Baltimore Ravens: Michael Pierce set to breakout in 2017
With what could be the best defensive line in the NFL in 2017, it is easy to get lost and unrecognized among this group. That won’t be a problem for nose tackle Michael Pierce in 2017.
Michael Pierce is ready for a big year. The Ravens defensive line looks extremely deep for the 2017 season. Between massive, unmovable bodies and upside pass rushers, the Ravens could have a legitimate claim to the NFL’s best defensive line.
The name that highlights this group is obviously Brandon Williams. Williams inked a massive five-year $54 million dollar contract this offseason and will be instrumental for the Ravens defensive line and the defense overall. He is a seasoned veteran entering his fifth season and is a prominent voice in the locker room.
Brandon Williams will be seeing a position change in 2017, however. And that is because of the emergence of Pierce. Pierce, an undrafted free agent in 2016, broke out in a big way in 2016 as a part time player. By seasons end, Pierce had made such a large impact on the defensive line that it became hard to justify him sitting on the bench. Williams will now be working in tandem with Pierce, up front for the Ravens.
Pierce only gave us a taste of what’s to come. Now entering his second season, Pierce is looked upon as a potential breakout candidate for the Ravens. But that doesn’t quite paint the picture of what exactly Pierce can become. Pierce can become the Ravens best and most valuable defensive linemen in 2017.
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Breaking it down:
With just one career start under his belt, Pierce will face the pressure of becoming the team’s full-time nose tackle. Pierce will be more than up to the challenge. After all, Pierce managed to rack up 35 tackles and two sacks as a role-player in 2016. In an expanded role, it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities to see Pierce build on those numbers and assert himself as one of the league’s top nose tackles.
Between Williams and the New York Giants’ Damon Harrison, the bar has been set pretty high. Yet, the upside Pierce has shown really makes that achievement attainable.
In the team’s first preseason game against Washington, Pierce grabbed three tackles, including a big play behind the line of scrimmage on running back Rob Kelley. Pierce also looked like an immovable wall, holding his own versus offensive linemen and refusing to get pushed back.
Pierce dominated in the first week of the preseason. He really wreaked havoc on the Washington offensive line. This is a very encouraging step forward from his brilliant rookie season, and hopefully a sign of what’s to come.
Bottom line:
Pierce will have to prove himself the rest of the preseason for us to be completely comfortable with him in a full-time role. With that in mind, you’d be hard pressed to find a Ravens fan who isn’t excited for Pierce in 2017.
I for one believe that by seasons end, we’ll be talking about Pierce as the absolute best defensive linemen the Ravens possess. Pierce is unmovable in the run game and flashed dominance as a pass rusher. Williams and Pierce could be this generations version of Sam Adams and Tony Siragusa. How exciting of a thought is that, Ravens Flock?
Next: Ravens roster battle: Outside linebacker power rankings
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