Ravens Draft: The Case For Noah Spence

By Chris Schisler | Apr 4, 2016

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; North squad quarterback Carson Wentz of North Dakota State (11) throws a pass while under pressure from South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) during first half of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

Gambling On Noah Spence Could Pay Off

The Baltimore Ravens need to find the pass rusher of the future. Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs are in their thirties. Suggs is coming off a devastating injury. The Ravens could use an instant impact player at the outside linebacker solution that could also be a long-term solution. A team is going to take a chance on the incredible talents of Noah Spence. Why can’t the Ravens be the team that makes this gamble.

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Spence is a gamble because of character concerns. He is an incredible player, the questions about him don’t have to do with his physical abilities. He was in a perfect position to be a top pick as a top recruit to Ohio State. After failing drug tests, he was eventually kicked out of the Buckeyes football program. Spence rebounded his life at Eastern Kentucky. If it weren’t for his past problems, Spence could be the top pick in this draft.

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I see a lot of different projections for Spence. Some have him being taken late in the first round, while others have him in the second round. To me this is almost absurd. He has a skill set like Von Miller. This is a player that can help the Ravens win the Super Bowl. He has that kind of potential on the field. The Ravens have to at least have a conversation in their war room about Spence.

The Ravens may be able to trade out of the sixth pick and still draft Spence. If they pull that off, that would be a major accomplishment. It just seems so doubtful that the entire league will take a pass on Spence in the first round. Spence is a 6’2″ 251 pound edge rusher, with blazing speed of the snap of the football. He ran a 4.8 second 40 yard dash at the NFL Combine.

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I don’t think there is a more explosive playmaker at his position in this draft class. I’m not saying it isn’t a gamble. Spence would be a risk. Drafting him with the sixth overall pick would turn a lot of hands. But make no mistake about it Spence is amazing. If Spence keeps his head on straight, the team that drafts him could have found the jackpot.

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