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3 Players that need to step up for the Ravens in 2020

By Norman Getsinger

CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 22: Mark Ingram #21 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter in the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - DECEMBER 22: Mark Ingram #21 of the Baltimore Ravens celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during the third quarter in the game at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 22, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Linebacker Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before playing against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 03: Linebacker Jaylon Ferguson #45 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before playing against the New England Patriots at M&T Bank Stadium on November 3, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Todd Olszewski/Getty Images) /

Even with this loss the Ravens still have a very young group of players that can improve. Here are three Ravens that need to step up in 2020.

The Baltimore Ravens season ended in heartbreaking fashion. Even with this loss the Ravens still have a very young group of players that can improve. Here are three Baltimore Ravens that need to step up in 2020.

Jaylon Ferguson:

Jaylon Ferguson was taken in the third round of the 2019 NFL draft and he was my personal favorite pick by Eric Decosta during that draft. The Baltimore Ravens had just lost Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith to free agency and pass rush was a huge concern. Jaylon Ferguson was expected to be draft much sooner than pick 85 in that draft, Baltimore seemed to be thrilled that he fell as well, with Eric Decosta even stating that the Ravens were thinking about trading up for him. Ferguson is a huge prospect with long arms who can play the run and the pass, the exact type of player that the Ravens have coveted for years.

Must Read. Picking up the pieces after the abrupt end to Baltimore Ravens 2019. light

The pass-rushing prospect that holds the NCAA sack record in college will need to have a better year for the Ravens in year 2. Though he was thrown into the fire as a rookie after Tim Williams was cut, and he did get better as the year went on, he still left some things to be desired. Jaylon Ferguson logged 499 snaps, but only managed 2.5 sacks and 13 pressures. He will need to have more production than that if Baltimore wanted to get back to the playoffs and win a playoff game.

His development is especially critical considering that Matthew Judon will be a free agent this offseason. That is a huge reason that Jaylon Ferguson will need to take a big step forward in 2020.

Pass rush is a large issue because even with the Ravens blitz heavy scheme, the Ravens only collected 37 sacks on the year, which would rank 21st in the league. If the Ravens are able to retain Matt Judon and Jaylon Ferguson can take a step forward, the pass rush should be much improved. Also, I fully expect Baltimore to draft a pass rusher within the first two rounds of the upcoming draft. Couple that with Tyus Bowser collecting the most sacks of his career with five, the Ravens should not need to blitz as often. This would allow more of the Ravens highly talented secondary players to cover instead of blitzing, making a very good defense even better.

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