5-Man Pick Pressure (Mike Macdonald)

On running plays, there are blockers who clear the way for the ball carrier. Pick pressures work the same way for the defense.

One blitzer picks or blocks an offensive lineman, creating an alley for another blitzer to get through to the quarterback.

This example comes courtesy of Mike Macdonald when he was the Ravens Defensive Coordinator in 2023.

This was a 3rd-and-10. Baltimore aligned with 6 potential pass rushers near the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Roquan Smith stood over the center, creating a 5-man surface:

The Jaguars matched up with their 5 offensive linemen accounting for Baltimore’s 5 defenders on the line of scrimmage. Running back D’Ernest Johnson would be responsible for linebacker Patrick Queen if he blitzed:

Now let’s take a look at the design of the stunt. Roquan Smith crossed the center’s face to the left at the snap, taking him with him:

Kyle Van Noy took his initial path to the right, taking right guard Brandon Scherff with him and splitting the middle wide open: