Baltimore Ravens

Overview

At one point in time the Ravens were amongst the discussion when talking about the best teams in the league.  The Ravens scored 103 points on their way to winning their first three games of the season including a win at San Diego.  It is now apparent that their hot start had a lot to do with having the Chiefs and Browns on the schedule the first three weeks.  The Ravens squeaked into the playoffs at 9-7 and were unceremoniously dismissed by the Colts after blowing out the Patriots in the first round.  Baltimore is currently slated to pick 25th in the first round.

Assets

Joe Flacco is one of the best young quarterbacks in the league.  When the Ravens drafted him the assumption was that he was going to sit his rookie season and it would take him a year or two to adjust to the NFL game.  Rather than trying to establish himself as a starter heading into his third season he will be looking to become one of the league’s elite passers.

Ray Rice had a breakout year at running back with over 2,000 yards of total offense for the Ravens.

There is plenty of depth at the tight end spot with both Todd Heap and L. J. Smith on the roster.

The offensive line has come together nicely and Michael Oher appears to be everything the Ravens hoped he would be when they drafted him in the first round last spring.

Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are still good but they are starting to show their age a bit.

Haloti Ngata is as good of a defensive lineman as there is in the league.

Terrell Suggs has struggled to stay healthy this year but is still someone to be feared off the edge.

They still have one of the better defenses in the league but it no longer dominates the way it did three or four years ago.

Liabilities/Needs

The top need is finding a dynamic wide receiver for Flacco to throw to.  Derrick Mason retired at one point during the summer only to come back for another season, so, he has one foot out of the door already.

Defensive starters Kelly Gregg, Trevor Pryce, and Ray Lewis all have at least 10 years in the league and are rapidly approaching their mid-30s.  All three are still productive players, but, the Ravens should start thinking about long term replacements for them.

Ed Reed hinted at possibly retiring following the Ravens loss to the Colts in the playoffs.  However, he sounded like a guy who wants to play next season but a lot will hinge on what the doctors say this spring.

Bottom Line

The Ravens have been trying to upgrade the receiving corps for several years and have struck out on day one draft picks like Yamon Figurs and Mark Clayton.  With the draft being potentially defense heavy at the top there is an outside chance that the Ravens could get their pick of the litter in the wide receiver class.

This year’s crop of receiving prospects is not considered to be nearly as deep as it was in the last draft when six wideouts went in the first round.  Dez Bryant is the only draft eligible receiver who is considered worthy of a first round pick at this point in time.  Golden Tate or Arrelious Benn, considered the two best receivers after Bryant, could move into the first round if they work out well for scouts.  The big question mark on Tate is whether he has the size to be a #1 receiver if he lacks elite top end speed.

If there are not any receivers that rate high enough for the Ravens to take them when they are on the clock then one would expect them to look at taking the top defensive player on the board.

Penn State defensive tackle Jared Odrick is someone the Ravens could potentially look at taking and moving to a defensive end spot to help spell the aging Trevor Pryce.  At 6′ 4″ he also has the frame to add an additional 15 to 20 pounds and play nose tackle where Kelly Gregg is finishing up his 10th season.

Clemson’s Ricky Sapp is an intriguing possibility as well.  Suggs has struggled this season and Sapp has the size and athleticism to line up on the edge in a 3-4 defensive front.  The Ravens defense is always at its best when it has multiple players who can pressure the quarterback off the edge.

Texas Linebacker Sergio Kindle could be an option for the Ravens to potentially upgrade the OLB spot opposite Suggs, although he is not considered to have elite speed he is strong against the run and a sure tackler.

Florida linebacker Brandon Spikes would be an intriguing candidate for the Ravens.  They could line him up inside alongside Lewis and potentially give them that heavy hitter to take Lewis’ spot once he retires.

Defensive tackle Terence Cody could be a possibility as a second round pick for the Ravens to plug in at defensive tackle.

Receiving prospects in the second round include Georgia Tech’s Demaryius Thomas and USC’s Damian Williams if either of them decide to leave school early.  Cincinnati’s Mardy Gilyard rates as a late second round prospect as well.

Penn State linebacker Sean Lee could be a second rounder the Ravens have their eye on.