The Ravens haven’t selected a defensive lineman before the third round since 2014. In the previous four drafts, their investment in their defensive line has included one third-round pick, two fifth-rounders and a seventh-rounder. Two of those four players have long departed the organization.
The Ravens have lacked a consistent interior pass-rush presence for years. Last year, they got all of 5 1/2 total sacks out of their interior defensive linemen with Madubuike leading the group with two. While they often have edge guys move inside in sub packages, the Ravens haven’t had a “true” interior defensive lineman get more than five sacks in a season since Haloti Ngata had 5 1/2 in 2010.