Ebony Bird
FanSided

8 positional battles to watch for 2020 Baltimore Ravens

By Richard Bradshaw

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: J.K. Dobbins #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts against the Clemson Tigers in the second half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 07: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 07: Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks on against the Wisconsin Badgers during the Big Ten Football Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ohio State defeated Wisconsin 34-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

SAM inside linebacker:

Contenders: L.J. Fort vs. Jake Ryan vs. Malik Harrison

2020 first-round pick Patrick Queen is practically guaranteed the starting WILL inside linebacker spot. Who starts next to him has yet to be determined.

L.J. Fort should have a leg up on the competition due to experience, but he’s far from a difference-maker. Fort will be key to the unit’s depth throughout the season and he’ll at worst be the team’s third linebacker.

Jake Ryan presents an interesting case to start next to Queen after being signed this offseason. Ryan is two years removed from the stat sheet, but he had 163 tackles from 2016-2017 with the Green Bay Packers. Ryan was assuredly a depth move when the Baltimore Ravens signed him, but he’s still capable of playing some significant snaps with the team.

Ravens Flock is certainly hoping that rookie Malik Harrison can get on the field sooner rather than later after being selected in the third round of this past draft. Harrison is a run-stuffing, tone-setting ‘backer who compliments Queen’s game extremely well. While he is no doubt the plan for the future of this defense, it’s far from guaranteed that he’ll be the day one starter.

Next. The Baltimore Ravens are built to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. dark

The Baltimore Ravens went into the 2020 offseason with a massive hole at inside linebacker and now have a great problem to have in terms of who should start. Queen is a lock at one of the spots, but who will be his running mate is yet to be determined. Let the competition begin!

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