Baltimore Ravens looking at several pass rushers during OTAs

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens invested heavily in finding an effective pass rusher.

Now, the team has several options to effectively fill that role. This means there should be some fierce competition throughout the organized team activities into training camp.

Baltimore ranked 24th in the NFL with 31 sacks last season, so general manager Ozzie Newsome prioritized improving that unit. Second-year linebacker Kamalei Correa is the favorite to embrace that opportunity after an uneven rookie campaign.

Albert McClellan and Patrick Onwuasor also will get a chance to make a bigger impact. Each of those players participated in the team's voluntary workout, which impressed head coach John Harbaugh.

"We pay attention to execution, to doing everything we can and to being a little better at everything we do," Harbaugh said. "We are installing all three of our phases: offense, defense and special teams. You install them piece-by-piece; there is a method to it. There is a progression, and the good thing is when you have a progression, it is good to have all your pieces there taking part and participating in that."

However, Correa, McClellan and Onwuasor will be pushed by several newcomers.

The Ravens added depth through this year's draft with the addition of linebackers Tyus Bowser of Houston in the second round and Tim Williams from Alabama one round later. Both are high-energy players that showed a tenacity to get to the quarterback in college.

"Nothing is going to be given to us overnight, and this is the National Football League," Williams said. "There are guys in the locker room that have a wife and kids, so we have to come in and compete and earn a spot, which means special teams, kickoff, punt team - it doesn't matter - just to get on the field."

Undrafted rookies Bam Bradley, Donald Payne and Randy Allen will also get a close look from Baltimore's coaching staff.

Chris Wormley, a defensive tackle from Michigan who was also a third-round selection, should also add another dimension to the pass rush and stopping the run. Harbaugh liked the way the rookies are adjusting to the speed of the game.

"Tyus has looked good. Timmy has looked good," Harbaugh said. "I would put those guys more in the pass-rusher category. Chris Wormley can rush the passer, but he is more of a five-technique, three-technique defensive lineman. He is a good inside guy; he looks good. That is another step, and they have looked good.

"They have beaten tackles - veteran guys - they have done fine. But, the next step will be training camp, and then it will be games. We will see how they do when the pads are on. Now, it is not quite as competitive. It is not competitive at all in that sense; it is more technique."

Terrell Suggs, the Ravens' all-time sacks leader, is back for his 14th season. He led the team with eight sacks last season, but turns 35 in October. Still, Baltimore is hopeful Suggs can still make an impact, especially if he gets support from some of the younger players.

The team parted ways with Elvis Dumervil after the season. However, Harbaugh has not ruled out bringing him back in 2017.

"The door is not closed because we need as many good football players as we can have," Harbaugh said. "And we need as many guys as we can out there competing day-in and day-out."