Baltimore Ravens: Ranking 5 biggest needs in 2021 NFL Draft
By Peter Panacy
Ravens Need No. 2: Serious Pass-Rushing Help
Unlike the offensive line, the 2021 NFL Draft isn’t particularly deep with pass-rushers, especially off the edge.
This makes things difficult for the crop of EDGEs the Ravens are poised to lose in free agency this offseason: Matt Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, Tyus Bowser and Pernell McPhee. Perhaps Baltimore re-signs one or two of those names. But the lack of options in the draft ultimately means it’ll be a player’s market for outside pass-rushers looking to cash in on lucrative free-agent deals in 2021.
Judon is certainly the more important piece, coming off a Pro Bowl season in which he recorded six sacks. But if Baltimore elects to pay him, it probably means the depth will suffer a bit as a result.
Just like the interior of the defensive line, getting a solid rotation of pass-rushers would do wonders for head coach John Harbaugh’s defense.
Remember, no team blitzed more in the NFL last season than the Ravens (44.1 percent), largely thanks to just how solid their secondary was in coverage last season. But to get some added help within the pass-rush department, or at least find some likable replacements for players like Ngakoue, Bowser and McPhee, should any of them leave, would be a smart move to ensure that element of the defense doesn’t suffer regression in 2021.