Usually when a team wins the Super Bowl, it doesn’t have to address a plethora of needs during the ensuing offseason. Unfortunately nothing could be farther from the truth far for the Baltimore Ravens.
After coping with the retirements of starters Ray Lewis and Matt Birk, as well as the parting of ways with starters such as Ed Reed, Paul Kruger and Bernard Pollard, the Ravens entered free agent market with several holes that needed to be addressed.
The market provided value yet the Ravens managed to sign just three starters: left tackle Bryant McKinnie, free safety Michael Huff and outside linebacker Elvis Dumervil. They also added inside linebacker Rolando McClain, however his status with the team at this point is uncertain.
Instead of going on a spending spree with tight cap space in free agency, the Ravens did the smart thing, which was reloading through the draft.
In the first three rounds, General Manager Ozzie Newsome and his capable personnel team found three possible week one starters in safety Matt Elam, inside linebacker Arthur Brown and defensive tackle Brandon Williams.
Elam and Brown are sure-fire starters, as Elam takes over Pollard’s job at starting strong safety, while Brown becomes one of the team’s two starting linebackers.
Depending on the team’s plans for Haloti Ngata, who could move inside and assume a full-time role at nose tackle, Williams could be a starter when the team travels to Denver for the regular season opener.
Even if Williams doesn’t win a starting job, he still figures to contribute heavily along the defensive line, and will rotate in frequently, mainly at the nose tackle position.
On the third and final day of the draft, the Ravens found even more day one contributors.
In the fourth round, Baltimore selected fullback/tight end Kyle Juszczyk and outside linebacker John Simon.
Juszczyk could play sparingly behind starting fullback Vonta Leach, however he figures to be utilized mainly as a receiver during his rookie season.
Juszczyk is a reliable receiving target who can quickly change direction after the catch, often allowing him to gain extra yardage.
He’ll assume a part-time role in the slot alongside tight ends Dennis Pitta and Ed Dickson.
Simon figures to be a frequent contributor as a backup to Dumervil and Terrell Suggs. He and second-year linebacker Courtney Upshaw will likely be the main backup rush ends, creating a diverse and talented foursome of outside linebackers for the Baltimore defense.
In the fifth round, the Ravens selected Wisconsin offensive tackle Ricky Wagner. He played left tackle in college, but projects much better at right tackle or either guard spot in the NFL. The Ravens, for now, are set at those three positions, but Wagner will at least likely be active for most of the games, possibly forcing Ramon Harewood or Jah Reid off the roster.
In the sixth round, the team drafted two projects in defensive end Kapron Lewis-Moore and offensive lineman Ryan Jensen. Lewis-Moore won’t contribute as a rookie, as injured reserve seems likely for him as he recovers from a torn ACL.
Jensen could take over the same role that center Gino Gradkowski had as a rookie last season. With Gradkowski likely becoming the starting center, Jensen, like Gradkowski last year, will be the team’s backup center and could contribute on special teams in a large role like Gradkowski did in 2012.
In the seventh round, the Ravens didn’t appear to find two heavy contributors, however wide receiver Aaron Mellette and cornerback Marc Anthony both have a strong chance of making the 53-man roster.
Anthony will likely be a victim of the numbers game, as the Ravens have a very strong, deep group of cornerbacks. In order to see the field or even be active for games as a rookie, he’ll have to contribute on special teams as his services won’t be needed at cornerback unless an injury occurs.
Mellette has a prime opportunity to contribute during his first year, as the Ravens have plenty of uncertainty at the wide receiver position right now. The second starting wide receiver role isn’t solidified yet, and competing against fellow young, inexperienced receivers gives Mellette a prime opportunity to at least make the roster and possibly crack the receiver rotation.
At the very worst, he’ll make the final 53-man roster but might not be active for more than a handful of games. At best, he could become the team’s fifth receiver with a strong performance during training camp.
Of the 10 Ravens draft picks, at least eight figure to make the final roster. Of course, Lewis-Moore doesn’t figure to count toward the final roster, while maybe one of the rookies fail to make the roster.
The Ravens are reluctant to cut their draft picks, and with several job openings currently on the roster, every rookie has a chance to have quite a large role this upcoming season.
