3 things the 2019 NFL Draft taught us about the Baltimore Ravens offense
3. The play-making positions won’t be ignored anymore:
Ozzie Newsome drafted very few receivers in the first three rounds as the general manager of the Baltimore Ravens. Eric DeCosta drafted two in his first year as general manager. Counting the draft picks and free agents, the Ravens have brought in a decent amount of play-makers. The wide receiver position is fresh and exciting. The running back position is stocked with Mark Ingram, Justice Hill, Gus Edwards and Kenneth Dixon. There is more to work with than there has been in the recent past.
One of the most common complaints is that the Ravens are giving Jackson the help that they didn’t give to Flacco. This complaint is missing the point. While helping Jackson is important to the Ravens, it’s really more about the differences of DeCosta and Newsome. Newsome was either disinterested in drafting wide receivers or he was gun-shy. DeCosta took two big swings in the draft and followed it up by adding Antoine Wesley and Jaylen Smith as undrafted free agents. Newsome could never have enough players for the defense. DeCosta had a balanced draft, however his obvious focus was speed and talent on the offense.
Baltimore Ravens draft Justice Hill: 3 big things. dark. Next
The Ravens have tried to get by with veteran place holders at the position. It’s worked out with Derrick Mason, Anquan Boldin and Steve Smith. It’s also fallen short with Mike Wallace, Michael Crabtree and John Brown being cautionary tales. With the exception of Ingram, this offseason has been a real youth movement for the offense. DeCosta is betting on potential, but it’s a bet he has to make. He learned from his predecessor that it beats ignoring the problem all together.