2015 Baltimore Ravens OTAs: Five Things to Watch For

Brett Foote

Jun 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Steve Smith, Sr. (89) talks with head coach John Harbaugh (right) during minicamp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Our long (well not really) void in NFL action following the draft is finally coming to a close. With the Baltimore Ravens (and other teams that don’t really matter) gearing up for the first round of organized team activities, there will be a lot of important developments taking place in the summer heat.

OTAs are a much different animal than rookie minicamp, when incoming youngsters simply get a feel for their new lives as NFL professionals. Those with poor conditioning will struggle, and issues with technique problems will be exposed as they work next to the established veterans.

For the veterans, this is a time to shake off rust and compete with those rising rookies, with a few exceptions. Some will be fighting for their jobs (and possibly their careers), while others will be trying to settle in at particular position.

With that in mind, there are at least five intriguing story lines to watch in the Ravens’ OTA sessions. We’ve highlighted them on the next few pages, with a few predictions thrown in for good measure. Be sure and let us know what you will be looking for in the comments below.

Next: Where will Za'Darius Smith line up?

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What position will Za’Darius Smith play?

Figuring out what position fourth round draft choice Za’Darius Smith will play might be the biggest question mark of the offseason for the Ravens. A hybrid 3-4/4-3 defensive end at Kentucky, Smith could push veteran Chris Canty for snaps at defensive end, or he could be worked in as a situational pass rushing outside linebacker.

Opinions on where Smith will ultimately line up are as varied as it gets. ESPN’s Jamison Hensley expects him to take over Pernell McPhee’s old role, noting that the Ravens like his upside as a pass rusher. The Ravens also reportedly feel that Smith is further along in his development than McPhee was as a rising rookie.

The problem is Smith’s limited athleticism and speed. He ran a mediocre 4.83 40 at the NFL Combine, recording a similarly blah 29 inch vertical and 9’5″ broad jump. Smith had limited success as a pass rusher in college, tallying 10.5 sacks over the last two seasons. He does project to be a sufficient two down run defender in the NFL.

The Ravens seem intent on giving Smith a shot at a pass rushing role, at least for now, as John Harbaugh’s recent comments indicate.

"“The physicality, the heavy hands, the high motor. He’s got pass-rush ability – even maybe more than we saw from Pernell coming out – he’s got hips and gets around blocks. If he develops like Pernell, we’re really going to have something. He’s a great young man. He’s a very hard worker and he plays really hard, so those were all characteristics Pernell had as well.”"

I’m skeptical that Smith can make an impact as a pass rusher this coming season, but stranger things have happened. One thing’s for sure – if he’s ultimately going to wind up playing end, he will need to add some weight. Smith is a bit undersized at 274 pounds.

Next: How quickly can Breshad Perriman develop?

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Nov 14, 2014; Orlando, FL, USA; UCF Knights wide receiver Breshad Perriman (11) catches a 25-yard touchdown pass as the Knights beat the Tulsa Golden Hurricane 31-7 at Bright House Networks Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

How quickly will Breshad Perriman develop?

The Ravens are not a rebuilding team, despite going through a good bit of turnover this offseason. No, they are a team ready to compete for a Super Bowl once again. After coming up just a bit short last season, you can bet that the Ravens are chomping at the bit to get back to the big game.

If they are going to get there, they will likely need first round draft choice Breshad Perriman to develop pretty quickly. Perriman is dripping with intriguing talent and athleticism, but lacks a bit of polish. If he can follow in the footsteps of some of last year’s first round receivers and adapt quickly to a pro style offense, the sky’s the limit for this team.

Namely, Perriman must show more consistent hands and learn a full route tree. Perriman dropped eight passes last season at Central Florida, but only suffered one in three sessions of rookie minicamp. If he can continue that trend while settling in as the Ravens’ number one or number two, every down receiver, this is going to be a dangerous offense once again.

All in all, the preliminary reports on Perriman have been glowing, from Joe Flacco and those in attendance at minicamp alike. It will be very interesting to see if he can keep it up through OTAs and the preseason.

Next: Who will start at tight end?

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Nov 8, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers tight end Maxx Williams (88) runs in for a touchdown after making a catch in the second half against the Iowa Hawkeyes at TCF Bank Stadium. The Gophers won 51-14. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Who will seize the starting tight end job?

We’re probably not going to get any concrete answers regarding Dennis Pitta’s future until later in the summer or even fall, but we will find out just how ready second round pick Maxx Williams is to seize his big opportunity. Loaded with upside as a pass catcher, Williams will be competing with Crockett Gillmore for snaps.

Whoever wins this battle will likely see lots of targets on offense, as we all know Joe Flacco loves his tight ends. Williams has more talent and upside than Gillmore, and a loftier draft status coming into OTAs. The Ravens are obviously going to give him the benefit of the doubt, but that doesn’t mean that Gillmore won’t put up a fight.

A lot hinges on how much Gillmore, last year’s third round pick, develops. He was somewhat a disappointment last season as he failed to carve out much of a role despite only having a slow and aging Owen Daniels ahead of him on the depth chart. It’s also likely a big part of the reason the Ravens spent a second rounder on Williams.

Not only that, but Gillmore also has to worry about fifth rounder Nick Boyle stealing snaps. Boyle was reportedly very impressive in rookie minicamp. Despite possessing limited pass catching ability, Boyle is proven as a blocker.

When the dust settles, expect Maxx Williams to be the starter, with Gillmore also seeing the field as the Ravens employ two tight end sets. Boyle figures to slot in at #3. With any luck, all will flash this offseason and give the Ravens a young, dynamic presence at tight end for years to come.

Next: What running back will seize the number two spot?

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Dec 27, 2014; San Diego, CA, USA; Southern California Trojans tailback Javorius Allen (37) is pursued by Nebraska Cornhuskers linebacker Austin Williams (24) on a 44-yard touchdown run in the third quarter in the 2014 Holiday Bowl at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

What running back will backup Justin Forsett?

The Ravens entered last season playing a little running back roulette. Everyone assumed that Bernard Pierce would take over following Ray Rice’s suspension, but he fell flat. Justin Forsett, a free agent scrap heap pickup, amazingly seized the job and literally ran away with it, earning a Pro Bowl nod in the process.

Fourth round pick Lorenzo Taliaferro and even practice squad regular Fitzgerald Toussaint picked up the scraps, but neither showed much in limited duty. Both return this year to once again battle for snaps, joined by 2015 fourth rounder Javorius Allen. So who will step up behind Forsett in a change of pace role?

The smart money is on Javorius Allen at this point. Both he and Taliaferro had wildly productive senior seasons in college, but Taliaferro’s small school background was exposed a little last season. Allen is more of a complete back, both as a pass catcher and blocker. Those are the attributes that lead to early NFL career playing time for running backs.

The Ravens also need someone to emerge as the running back of the future. With Forsett teetering ever so closely to the age of 30+ (which generally signals the end for running backs), the hope is that one of the youngsters can step up and grab the job.

Next: Will two unknown commodities make an impact?

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Oct 5, 2013; Charlottesville, VA, USA; Ball State Cardinals running back Jahwan Edwards (32) runs with the ball as Virginia Cavaliers defensive tackle David Dean (55) and Cavaliers defensive tackle Brent Urban (99) defend in the first quarter at Scott Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Will Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore make an impact in 2015?

The Ravens have two unknown commodities at defensive end in recent draft choices Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore. Lewis-Moore is coming off of a torn Achilles tendon suffered in last year’s training camp, while Urban tore his ACL, also in training camp. Both are 100% headed into OTAs and ready to prove themselves.

Lewis-Moore had a great rookie camp and training camp last offseason before the injury occurred, an extremely frustrating injury considering he also tore his ACL at Notre Dame in 2013. Likewise, Urban’s ACL injury is the second of his career, though each was on a different knee. And like Lewis-Moore, Urban flashed in camp last offseason prior to the injury.

With little depth chart climbing to do thanks to the Ravens largely ignoring the defensive end position this offseason, both youngsters have a golden opportunity to earn snaps. Only an aging Chris Canty and unproven commodities stand in their way.

The Ravens have made it clear that they are counting on their young ends to make an impact in 2015, and John Harbaugh’s recent comments seem to indicate that he is confident they will.

"“It’s really important that Brent Urban and Kapron Lewis-Moore come on,” Harbaugh noted. “Brent looks like he’s 100 percent. Kap looks like he’s really close to 100 percent. I think those guys will be full-go in the OTAs.” “The young D-linemen obviously are going to be huge for us. We’ve gotten younger there really quickly. There’s going to be some major competition on the defensive line.”"

Next: Ravens receive positive grade for offseason work

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Brett Foote