Ravens’ Defense Faces Big Questions After Pass Rush Woes

Ravens’ Defense Faces Big Questions After Pass Rush Woes

The Baltimore Ravens’ defense is facing some serious questions heading into the new season, especially when it comes to getting to the quarterback. Last year, their pass rush was one of the worst in the NFL, ranking 30th in pressure percentage and 31st in sack percentage. This was their lowest sack percentage since 2010, a shocking drop for a team known for its defensive intensity.

Key Players Return, But Gaps Remain

Star safety Kyle Hamilton spoke about the high expectations for the defense under new head coach Jesse Minter. “Him along with Coach Weaver, they’ve both done a great job so far just kind of laying out what’s been in the past and where we want to go in the future,” Hamilton said. “The standard has not been met and upheld, and we need to kind of fix that.” The addition of veteran pass rusher Trey Hendrickson is expected to help the edge rush, but the interior defensive line is a major concern.

Interior Defense a Major Worry

The Ravens struggled significantly on the interior without player Michael Madubike last season, who missed most of the year with a neck injury. They ranked 29th in pressure rate from their defensive tackles without him. “We don’t know if he’s going to play and hopefully he’s able to come back and be the guy he was in years past,” one analyst noted. “But the Ravens could look towards maybe some help on the interior.” The team might target players like Texas A&M tackle Tyler Waitum in the draft to add depth.

Secondary Needs Attention Too

Beyond the defensive line, other areas of the defense also need attention. Linebacker is a position that has quietly become a need over the years. At cornerback, while Nate Wiggins has emerged as a star, the opposite side needs improvement. “Opposite him, you got Chito Woozier who came back or or they signed this offseason,” an analyst pointed out. “I think that’s a position that they could look to upgrade, especially with Marlon Humphrey aging.”

A Shift from Last Year’s Dominance

It’s a stark contrast to last year when the Ravens were considered to have one of the best rosters in the league. Now, they face what one reporter called “holes at basically every level.” Even with new additions like Hendrickson, the team still has significant gaps to fill. The hope is that a stronger pass rush will free up the secondary, allowing players like Kyle Hamilton to truly shine and potentially become one of the top defensive players in the league.

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers’ Inconsistency

In other NFL news, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are looking to regain the strong form they showed early last season. Quarterback Baker Mayfield started the 2024 season hot, leading the team to a 6-2 record with 13 passing touchdowns. However, their performance dipped significantly in the second half of the season, going 2-7 and missing the playoffs. Mayfield had nearly four times as many turnovers in the final nine weeks compared to the first nine.

What’s Next for Mayfield and Tampa?

Buccaneers General Manager Jason Licht expressed confidence in Mayfield, stating, “Adversity seems to drive him and he thrives on it. He is a very confident person. He’s a great leader. He’s tough as nails.” However, analysts suggest that Mayfield’s performance declined when he started forcing plays. “You also saw early in the season the highs that he’s capable of,” one said. “For Tampa, what should be a priority to ensure that you keep Baker in check a little bit is improving the run game.” The team’s rushing DVOA dropped from 8th to 26th last season.

Boosting the Run Game is Key

Improving the run game is seen as crucial for the Buccaneers. A strong run game can help Baker Mayfield’s play-action passing game, an area where he excelled last season. Despite ranking third in the NFL in QBR on play action, Tampa Bay ran it at the fourth-lowest rate. Analysts believe that with a better run game, the Buccaneers could see more consistent play from Mayfield, similar to his time in Cleveland under Kevin Stefanski.

Draft Strategy for Tampa Bay

When it comes to the upcoming draft, the Buccaneers need to address their pass rush. Last season, they relied heavily on blitzing, using it at the fourth-highest rate in the league. Potential draft targets include edge rushers like Laiatu Latu from Miami or Kendrick Faulk from Auburn. Another name mentioned is Dallas Turner from Alabama. “For me, I think you just try to find pass rush with that pick there in the first round,” one expert suggested.

Best Player Available Philosophy

However, the Buccaneers’ general manager has a history of picking the best player available, regardless of position. “I liked a lot of what they did in free agency bringing in guys like Alex Singleton at linebacker and Adonai Mitchell on the edge,” said one analyst. “They brought in guys who can start and play meaningful snaps.” This approach means they could surprise everyone and take a player at any position in the first round.

Browns Coach’s Haircut Controversy

In a lighter note, Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken missed the annual coaches’ photo because he was getting a haircut. When asked about it, Monken quipped, “Oh, I didn’t I really don’t give a darn. It had nothing to do with me. I was just trying to get a sweet haircut.” The haircut was apparently quite good, with one commentator noting, “He’s not wrong. He did get a good haircut, so I got to give him credit.” This has led some to believe Monken could be the most entertaining coach this season.

“The standard has not been met and upheld, and we need to kind of fix that.” – Kyle Hamilton

“Adversity seems to drive him and he thrives on it. He is a very confident person. He’s a great leader. He’s tough as nails.” – Jason Licht on Baker Mayfield

Source: The Baltimore Ravens' roster has HOLES at every position! 😬 – Kevin Clark | NFL Live (YouTube)