Young Pass Rushers Have Opportunity to Step Up.
NFL owners approved a new format for kickoffs, the trade deadline will be a week later in 2024, and Jadeveon Clowney is now with the Carolina Panthers. After another busy week, here are my thoughts, all in 50 words or less:
Darius Robinson (Missouri) and Jared Verse (Florida State) are two edge rushers being linked to Baltimore in mock drafts. Keep an eye on those two. The Chiefs took George Karlaftis at No. 30 in 2022, and he already has 16.5 career sacks.
Speaking of sacks, Jadeveon Clowney joining Carolina isn’t what the Ravens wanted. However, Kyle Van Noy remains available, and the Ravens usually find a way to generate a pass rush. People were worried last March, and they ultimately led the league in sacks.
Clowney’s departure offers even more incentive for young linebackers David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh to step up. Oweh made strides last season and staying healthy is the key for Ojabo after two injury-plagued seasons. Nobody in the Ravens’ organization doubts Ojabo’s talent.
Head Coach John Harbaugh said that he’d like to see Charlie Kolar keep growing as a blocker. Kolar is a good receiver, but the Ravens are deep at tight with Mark Andrews and Isaiah Likely. Kolar’s path to more playing time is to improve as an on-line blocker.
Andrew Vorhees can’t wait to compete for a starting job at guard after missing last season with a torn ACL. ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. thinks Vorhees can be a “plug-and-play” starter. Vorhees sounded more than ready on “The Lounge Podcast.”
