Ebony Bird
FanSided

Baltimore Ravens have to prove themselves in 2019 season

By Chris Schisler

CARSON, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens hands off to Kenneth Dixon #30 during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images)
CARSON, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens hands off to Kenneth Dixon #30 during the first half against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) /
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CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Patrick Onwuasor #48 reacts to a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Tavon Young #25 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA – DECEMBER 22: Patrick Onwuasor #48 reacts to a fumble recovery for a touchdown by Tavon Young #25 of the Baltimore Ravens during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

2. Pass Rushers and linebackers please stand up:

If you told me this time last year that the Ravens would enter the 2019 season with Patrick Onwuasor as the Ravens best inside linebacker I would have been worried. Going into the 2019 season that situation is more interesting than it is scary. Onwuasor has come a long way and he now is the player that should fill C.J. Mosley’s shoes. The Ravens inside linebacker position has been a point of conversation all offseason long. The Ravens need Onwuasor to step up and become a leader for the defense but they also need Kenny Young to be a high impact player in his second season.

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The Ravens have added a lot of pass rushers this offseason. They drafted Jaylon Ferguson and have signed Pernell Mcphee and Shane Ray. The Ravens have essentially thrown darts at the wall and now they have to see what sticks. The Ravens have to hope that Jaylon Ferguson proves to be a draft steal and that a veteran pass rusher emerges opposite of Matt Judon. The Ravens signings of McPhee and Ray were low risk moves. They cost the Ravens almost nothing and if the team is rewarded for these moves it would be a huge win.

The defensive line and the secondary are set. You know what to expect from these two parts of the defense but the second level of the defense is widely unproven. The good thing is that the entire linebacker group has something to prove. Onwuasor and Young have to prove that the Ravens can count on them. McPhee has to prove that something is left in his tank. Ray has to prove that he can rebound his career and Tim Williams and Tyus Bowser have to prove that they weren’t draft busts. Motivation shouldn’t be a problem.

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