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The Baltimore Ravens saved what looked like a disastrous 2020 season by going on a late season run to make the playoffs. Here are some bold predictions on what they do to carry that late season success into next season.
Ravens spend their first round pick on a D-Lineman
The general consensus is that wide receiver is the biggest need for the Ravens, and that may be, but it’s no guarantee that that’s the path the franchise takes in the first round.
The Ravens lost both Matthew Judon, Yannick Ngakoue, and Jihad Ward this offseason. That’s 1,185 lost snaps on the defensive line. Calais Campbell is just a rotational guy at this point, and at 34 years old, there’s no guarantee he continues to be effective in the future.
While I certainly expect the Ravens to address the WR position at some point in the draft, I think a front seven player is just as likely to be the pick in the first round. They could also use a safety, a linebacker, potentially a tackle depending on how the Orlando Brown situation plays out, and interior offensive line. There are lots of directions they could go that isn’t a wideout.
Trade Orlando Brown for another 1st and a solid WR
Reportedly Orlando Brown wants to play somewhere where he can be a left tackle instead of a right tackle. I don’t think it matters very much. Traditionally left tackles get paid more than right, so I guess it’s understandable that you would want to play that position before hitting the open market. The Ravens shouldn’t trade Brown unless he forces their hand.
Good blocking is essential for all teams, but it’s especially important for the run-heavy Ravens. The biggest reason why they were worse in 2020 didn’t have to do with Lamar or even the wideouts, it was because they simply couldn’t run block as effectively as they could last year.
The Ravens figured it out at the end of the season though, and they should keep this line as intact as possible. But if they really can’t keep him, they need to be in a position to draft his replacement. In a tackle heavy draft, a first round pick should be enough to address that need.
The Ravens should ask for a first and a wide receiver in the deal. Miami and Jacksonville make the most sense. Both teams need left tackles, both have extra late first-round picks. I’d ask for those picks, Chark from Jacksonville, and Devonte Parker from Miami.
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Continue to spend in free agency
The Ravens have plenty of cap space left this offseason, but they have to be careful giving out big money because the upcoming Lamar Jackson contract looms large. That being said, there isn’t an excuse not to max out this year's cap to get the most out of his rookie deal.
The Ravens have lost a ton of snaps from their defensive line. They have the draft, but there’s always a chance they can’t get the guy they want. They need to solidify the pass rush before the draft rolls around, and there’s a couple routes they could go. Jadeveon Clowney is a free agent, but he’s not a very effective pass rusher and will probably demand a bigger contract than some of the other guys.
I like Kerry Hyder as a low-key signing for the Ravens. Hyder had 8.5 sacks last season, the second time he’s had 8 in his career. He’s an effective rotational pass rusher, and shouldn’t demand a huge contract.
Don’t spend on WR
The Ravens have a wide receiver room that’s full of solid depth but they have no one who can consistently win, adding another low-level wide receiver like TY Hilton or Sammy Watkins won't improve the team. Devin Duvernay especially is a young guy that should be getting more playing time, putting a veteran in front of him is doing nothing but preventing a more promising player from seeing the field.
The Ravens did not land Golladay, who was the only free agent WR that made sense. Drafting one of the many promising rookies at the position in the first or second round is a much more enticing option.
