Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta has likely already been looking towards the offseason and what he’ll need to do to get the team better prepared for next year. He’s looked over the roster and Baltimore’s pending free agents to create a list of places to attack this offseason.
To help fans know where to look as well, I’ve compiled this list of positions the Ravens will need to address this offseason. While the list is in no particular order, expect Baltimore to find free agents or use some picks in the NFL draft to patch up these holes in the coming months.
Pass rush:
Hats off to defensive coordinator Don Martindale who created something out of nothing. The Ravens lost their top-two pass rushers last offseason, was never able to replace them, and it showed.
Baltimore ranked 20th in sacks-per-pass-attempt, getting the quarterback down just 6.8% of the time. While they blitzed an overwhelming amount this season, the Ravens’ defense was largely only able to generate inconsistent pressure.
Now Baltimore faces another offseason where their top pass rusher is headed for free agency. Much like Za’Darius Smith did last year, outside linebacker Matthew Judon is expected to be one of the top free agents on the market this offseason and could see huge contract offers come his way.
Even if the Ravens are able to re-sign Judon, they really can’t go into next season without adding more help opposite him. While Tyus Bowser stepped up at points and there’s hope Jaylon Ferguson turns the corner in his second season, the pair combined for two fewer sacks than Judon.
Wide receiver:
Though the Ravens completely remade their wide receiver corps last season and they’ve drafted a bunch of players here, the work is hardly done. That was evident throughout the season but especially in the playoffs where wide receivers failed to get open and dropped passes when they did.
It’s still a great young core with Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin but Baltimore has to add to it again this offseason. They don’t necessarily need the “No. 1” wide receiver given their passing attack spreads the ball around so much, but the Ravens need to find more consistent playmakers.
A big-bodied possession receiver would be a great accompaniment to Brown’s deep speed. A polished route runner with good hands should be the top target throughout Baltimore’s offseason.
Interior offensive line:
The Ravens had one of the best overall offensive lines in the league this season, which is why the offense did so well. But Baltimore has to keep an eye towards the future and with guard Marshal Yanda potentially eyeing retirement this offseason, stacking the inside of the offensive line with more depth absolutely has to happen. At the very least, the Ravens have to find Yanda’s eventual heir, even if sticks around for another season.
In addition, the Ravens need to figure out what they’re going to do at center. Matt Skura is a restricted free agent this offseason but is coming off a pretty bad knee injury late in the year which could affect his availability for the beginning of the 2020 season. Patrick Mekari did an exceptional job in his stead but was it enough for Baltimore to hand him the starting role if Skura isn’t healthy in time or moves on after 2020?
Inside linebacker:
Baltimore was hoping Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young and Chris Board could make up for the loss of C.J. Mosley last offseason and that clearly wasn’t the answer. Onwuasor lost his starting job quickly while Young was sent to the Los Angeles Rams as part of the Marcus Peters trade. The season ended with two players who weren’t even on the roster in training camp starting at inside linebacker and only one of them being under contract for 2020.
In the ever-changing world of football, the role of an inside linebacker has changed greatly. They’ve gone from purely run-stuffing defenders to all-around players who are asked to blitz, stop the run and defend the pass. And the Ravens need a player who can do all three exceptionally well.
At the very least, Baltimore is going to need more capable depth at the position with both Josh Bynes and Onwuasor set to hit free agency. Barring some more signings, the Ravens only have Board, L.J. Fort and Aaron Adeoye under contract for 2020.
.png?w=600)
