NFL Draft: Ranking The Ravens Needs

Pass Rusher:

The Ravens don’t know how much football they will get out of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil. Dumervil’s production dropped last season (though he played well). Of course it didn’t help that Suggs was out for the season with his second Achilles injury. When you add on the uncertainty facing Suggs because of his one car accident, an insurance plan at outside linebacker doesn’t seem like a bad idea.

The Ravens pass defense needs to improve, but it isn’t all on the secondary. The Ravens pass rush just wasn’t good enough in 2015. Part of dominating defensively is getting in the backfield before the offensive linemen can even blink. Look at what Von Miller did in the Super Bowl. Pass rushers are almost as important as quarterbacks. The Ravens need their pass rushers of the future; the future must start now.

Possible Solutions:

The best pass rusher in the draft is Noah Spence. Spence is without a doubt the most explosive pass rusher available. With the sixth overall pick the Ravens could swoop him up and grab the next game changer for the franchise. There are many who think Spence could fall to the second round because of character concerns. If the Ravens want Spence, they may be able to trade back, but I am convinced some team will take a chance on Spence in the first round. Von Miller look a likes don’t fall to the second round. The Ravens should consider taking the chance on him.

Other options include Joey Bosa, Shaq Lawson and Leonard Floyd. Don’t assume that the Ravens focus on pass rush has to be an outside linebacker though. DeForest Buckner, Robert Nkemdiche and A’Shawn Robinson all are in play as defensive linemen.

Next: Offensive Line Depth