Ravens OLB Tyus Bowser wants to join the 10-sack club in 2020

Entering his fourth season in the league and the final year of his rookie contract, Tyus Bowser believes he can achieve what no other Baltimore Ravens defender has in three years. The last Raven to record 10 or more sacks in the regular season was the franchise’s all-time leader in that category in Terrell Suggs who recorded 11 sacks and made the Pro Bowl in 2017, two feats Bowser desires to add to his resume this upcoming season along with a Superbowl title.

“I definitely want to get into the 10-sack club this year,” Bowser said on Facebook Live. “I want to be a Pro Bowler this year and ultimately win a championship. Those are the main three goals I want to accomplish.”

The former second-round pick out of the University of Houston struggled to find his footing during his first two years in the league before recording his best season to date in 2019. After failing to excel at a jack-of-all-trades linebacker in his first two years, the Ravens just let him focus on one position last year. As an outside linebacker exclusively, he recorded career highs in both tackles and sacks despite playing a rotational role behind veteran Pernell McPhee and rookie Jaylon Ferguson after McPhee went down with a season-ending triceps injury.

Bowser was on the field for just under 40 percent (39.8 to be exact) of the Ravens’ defensive plays last season and hopes to have an even bigger role. He was in a make it or break it situation last season and rose to the occasion and now that he’s entering a contract year, he hopes to break out even bigger and become a more complete player.

“Consistency,” Bowser said. “Just being able to be reliable, any downs. And my pass rush being able to get to the quarterback consistently, whether it’s hits, pressures, sacks, whatever it is.”

Becoming a better leader and setting a good example for younger players like Ferguson and others to look up to and learn from is very important to Bowser as well.

“And then just being a leader,” said Bowser. “Being able to open my mouth more, knowing that this is my fourth year, we’ve got younger guys that look up to our vets and we’re a young team. Just being able to talk to the young guys, especially our outside linebacker group. Being able to be vocal and teach these guys, help them elevate their game. That’s definitely what I want to improve on.”

The fact that the Ravens didn’t make any notable moves at the edge rusher position outside of bringing back McPhee on a one-year deal shows that they have confidence in Bowser and the others to step up. However, they did reshape the interior of their defensive front seven with additions of veteran defensive linemen Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe and playmaking rookie inside linebacker Patrick Queen via the draft.

“Derek Wolfe coming in, Calais, you’ve got guys who are adding on to what we already have, said Bowser. “Being able to be around them and see the potential of what we can actually do this season, it’s all exciting. I just want to help this team win. Whatever way I have to do it, I’m going to do it.”

All of these shiny new pieces will create more one on one opportunities and favorable matchups for Bowser against overwhelmed tight ends and running backs when he comes looping around the edge after widening out or beating an offensive tackle with his quick get off or comes barreling up the middle after being the loop man on a stunt or twist.

The Ravens defense as a whole is expected to be even better this season than they were last year when they finished as the third-best unit in the league. However, despite the additions around him, his lofty expectations, and unwavering confidence, going from five sacks to 10 or more is a tall task for Bowser to be shooting for. While I believe it is well within his ability if given enough opportunities, no Raven has recorded more than 9.5 half sacks in a single season since Suggs in 2017 and that was Matthew Judon last year who led the team in that stat during his breakout Pro Bowl season.

Since the team and Judon failed to reach an agreement at the deadline to sign franchise-tagged players to long term deals, this could open the door for Bowser to become the next man up to be the guy for the Ravens on the edge if he does reach his goal of recording double-digit sacks or even come moderately close. Even if the Raven opt to let both he and Judon walk in free agency next year, teams are always willing to pay top dollar for quality to above-average pass rushers which could be the category that he falls in if makes his dreams come true but he’s more focused on helping the Ravens be the best team they can be in 2020 above all.

“It’s going to be a good year,” Bowser said. “You’ve got guys who want it, guys who are hungry. Their mindset is on another level. They know the pieces, they know what we have on this team to make something happen this year.”