Why Baltimore Ravens Absolutely Must Draft Alvin 'Bud' Dupree

The Baltimore Ravens should make every effort to draft Kentucky Wildcats pass-rusher Alvin "Bud" Dupree in the 2015 NFL draft.

Another pass-rusher for Baltimore seems unnecessary at the outset, given that Terrell Suggs, Elvis Dumervil and Pernell McPhee combined for 36.5 sacks this past season. 

However, one must realize that McPhee is set to become a free agent, and according to Over The Cap, Baltimore has just over $8 million in cap space heading into the offseason. McPhee will be one of the top pass-rushers to hit the market, and ESPN's Jamison Hensley gives Baltimore a mere 25 percent chance of re-signing McPhee. 

That would potentially leave Suggs and Dumervil as the only Ravens to have more than four sacks this past season. Dupree should come in and produce at the same rate as McPhee, who had 7.5 sacks last year.

He would also provide the Ravens with youth at outside linebacker, something they don't have. There's reason to doubt Suggs and Dumervil can keep up their level of production for much longer.

Suggs is 32 heading into his 13th NFL season in 2015. Dumervil turned 31 on January 19, meaning both of Baltimore's best pass-rushers will be on the wrong side of 30 when the 2015 NFL season begins. 

Even if they still have enough in the tank for one more good year, what if either player gets injured? Then Baltimore suddenly has just one proven pass-rusher for a defense that relies heavily on its ability to pressure quarterbacks. 

Adding Dupree to the roster could ensure that doesn't happen, as he's been one of the best pass-rushers in the SEC during his time in college.

He'd be coming into the perfect situation in Baltimore, as he could be eased into Dean Pees' defense while Suggs and Dumervil get the bulk of the snaps. 

As the season goes on, his snap count could be increased to give more rest to Suggs and Dumervil, who probably won't hold up as well in the coming years as they have in the past. 

At 6'3" and nearly 270 pounds, some project Dupree as a 4-3 defensive end, but his strong suit is more as a pass-rusher in a 3-4 scheme.

At Kentucky, Dupree played in a 4-3/3-4 hybrid scheme that saw him used as more of a 3-4 outside linebacker than a 4-3 defensive end. 

Per UK Athletics, he led all SEC defensive linemen with 74 total tackles to go with 12.5 tackles for loss and 7.5 quarterback sacks. 

He finished his four-year career with 23.5 sacks, 247 tackles, 38 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles. Dupree was a terror off the edge, and he could thrive in Baltimore's 3-4 defense as an outside linebacker. 

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He is a freakish athlete who moves from sideline to sideline in the same way quality NFL linebackers like Jamie Collins do. That's who NFL.com's Lance Zierlein compared Dupree to as a draft prospect:

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NFL COMPARISON Jamie Collins

BOTTOM LINE Dupree is an explosive, powerful athlete with a background in basketball. While he's been productive at Kentucky, his tape doesn't always do his potential justice. He must continue to improve as a pass rusher, but his traits are undeniable.

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CBS Sports' Rob Rang compared Dupree to Tennessee Titans linebacker Kamerion Wimbley in his evaluation:

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Productive pass rusher whose success stems from his physical gifts and technique. Dupree possesses long arms, a quick burst, the flexibility to turn the corner and an explosive burst to close when the ballcarrier is near. Dupree varies his rushes, lulling opponents to sleep with one speed and surprising them with an occasional extra burst to generate big plays at critical moments.

COMPARES TO: Kamerion Wimbley, Tennessee Titans - Like Wimbley, Dupree has the blend of length and burst to enjoy a long, productive career as an NFL edge rusher. To achieve his full potential, however, he'll need to get stronger in run support.

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All of that said, the Ravens may not get the chance to select Dupree in the upcoming draft. As of now, many mock drafts are projecting Dupree to go before Baltimore selects at pick No. 26.

B/R's own Curt Popejoy projects Dupree going to the Pittsburgh Steelers with the 22nd overall pick. We still have a full offseason of combines, interviews and prospect visits with teams, so it's hard to project exactly where Dupree ends up going in April's draft.

However, if the Ravens have the opportunity to draft Dupree, they shouldn't think twice about it.