Tag: Baltimore Ravens depth chart

Ravens not forced to grab LB early in 2020 NFL Draft

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2020 NFL Draft with LB being one of their top needs but they can find great value in later rounds too

The way defense is played in the NFL is ever-changing. As offenses begin to spread themselves out and throw the football more often, defenses are countering that by putting more defensive backs on the field. The end result is that linebackers that can play all three downs aren’t nearly as important as they were 10 years ago.

The Baltimore Ravens enter the 2020 NFL Draft with inside linebacker being one of their most pressing needs. With only L.J. Fort penciled in as a starter right now and Baltimore effectively having no depth behind him on their roster, the Ravens will need to add at least one more linebacker to their defense. However, by not necessarily needing a three-down linebacker, Baltimore is afforded a little flexibility with how they attack the draft this year.

“I think when we look at the board, there’s obviously guys who can do all three things – play the run, cover and blitz,” director of college scouting Joe Hortiz said at the Ravens’ pre-draft press conference. “But I think when we look at the guys throughout the draft, there are players that can help us in specific roles. There are guys in the mid-rounds that can come in and cover, maybe play the run.”

If the Ravens want to find that all-around player, they’ll likely have opportunities to do so in the first round. LSU’s Patrick Queen, Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray and even Wisconsin’s Zack Baun have all been frequently mocked to Baltimore with their 28th overall pick. While each player offers a slightly different flavor, all three can do everything well enough to warrant being taken that early.

But on the flip side, the Ravens could look for role players in later rounds if they wish. Guys like Oregon’s Troy Dye and Ohio State’s Malik Harrison fit two different styles of play — one better at coming down in run defense with the other better in coverage. Or they can look for a developmental prospect that does both reasonably well in Mississippi State’s Willie Gay Jr. while finding additional help in free agency to round out the group.

The Ravens have loved going into the draft with as much flexibility as possible. By not having to necessarily chase any needs, Baltimore has been able to find star players like cornerback Marlon Humphrey and outside linebacker Matthew Judon by simply letting their draft board come to them. In the 2020 NFL Draft, things aren’t any different and with nine picks — including seven in the first 134 picks — the Ravens should be able to find immediate contributors at a number of positions of need.

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Early Ravens starting lineup projection after the start of free agency

After the first wave of free agency but before the 2020 NFL Draft, here’s who should be in as the starting Baltimore Ravens depth chart.

With the first wave of free agency nearly finished, the 2020 NFL Draft is next up on the list. While every team is hoping they find Hall of Fame talent and fill important needs to push them closer to a Super Bowl, the Baltimore Ravens’ starting lineup is nearly all figured out already.

Baltimore re-signed most of their own free agents, including a few before the 2019 season was even finished. The Ravens return 10 of their offensive starters after right guard Marshal Yanda’s retirement. With the additions of Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe this offseason, Baltimore’s defense has 10 starters at least penciled in already.

With just two starting jobs still up in the air, all eyes will be on those positions during the 2020 NFL Draft and the second wave of free agency. But right now, let’s see how the Ravens’ starting depth chart looks:

Ravens starting lineup – Offense

Position Player
QB Lamar Jackson
FB Patrick Ricard
RB Mark Ingram III
WR Marquise Brown
TE Mark Andrews
LT Ronnie Stanley
LG Bradley Bozeman
C Matt Skura
RG Ben Powers
RT Orlando Brown Jr.
WR Willie Snead

Right guard remains a bit of a mystery following Yanda’s retirement. While Baltimore has continued to build depth among their interior offensive line through the draft in recent years, there’s no guaranteed starter on the roster right now.

It seems likely the Ravens are going to create a competition for the starting right guard job, much like they did last season at left guard. That means Powers will battle with the likes of R.J. Prince, Will Holden and potentially Patrick Mekari this offseason. It’s also a prime position of need Baltimore could look to shore up in the 2020 NFL Draft as well, either finding a definitive starter there or at least another entrant into the competition.

While I have Skura as the starter at center, that will depend a lot on his health. After tearing multiple ligaments and dislocating his knee last season, his timeline for a return isn’t clear yet. However, Mekari stepping in admirably for Skura last season and the starting job would seem to be his if Skura isn’t able to go.

There could also be a competition for the wide receiver spot opposite Brown. Though naming a starter is a bit of a fallacy since offenses swap their wide receivers out so much depending on what packages they want to run, earning a “starting” job there really means getting more snaps. Since Snead is still the most experienced wide receiver on the Ravens’ roster, the job is going to be his until someone else takes it from him. But look for Miles Boykin in his second year to take a step up and challenge Snead for the right to be called a starter.

Click on the next page to see the defensive starting lineup for the Ravens.

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What the Derek Wolfe signing means for Ravens’ defensive line

Derek Wolfe will make a serious impact on the Ravens’ roster if he can stay healthy. He’ll help the run defense and pressure the QB

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After their deal with defensive tackle Michael Brockers fell through, the Baltimore Ravens had a hole on their defensive line to fill. It wasn’t an ideal situation, as the team saw their targets go off the market one by one while the Brockers deal was still in place. However, general manager Eric DeCosta and the Ravens made the best out of an unusual situation and still were able to add a playmaker to their defensive line.

Baltimore agreed to a one year, $3 million deal with former Denver Broncos defensive tackle Derek Wolfe that can be worth up to $6 million with earned incentives. It’s a bargain deal for the Ravens, as Wolfe has been a solid contributor on defense ever since coming into the league in 2012. Over the course of his career, Wolfe has accumulated 299 tackles and 33 sacks while also being a top player against the run. His addition means a few things for the Baltimore defense.

First off, Wolfe is extremely versatile. He can play both defensive tackle and defensive end, which will allow Ravens defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale to move him around the defensive line, especially in third-down situations. Baltimore also doesn’t need Wolfe to be an every-down player, which should increase his productivity and efficiency.

The fact Wolfe can play defensive tackle also allows Brandon Williams to move back inside to nose tackle. Last season, Baltimore had Williams playing out of position while former Raven Michael Pierce occupied the nose tackle position so both could be on the field at the same time. With Williams back at his natural spot, he could see an uptick in production playing next to other new Ravens Calais Campbell and Wolfe.

The addition of Wolfe also means Baltimore will certainly be generating more pressure and getting to the quarterback more often from the inside. The Ravens’ new defensive line of Campbell, Wolfe and Williams accounted for a total of 14.5 sacks and 55 pressures last season compared to the paltry total of 3 sacks and 17 pressures from Williams, Chris Wormley and Pierce.

The Ravens had a goal and that was to improve their run defense while also being able to get to the quarterback without having to blitz as often. With their secondary being one of the best (if not the best) in the NFL, a good pass rush can be deadly to opposing offenses. Campbell has already caught onto that.

The addition of Wolfe will be a welcome one in Baltimore. Despite losing a big body in Pierce, they’ve packed on the weight and height this offseason with their additions. The Ravens gained Campbell who is 6-foot-8 and 300 pounds and also brought back Justin Ellis who is a massive 350 pounds. That isn’t even mentioning Williams, who himself is 336 pounds. Add in Wolfe who’s 285 pounds and Baltimore has one of the biggest defensive lines in the NFL.

The Ravens didn’t have a great year defending the run in 2019. Despite ranking fifth in the league by giving up 93.4 yards per game on the ground, the team gave up 4.4 yards per carry, which was tied for 20th in the NFL. Wolfe gives them a consistent run stopper who fights hard and wins at the point of attack. According to PFF, Wolfe’s been stout against the run throughout his career and especially when lining up inside.

The Ravens knew they had to act fast once the deal with Brockers fell through. There weren’t a lot of options remaining on the market and they needed a replacement if they were to salvage their early 2020 free agency period. They did just that, as they added a key piece on an affordable contract who does just about everything Brockers does. As Brockers’ name fade from Baltimore’s memories, Wolfe should make a lasting impact.

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Instant analysis of Derek Wolfe signing with Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens are set to sign defensive lineman Derek Wolfe. But what does he bring to the team that should get people excited?

A day after a failed deal between the Baltimore Ravens and defensive tackle Michael Brockers, the Ravens found their replacement. Baltimore is set to sign defensive lineman Derek Wolfe to a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. What had been panic from quite a lot of Ravens fans turned into Baltimore being calm, cool and collected to find a player that might actually be a better bargain when everything is said and done.

The Ravens’ deal with Wolfe should be viewed as a “prove-it” contract. At 30 years old, a one-year deal allows Wolfe to prove his worth this season and perhaps earn another Super Bowl ring before getting back on the free-agent market. If Wolfe plays well in Baltimore and stays healthy, he has a shot to earn one last large contract next offseason. And with top defensive lineman earning contracts paying above $10 million per year this offseason, that’s a bet Wolfe and the Ravens are eager to make.

However, that excitement comes with a caveat and is likely the reason Wolfe remained unsigned thus far. Wolfe has struggled to stay healthy, missing 15 games over the last five seasons alone. Over his eight-year career, Wolfe has managed to play a full 16-game season just three times. But when on the field, Wolfe is a stout run defender that offers upside as a pass rusher.

Just last season, in 12 games before going on injured reserve, Wolfe accounted for seven sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 18 pressures. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranked 25th in pass-rush grade in 2019 with a 68.5 overall grade.

Wolfe also brings flexibility to the Ravens’ defense. He’s capable of playing at defensive end or bouncing inside as a defensive tackle. Being able to line up all over the defensive line, when combined with the productivity and flexibility of Brandon Williams and Calais Campbell, should give defensive coordinator Don Martindale plenty of different looks he can give opposing quarterbacks. Considering Martindale blitzed the most of any team in the NFL by a wide margin last season, that added flexibility often means havoc for opponents and ultimately more pressure and sacks.

However, what the Ravens are going to ask Wolfe to do primarily is stop the run. That just so happens to be what Wolfe does best from the inside. According to Pro Football Focus, Wolfe’s lowest grade as an interior defensive lineman was 82.9 (19th at the position) in 2016 while his highest was 87.7 (sixth at the position) in 2015.

While there should be no doubt Wolfe isn’t Baltimore’s first option considering they had agreed to terms with Brockers and showed interest in Ndamukong Suh, he’s a great option that still makes the Ravens’ defense better. But everything seems to be riding on how healthy Wolfe can stay this season and if he can live up to last year’s production as a pass rusher. If so, Wolfe might end up being a better bargain than Brockers.

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How Jimmy Smith signing affects Ravens’ depth chart

Where does recently re-signed cornerback Jimmy Smith fit on a Ravens’ roster and depth chart that has Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters?

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The Baltimore Ravens got the guy they’ve said they wanted to re-sign all offseason, adding cornerback Jimmy Smith back to the team on a one-year deal. But you wouldn’t be alone if you’re scratching your head on just how he fits into a lineup that features two All-Pro cornerbacks in Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters.

Where I think Smith factors into the Ravens’ 2020 plans best is as insurance. Oh, he’ll get plenty of playing time this upcoming season but he provides Baltimore insurance in a couple of ways that will prove invaluable as they hunt for their third Super Bowl.

The most obvious is insurance against injury to Peters or Humphrey. Smith is still a starting-caliber cornerback capable of doing whatever the Ravens ask of him. He might not be in his prime any longer and I’d question how well he could handle the league’s top receivers one-on-one for an entire season but Baltimore could do much worse than Smith as a depth piece. If either Humphrey or Peters was to miss a few games and Smith had to start in their place, the Ravens wouldn’t be at a huge disadvantage. Given the Ravens’ injury issues at cornerback over the last five years, having this type of insurance can be the difference in making the playoffs or not.

Smith is also insurance for Baltimore’s young cornerbacks. Both Anthony Averett and Iman Marshall are guys the Ravens like and both have plenty of upside. But with Smith now on the depth chart, Baltimore can take their development a little slower and won’t feel the need to shove them on the field as often. That will ultimately pay off for both players as they can continue to learn and grow without having their confidence killed by being thrown into the fire too early.

If Averett, Marshall or a 2020 NFL Draft pick ends up supplanting Smith this season, that’s probably a good sign actually. It likely means they’ve taken a leap forward in their play and can be another long-term answer for the team.

As I noted earlier, Smith will still get plenty of playing time this season. In today’s pass-happy league, defenses are regularly putting more than five defensive backs on the field at a time. With the AFC North alone having serious weapons like Odell Beckham Jr., Jarvis Landry, Eric Ebron, and A.J. Green to contend with already (much less any draft picks that’ll be selected this year), having another solid cornerback to lean on and create more favorable matchups is imperative. As we saw last season, a solid secondary can also make up for a less than stellar pass rush and if the Ravens can get better on that front this offseason as well, they’ll definitely have one of the best defenses in the league.

The additional plus to re-signing Smith is that, while he’ll get plenty of playing time, he won’t have to play every down of every game. Having him in a slightly reduced role will hopefully help keep him healthy for the entire season, which has been Smith’s biggest issue since being drafted in 2011. He’s played a full 16-game season just twice in his nine-year career and has missed 20 games over the last four seasons. If Smith can remain healthy throughout the entire season, Baltimore’s secondary looks to be the best in the league and could be the thing that propels them to another Super Bowl.

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How Hayden Hurst trade affects Ravens’ depth chart at TE

The Baltimore Ravens were stacked at tight end but the trade of Hayden Hurst means they’ll need to find some more depth this offseason.

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The Baltimore Ravens reached a deal to trade tight end Hayden Hurst to the Atlanta Falcons. In exchange for Hurst and a fourth-round pick, Baltimore will get a second- and a fifth-round pick.

The deal makes some sense for both the Ravens and Falcons. Baltimore gets an additional second-round pick in a 2020 NFL Draft that is very deep at some positions of need. Atlanta replaces their top tight end, who looks set to head to the Cleveland Browns this offseason. But what does it ultimately mean for the Ravens’ depth chart at tight end?

That’s a little more complicated, but let’s take a look at where things stand as of when the trade becomes official at the start of the league year.

Baltimore Ravens TE depth chart:

No. 1 Mark Andrews
No. 2 Nick Boyle
No. 3 Charles Scarff

There should be little question Andrews is at the top of this list. He was Baltimore’s best receiving option last season, catching 64 passes for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns — all highs for the Ravens in 2019. As he enters his third season in the NFL, Andrews is expected to continue developing and could be even better next year.

Behind Andrews is Boyle, one of the league’s best blocking tight ends. But don’t be fooled into thinking Boyle is nothing more than a glorified extra tackle. His 31 receptions last season were one more than Hurst had and his 321 receiving yards were 28 yards behind Hurst’s production. When given a chance in the receiving game, Boyle has shown he’s an underrated option.

Behind Boyle is Scarff, who signed a futures contract this offseason after sitting on the practice squad last season.

Hurst played 41% of the offense’s snaps, both as a blocker and receiving option. The Ravens will need to find a way to fill Hurst’s production on both fronts and could do so in a number of ways.

The best option would simply be to increase the playing time for Andrews, who only played in 41% of the offensive snaps last season. He could easily be on track for more playing time next season, especially if he can stay healthy. However, Andrews isn’t exactly a great blocker and with Boyle already at a whopping 70% of the offensive snaps last season, Baltimore would be in a bit of a bind there if the season started right now. They’d either have to ask him to play even more, bring in an offensive lineman on some plays as an extra blocker or hand Scarff a spot on the 53-man roster.

Regardless of what happens, the Ravens are going to need to find some more depth. Tight end is perhaps one of the most important offensive positions on Baltimore’s roster given they affect the rushing and passing attacks so much. If either Boyle or Andrews was to miss extended time, it would seriously hurt the Ravens’ offense in one way or another. Luckily, Baltimore doesn’t have to find a tight end that can do both jobs really well, which would prove tricky this offseason with both free agency and the 2020 NFL Draft being thin at the position.

I’d look for the Ravens to be flexible in both the draft and free agency to find that depth, which would mean not having to drop a lot of money or early-round picks. If they can find a solid blocking tight end, they could use Boyle in more of a dual role. If they find a better receiving tight end, they could push Boyle into being more of a blocker as his primary role.

It’s going to be tough to really replace Hurst considering how valuable a solid blocking and receiving tight end can be. But it’s not the end of the world either considering the varied depth Baltimore has here. Considering what they got in return and what that could mean for the roster overall, losing a little of their depth at tight end seems like a good deal.

Ravens sign 9 players to reserve/futures deals

The Baltimore Ravens signed nine players, including offseason standouts WR Sean Modster and CB Terrell Bonds to reserve/futures deals.

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The Baltimore Ravens are getting an early start on their offseason checklist. Just two days after losing to the Tennessee Titans and being knocked out of the playoffs, the Ravens signed nine players to reserve/futures contracts.

Player Position
Aaron Adeoye LB
Terrell Bonds CB
Will Holden G
Ufomba Kamalu DE
Sean Modster WR
Michael Onuoha DE
R.J. Prince T
Charles Scarff TE
Antoine Wesley WR

All nine had been on Baltimore’s practice squad at the end of the season. The only practice squad players not on injured reserve that haven’t gotten contracts yet are fullback Christopher Ezeala, and running backs Byron Marshall and Paul Perkins.

Fans might remember cornerback Terrell Bonds and wide receiver Sean Modster, who had big performances during the Ravens’ OTAs and training camp. Other players were great additional depth on top of Baltimore’s full roster, keeping them in the wings until if they were needed.

A reserve/futures contract allows teams to hold on to a player they like but isn’t ready to make an impact yet. They don’t count against the 90-man limit or the team’s salary cap while ensuring another team can’t poach them. In order to be eligible for this type of contract, the player must not have been on an active roster at the end of the previous regular season.

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