Key Takeaways:
– Adisa Isaac is expected to play a significant role in the Baltimore Ravens’ defense.
– CBS Sports’ Chris Trapasso considers Isaac as the exact type of edge rusher the Ravens need.
– Isaac impressed at Penn State, registering pressure on nearly 15% of his pass-rushing opportunities.
– Isaac shows great potential with his raw tools included the impressive closing speed off the edge.
– Ravens’ other young pass-rushers, Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, also need to step up their games.
Body Content:
The Road to Success for Rookie Adisa Isaac
Drafting productive edge-rushers has proven to be a tough task for the Baltimore Ravens over the years. This trend might soon change with Adisa Isaac, the Ravens’ third round pick from the 2024 NFL draft, now tipped to play a significant role in his rookie season.
Chris Trapasso from CBS Sports rates Isaac as “an above-average athlete who loves to speed around the corner on his outside speed rush.” Trapasso suggests that Isaac is exactly the type of edge rusher that the Ravens need, particularly in light of David Ojabo’s recurrent injuries and under-performance when fit.
Showing His Worth at Penn State
Isaac has demonstrated his talent during his college career at Penn State. He’s made an impact during games by consistently applying pressure on approximately 15% of his pass-rushing opportunities over the past couple of years. This speaks volumes about his potential and if he lives up to his hype, it could provide a significant boost to the Ravens’ defense, which is at a crucial juncture and needs young talents to perform.
His abilities were somewhat overshadowed by ‘Chop’ Robinson at Penn State, but that doesn’t diminish the skills Isaac brings to the table. With impressive closing speed off the edge, he possesses the raw tools to create an immediate impact when given the chance.
Sharpening the Ravens’ Attack
Isaac’s addition brings the fear factor back to the Ravens’ lineup. His ability to make tackles in the backfield is an essential quality for any edge-rusher and this was evident at Penn State, where he made 16 tackles for loss in his final season. Raven’s defensive coordinator Zach Orr and pass-rush coach Chuck Smith will hopefully help sharpen Isaac’s raw skills, turning him into a consistent performer at the professional level.
Young Guns Need to Prove Their Worth
The onus is also on other young edge-rushers like Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo to step up their games. While Oweh is looking dangerous, Ojabo has yet to prove he can stay fit for a full season. Handing veteran Kyle Van Noy a new contract has eased the pressure somewhat, but the Ravens need a dominant pass-rusher to emerge from the ranks. Could Isaac be the one to fulfill this role? Only time will tell.
General manager Eric DeCosta will surely hope that his shrewd use of the draft board will pay off with Isaac. With Oweh, Ojabo, and now Isaac, the Ravens have an array of young talent that, if turned prolific, could help strengthen their defense, take pressure off the older players, and make the Ravens’ future look brighter.
All eyes are now on Isaac and his young peers, as they prepare to step up and make a strong impression on the field. It might be a lot of pressure for a rookie, but if Isaac lives up to his potential, the Ravens could finally break their edge-rusher curse and turn their defense into a powerful force.