Ozzie Newsome has kept his offseason promise
By Joe Schiller
General manager Ozzie Newsome wasn’t kidding when he wanted to revamp the wide receiver core this offseason.
The wide receiver position was undoubtedly the biggest question mark for the Baltimore Ravens coming into the 2018 offseason. After watching the offense average a frustrating 189.4 passing yards per game, it became clear rather quickly that something needed to change.
At the NFL combine earlier this month, general manager Ozzie Newsome stood at the podium and took questions from reporters. When asked about wide receiver, Newsome said, “we’re looking for the opportunity to change that room in terms of personnel and the people that’s in that room…We’re going to leave no stones unturned.
Leave no stones unturned. During his curtain call as the face of the front office, Newsome seems to be doing just that.
It hasn’t come by the way of adding Jarvis Landry or Allen Robinson but the Ravens are slowly but surely revamping the wide receiver depth chart. A position that’s been a question mark in recent years will have a completely different make heading into next season.
Here’s what the Ravens have done up to this point in the offseason.
Who’s in:
Who’s out:
Current depth chart:
Michael Crabtree
John Brown
Tim White
Add in the likelihood that free agent Michael Campanaro doesn’t return and that’s three of the five receivers who made 2017’s 53-man roster out the door. That number could grow even bigger with Breshad Perriman’s future still looming.
The Ravens aren’t done with the rebuilding project. They’ve still been active in free agency, recently hosting Cameron Meredith and Willie Snead for visits. Both restricted free agents can return to their original teams if offer sheets are matched but the Ravens’ interest nonetheless is intriguing. The draft provides the best opportunity to add promising talent with the likes of Calvin Ridley, D.J. Moore, Courtland Sutton, among others.
Next: Ravens free agent pursuits: Breaking down remaining WR targets
There’s still work to be done but Ozzie has fulfilled on his promise and that’s good news for the Ravens moving forward.