Ravens Load Up on Pass Rushing Power: Latest Mock Draft Reveals Bold Move
The Baltimore Ravens fell short of the ultimate Super Bowl goal in 2024, and hope to improve the roster for next season.
One of the areas they’d like to improve on is pass rush. Although ranked No. 2 in the league last season with 3.1 sacks per game, they were a full half-sack behind the league-leader Broncos in that category.
And NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah thinks the Ravens will address that with the No. 27 overall pick in April’s NFL Draft by taking Texas A&M’s Shemar Stewart.
Stewart just feels like a Raven to me. He’s big, explosive and disruptive. The production will come.
Jeremiah isn’t wrong. Stewart would fit right in with the Ravens due to his physicality and strength.
NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein has this to say regarding Stewart:
Stewart is carved from granite, possessing a rare blend of traits, explosiveness and untapped upside. He’s long and sudden off the snap but hasn’t learned to weaponize his hands to control the point of attack and bypass protection with go-to moves. His bull rush compresses the pocket off the edge, and he’s too athletic for guards when reduced inside. He can be very disruptive in both phases but requires additional training to start converting his opportunities into finishes.
The lack of production relative to the traits is a concern; still, players who move like him are highly coveted. While the boom-or-bust label might be in play, it feels like a matter of time before it all starts to click at a high level.
Zierlein gives Stewart a draft grade of 6.41 – meaning he’s expected to “become a good starter within two years.”
The Ravens could use some bull rush ability along the defensive line, and with the No. 27 pick lat in the first round, you might not find a better value.
