The Baltimore Ravens have been known for historic defensive players throughout the history of the franchise, and could potentially land the top defensive prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft class. ESPN's Mel Kiper has projected the Ravens to select Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa in the upcoming draft, which could give Baltimore arguably the best player in the entire draft. It's unknown if Bosa will slide to the sixth spot, but if he does, he could be a strong fit in Baltimore's defense.
This past season saw the Ravens miss the playoffs for the second time in eight seasons under head coach John Harbaugh, and due to injuries, they finished with just a 5-11 record. Baltimore will have some major players returning next season, including franchise quarterback Joe Flacco, and could look to be contenders in the AFC North division, especially with the addition of a talent like Bosa.
While teams are more important than just one player, Bosa's ability against both the run and pass makes him a valuable player at the next level. The 6-foot-6, 275-pound defensive lineman recorded 26 sacks, 51 tackles for loss, and forced five fumbles in three years with the Buckeyes, and consistently made plays his junior season despite continually being double-teamed by opposing offensive linemen.
Bosa can make an immediate impact on the Ravens defensive line, and can shed offensive tackles with his strength and create pressure in the backfield in both pass and run scenarios. The Ravens finished tied for 17th in the league with 37 team sacks this past season, and while Baltimore has many needs this offseason, don't expect them to pass up on an opportunity with Bosa.
