Baltimore Ravens offseason: Answering your burning questions

Last Call:

@snedjd asks: Can the Ravens fill the needs on O-Line, WR, and edge rusher within cap limitations and contend with Kansas City next year?

Answer: Let’s get to the end of the question first. I entered the 2020 season thinking that the Ravens were the main contender alongside the Chiefs. I left the Ravens’ year thinking that Baltimore is way behind the Chiefs. I actually am starting to wonder if anybody can contend with the Chiefs. They’ve built a machine, a well oiled one.

Let’s focus on the Ravens now. The Ravens aren’t far away from being good on the offensive line. That being said, the Orlando Brown Jr. situation does throw a curveball into the equation. If the Ravens find a starting center and Brown Jr. stays, the offensive line is set. I think the draft can get the Ravens what they need to be fine up front offensively.

The thing that worries me is the pass rushers and the pass catchers. The Ravens are going to have to take care of two needs in the draft and one need in free agency. That’s the way it looks now. What they do in free agency will tip their plan for the NFL Draft. What they need in free agency are two of the most expensive things NFL money can buy.

The answer is a good offseason is possible. Feeling comfortable before the NFL Draft is going to be difficult. The Ravens will probably only be able to fix one major problem during free agency.

@briski715 asks: As exciting as Eric DeCosta’s drafting has been, do you think the team needs an old-fashioned Ozzie (trench warfare) draft this time around?

Answer: If I was Eric DeCosta I would focus on a wide receiver fix in free agency. That’s already getting me back to the Newsome days. I always had a theory that the more a draft pick weighed, the better chance the Ravens had of hitting with him. The Ravens could always miss at the flashier positions but built such a solid roster year in and year out.

Yes. The Ravens need a couple of offensive linemen, a couple of pass rushers, and another big bruising tight end. Sign me up for a Newsome style draft. I want some big hog mollies and a difference-maker on the edge. If Baltimore is going to win a Super Bowl it’s going to be with bully ball and Lamar Jackson’s electric playmaking ability.

I want the same kind of draft strategy as DeCosta has used in the past two years. I want him to maximize the number of picks the team can end up with, and maximize the value. They should draft a receiver at some point, but getting better up front on both sides of the ball is an idea that makes a ton of sense