With training camp right around the corner, we have some time to look back at where the Baltimore Ravens roster stands. Since the division is the key to the playoffs it will be important to see where the teams rank compared to their rivals.
So, we have been ranking the Baltimore Ravens positions groups against the AFC North all off-season. Where do they rank amongst the edge rushers? We will be looking at the top four rushers on the team.
4. Baltimore Ravens: Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson
The two things going against the Ravens at this point are that the rest of the division has serious talent, and the Ravens have yet to prove much. Tyus Bowser is a solid player but is coming off a year where he missed a lot of time. Oweh took a step back in production from the year prior, and the fact that Ojabo is healthy was a win last year. Robinson is a rookie and a day-three pick.
Ojabo and Oweh could jump this group up the rankings fast, but for now, they need to answer questions.
3. Cincinnati Bengals: Trey Hendrickson, Sam Hubbard, Myles Murphy, Joseph Ossai
Trey Hendrickson has broken out, and his last three seasons can put him in the top ten across the league easily. Sam Hubbard is a nice player because he defends the run, can line up off the ball, and can move inside and outside, all around the formation. Still, his lack of 10 sacks on his resume is holding them at three. Myles Murphy is a high draft pick but still unproven, and Ossai is solid depth. It speaks far more to the talent in the division that they are three than the actual ranking itself.
2. Pittsburgh Steelers: TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, Markus Golden, Nick Herbig
T.J. Watt was banged up last year, but he is still regarded as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. Beyond that, they have Alex Highsmith who is only entering his fourth season but appears to be entering a Trey Hendrickson-type breakout after he recorded double-digit sacks last season. Markus Golden is a proven depth rusher and a strong signing, and then rookie Herbig could easily fill a role similar to Ossai. The depth between Cincy and Pittsburgh is a toss-up or a lean-to Cincinnati. The big name of Watt, and the big sack number, and youth from Highsmith combined to give them a slight nod.
1. Cleveland Browns: Myles Garrett, Za'Darius Smith, Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, Alex Wright
Myles Garrett is right there with T.J. Watt as one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL. If you had to rank Garrett, Watt, and Hendrickson, it may be in that order. If you had to rank Smith, Highsmith, and Hubbard, it also might be in that order. The signing of not only Smith but Okoronkwo put this unit over the edge as the clear-cut top. Wright gives them arguably the worst fourth rusher, but their top three are the best in a loaded division.