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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Matthew Stevens

4 biggest needs for Ravens following 2019 NFL draft

The Baltimore Ravens did an excellent job patching up their roster in the NFL draft last weekend. The Ravens entered with several major holes but found prospects early and often to fill them.

Now entering the second wave of free agency, Baltimore’s 90-man roster is nearly set. But there are a few more needs the Ravens can fill with bargain free agents in the coming weeks.

Here are Baltimore’s four biggest needs following the 2019 NFL draft:

Inside linebacker

Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

Though the Ravens seem to be content letting Patrick Onwuasor and Kenny Young take over, it’s slim pickings behind them on the defensive depth chart. Any injury would be disastrous for this unit, and the limited starting experience could mean a big drop for the center of Baltimore’s defense.

Finding a capable veteran to either rotate into the lineup or provide solid, experienced depth is vital. With Onwuasor being on a one-year deal after re-signing as a restricted free agent, finding a long-term option there would be ideal in case he leaves next offseason.

Outside linebacker

Steven Erler-USA TODAY Sports

The pass rush hasn’t been fixed, though it’s far better than it was going into the draft. Jaylon Ferguson’s selection in the third round gives Baltimore another player to rotate into the lineup. Ferguson has the upside to play a three-down outside linebacker, but he might not be there right now.

With how poorly Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser have been developing and the unknown factor for Ferguson, finding a capable veteran pass rusher opposite Matthew Judon is necessary. A three-down outside linebacker would be even better, but the Ravens can likely limp through the season rotating players around to fit the needs of their scheme if needed.

Wide receiver

Photo by Michael Shroyer/Getty Images

You’d think selecting two wide receivers in the draft would have fixed the problems Baltimore had at that position. Largely it did. But if the Ravens are going to have a truly complete wide receiver corps for quarterback Lamar Jackson, they need a possession receiver with great hands.

They have plenty of outside speed now but few options inside, where the Ravens’ passing offense was focused last year. Willie Snead was a solid slot option last year but drops plagued him, as they did every other wideout on the roster. Snead is also no stranger to his production suddenly falling off.

This is where the Ravens’ love of older wide receivers in the second wave of free agency could really help them. They don’t need a player who will catch 80 passes or will go for 1,000 yards each year for the next five years. They really just need a consistent pressure-relief valve as depth in case their draft picks take longer to develop than expected.

Center

Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images

After drafting guard Ben Powers to add immediate depth and competition for the starting left guard spot, center is the only remaining hole on the offensive line.

The Ravens will have Matt Skura and likely Bradley Bozeman competing for the starting job in training camp. But if Baltimore could find a legitimate Week 1 starter in free agency, they’d be fools to pass him up.

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