The draft is over. Camp is over a month away. Free agency has settled.
If there’s ever a down time in the NFL calendar, this is it. While there’s still much that will change and take shape, it’s a good time to take stock and see where the team is.
As far as an overall impression, it’s safe to say the Ravens are in good shape. They fortified their offensive line, added some key defensive free agents, and will of course receive multiple starters back from injury.
Besides the Ravens’ health and ability, much of their success (or lack thereof) is dependent upon how their opponents do. The Bengals, Bills, and Chargers look to be their main competitors for the AFC Championship, and Kansas City is always a threat while under the direction of Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. Cleveland is the x-factor, as the Deshaun Watson situation retains an element of uncertainty.
Bottom line: Baltimore should do very well and quickly prove how last year’s 6-game losing streak to end the season was an aberration. Here’s a more in-depth look at their roster.
Quarterback
Players: Lamar Jackson, Tyler Huntley, Anthony Brown
MVP: Lamar Jackson
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: Lamar Jackson is one of the best quarterbacks in football. He has a lot to prove as he’s in a contract year and coming off an injury. As he goes, so go the Ravens. Huntley proved he’s a good backup, which give Baltimore a sense of security. Brown is an unknown, and in all honesty, is unlikely to see the field.
Grade: A
Running back
Players: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, Mike Davis, Justice Hill, Tyler Badie, Ricky Person, Nate McCrary
MVP: J.K. Dobbins
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: The quality and versatility of this group fits well with what the Ravens want to accomplish on offense: power running, pass protection, pass receiving backs. It’s a loaded group that will yield a lot of competition this summer. Dobbins is the front-runner, Edwards is close behind, and Mike Davis should compliment them both well. If the team chooses to keep a fourth, it should be between Hill and Badie, but it really is open to whoever is best on special teams. In the end, it’s a good problem for the Ravens to have.
Grade: B+
Wide receiver
Players: Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernay, James Proche, Tylan Wallace, Binjimen Victor, Jaylon Moore, Slade Bolden, Devon Williams, Makai Polk, Raleigh Webb, Shemar Bridges, Trevon Clark
MVP: Rashod Bateman
Free agent to be added: Odell Beckham, Jr.
Analysis: This wide receiver group needs help, period. Losing Marquise Brown was not ideal to say the least, as Rashod Bateman and Devin Duvernay are the only receivers with a decent amount of experience playing on offense. Adding a player like Beckham would be costly, but they need an explosive player at the position. As we saw in the most recent Super Bowl, Beckham was on his way to a huge night before he suffered an injury.
Grade: D
Tight End/Fullback
Players: Mark Andrews, Nick Boyle, Charlie Kolar, Isaiah Likely, Josh Oliver, Tony Poljan; Pat Ricard, Ben Mason
MVP: Mark Andrews; Pat Ricard
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: Besides safety, this may turn out to be the best group on the team, top to bottom, and probably the best tight end/fullback unit in the league. It’s a perfect synergy between and extension of the power running/play-action game the Ravens offense is founded on. Andrews was named a 1st team All-Pro last year and Boyle is an elite blocker. Re-signing Ricard was huge, and adding Kolar and Likely provides key depth, too.
Grade: A+
Offensive tackle
Players: Ronnie Stanley, Morgan Moses, Patrick Mekari, Daniel Faalele, Ja’Wuan James, Jaryd Jones-Smith, Aron Johnson
MVP: Ronnie Stanley
Free agent to be added: Nate Solder
Analysis: Quite frankly, I’m worried about Stanley’s long-term availability and the emphasis the team is placing on him being healthy. If he goes down again, that’ll put the Ravens in a bind. I think adding Nate Solder could really help the offensive line overall. That would provide essential depth at tackle, where on the right side the main reserve is a rookie. If healthy, this unit will be a force to be reckoned with. If not, Lamar could be put in tight spots more than usual.
Grade: C+
Interior offensive line
Players: Tyre Phillips, Tyler Linderbaum, Kevin Zeitler, Ben Powers, Ben Cleveland, Trystan Colon, Jimmy Murray
MVP: Kevin Zeitler
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: In 1,207 offensive snaps played in 2021 (the most by a guard), Kevin Zeitler allowed only one sack. He’s joined by 1st round pick Tyler Linderbaum at center and Tyre Phillips at left guard. The reserves offer good depth. I was confident in this unit before the draft, and the addition of Linderbaum has only increased my hopes for them.
Grade: B
Defensive end
Players: Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, Kahlil McKenzie
MVP: Calais Campbell
Free agent to be added: Steven Means
Analysis: This is a veteran unit, but one without much depth. Of course, Mike Macdonald can deploy an interior defensive lineman at defensive end in certain situations, but it’s no secret this unit isn’t one of the deeper units on the team. Adding a player like Steven Means could bolster the edge for Baltimore. He played one game for the Ravens in 2014, and most recently he was a Falcon, making 81 tackles in 30 games played over the last two years.
Grade: C
Defensive tackle
Players: Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Travis Jones, Broderick Washington, Isaiah Mack, Aaron Crawford, Rayshad Nichols
MVP: Justin Madubuike
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: Justin Madubuike has a good chance to make the Pro Bowl this season. Michael Pierce is solid. Travis Jones has so much potential and was drafted into the perfect situation. All the others will compete their tails off and are good enough to play on an NFL roster, though it may not be Baltimore’s. Ravens fans can expect big things, as usual, from the defensive line this season.
Grade: B+
Outside linebacker
Players: Odafe Oweh, Tyus Bowser, David Ojabo, Jaylon Ferguson, Daelin Hayes, Chuck Wiley
MVP: Odafe Oweh
Free agent to be added: Justin Houston
Analysis: Justin Houston made 4 ½ sacks and led the team with 17 quarterback pressures in 2021, despite playing only 61 percent of defensive snaps. He’s currently a free agent but really helped a Ravens pass rush that was lacking a year ago. Now, with a more refined Odafe Oweh and explosive, yet healing players like Tyus Bowser and David Ojabo, this unit can make a lot of noise in 2022. It finally looks like the Ravens pass rush is back on track toward their former prowess.
Grade: B
Inside linebacker
Players: Patrick Queen, Josh Bynes, Malik Harrison, Kristian Welch, Vince Biegel, Jeremiah Moon, Zakoby McClain, Josh Ross
MVP: Patrick Queen
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: This is the most unpredictable group on the Ravens. Queen is a very good player, and I think Harrison will have a bounce back season. As a whole, they could surprise some people, but on paper there are weaknesses. The team signed Vince Biegel on Monday, which seems like a minor signing but actually helps the team establish depth. While Baltimore still needs help at this position, I didn’t list a potential free agent as I think anyone that comes in will be too costly.
Grade: C-
Cornerback
Players: Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, Brandon Stephens, Kevon Seymour, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Ar’Darius Washington, Demarion Williams, Robert Jackson, Iman Marshall, Denzel Williams, David Vereen
MVP: Marcus Peters
Free agent to be added: Jimmy Smith
Analysis: According to ourlads.com, the Ravens have 12 cornerbacks on their roster as of Tuesday afternoon. Many of those players are unproven, which is why I listed Jimmy Smith as a free agent addition. You can’t overstate how ravaged the Ravens were at cornerback last year, even after they started the season with a deep group. The size and strength of this group is hardly matched across the league. The trick is keeping them healthy.
Grade: A-
Safety
Players: Marcus Williams, Chuck Clark, Kyle Hamilton, Geno Stone, Tony Jefferson, Chris Moore
MVP: Marcus Williams
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: Quite frankly, I don’t see a weakness in this unit. There are starters in their prime, an elite draft pick, a valuable veteran, and quality special teams players. As the quarterbacks of the defense, these guys will be charged with helping the Ravens defense wreak havoc and cause turnovers—something they failed to do well last season (15 caused turnovers in 2021, ranking 28th in the league).
Grade: A+
Special Teams
Players: Justin Tucker, Sam Koch, Nick Moore, Jordan Stout
MVP: Justin Tucker
Free agent to be added: none
Analysis: There’s no reason to belabor how historically great Justin Tucker was and still is. Sam Koch is likely on his way out, but more so for salary reasons instead of performance reasons. That said, rookie Jordan Stout looks to be ready to step in and start Week 1 if necessary.
Grade: A+
Born in Baltimore, Mike had long been drawn to sports of all kinds. Growing up watching Cal Ripken play ever day gave him a great example for which to attack every endeavor he undertakes.
When the Ravens came to town, though, that’s when Mike found his passion. Since that time, he’s tried to gain every bit of knowledge he could. Now as a high school coach, Mike is able to take his film study and appreciation of the game to a new level.
To engage with Mike on social media, follow him on Twitter @MikeFastNFL.