OWINGS MILLS, Md. — Boise State edge defender Kamalei Correa noting how he’s been watching Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil play since he was in middle school told all you needed to know.
The Ravens had to add youth to their aging pass rush and did so by selecting Correa in the second round with the 42nd overall pick on Friday night. The pick came after general manager Ozzie Newsome traded down in separate deals with Jacksonville and Miami earlier in the night, allowing the likes of UCLA’s Myles Jack and Eastern Kentucky’s Noah Spence to go elsewhere.
A two-year starter for Boise State, the 6-foot-3, 245-pound Correa collected 19 sacks over the last two seasons. In 2015, he started all 13 games and led the defense with seven sacks and 11 tackles for a loss.
“They picked a guy who is a hard worker who isn’t going to stop,” Correa said. “[I’m] dedicated and will help them win a Super Bowl.”
With the 33-year-old Suggs coming off his second Achilles injury in four years and Dumervil having turned 32 in January, the Ravens made no secret about their desire to add pass-rushing help. They now hope second-year outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith and Correa will pick up some of the slack for the aging starters and to fill the void of departing players such as Pernell McPhee and Courtney Upshaw.
Correa told reporters Friday night that he hadn’t met with the Ravens since February’s scouting combine, but he was looking forward to learning from the experienced pass-rushing duo of Suggs and Dumervil. The Ravens will likely work him into a situational role early as he adjusts to the outside linebacker position, but the Broncos defensive end brings impressive athleticism and burst off the edge.
“I don’t see it too much as a challenge, and that’s just because of my work ethic,” Correa said. “I’m going to keep working at something and if I don’t get it, I’m going to keep trying. I know one day that I will be a great one.”
In moving back twice from their original 36th pick to ultimately take Correa 42nd overall, the Ravens picked up the 107th and 146th overall picks on Day 3 of the draft.
