As the Ravens trudged off the observe fields in Owings Mills final month, headed for his or her summer time break, it was simple to think about what the crew might be in January however tougher to venture who it may need in September.
The Ravens’ high offensive sort out was lacking. So had been their high two operating backs. And one among their beginning cornerbacks. And their beginning nostril sort out, their most efficient outdoors linebacker, their second-round choose — to call just some injured contributors unavailable at necessary minicamp.
With coaching camp lower than a month away, the strengths and weaknesses of the Ravens roster are, in some circumstances, open to interpretation. How a lot religion can you set ready nonetheless reeling from final yr’s catastrophic damage bug? So much can and can change earlier than Week 1. For now, although, right here’s a have a look at the place the teams rank — particular groups not included — from weakest to strongest.
10. Wide receiver
The Ravens’ high vast receiver, Rashod Bateman, had a promising however injury-marred rookie yr (46 catches for 515 yards in 12 video games). Their oldest receiver, 25-year-old James Proche II, has recorded a catch in simply six profession video games. Their most skilled wideout, Devin Duvernay, has by no means eclipsed 45 receiving yards in a sport. Their solely different projected contributor, Tylan Wallace, was primarily a particular groups contributor as a rookie, ending with two catches for 23 yards.
After the departure of Marquise “Hollywood” Brown, the Ravens may have loads of snaps to go round. But coming into coaching camp, this group’s potential far exceeds its manufacturing.
9. Outside linebacker
On paper, that is the Ravens’ most gifted assortment of edge rushers in years. In observe, the place’s depth is paper-thin. Tyus Bowser, who led the crew with seven sacks final season, is recovering from a torn Achilles tendon and won’t be prepared by Week 1. Second-round choose David Ojabo tore his Achilles in March and won’t play in any respect this season.
Odafe Oweh, who underwent shoulder surgical procedure after a powerful rookie yr, was restricted in offseason exercises however needs to be full-go in coaching camp. Same goes for Daelin Hayes, who barely performed final season after a robust offseason. But with the sudden loss of life of Jaylon Ferguson, and with the Ravens but so as to add a big-name free agent, defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald must hope for fast recoveries and a wholesome preseason. Even with a promising core, the group’s margin for error is slim.
8. Inside linebacker
Josh Bynes and Patrick Queen had been strong run defenders of their first yr collectively, however neither noticed common motion on apparent passing downs. They had been additionally nonfactors within the Ravens’ move rush, ending with a mixed 4 sacks and 9 pressures. Can first-year inside linebackers coach Zachary Orr assist take their partnership to a different degree?
With the Detroit Lions signing Chris Board this offseason, the Ravens’ depth on the place is considerably tenuous. Malik Harrison entered offseason exercises as a candidate to cross-train at outdoors linebacker, although he lined up primarily inside. Kristian Welch has performed sparingly on protection over his first two years in Baltimore. Behind them are a handful of undrafted free brokers, together with Navy’s Diego Fagot.
7. Running again
By yr’s finish, the Ravens might have one of many NFL’s finest operating again rooms. But if the season began in August, their high two choices would probably be Mike Davis, a well-traveled veteran who averaged 3.6 yards per carry final season, and Tyler Badie, an undersized rookie whom the Ravens drafted within the sixth spherical.
Davis and Badie, together with a wholesome Justice Hill, can contribute this yr. But for so long as J.Okay. Dobbins and Gus Edwards are sidelined by knee rehabilitations, the Ravens’ floor sport will likely be suboptimal. Dobbins led the NFL in dashing as a rookie in 2020 (6 yards per carry) and confirmed development as a receiver final summer time. Edwards, one of many NFL’s finest short-yardage backs, averaged not less than 5 yards per carry in every of his first three seasons in Baltimore.
6. Offensive line
The proper facet of the Ravens’ line ought to hold quarterback Lamar Jackson blissful, and upright. At heart is rookie Tyler Linderbaum, whose athletic potential opens up offensive coordinator Greg Roman’s playbook. Kevin Zeitler was one of many NFL’s finest proper guards in his first yr in Baltimore. Right sort out Morgan Moses is a dependable move protector and properly suited to the Ravens’ hard-driving dashing assault.
On the left facet, although, there’s uncertainty. If Ronnie Stanley’s ankle issues persist, the Ravens might flip to the versatile Patrick Mekari. Ja’Wuan James is another choice, although his damage historical past and inexperience at left sort out might be troublesome to beat. At left guard, the Ravens have a handful of younger choices — Tyre Phillips, Ben Cleveland and Ben Powers — however no clear front-runner. Rookie Daniel Faalele wants extra time earlier than he’s able to contribute.
5. Defensive line
Running in opposition to the Ravens’ defensive entrance received’t be simple. Michael Pierce needs to be an improve at nostril sort out over Brandon Williams. Calais Campbell graded out as one among Pro Football Focus’ high run-stuffing linemen final season. Justin Madubuike is fast sufficient to beat zone-blocking schemes and robust sufficient to tackle double groups. Brent Urban and Broderick Washington are more-than-capable reserves.
The problem for the road, as soon as once more, will likely be producing a move rush. Rookie Travis Jones has intriguing potential, Madubuike has proven flashes of brilliance and Campbell is set to achieve 100 profession sacks. But if the Ravens’ edge rushers battle, an inside push might be onerous to search out.
4. Cornerback
The Ravens entered coaching camp final yr with enviable depth at cornerback, solely to look at it crumble over the following few months. This yr, they’re relying on comparable high quality and higher damage luck. Marlon Humphrey has already returned from a season-ending pectoral damage and may bounce again from a disappointing 2021. Marcus Peters, whose ongoing restoration from a torn ACL has impressed Ravens officers, is anticipated to rejoin him sooner or later.
Whoever’s on the market ought to have loads of assist. Brandon Stephens lined up in all places within the secondary as a rookie and may take one other step ahead in 2022. Kyle Fuller, a Baltimore native, has a historical past of takeaways. Rookies Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion “Pepe” Williams have each impressed and Kevon Seymour performed practically 250 defensive snaps final season.
3. Tight finish/fullback
The Ravens have a Pro Bowl fullback in Patrick Ricard, and it’s truthful to marvel simply the place they’ll want him this season. Such is the Ravens’ depth at tight finish. Mark Andrews broke the Ravens’ single-season receiving file final season (107 catches for 1,361 yards) and emerged as one of many NFL’s high playmakers. Nick Boyle, when wholesome, offers the offense a flexible blocker who can current as an enormous goal over the center. Ricard’s sport has turn out to be extra well-rounded each season in Baltimore.
They’ll all have younger skills pushing them. Rookies Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar each flashed in offseason exercises, and Josh Oliver is a strong reserve. Andrews is irreplaceable, however the Ravens have a well-stocked group behind him.
2. Quarterback
As lengthy as Jackson’s beneath contract and wholesome, the Ravens will be ok with their beginning quarterback. He impressed at necessary minicamp and pledged to get collectively along with his receivers throughout the crew’s offseason hiatus. That’s all you’ll be able to ask for from a possible NFL Most Valuable Player in July — properly, possibly some progress in contract negotiations, too.
Tyler Huntley didn’t want lengthy to show his potential as a backup final yr. He won’t be adequate to guide the Ravens to victory, however he may be trusted to not throw a sport away.
1. Safety
When the Ravens’ choices for his or her two beginning safeties are a playmaking heart fielder (Marcus Williams), a revered and dependable signal-caller (Chuck Clark) and a first-round choose who would possibly finally be higher than each (Kyle Hamilton), possibly it’s time to think about beginning three. Even if Clark is traded away earlier than the season opener, the secondary would nonetheless have two safeties whose vary in protection and talent in run protection make them primarily interchangeable.
Their backups aren’t dangerous, both. Tony Jefferson has seemingly circled his profession in his return to Baltimore, and he picked off two of Jackson’s passes on the primary day of minicamp. Geno Stone has beginning expertise and performed over 20% of the protection’s snaps final season. A foot damage ended Ar’Darius Washington’s quiet rookie season, however he was promising sufficient to make the Ravens’ preliminary 53-man roster.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com