2016 NFL Mock Draft: Noah Spence to Ravens Right Move?

A recent 2016 NFL Mock Draft has the Baltimore Ravens selecting pass rush star Noah Spence with the sixth overall pick. Would that be a wise selection?

With the Super Bowl over, the off season is in full effect. When it comes to NFL based online content, that means mock draft season is here to stay. From now until the actual draft takes place in April, different mock drafts will be popping up all over the place.

On Wednesday, Sports Illustrated’s Chris Burke did his take on the draft, with a complete two-round 2016 NFL Mock Draft. Burke’s entire mock draft is full of interesting surprises and valuable information, and I encourage you to check it out for yourself. In this post, I am going to focus on one selection in Burke’s mock; the Baltimore Ravens selecting OLB Noah Spence with the sixth overall pick.

Before I get too deep into my thoughts, let’s take a look at what Burke had to say about the selection of Spence for Baltimore:

"A post on the Ravens’ website last week speculated that Spence could fall into Round 2. Forget it. But Baltimore could grab the edge-rushing dynamo here. Spence starred during Senior Bowl week, consistently beating tackles around the bend. Teams will have to dig into his character, but the talent is there to justify a top-10 spot."

Not that it means much, but earlier in the draft process Spence was looked at as a borderline first round prospect. Nobody doubted the talent, but his past off-field issues are a legitimate worry. That being said, after an incredible showing in the Senior Bowl, Spence has rocketed up draft boards and appears to pretty much be a guaranteed top ten pick.

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In an era in the NFL where pass rusher is arguably the most important player on the field outside of the quarterback himself, Spence has a chance to become an incredibly valuable player. He is an incredibly talented outside pass rusher whose combination of burst, quickness and natural athleticism gives him seemingly unlimited upside at the next level.

Spence is a versatile pass rusher who can set offensive linemen up on a regular basis. His game is built on speed and quickness, but his ability to bull rush from a power position is underrated. This guy is the total package, and has a chance to be an absolute pass rushing star at the next level.

Jan 30, 2016; Mobile, AL, USA; South squad defensive end Noah Spence of Eastern Kentucky (97) in the second quarter of the Senior Bowl at Ladd-Peebles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

As great as Spence is on-the-field, there are serious questions about him off of the field. He committed to Ohio State out of high school as one of the premier five-star athletes in his class.

Spence led Ohio State with eight sacks in his first full season with the Buckeyes in 2014, but he failed a drug test prior to the Big Ten Championship Game that led to him being suspended for the rest of the season, and the first two games in 2015.

He claimed that the test was a mistake, but he failed another drug test for Ecstasy early in the 2015 season, and left the program to get help.

Spence graduated from a rehabilitation program, but after getting kicked out of the Big Ten Conference, a return to Ohio State was not in the cards. He flirted with the idea of entering the draft last season, but enrolled at Eastern Kentucky instead.

In his one season at Eastern Kentucky, Spence dominated the Ohio Valley Conference, finishing with 22.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks. He was named the co-conference defensive player of the year, but more importantly he left Eastern Kentucky with his college degree and drug free.

Spence has seemed to have turned his life around, but the concerns are still going to be there.

That being said, if a team believes that Spence will continue to stay drug free, then the sky is the limit for him in the 2016 NFL Draft. Some will consider the Ravens taking him here a reach, but his skills on the field are for real. Spence at number six could legitimately become an incredible value.

The Ravens’ defense has always been its best when they have consistent pass rushing threats on the outside. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are both still great players, but they are clearly reaching the end of their careers. Fellow OLB Courtney Upshaw is going to hit free agency this off season, and if the Ravens are not able to bring him back, outside linebacker will become arguably their biggest need.

When it comes down to it, Spence has a chance to become an absolute star at the next level, and he would fill a legitimate position of need for the Ravens. How Burke’s mock draft unfolds in the top five, perhaps I would have rather seen the Ravens select left tackle Ronnie Stanley, but I have no problem with them swinging for the fences on Spence.

More nfl spin zone: Complete First Round: 2016 NFL Mock Draft

As the draft process continues to unfold, teams are going to learn more and more about Spence. If he can prove to them that his drug problems are behind him, the Ravens may have to trade up to have an opportunity to select Spence. This guy’s pass rushing talent is for real.

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