NFL.com expects Ravens' Jernigan to make big leap

By foxsports
Published

Ravens defensive lineman Timmy Jernigan showed enough promise in his rookie season that general manager Ozzie Newsome was comfortable parting with Haloti Ngata.

Now primed to start in his second season, Jernigan is expected to take a big step forward in 2015. As long as he can handle the added workload, NFL.com believes Jernigan can be a Pro Bowl player. 

"As a penetrating lineman, Jernigan showed burst up field on pass rush in his game film. I specifically loved the way he used his hands to discard blockers. He also displayed enough power to bully interior linemen and collapse the pocket. Four sacks in limited play were a starting point. His ability to push the pocket should increase with greater opportunity and diversifying rush moves.

"Given his pass-rushing ability, understated run-stopping skills and an increased opportunity in a very good defense, Jernigan enters 2015 with a decent shot at double-digit sacks hitting his Pro Bowl goal."

Jernigan recorded four sacks in limited duty last season, two during Ngata's four-game suspension. He also showed some good pressure in Baltimore's playoff game in New England, as seen in NFL.com's aforementioned writeup on Jernigan. 

The 22-year-old Jernigan is eager to show that he can play against the run next season. At 6-foot-2 and 300 pounds, he has big holes and big shoes to fill with Ngata now in Detroit.  

h/t: NFL.com