With a strong start to the offseason, the Baltimore Ravens clearly have a plan for the 2017 season.
The Baltimore Ravens have made moves this offseason. They strengthened an already stingy defense with the signings of Brandon Carr and Tony Jefferson. Keeping Brandon Williams is a big deal, and Danny Woodhead adds another element to a wanting offense. These are moves that are all part of a plan. Free Agency allowed the Ravens to boost the defense, so the offense should be the priority in the NFL Draft.
The Ravens will probably go into the draft with two missions. First they need a play-maker at the wide receiver position. I’m a big fan of the three best receivers in the draft, including John Ross. The Ravens have a real possibility of adding a game changing receiver in the first round, and that has to be their goal.
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The offensive line is the second mission. A pass rusher is also something they can focus on, but the offense is the clear focus. They have a ton of needs on the offense, and that’s what they haven’t addressed. It’s a no-brainer.
The Ravens also have experience building good teams. Ozzie Newsome has constructed every one of the ten playoff teams in Ravens history. Newsome has had bad drafts, but he hits on more picks than he misses.
The 2016 Draft was a resurgent one for Newsome. He found the left tackle of the future in the first round. Alex Lewis and Tavon Young are poised to be key pieces of the future. Bronson Kaufusi and Kamalei Correa still have a chance to show why they were brought to the purple and black.
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The Ravens have thought this out. Newsome, Eric DeCosta and John Harbaugh have made a blue print for the Ravens to get back to the playoffs. One more time, the Ravens faithful must trust “The Oz.” There have been ups and downs, but the Ravens have been one of the most consistent franchise in the past 20 seasons. There is plenty of reason to believe before a very big NFL Draft for the purple and black.