Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens: Grading the 2017 rookie class

By Joe Schiller

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide Receiver A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass while defended by defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide Receiver A.J. Green #18 of the Cincinnati Bengals catches a pass while defended by defensive back Marlon Humphrey #29 of the Baltimore Ravens in the first quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 4
Next
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 10: C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens and Tyus Bowser #54 walk off the field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – DECEMBER 10: C.J. Mosley #57 of the Baltimore Ravens and Tyus Bowser #54 walk off the field after the conclusion of the Pittsburgh Steelers 39-38 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Heinz Field on December 10, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Tyus Bowser, OLB

Pick: No. 47

Pass rush was a problem in 2016 and the Ravens were quick to address that in the draft. After selecting Humphrey, the Ravens went defense again and selected Houston outside linebacker Tyus Bowser.

After a solid preseason, Bowser saw immediate playing time when Za’Darius Smith suffered a knee sprain against the Bengals in the season opener. Bowser then stepped up in the rotation and played 35 snaps in a Week 2 win against the Browns. He finished the game with his first career sack and interception. Bowser’s athleticism was on full display and it was his best game of the season. But, that’s the most we’d see Bowser on the field the rest of the season. He played sparingly in the remaining weeks a result of the play from Matt Judon and Za’Darius Smith.

Like Judon and Smith, Bowser will continue to develop and be a pass rush option next season. The potential is there but if we’re grading on the production we saw this season, it was above average at best.

Grade: C+

More from Ebony Bird

Chris Wormley, DE

Pick: No. 74

This was the pick the Ravens received in return from the Timmy Jernigan trade and drafted a player seemingly be his replacement. Chris Wormley played his collegiate ball at the University of Michigan and you can bet John Harbaugh got the inside scouting report thanks to his brother. Defensive line depth was a need after losing Jernigan and Lawrence Guy in the offseason but Wormley’s rookie season was underwhelming.

Wormley appeared in seven games this season, starting two due to the injuries of Brent Urban and others. It was a disappointing campaign as Carl Davis and Willie Henry eventually took over most of the playing time. Wormley was a healthy scratch six of last eight games of the regular season and didn’t earn enough playing time to fit in the rotation. That’s tough to do with the likes of Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce leading the way up front.

Players can make big jumps into their second season but the fight for playing time isn’t going to get any easier. Brent Urban is the only unrestricted free agent and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Ravens bring in more talent this offseason.

Grade: D

Home/Ravens News