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2015 Baltimore Ravens Depth Chart Projections: Tight End

By Brett Foote

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Jan 1, 2015; Orlando, FL, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Maxx Williams (88) celebrates his touchdown during the second half in the 2015 Citrus Bowl against the Missouri Tigers at Florida Citrus Bowl. Missouri wins 33-17 over Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

If it feels like you were duped into believing that the Dennis Pitta was going to return, full strength, in 2015, you aren’t the only one.  Prior to the draft, we got nothing more than sunshine and roses in regards to Pitta’s status as he was spotted working out at the team’s facilities.  There was a litter glimmer of hope, at the very least, that Pitta would serve a major role in 2015.

But it became quite obvious after the conclusion of the draft that the Ravens aren’t very optimistic at all. After letting Owen Daniels walk in free agency, the team went all in by drafting not one, but two tight ends – Maxx Williams in the second round, and Nick Boyle in the fifth.  This, only one year after spending a third round pick on Crockett Gillmore and two weeks after resigning Phillip Supernaw.

Suddenly, a position of worry has become a crowded group of youngsters.  Since actions speak louder than words, we can quickly assume from these moves that the Ravens have little faith in the recovery of Dennis Pitta, or they at least don’t want to get caught short handed in case he can’t return.  But we can state with the uptmost confidence that the team won’t carry five tight ends on the final roster in 2015.

So what will the 2015 Baltimore Ravens depth chart look like at the tight end position once we work our way through the offseason?  I will go out on a limb and assume that Dennis Pitta won’t be able to play this season, or at the least that he will be placed on PUP and miss the first seven games.  At this point, that seems like a safe assumption.

The Ravens didn’t trade up and use a second round pick on Maxx Williams so that he could toil behind Crockett Gillmore, who was used sparingly last season.  I expect Williams, a superior pass catching talent, to start the offseason behind Gillmore but eventually pass him.  I also expect one of Phillip Supernaw and Nick Boyle to land on the practice squad.  Most likely Supernaw, who has spent plenty of time there already.

So our 2015 Baltimore Ravens depth chart projection will look something like this:

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1. Maxx Williams

2. Crockett Gillmore

3. Nick Boyle

I’d call this a pretty safe bet, as the Ravens don’t like to carry more than three tight ends on the active roster.  They seem to like Supernaw, but not enough to keep him around unless injuries strike.  The Ravens could alternatively place Boyle on the practice squad, but I think this is a more likely scenario given his draft status.

The Ravens have historically given their draft picks time to develop rather than cutting them prematurely as many teams do.  I expect them to give Williams a clear path to the starting job as he has the highest ceiling, but they will also give Gillmore and Boyle every chance to succeed.

Regardless, the Ravens did a great job of turning a position of weakness into a position of strength. They have good, quality, young depth with a ton of upside.  Even if one of these guys fails to develop as expected, it won’t hold back their offense in 2015.  And that’s a win-win in my book.

Next: Can Maxx Williams Have an Instant Impact?

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