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Baltimore Ravens Rookie Profile: Matt Judon

By Hassan Zakai

Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Grand Valley State defensive lineman Matt Judon participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Grand Valley State defensive lineman Matt Judon participates in workout drills during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /
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Matt Judon Is The Baltimore Ravens Most Interesting Draft Pick

With the disaster that was the 2015 season and lack of young pass rushers, the Ravens attacked that weakness with a strong draft. After picking Kamalei Correa in the second round,  the team double downed on pass rush, selecting Bronson Kaufusi in the third and Willie Henry in fourth.

Related Story: Baltimore Ravens Have Found Their Pass Rushers Of the Future

Perhaps the most underrated draft pick for the Ravens came in the 5th round, with the selection of OLB Matt Judon out of Grand Valley State. In 2015, Judon led all of college football in sack production, taking the quarterback down 20 times. He also won the Gene Upshaw Award (Division II’s top lineman) and finished his career at Grand Valley State as the program’s all-time leader in sacks, with 34 overall. The Ravens needed some serious help with their pass rush, and they potentially got a steal at No.146 overall.

In addition to his ability to hunt down a quarterback, Judon was also a big-time play-maker, forcing eight fumbles throughout his collegiate career. He’s got an ideal NFL frame, at 6’3″ and 275 lbs. What really put Judon on the map of most NFL teams was his combine performance, finishing among the top defensive ends in the 40 yard dash, bench press and vertical jump.

Judon’s athleticism combined with his long arms will allow him to use a variety of moves to get after the quarterback. He can use a rip move around the edge, counter inside, and heck even a spin move.

His quickness off the snap will allow him to get a jump on tackles in the NFL, and playing behind two elite players in Elvis Dumervil and Terrell Suggs will only make him better. While his production came mainly against lower-level programs, the Ravens like to believe that sacks in college translate to sacks in the NFL. Some guys just have the ability to “see ball, get ball” and Matt Judon is one of those players.

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Judon has the potential to be an immediate difference maker for the Ravens, in a role similar to what Pernell McPhee was in his rookie year. Combined with Kamalei Correa and last year’s fourth rounder Za’darius Smith, the Ravens may just have their outside linebacker position set for the future.

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