if that's the reality that we're accepting...
then it makes the DL and EDGE group even more important because if your defence isn't actually good but you expect to play with leads then you need to be able to force teams into bad plays and other than an INT, the best way to negatively impact an offence is with pass rush (and TFLs)
makes the back-to-front team building a little odd on defence in that scenario - feels like defensively we're still trying to build for the paradigm of 3-4 years ago rather than what's around now
The reason that I heard with regards to why DeCosta chooses to prioritize the secondary over the pass rush is because pass rush tends to be more volatile year to year and the secondary tends to have a pretty steady and consistent grade.
But, that in and of itself is a self fulfilling prophecy with the way the Ravens address it.
Yes, if you're continually going for the Ojabo's and Isaac's of the world, your pass rush is probably going to be fairly volatile year to year compared to consistently drafting a Hamilton or Wiggins.
If you can land yourself a Parsons, Watt (either brother), Garrett, you're not going to see the same volatility.
The issue is, of course, landing a player of that level because they're so hard to get (unless Jerry Jones drafts them.)
But at the same time, you should expect a lot of consistency from a secondary where every starter is a first round pick and should expect volatility from recycled, aging pass rushers and third rounders.
And to the point about needing great pass rushers if you're planning to play ahead a lot, I think it actually lends itself well to lesser talent. Just let those guys do nothing but try to get upfield and rush. You can afford to send an extra man or two. You get gashed for a forty yard pass? Hey, at least you're still up 17 with Derrick Henry and Lamar on the side line to run the game out.
It's tough because the Ravens are always good enough that a pass rusher of the level that we're all wanting isn't going to (usually) fall to the Ravens. TJ Watt was an exception, not a reality. But, I'd like to see the Ravens be more aggressive when opportunities like Parsons present themselves (not saying that Parsons is someone the Ravens should have tried for necessarily, just saying they need to be aggressive when opportunities do show) or they need to get really good at wheeling and dealing like the Eagles and end up with a top 10 pick despite being a perpetual playoff team.