This Ravens rookie pass-rusher could make all the difference in 2024

Nov 24, 2023; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Adisa Isaac (20) pressures and sacks Michigan State Spartans quarterback Katin Houser (12) during the second half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-USA TODAY Sports

One of the primary reasons the Ravens' 2023 defense was so effective is that the pass rush came from everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

Baltimore didn't blitz a lot under defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald; the team's 21.9% blitz rate ranked 25th in the league. But the Ravens led the NFL in sacks last season with 60, and that had a lot to do with Macdonald's ability to scheme pressure from anywhere you could imagine on the line of scrimmage. Opposing offenses would have to deal with two defensive tackles arrayed on one offensive guard, and two linebackers up on the other, with the center trying to pick his poison. Macdonald and his staff did an outstanding job of creating option anxiety among enemy blockers, and it's one reason Macdonald got career years out of so many Ravens defenders last season.

Now that Macdonald is the Seahawks' head coach, and Zach Orr has taken his place, one can expect this kind of displacement to continue. One reason we can assume this is the selection of Penn State pass-rusher Adisa Isaac in the third round with the 93rd overall pick.

Isaac had his own career year with the Nittany Lions in 2023 with nine sacks, four quarterback hits, 20 quarterback hurries, nine tackles for loss, and 26 stops. He also allowed three catches in six targets for 25 yards, 14 yards after the catch, and an opponent passer rating of 61.1, But let's get into Isaac's pass-rushing acumen.

One reason the Ravens were so interested in Isaac? It was all in the family.

"My first school visit this year was the Penn State-West Virginia game," Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said after the pick was made. " I have a daughter there, at Penn State, [and] I scouted Adisa. They had a lot of players on defense this year. I love his body, I love his frame, his upside. He's a very explosive player, very physical. [He] can be used in a lot of different ways. He's got a great story. [Northeast area scout] Patrick McDonough, one of our scouts, did a phenomenal job scouting him. He was his "Red Star" player this year, which is kind of cool, and we just feel like he's a Raven-type of guy, [who] fits us in many different ways – his mentality and with his physical style of play. So, we're excited to get him."

The West Virginia game started Penn State's season, and Isaac had two pressures and two stops in that contest. Both were edge pressures against left tackle Wyatt Milum, who allowed no sacks, no quarterback hits, and nine quarterback hurries all season long.

The first pressure showed Isaac's ability to careen around the edge and flatten his rush path to the quarterback. Milum did not have an adequate response.

The second pressure started against Milum, and Isaac then looped several gaps inside for the pressure of quarterback Garrett Greene, which is a signature Isaac move. He can cover a ton of ground laterally in a big hurry, and then flow to the pocket. Adding linebacker Abdul Carter to this game seems almost unfair.

The Ravens already have a lot of talent at the edge positions. Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, and Kyle Van Noy can all bring it to a greater or lesser degree. But given Isaac's technical palette and positional versatility, don't be surprised if Adisa Isaac becomes that unit's force multiplier sooner than later.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: This Ravens rookie pass-rusher could make all the difference in 2024