Ebony Bird
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Ravens: Still the best team in the AFC North?

By Brett Foote

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May 28, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass during training camp at the Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Ravens

Re-signed: Justin Forsett (RB), Chris Canty (DE)

Free agency additions: Kendrick Lewis (S), Kyle Arrington (CB)

Free agency losses: Torrey Smith (WR), Haloti Ngata (DT, traded), Pernell McPhee (LB), Owen Daniels (TE), Tyrod Taylor (QB), Darian Stewart (S), Jacoby Jones (WR)

Draft picks: 1-Breshad Perriman (WR), 2-Maxx Williams (TE), 3-Carl Davis (DT), 4-Za’Darius Smith (LB), 4-Javorius Allen (RB), 4-Tray Walker (CB), 5-Nick Boyle (TE), 5-Robert Myers (G), 6-Darren Waller (WR)

The Ravens, as always, lost a ton of talent via free agency.  While many might consider this a death knell, true Ravens fans understand this is an annual necessity for a team that drafts well and is fantastic at unearthing talent in undrafted players and bottom level free agents as well.

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So we generally give Ozzie Newsome and company an offseason pass, no matter how painful the purge is.  And this year, one could argue that the team has actually gotten better.  If new offensive coordinator Marc Trestman can continue the good things Gary Kubiak started last season, this team can easily threaten for another title.

But have they lost their crown as the best in the North?  I don’t think so, and don’t call it a homer pick. The Ravens didn’t miss a beat when Haloti Ngata missed four games last season.  They arguably upgraded on the cheap by replacing Torrey Smith with Breshad Perriman.  They have a bevy of pass rushers to fill the void left by Pernell McPhee.

The Ravens also retain their entire starting offensive line from 2014, and they have a vastly improved secondary that is a sure bet to be healthier than they were last year.  Combine that with the fact that no other AFC North team did much to upgrade on paper, and the Ravens appear to be keeping their crown heading into the 2015 season.

Next: 5 best Ravens offseason moves

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