As expected – after the first week of the 2015 NFL free agency period – the Baltimore Ravens have done little to improve their roster. This is an annual (and successful) practice by the team. Despite the desire by many for the Ravens to make an unexpected move or two in free agency, the odds of the organization steering away from its offseason tradition continue to be slim.
Despite the losses of key free agents such as Pernell McPhee, Torrey Smith, Owen Daniels and Darian Stewart, as well as the trade of Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions, the lone key moves the Ravens have made thus far have been the re-signing of running back Justin Forsett and the addition of veteran safety Kendrick Lewis.
Before the NFL Draft begins on April 30, do not expect the Ravens to make any “major” moves, but rather opt for mid-to-low level, cheap options, comparable to the Lewis signing. The draft will be used to rebuild the roster – as is the case every year for the Ravens. This year will be crucial as the Ravens are met with the task of replenishing a roster which was severely poached by big-spending teams during the first wave of free agency.
What are the Ravens’ top 5 needs by position in the draft?
5. Edge Rusher
Losing Pernell McPhee was expected, and the Ravens have enough talent in Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil to make the decline in pass-rushing production likely not too steep in 2015. However, Suggs and Dumervil are both on the wrong side of 30, and just how long they can continue their premier edge-playing ability is uncertain.
The lone young option on the roster is Courtney Upshaw, whose run-stopping ability has allowed him to make an impact for the team.
However, he will be an unrestricted free agent after the 2015 season. Due to the lack of youth at outside linebacker, the Ravens could use one of their many draft picks on a high-upside edge rusher.
Potential draft targets: Alvin Dupree, Eli Harold, Owa Odighizuwa, Preston Smith, Nate Orchard
4. Safety
The addition of Kendrick Lewis offered some hope that the Ravens could potentially skip the safety position in the draft – as this year’s safety class is fairly mediocre – and still have some depth at both safety positions. Restricted free agent Will Hill proved to undoubtedly be Baltimore’s best safety last season, and Hill-Lewis would be a respectable starting tandem.
2013 first round pick Matt Elam has been the epitome of a bust thus far for the Ravens. The signing of Lewis shows that the front office and coaching staff is not sold on Elam as a 2015 starter.
2014 draft pick Terrence Brooks showed promise as a rookie, but is expected to start the 2015 season on the PUP list after suffering an ACL tear back in December.
Unless Elam makes a big leap in year three, Lewis and Hill are the team’s only potential opening day starters worth noting, so some more depth at both safety positions would be beneficial.
Potential draft targets: Quinten Rollins, Eric Rowe, James Sample, Damarious Randall
3. Cornerback
Had Jimmy Smith not suffered a season-ending injury midway through the 2014 season, would cornerback really be considered such a desperate need for the Ravens? Prior to Smith’s injury, the secondary was performing well, and Smith was continuing to build his case as one of the league’s top young cornerbacks.
However, Smith’s injury, as well as injuries to several others including Danny Gorrer and Asa Jackson, made Baltimore’s cornerback depth look much worse than it actually was. When healthy, a starting duo of Smith and Lardarius Webb is desirable, and young developmental options such as Anthony Levine and Rashaan Melvin offer the Ravens some promise.
If the Ravens keep Webb around – which is not a foregone conclusion just yet – the team does not need a slew of additions at the position, but rather just one or two viable additions, whether through the draft or free agency.
[RELATED: Ravens Caught in a Tangled Webb?]
Potential draft targets: Marcus Peters, Kevin Johnson, P.J. Williams, Jalen Collins, Josh Shaw
2. Wide Receiver
After the release of Jacoby Jones and the loss of Torrey Smith to the San Francisco 49ers, the Ravens are back to square one at wide receiver, which seems to be the case every offseason. Steve Smith Sr. proved to be a season-changing addition in 2014, but next season could be his final one in the NFL.
Marlon Brown, Kamar Aiken and Michael Campanaro are all worthy of roster spots in 2015, but ideally the team needs to add an influx of more talented young options. Baltimore’s draft history at the position is terrifying (no, not in a good way), but perhaps this year’s draft is the front office’s chance to change its reputation of drafting busts at the position.
Potential draft targets: Devin Funchess, Sammie Coates, Devin Smith, Phillip Dorsett, Breshad Perriman
[RELATED: Jaelen Not a Strong First Round Option]
1. Tight End
Look across the roster and ask yourself: “which position is lacking the most in both depth and talent?” That combination will lead you to tight end, where the depth is nonexistent after losing Daniels to the Denver Broncos. Essentially, second-year player Crockett Gillmore is the lone tight end with a guaranteed roster spot for the 2015 season. The only other roster-caliber player is Dennis Pitta, but to say his career is up in the air is an understatement. Even John Harbaugh doesn’t know if/when Pitta will play again.
A Daniels-type signing in free agency would add another capable body to the tight end group, but even if that happens, the draft should be a prime opportunity for the Ravens to increase the population of tight ends on the roster.
Potential draft targets: Maxx Williams, Jeff Heuerman, Ben Koyack, Clive Walford, Jesse James
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