Baltimore Ravens: 3 sleeper breakout players for 2019
We all know who the usual suspects are to have studly seasons for the Baltimore Ravens, but who could surprise us all in 2019? Three players come to mind…
Kenny Young:
C.J. Mosley is gone. Remaining are Patrick Onwuasor, Kenny Young, and Bam Bradley. “Peanut” Onwuasor is the only safe bet to start, while Young and Bradley are expected to battle it out throughout the off-season. To me, Young should walk away with this job and could ultimately become a major factor for the 2019 Baltimore Ravens defense.
Young made a fantastic rotation in the middle of the Ravens defense between him, Mosley, and Onwuasor. Young should have no issue making his way back into the starting line-up this season either. In 16 games (three starts), Young recorded 51 tackles and 2.5 sacks. Both Young and Onwuasor’s pass rushing ability is being overlooked, and that could play a major role for both of them this year.
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Right now, Baltimore needs play-makers on their defense. A lot of talent has been lost, and Young proved himself as a rookie to be exactly that. With a big defensive line in front of him keeping him clean, and another year of seasoning with Defensive Coordinator Don Martindale, Young could have an outstanding sophomore season.
Cyrus Jones:
Not since the days of Jacoby Jones have the Baltimore Ravens had as incredible a return-threat as they have in Cyrus Jones. The only thing standing in the way of greatness for Jones is his inability to hold onto the football. As a rookie in 2016, Jones coughed up the ball five times, and also lost a fumble in 2018 with Baltimore. That’s just not going to cut it if he wants those opportunities.
And that’s exactly the point here. If Jones cleans up his fumbling issues, and I believe he can, the Ravens have a brand new weapon on their hands. We saw last year against the Oakland Raiders how explosive he can be on special teams via his 70-yard punt return touchdown.
If Jones can channel this version of himself, he becomes one of the most dangerous players on the football field. You saw for yourself how effortlessly he blazed down the sideline on that punt return! A full-season of that makes Jones not only an impact player for Baltimore, but an All-Pro candidate.
Bradley Bozeman:
Bradley Bozeman was far from terrible in 2018, but he wasn’t good either. Instead, Bozeman found himself in a “good enough to keep” situation for the Baltimore Ravens, and I expect to see them reap the benefits from this decision.
The interior of Baltimore’s offensive line was bad last season, and that was no secret. Outside of Marshal Yanda, who’s as steady as the come, the left guard and center spots were unreliable at best. The team drafted Ben Powers in the 2019 NFL Draft and can plug him in at left guard from day one, shoring up both guard spots. From there, a move back to center would be a massive boon for Bozeman’s 2019 comeback.
Next. Baltimore Ravens: Picking surprise stat-leaders for 2019. dark
Bozeman was rock-solid at center for the Alabama Crimson Tide, and I expect he can be the same with the Ravens. With a good interior offensive line around him and bookend tackles as well, Bozeman will have a remarkable supporting cast to help him out in 2019. With all the running Baltimore will look to do, a strength in Bozeman’s game, we can safely assume they’ll be comfortable running up the gut behind Bozeman this season.