So here we are, enveloped in the aftermath of the 2024 NFL Season. Thirty-one teams are disappointed, licking their wounds and contemplating offseason needs. Some are hurting more than others, because for a few, the level of expectation was much greater. Only the Philadelphia Eagles and their fans are smiling. They want to bask in the glow and the cascade of confetti that will undoubtedly provide color to the team’s celebratory parade tomorrow.
Remember that feeling? It seems so long ago.
I recall a concert that I attended with my wife back in February of 2013 at The Lyric Baltimore featuring Matchbox Twenty. Robb Thomas, the band’s creative force and lead singer, addressed the crowd after the opening song.
“Hello Baltimore and congratulations to your Ravens! For the next year you’ve earned the opportunity to be d*cks to all other NFL fans!”
Just imagine how Philly fans are going to be…
Be that as it may, we are all on to the offseason. Soon the NFL Scouting Combine will begin (February 27 – March 2) followed by the new league year which begins on March 12 at which time free agency begins. Then on April 24th the NFL Draft commences followed by a series of OTAs that will eventually deliver us to the doorstep of Training Camp when the grind begins all over again.
To take that next step so that a year from now Baltimore is planning a parade, the Ravens need a few things. Here’s my offseason needs shopping list, in no particular order:
• Dominant edge rusher
• Corner
• Rangy safety
• Every down ILB to play beside Roquan Smith
• Offensive line enhancements
If the Ravens check off each item above, they’ll be a threat to win it all. If they remain status quo in all the other areas, that’s quite alright.
* A dominant edge would allow the Ravens to get home with 4 pass rushers. He makes Travis Jones, Nnamdi Madubuike and Odafe Oweh that much better and it gives more defenders at the second and third level a chance to make a play on the ball.
* If you read between the lines during the presser hosted by John Harbaugh and Eric DeCosta last month, Brandon Stephens will soon be a former Raven. He’ll need to be replaced and his productivity or lack thereof in 2024, upgraded.
* Zach Orr’s defense needs the kind of player that Marcus Williams was paid to be. A ball hawk on the back end of the defense who might give opposing QBs pause not only improves the defense, it allows Kyle Hamilton to move back into that dangerous Swiss Army Knife role. Adding that rangy safety is like bolstering two positions on the defense.
* The Ravens did a fine job of alternating Malik Harrison and Chris Board at ILB depending upon the down and distance. That’s not exactly ideal. Teams will try and take advantage of mismatches. Asking Harrison to cover a speedy RB on first down is a recipe for failure. The Ravens will need to find Roquan’s “Robin” to his Batman at ILB.
* Across the offensive front, the Ravens will need to secure Ronnie Stanley or find the next Roger Rosengarten so that the real Roger can move to LT while another player capably fills in at RT. The team also has to upgrade at guard if they want to be better in 2025.
The challenge for DeCosta, is to do all these offseason needs with limited financial resources. He does have a nice treasure chest of draft capital (11 picks) and there are some restructure/extension options that he can massage to free up some cap space. I encourage you to read Brian McFarland’s 2025 Ravens Salary Cap Preview. It’s an outstanding glimpse into the challenges facing EDC.
We’ll be addressing the team’s offseason needs in future articles and podcasts. Until next time…
6 Responses
This was supposed to be the year and it obviously wasn’t! It may seem trite, but the Ravens still have to come to grips with the incontrovertible fact, that they continuously beat themselves at the most inappropriate times despite having a wealth of talent! So, my argument remains with the coaching, particularly the HC, who may be the worst game day coach in the game! And, unless or until that changes, it’s not unreasonable to expect more of the same!
Well said. I also pin the poor performances in big games on the HC. We had the best team in football in 2019, 2023 & 2024 and only once made it to the AFC Championship game during those years. Unacceptable with the talent Jesus John had at his disposable. Same is going to happen again next season. Playoffs and then the inevitable loss against an inferior opponent and Hardballs will escape accountability. Enough!
Absolutely right! Last year was THE year. That defense was one of the best in NFL history! Lamar was MVP! And then in the most important game in Baltimore for 50 years, Harblow forgot that his team could run the ball again. It is sad and pathetic.
Unfortunately, 11 picks in a draft which many prognosticators don’t believe has many “blue chippers”, do not present a rosy scenario for immediate meaningful upgrades.
Ravens need a punisher on defense and a tough outside threat like Q
Also take the cap space and move on from Andrews
I unfortunately, it also appears that they will need a new FG kicker, which should be a top priority because Harbaugh relies so heavily on that element of his offense!