Ravens Pass Rush Needs an Upgrade

The Ravens have playoff ambitions, but right now they are 1-2 with tough opponents coming up. The Ravens’ pass rush hasn’t delivered this season despite having a talented defense.

Injuries to two key defensive players make a trade urgent, but even if healthy, the defensive line still needs help.

Injuries Add to Concerns

Nnamdi Madubuike injured his neck at some point in Week 2, and his timeline remains unclear. Madubuike has two sacks in the first two games; now the Ravens are starting to worry about the severity of his injury.

Kyle Van Noy, who was top five in sacks last season, also went down with a hamstring injury, and he will miss some games. The Ravens rely heavily on both players for pressure, and losing them weakens the pass rush even more. These injuries show how thin the pass rush really is.

Pressure Has Been Lacking

The Ravens have struggled to generate consistent pressure through three games. Quarterbacks have had too much time in the pocket, picking apart the secondary. Without a true edge threat or consistent interior push, the Ravens defense can’t dominate like it used to.

The issues showed in Week 3 against the Lions, as Detroit ran straight through Baltimore’s front. Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery had a combined 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Ravens couldn’t force enough pressure at the line, and the lack of disruption made stopping the run nearly impossible.

The Ravens’ pass rush also limits the defense’s ability to force turnovers. Without constant pressure, quarterbacks stay comfortable in the pocket, and big plays rarely ever happen for the defense.