Baltimore Ravens: 3 Questions following the NFL draft
By Joe Schiller
The Baltimore Ravens are riding high after what was deemed a successful 2018 NFL draft. Here are five questions they are now faced with.
It was an eventful weekend for the Baltimore Ravens. Ozzie Newsome put the last stamp on his final draft class as general manager, finishing with 12 new additions to the current 90-man roster. Fans and pundits alike raved about the job done by the organization and it was an emotional moment in the draft room as Eric DeCosta took over responsibilities as the head honcho.
Grades are already being thrown around for a draft class that’s yet to step foot on the gridiron but the anticipation in Baltimore is brewing. The newest draft class brings much-needed excitement heading into an extremely important 2018 season for the Ravens. In the midst of a three-year playoff drought, they’ll look to get back to the success we’ve been accustomed to.
Here are three questions the Ravens face following the draft.
3. Will any Day 3 additions make an impact?
Only Ozzie Newsome could come into the draft with eight total picks and end up with seven alone on Day 3. Right from the beginning, the Ravens traded back and acquired pick after pick throughout the weekend. It was the quite the maneuver from Newsome and the front office, maximizing as many picks as possible to finish with a record-setting drat class. Now the question becomes, can these additions make an impact?
Related Story: NFL Draft: A look at the Ravens’ 6th round picks
We’ve seen the Ravens hit on plenty of Day 3 talent before. Players like Dennis Pitta, Ryan Jensen, Matt Judon and Kyle Juszczyk have or are putting together successful careers in Baltimore. Oddly enough, it seems like the front office is better at drafting mid-late round talent over players in the first three rounds.
This is a team that still believes they can win now. That means they expect a few of these Day 3 players to make a contribution this season one way or another and I believe it can happen. Linebacker Kenny Young is undersized but strong in pass coverage. He’ll compete for the WLB spot next to C.J. Mosley this season. Jaleel Scott and Jordan Lasley will also have the chance to make their mark for a completely revamped wide receiver core.
The additions of Anthony Averett and DeShon Elliott were absolute steals in the secondary. And while it’s not a pressing need, the two could find their way on to the field given their talent alone. Let’s also not count on Bradley Bozeman giving Matt Skura competition at center.
Plenty of darts were thrown at the board. At least one has to hit the bullseye, right?