The Baltimore Ravens have several holes on their roster after their slow start to the 2023 offseason, and with the NFL draft fast approaching, it seems that the team will opt to add younger talent rather than take their chances on veteran free agents.
One advantage that Baltimore has is the familiarity that their new offensive coordinator Todd Monken will bring the Ravens after previously coaching at the University of Georgia. Given that several of the class’ best prospects played their college ball in Athens, Baltimore’s director of player personnel Joe Hortiz told reporters in a pre-draft press conference that he feels the team has a distinct advantage.
“Yes, we certainly do. We know the Georgia players with [offensive coordinator] Todd [Monken]. But we’re still going through that process, and we’ll have medical meetings, and then we’ll talk it over with the coaching staff. [Scouting information & research manager] Steve Clagett does a great job with all our background investigations and research. So, we kind of talk through it. We don’t eliminate anyone based on a quote-unquote grade; it’s a discussion and a conversation that we talk through with the coaching staff during the meetings.”
While he went out of his way to make it clear that other departments will have a significant impact on the team’s evaluations of prospects, Hortiz’s comments about Monken’s presence shouldn’t be taken lightly. The newly-minted offensive coordinator has been around the game for a long time, especially at the collegiate level, and should prove to be invaluable to Baltimore as the Ravens look to re-tool for a comeback 2023 season.
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