Now that the draft is over, teams and analysts are evaluating the rookies and identifying which ones are likely to make immediate contributions. For the Baltimore Ravens, it could be edge rusher Adisa Isaac who emerges as one of the 'Surprising Rookie Gems,' according to Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report.Ballentine believes that every year, certain rookies unexpectedly stand out, and this season will be no different. The Ravens selected Isaac as the 93rd overall pick in the third round after focusing on cornerback and offensive tackle with their initial picks..
According to Ballentine, the 22-year-old Isaac is a strong athlete with an 8.99 relative athletic score and has the potential to be an effective blitzer as a rookie.
During the 2023 season, the Ravens led the league with 60.0 sacks, indicating that Isaac is entering a situation where defensive coordinator Zach Orr may give him the freedom to excel. Despite the high number of sacks, Ballentine points out that the Ravens ranked 23rd in pressure percentage and ninth in pass rush win rate. Ideally, the addition of Isaac will enhance these statistics while maintaining a high sack rate in his rookie season.
Adisa Isaac aims to fill the void left by free agents. The Ravens lost some key defenders, including sack leaders Jadeveon Clowney and Patrick Queen, to other teams in free agency. Ballentine mentioned that Clowney was the team’s top edge-rusher, achieving a pass rush win rate of 25 percent, which ranked fifth among all edges.
Justin Madubuike led the team in sacks, while Clowney was a major force from the edge.
With Clowney's departure for the Carolina Panthers, Orr will need to find a way to replicate his production.
Kyle Van Noy, the team’s third leading sack artist, is 33 years old, leaving a gap that must be filled in the Ravens’ defense.
The Ravens have young players waiting in the wings, and they are mostly unproven at this time. Ballentine suggests that Jayson Oweh and other players will need to step up, with expectations for Odafe Oweh and fellow second-round pick Daelin Hayes to live up to their potential. No. 2 (Oweh has shown glimpses of superstar potential but will need to be more consistent in 2024.For the Ravens to contend for a Super Bowl, Oweh and Ojabo will need to elevate their play, although Ballentine believes that the third-round pick, Adisa Isaac, shouldn't be underestimated.Isaac needs to make improvements in order to be a game-changer.Expecting Isaac to match Clowney's performance right away would be unrealistic, as the third-round pick will need time to adjust to the professional level.
Ballentine noted that Isaac, at 6’4″ and 247 pounds, was undersized but excelled against the run at Penn State, suggesting that he may need to gain more weight and muscle to have a greater impact at the professional level. Ballentine suggested that he made 16 tackles for loss and demonstrated the ability to redirect oncoming blocks or maintain a strong defensive position based on his responsibility. According to BR, Isaac needs to improve his technique to be more reliable. Ballentine stated, “B/R scout Matt Holder did mention Isaac is somewhat unpolished. His hand placement is inconsistent and he needs to learn more pass-rush techniques.” 13.0The Ravens’ third-round selection, Adisa Isaac, was identified as one of the potential “surprising rookie gems” from the 2024 draft class.
Clowney left for his hometown Carolina Panthers this offseason, so Orr will need to attempt to replicate that production. Kyle Van Noy was the team’s third leading sack-artist with 9.0, but as Ballentine points out, “Van Noy is 33 years old…so there’s a void that will need to be filled in the Ravens’ offense.”
The Ravens have young players waiting in the wings, but as of right now they are mostly unproven. “Odafe Oweh will have to step up, and the Ravens would love for David Ojabo to get healthy and live up to his billing as a 2022 second-round pick,” Ballentine advised.
Oweh has shown flashes of superstar talent and had 5.0 sacks last season but will be expected to be more consistent in 2024.
The Ravens will need Oweh and Ojabo to step up if they plan to compete for a Super Bowl, but Ballentine writes, “Don’t count out third-round pick Adisa Isaac from picking up some of the slack, though.”
Adisa Isaac Will Need to Improve to Be a Game-Breaker
Expecting Isaac to come in and reproduce what Clowney provided would be unrealistic as the third-round pick will need to acclimate to the professional level.
Ballentine wrote, “Oweh’s former Penn State teammate is a little undersized at 6’4″, 247 pounds but actually excelled against the run as a Nittany Lion.”
Isaac may need to put on some more weight and muscle if he wants to make a larger impact on the next level.
“He posted 16 tackles for loss but also showed the ability to wrong-arm oncoming blocks or set a hard edge depending on his responsibility,” Ballentine advised.
Isaac does need to work on his technique according to BR to be more consistent though. Ballentine wrote, “B/R scout Matt Holder did note Isaac is a little unrefined. His hand placement isn’t consistent and he needs to develop more pass-rush moves.”
