Baltimore Ravens should target DeForest Buckner in draft
The Baltimore Ravens have seemingly lost their identity on defense over the past few years. Make no mistake about it, they can change that instantly by going after a premier defensive end.
For as long as the team has been around, they’ve always been known to field a defense worthy of winning championships. One that can stop any high-octane offense dead in its tracks and have their offense do just enough to leave plenty of football games victorious. Unfortunately due to injuries, players leaving/retiring and others just not up to par yet, the Ravens’ defense is in need of a young and aggressive new face to bring that tough attitude back.
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Entering the 2016 NFL Draft, the Ravens can address this need thanks to having a golden opportunity with their No. 6 overall pick by selecting defensive end DeForest Buckner out of Oregon. A player that will be able to bring back that defensive mentality and add an incredible dimension to their overall pass rush.
Bucker is a tackling machine that made a name for himself at Oregon thanks to his very unique skill-set in taking down the ball carrier and quarterbacks that underestimated everything he brings to the table. At 6’7 and 300 pounds, he embodies the kind of work ethic, integrity and flat out aggression that the Ravens have always been known to possess but have lacked the past few years.
He’s a perfect fit for a team that needs to add more to their overall pass rush and intimidate opponents every single time he steps foot on the gridiron. The Ravens have had a brilliant offseason so far as they can put the icing on the cake with an incredible draft class led by Buckner.
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In his collegiate career, Bucker totaled 203 tackles and 17.0 sacks as the transition he will make to the NFL should be an easy one.
There is no doubt he will be a future impact player on the teamand be a catalyst on the Ravens’ defense to really push the envelope for next season and many years to come.
Buckner excels in both stopping the run and bringing the heat to opposing quarterbacks. He would fit in nicely on the Ravens’ 3-4 defense and by how great his motor is, should be an every down kind of defensive player. One that could over time be a relentless vocal leader on defense to get everyone rallied during key moments of football games.
Of course the Ravens have other needs to fill across the team as many feel they shouldn’t use their first round draft pick on a defensive end. With needs at offensive tackle, defensive back and even wide receiver, they could pick a number of great players for the aforementioned positions to bolster areas of need.
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Keep in mind though, Bucker is a top-10 kind of player, not just for his position but in all of this year’s draft. It’s too enticing not to go with him since it would bring back the roots of the Ravens to field a top-notch pass rush once again. After all, if it’s anything the Denver Broncos proved to the football world is that defense wins championships, especially with a dominating front seven. The Ravens have a nice core already but one can only imagine how much more potent it could be with Buckner on their defensive line.