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          NFL Nation

          Ravens bolster pass rush in Todd McShay's two-round mock draft

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          • Jamison Hensley, ESPN Staff WriterMar 24, 2016, 11:00 AM ET
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              Jamison Hensley is a reporter covering the Baltimore Ravens for ESPN. Jamison joined ESPN in 2011, covering the AFC North before focusing exclusively on the Ravens beginning in 2013. Jamison won the National Sports Media Association Maryland Sportswriter of the Year award in 2018, and he authored a book titled: Flying High: Stories of the Baltimore Ravens. He was the Ravens beat writer for the Baltimore Sun from 2000-2011.
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          There shouldn't be many complaints -- except maybe from AFC North quarterbacks -- if Todd McShay's two-round mock draftInsider comes to fruition for the Baltimore Ravens.

          McShay has the Ravens selecting Oregon defensive end DeForest Buckner with the No. 6 overall pick and Eastern Kentucky outside linebacker Noah Spence at No. 36. So, Baltimore gets a dominant lineman in the first round and an impact pass-rusher in the second round.

          These are the types of picks that would elevate the Ravens' defense back into elite status. Buckner would team with Brandon Williams and Timmy Jernigan to form one of the best young defensive fronts in the NFL. Spence would add a much-needed, young pass-rusher to the aging tandem of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil.

          Buckner is the No. 3-rated prospect by McShay and ranks fourth on Mel Kiper Jr.'s Big Board. For Buckner to slide to the Ravens, he must get past the San Diego Chargers at No. 3.

          Spence would likely be a top-15 talent in this draft if not for his off-the-field issues. At the NFL combine a month ago, he said two failed drug tests for using Ecstasy led to his departure from Ohio State. The question is whether his issues will cause him to slip into the second round.

          These picks would make it seem like the Ravens got two first-round picks this year, and both would significantly improve Baltimore's ability to get to the likes of Ben Roethlisberger and Andy Dalton. Buckner and Spence combined for 18 sacks last season.

          Now, it's just a matter of whether one or both will slide to Baltimore.