Prolific move rushers amongst Reese’s Senior Bowl standouts who match Ravens defensive wants

The Ravens entrance workplace has lengthy believed in drafting and growing their core expertise slightly than counting on veteran acquisitions. Common supervisor Eric DeCosta has repeatedly stated the draft is the “lifeblood” of the group, and a fast look on the roster explains why. Exterior of Roquan Smith, all the Ravens’ key long-term gamers have been acquired through the draft.

Faculty soccer’s annual all-star video games are key scouting alternatives for the Ravens. The Reese’s Senior Bowl is without doubt one of the premier occasions of the circuit and offers a pool of the highest collegiate expertise from which the Ravens repeatedly discover future gamers.

4 of the Ravens’ 9 picks within the 2024 NFL Draft attended final yr’s Senior Bowl: proper sort out Roger Rosengarten, outdoors linebacker Adisa Isaac, extensive receiver Devontez Walker and operating again Rasheen Ali.

Listed below are some promising prospects who match the Ravens’ positions of want on protection and will hear their names known as by the group through the 2025 NFL Draft.

EDGE Mike Inexperienced, Marshall

Photograph by Lee Coleman/Icon Sportswire through Getty Photographs

The scouting report on Inexperienced coming into the week was that he was a speed- and finesse-based move rusher. He was named Solar Belt Convention Defensive Participant of the 12 months after main the FBS with profession highs in sacks (17) and tackles for loss (23) in 2024. He has the faculty manufacturing and athletic profile the Ravens covet in a move rusher. Whereas he confirmed off his explosive first step and spectacular bend across the edge, he additionally exhibited stunning energy and edge-setting capacity regardless of below-average arm size. On the second day of follow, his power was on show when he bulldozed Oregon offensive sort out Josh Conerly Jr. (who has been mocked as a Ronnie Stanley substitute for the Ravens).

Inexperienced was so dominant through the week of follow that he opted to forgo the sport after solidifying his standing as a first-round decide. Coming into the week, it appeared like Inexperienced could be obtainable to the Ravens on the twenty seventh general decide, however his efficiency might power them to commerce as much as land him. With Kyle Van Noy and Odafe Oweh—each of whom recorded double-digit sacks in 2024—getting into the ultimate yr of their contracts, the Ravens might look to be proactive in including one other potent move rush menace off the sting.

EDGE Donovan Ezeiruaku, Boston Faculty

Photograph by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Photographs

Ezeiruaku is one other athletic and flexible move rusher with an explosive first step however is much more polished of a move rusher than most different edge prospects coming into the league. He has a pleasant move rush plan that features inside counter strikes except for simply spinning. The previous ACC standout additionally had some spectacular reps towards Conerly Jr. on the second day of follow and has one of many highest flooring in a deep edge defender class this yr.

Ezeiruaku completed simply behind Inexperienced for second within the FBS with career-highs in each sacks (16.5) and tackles for loss (21). His bounce-back 2024 season after recording simply two sacks and 7 tackles for loss in 2023 earned him All-American and ACC Defensive Participant of the 12 months honors. If he’s nonetheless on the board when the Ravens are on the clock on Day 1 of the draft, there’s a powerful probability that he turns into the second participant out of Boston Faculty DeCosta takes within the first spherical within the final three years with Flowers being the opposite in 2023.

DB Dan Jackson, Georgia

Photograph by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Photographs

The previous walk-on confirmed the identical grit and intangibles that earned him a spot and ultimately a outstanding function at Georgia through the week of follow in addition to the sport. He made a giant hit on Bech to interrupt up a move in from Ole Miss quarterback Jackson Dart ultimately zone throughout purple zone drills on the third and closing day of follow. On Saturday, Jackson made an identical jarring hit over the center on a move to a large receiver to stop a completion on third right down to power a punt.

What he lacks in general athleticism, Jackson makes for along with his vary, physicality and excessive soccer IQ. All three attributes confirmed themselves with the properly timing of his huge hits as they weren’t early nor to the top or neck space and ensured that the move wasn’t accomplished.

Regardless that the Ravens drafted a security on Day 3 final yr and had one other make the group as an undrafted free agent, the place stays a necessity. They might use one other presence within the backend with a nostril for the ball to liberate two-time Professional Bowler Kyle Hamilton to spend extra time down close to the road of scrimmage. Jackson will probably hear his identify known as on Day 3 and will instantly are available and be a particular groups contributor with the potential to ultimately carve out a task on protection in time.

EDGE/DL Saivion Jones, LSU

Photograph by Derick E. Hingle/Getty Photographs

The Ravens appear to have a knack for locating hybrid move rushers who can play inside and on the sting at these senior all-star occasions. The previous Tiger could possibly be the following after what he confirmed within the sport alone. Jones was a persistently disruptive power, making two tackles for loss on the primary two drives. On the primary, Jones lined up at defensive sort out and beat Zabel after which bought the very best of a decent finish across the edge for the second. Later, he introduced warmth off the sting to power an errant move on third down that nearly led to an interception and resulted in a punt on the following play. Jones additionally generated the preliminary stress that led to a sack for one more participant when he was lined up inside over a guard within the third quarter. He completed the sport with 5 whole tackles and half a sack.

A participant of Jones’ pedigree with positional versatility could possibly be a weapon as a situational move rusher. He might play on the sting on early downs and kicks inside in apparent passing conditions. Jones might need performed himself into late Day 2 consideration however could be a steal if he lasted till early Day 3.

OLB Oluwafemi Oladejo, UCLA

Vasha Hunt-Imagn Photographs

The previous Bruin continues to be simply scratching the floor of what he may be as a move rusher having simply performed on the sting one yr in school. He performed inside linebacker his first three years with two totally different applications. Oladejo obtained Nationwide Staff MVP honors after recording two sacks in Saturday’s sport. The primary coming after he beat a decent finish coming throughout the formation and the second was on Milroe after caring for his main tasks of studying the run after which closing in for the takedown by the ankles.

Oladejo stepped up for his group as a senior following the departure of their prime three move rushers to final yr’s draft. He led the Bruins with career-highs in sacks (4.5) and tackles for loss (14) in 2024. Below the tutelage of Ravens outdoors linebacker coach Chuck Smith, he might blossom right into a potent move rusher whereas providing the schematic flexibility of enjoying the SAM spot along with his background and comfortability enjoying off the ball.