Darius Smith could excel here too. If the Ravens wanted to go this route, they have players who can do it from a pass rushng perspective. They are certainly not stuck in a 3-4 because of the pass rushers they currently have.
Brandon Williams is good in any defensive front. His size and talent fits with whatever the Ravens decide to do. Timmy Jernigan has the ability to penetrate into the backfield and create havoc. Players like Jernigan and Carl Davis may do better in the 4-3 front. It would allow them to be more aggressive because they would be asked to get into the backfield more than just be space eaters.
If the Ravens did switch to a 4-3 front it would solve a problem at the inside linebacker spot. With three linebackers in the base defense, the Ravens wouldn’t have to fill the Darryl Smith void. It is that same void that makes drafting Myles Jack such an interesting idea. The Ravens could be taking care of two problems with one move.
There are a lot of good pass rushers in this draft. Shaq Lawson, Scooby Wright, Jaylon Smith and maybe even Noah Spence, might be able to be taken later. All of those players would be a better fit for the Ravens defensive front. The Ravens have been pretty adamant since their “State of the Ravens” press conference that they want to add pass rushers. Bosa is an option for this team, but they don’t have to feel pressured to take him.
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The Ravens defense works in either front moving forward. If it were up to me, the Ravens would choose a different pass rusher. They would stay in the 3-4 base defense and keep Suggs and Dumervil at their most natural outside linebacker positions. The Ravens could keep their defensive front and still draft Bosa, though he fits much better at a 4-3 defensive end spot.