The Baltimore Ravens are fighting for their playoff lives entering Week 18. They have a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers for all the marbles on Sunday Night Football, where the winner takes the AFC North crown and the four-seed in the AFC playoff picture.
However, while the Ravens are still competing, it’s obvious that the season has been a disappointment. Credit where credit is due, they have fought hard to get to this point, and with a little bit of luck, they remain a threat for the playoffs. But they have countless flaws.
Whether it’s been a lack of stable depth, a horrid offensive line, or a defense that is inconsistent in nearly every phase, most notably a lackluster defensive front and leaky secondary, Baltimore has plenty of work to do once their season is over; whenever that is.
One position that needs a significant upgrade is outside linebacker. Through 17 weeks, the Ravens’ pass rush has generated just 28 sacks, which is tied for third-worst in the NFL. They need someone to help open the floodgates, and that could come through the NFL Draft.
CBS Sports mock draft has Ravens adding juice to pass rush
CBS Sports Draft Analyst Ryan Wilson recently released his fourth mock for the 2026 NFL Draft. In his latest iteration, he has Baltimore adding Oklahoma defensive lineman R Mason Thomas with the 16th pick. Wilson writes:
“Thomas wins with twitch and a relentless motor. He's explosive off the snap, bends the corner with ease, and keeps coming even when the first move doesn't work, which explains his knack for turning pressures into sacks…He might be undersized by typical NFL edge rusher standards, but we all said the same thing about former Sooner Nik Bonitto.”
Thomas has been one of the best pass rushers at the collegiate level over the past two seasons. He has 15.5 sacks in the last two years, including nine in 2024 and 6.5 this year.
Thomas’ juice off the edge would be a dangerous combination paired with outside linebacker Mike Green. The two would supply endless energy and quickness for a Ravens’ defensive line that desperately needs to increase its pressure rate.
Funnily enough, Wilson’s reference to Denver Broncos outside linebacker Nik Bonitto when it comes to Thomas’ game is the same comparison Baltimore outside linebacker Dre’Mont Jones had for the second-round rookie Green. Obviously, Bonitto is blossoming into a generational talent, but if the Ravens could add a player anywhere near his caliber, that would be a complete game-changer.