The Baltimore Ravens have posted their worst record since before head coach John Harbaugh arrived in Baltimore this past season, and while there are multiple reasons for their disappointing season, injuries were clearly the major factor. The Baltimore Ravens' short history has revolved around their dominant defense, but that wasn't the case last season, as they finished 24th in the league in terms of points allowed per game.
The Ravens lost the leader of their defense in the first week of the season when Terrell Suggs went down with a torn Achilles in the season-opener, and Baltimore's defense never seemed to recover after losing him for the season. The Ravens are confident that they will be contenders in the AFC next season, and with a healthy roster returning in 2016, they should look to add some dynamic playmakers in the upcoming 2016 NFL Draft.
The Ravens are hopeful that Suggs will be back by the first week of the regular season, but they should look to add a dynamic player with Oregon pass rusher DeForest Buckner in the 2016 NFL Draft, if he is available with the sixth pick. The Ducks senior defensive lineman is considered one of the best interior defensive lineman in the upcoming draft and is versatile player on the defensive line, as he can move both inside and outside and is strong against both the pass and run.
Buckner recorded 83 total tackles, 17 tackles for a loss and 10.5 sacks in his senior season, and he was named the Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Year. The Ravens have multiple needs this offseason, both on their offensive line and in their secondary, but a player of Buckner's caliber is likely to great a talent for the Ravens to pass up on, as many view him as a top-five talent in this draft.
"His comp is going to be Calais Campbell or Arik Armstead but I think he's more talented coming out than either of those guys," an NFC regional scout said about Buckner. "He's twice the player Armstead was coming out." The 6-foot-7, 290-pound defensive lineman should excel at the next level and would be a strong fit at defensive end in Baltimore's 3-4 base defense.
Ravens defensive end Chris Canty is currently a free agent, as Baltimore declined to exercise their option on the veteran pass rusher, and the addition of a player like Buckner could have an immediate impact on Baltimore's defense. Despite their worst season in Harbaugh's history as head coach, expect the Ravens to turn it around next season, and keep an eye on Buckner in the upcoming draft because the Ravens shouldn't pass on a player of Buckner's talent, especially if he somehow slides to them with the sixth pick in the NFL draft.
