Baltimore Ravens reality check: 4 major concerns for 2020 season

Can the Pass Rush come to life?

The Ravens finished 21st in the NFL last season in sacks registering just 37 on the season. Surprisingly enough, the Ravens finished in the top 10 in sacks just twice since 2007 (2011 and 2014).

Returning to the fray this season is outside linebacker, Matt Judon. Judon will be playing this season on the franchise tag. Judon will be looking to build off a career high 9.5 sacks registered last season. He is joined along the pass rush by Jaylon Ferguson who enters year two off a 2.5 sack rookie season, and Tyus Bowser who recorded a career high five sacks last season and is entering a contract year.  Pernell McPhee rounds out the group looking to bounce back from an injury that ended a promising start to the 2019 season.

Another important stat to note is that the Ravens finished middle of the road in QB Pressure % at 23.4% per Pro Football Reference. This number includes hurries, knockdowns, and all sack plays per drop back. I know we often heard that the Ravens were providing good pressure last season and that they just weren’t getting home but the numbers indicate that may not have been the case.

The good news is Calais Campbell has come to town and he brings with him 31.5 sacks and 77 quarterback hits over the last three seasons in Jacksonville. He also has an All-Pro Selection and three Pro Bowl selections to boast as well. Derek Wolfe arrives as well and brings 10.5 sacks and 24 quarterback hits in the last three seasons.

Those two players will certainly help what is a less than impressive group outside of Judon. Please note as mentioned prior, this is as of right now. Ferguson could burst on the scene in year two and finish with over seven sacks. Bowser could join the ranks of many Ravens pass rushers in the past who have balled out in their contract year.

This is a loaded team and a third area of concern is tough to find but it’s the pass rush taking that spot for me.