Baltimore Ravens Add Another Pass Rusher in Bronson Kaufusi
By Joe Serpico
The Baltimore Ravens continued to add to their pass rush by selecting BYU pass rusher Bronson Kaufusi with the 70th pick.
We can give ourselves a bit of a pat on the back tonight. We got one of the names right on our original mock draft with the Ravens choosing Bronson Kaufusi.
Here was our scouting report on Kaufusi:
Standing at 6-foot-6 and nearly 290 pounds, Kaufusi is a presence when he takes the field. Originally a two-sport athlete for the Cougars, Kaufusi played just one year of college basketball before turning his focus solely on football. His numbers got better each year at BYU, capping off his senior season with 10 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.
When you turn on the tape, you see a pass rusher that is a menace for offensive linemen. His size is already a factor and he has the body type to add a few more pounds while keeping the explosiveness off the snap. He also has a knack for getting his hands up at the line of scrimmage which makes it hard for quarterbacks to get passes over his long arms.
His size is great, but also a weakness for him as well. His taller stature can allow for offensive lineman to get under him at the point of the attack. He isn’t great against the run, but that’s not what the Ravens need him for. They could bring back Courtney Upshaw to fill that role if that’s the type of player they felt they needed.
Kaufusi is a raw prospect that will need some seasoning, but the Ravens would only use him in situational plays in his rookie season. Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil will be the primary pass rushers, and Kaufusi and Za’Darius Smith would spell them when necessary.
With the Ravens also selecting Kamalei Correa earlier in the draft, they have significantly improved their pass rush for next season. With an aging Suggs and Dumervil on the roster, the team has the future pass rushers ready for when the two sides decide to part ways.
Next: Ravens Add a Playmaker in Kamalei Correa
Baltimore has the 104, 107, 130, 132, 134, 146, 182, and 209 picks still go. We will continue to give updates on the Ravens draft as they continue along on Day Three.