The Ravens should move Tyus Bowser to inside linebacker
The Baltimore Ravens could benefit from moving Tyus Bowser to inside linebacker.
Last year, the Baltimore Ravens defense was very good. The first couple of weeks, we thought they would be great. However, there were still some flaws that showed. The safety play was mediocre, the pass rush wasn’t good, and the run defense fell apart without Brandon Williams. One thing that killed Baltimore all year was not being able to cover tight ends over the middle of the field. It was very frustrating to watch tight ends go for 8 or 9 yards every catch and the Ravens couldn’t do anything to stop it.
In 2016, Baltimore featured one of football’s best linebacker tandems in Zach Orr and C.J. Mosley. Unfortunately, that run was cut short after Orr was forced to retire because of a medical condition. Patrick Onwuasor won the starting spot after a good preseason and start to the regular season. Last year, Onwuasor was decent, but nothing good. He was serviceable, but he has various limitations such as his size. Baltimore definitely should consider an upgrade at the position.
They could go for an upgrade in the draft, but we all know offensive playmakers are a much larger need. Therefore, they could consider moving Tyus Bowser to the inside. Bowser was drafted in the second round of the 2017 NFL Draft. Bowser is one of the most athletic and explosive players on the entire roster, but he’s also very raw. At 6’3″, 250 lbs, he as the size to move to inside and be a great player.
Bowser may not get many opportunities at outside linebacker this year due to the depth the Ravens have. He’s probably the fourth best pass rusher next to Terrell Suggs, Matthew Judon, and Za’Darius Smith. With Bowser’s size and athletic ability, you need to find a place for him on the field.
Must Read: NFL Draft 2018: Breaking down mock drafts for the Baltimore Ravens
Kamalei Correa did a similar thing this past offseason, and it didn’t work out very well. Correa, also a former second-round pick, was surpassed by Onwuasor after the Jaguars game, but it wasn’t because the switch was difficult mentally. Correa simply missed too many tackles, something that would’ve done him plenty of damage at outside linebacker.
Bowser moving to the inside would not only give him an opportunity to play, but also let Correa move back to the outside so the Ravens can see what they have in him as well. I also think Bowser would fare much better on the inside than Correa did. Bowser is a much better defender and also a far better athlete. Moreover, he would also be an upgrade in coverage. In his limited playing time, he showed off his pass defending skills by intercepting a pass against the Browns that set up a Ravens touchdown.
New defensive coordinator Don Martindale is a proven linebackers coach. He has helped players like Orr and Onwuasor succeed at inside linebacker even with limitations that caused them to go undrafted. Tyus Bowser is much more physically gifted than both of those players, so imagine what Martindale could do with a beast like that. Bowser seems like a smart football player as well, so the transition may go smoothly.
Next: Making the case to keep or cut Breshad Perriman
I firmly believe Tyus Bowser will be a fantastic player no matter what linebacker position he plays. But right now, he has guys ahead of him, and Baltimore needs guys with his physical gifts on the field. Bowser has a chance to be a game-changer for the defense. The coaching staff needs to find a way to get Bowser on the field, so they should definitely consider the move to inside linebacker.