Baltimore Ravens: 3 players poised for big sophomore seasons

These three players will look to make the jump from their rookie seasons to a successful sophomore stint with the Baltimore Ravens

While the dreaded “sophomore slump” is one of the main negative connotations that follow players into their second season, plenty defy it every year. The Baltimore Ravens have yet to fully reap the benefits of their 2017 draft class and these three players will look to take the next step in year two.

Patrick Ricard

Ricard was one of the undrafted rookies who made the 53-man roster last season. A defensive tackle coming out of Maine, Ricard made the position change to fullback and became a key piece of the offense. He acted as one of the lead blockers, paving the way for Alex Collin’s breakout season.

The Ravens are one of the few teams that utilize fullbacks in their offensive scheme. Losing Kyle Juszczyk in free agency was due to financial reasons and Ricard has been an efficient substitute. He’s shown versatility to play on both sides of the ball and has found a home in the backfield.

Ricard even showed off his pass-catching skills, finding the end zone in back-to-back weeks late in the season. Having another target out of the backfield only makes the Ravens more dangerous as an offense.

With the run game continuing to be an offensive focal point this season, Ricard should be heavily relied upon in a full-time role at fullback. His contributions won’t primarily show up in the box score but they will be reflective of the success of the ball carriers.