The Baltimore Ravens need their young players to step up in 2019. After losing a number of high-profile starters in free agency and releasing some others, Baltimore has some holes that need to be filled both on offense and defense.
With eight selections in the 2019 NFL draft, the Ravens will look to their rookies to provide a major impact. Let’s look at all eight of Baltimore’s draft picks and their chances of starting in 2019.
Marquise Brown, WR
Willie Snead is the only starting receiver from 2018 and he’s probably the only one that’s guaranteed to have a starting job this year. Behind him is Chris Moore, who has never caught more than 19 passes in a single season, Seth Roberts, who was a reserve in Oakland, and the duo of Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley, who didn’t catch a single pass in 2018.
There’s no reason for Brown, who has significantly more talent than any of those players, shouldn’t be able to rise up the depth chart if he can get healthy and learn the playbook in training camp. He’ll be given every chance to start as a rookie.
Chances of being a starter: 100%
Jaylon Ferguson, OLB
Matthew Judon currently holds down one of the outside linebacker jobs, but the spot across from him is wide open after the departure of Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith.
Behind Judon is Tyus Bowser and Tim Williams. Sadly, neither player has stepped up as expected since being drafted in 2017. They have a combined 5.5 sacks in their two years in the league. Both are entering make-or-break seasons in 2019.
There’s no reason that a prospect like Ferguson can’t come in and win the job in training camp, especially given who he’s playing against. Unless Baltimore signs a veteran linebacker this summer, I’d expect him to be a starter.
Chances of being a starter: 80%
Miles Boykin, WR
Boykin might not be as refined as Brown is, but he’ll get his chance to work his way up the depth chart in training camp. Though I expect he’ll be a contributor this season, he needs a little more development which likely keeps him from taking a starting job outright.
Boykin will likely see the field in certain packages but will have to complete against Lasley, Scott and Roberts to get more snaps.
Chances of being a starter: 35%
Justice Hill, RB
Hill will get a chance to fight for playing time as a rookie. But it’s a pretty slim chance of Hill taking the starting job from either Mark Ingram or Gus Edwards.
Kenneth Dixon is Hill’s main competition in training camp. Who wins that battle will likely determine which player is Baltimore’s change-of-pace option in 2019. Given Hill’s explosiveness and receiving ability along with Dixon’s trouble staying healthy and out of trouble, it should be a good fight for playing time.
Chances of being a starter: 15%
Iman Marshall, CB
Marshall wasn’t a pick that was made for the 2019 season. Baltimore has four starting-caliber corners in Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr, Marlon Humphrey and Tavon Young. The Ravens also have some quality depth and special teams players in Maurice Canady, Cyrus Jones, Justin Bethel and Anthony Averett.
Marshall should make the 53-man roster, but barring a truly horrific series of injuries at cornerback, he won’t see the field outside of special teams in 2019.
Chances of being a starter: None
Ben Powers, G
Powers will be given a chance to win the starting left guard job in training camp.
Staying healthy has been a constant problem for Alex Lewis since Baltimore drafted him in 2016. James Hurst went to left guard after losing his starting role at right tackle to Orlando Brown Jr. but was rather lackluster in his return last season. If Powers can prove to be a quick study at guard and stay healthy, he should be able to fend off Hurst and Lewis for the starting role.
Chances of being a starter: 50%
Daylon Mack, DT
Like with Hill and Marshall, Mack is a rookie coming in at one of the Ravens’ deepest position groups. Baltimore already has two starting caliber nose tackles in Brandon Williams and Michael Pierce. If Mack beats out those players and wins a starting job, he’s the steal of the draft and a Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate. It’s incredibly unlikely Mack is even given a chance to start this season.
Still, he should see the field as a rookie since Baltimore likes to rotate their defensive linemen to keep them fresh throughout the season.
Chances of being a starter: 5%
Trace McSorely, QB
Lamar Jackson has been given the starting job with the hopes that he’ll keep it for a long time and Baltimore likes Robert Griffin as his back-up. Outside of some gadget plays on offense or special teams, McSorely won’t see the field much in 2019, if he can make the 53-man roster. If he’s the starter, the Ravens are in some serious trouble.
Chances of being a starter: 0%
