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3 things that could hold the 2017 Baltimore Ravens back

By Chris Schisler

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 5: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens gets sacked by Bjoern Werner #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Ravens 20-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 5: Joe Flacco #5 of the Baltimore Ravens gets sacked by Bjoern Werner #92 of the Indianapolis Colts in the fourth quarter of the game at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 5, 2014 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Colts defeated the Ravens 20-13. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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2. Leaning too much on unproven players:

The Baltimore Ravens are pretty excited about Jeremy Maclin coming to town. They absolutely should be. Maclin is a proven winner at the wide receiver position but he needs help. Without production from other players, Maclin will receive too much attention from the opponent every quarter of every game. The Ravens are hoping on Breshad Perriman to step up and be a star. I actually think we’re going to see that happen, but he only has 33 receptions in his NFL career.

Complete Analysis : A look at the Ravens 2017 NFL Draft Class

If Perriman isn’t going to have the season the Ravens are expecting, it will look like 2013. In 2013 the Ravens had a bad offensive line and Torrey Smith was their one and only trusted target. Smith all but vanished too often, but the pressure was solely on him. It could happen to Maclin too. The Ravens are asking a lot of unproven players all over their roster. It’s not just on the offense. The 2017 NFL Draft class, which consists of mostly defensive players will be asked to make things happen.

At the defensive end positions the Ravens have nothing but young players to choose from. Brent Urban, Bronson Kaufusi, Chris Wormley and Carl Davis are all relatively fresh off the NFL Draft boat. Terrell Suggs is the lone veteran in the outside linebacker group. Matt Judon and Za’Darius Smith are entering their second season while Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser are rookies. The Ravens are going to ask a lot from their least proven players. They better prove themselves worthy of the task, or the Ravens could be in for a rough season.

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