The Baltimore Ravens decided to add yet another young pass rusher to the mix in the 2025 NFL Draft, ignoring the controversies surrounding Marshall defensive end Mike Green and selecting him in the second round. Green is a first-round talent despite his concerns, and the Ravens made the clearly polarizing decision to bring him into the fold.
However, it might be a while before Green puts on his Ravens helmet and suits up. Only two of the 32 second-round picks in this class have signed their rookie contracts, as Browns LB Carson Schwesinger and Texans WR Jayden Higgins received mold-shattering full-guaranteed contracts.
This absence could be an unexpected boon for many of the top pass rushers the Ravens have on their roster right now, especially 2024 third-rounder Adisa Isaac. After a promising college career at Penn State, Isaac has done next to nothing in the pros.
Rather than letting Green waltz into town and take his job, Isaac now has the chance to impress in training camp and force some late alterations to the depth chart if Green does indeed skip out.
Isaac is a victim of circumstance, to a degree. He has shown promise in competing with David Ojabo for snaps, but the combination of the Kyle Van Noy signing and Tavius Robinson draft pick the year prior has made it tougher for him to establish himself as a star who needs to have the structure of the defense built around him.
Isaac didn't play as much as he would have liked in his rookie season, tallying just four tackles and no sacks in four games. The Green pick put even more pressure on him to prove he belongs in the NFL as either a designated pass rush specialist or a more complete end.
Isaac needs to dominate in 2025 if he wants any sort of chance to stick in Baltimore long-term. Not only are Van Noy and Odafe Oweh the established starters on the roster, but Green and Robinson are both highly-regarded young pass rushers who could take over for Isaac if he starts to falter.
In an unexpected windfall, Isaac may get some extra reps he can use to show off his third-year improvements. Green will play a role in this defense, but Isaac can make it very tough for him to get snaps early in his career.
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