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Sammy Watkins to the Baltimore Ravens: 3 big things to think about

By Chris Schisler

Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Damien Williams (not pictured) in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Sammy Watkins (14) celebrates after a touchdown by running back Damien Williams (not pictured) in the fourth quarter against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Baltimore Ravens
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 13: Tyus Bowser #54 of the Baltimore Ravens stares down Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns before the snap during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium on September 13, 2020, in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

2. Edge rusher unequivocally becomes the Ravens’ biggest need

Now that the receiver position has been at least addressed the Ravens have one area of desperate need. Baltimore has enough at the wide receiver position to be functional. Brown, Watkins, and Duvernay sounds like a plan. Brown, Boykin, and Duvernay seemed like less of one. Boykin still has a chance to surprise Baltimore. James Proche still has a chance to get his career going.

If the Ravens didn’t sign Watkins they would be forced to spend early draft capital on a wide receiver. Watkins can make just enough of an impact where the Ravens can wait to the second or third round to get a wide receiver. If Rashod Bateman is there, this move doesn’t prevent Eric DeCosta from taking the receiver of the Ravens-Flock’s dreams.

This move just means the Ravens aren’t desperate at the position. The edge rusher position becomes the primary focus for the rest of the offseason. The Ravens have Tyus Bowser and Jaylon Ferguson returning at outside linebacker. Bringing back Pernell McPhee was a nice touch, but that’s not a lot to bank on.

There isn’t a position close to the level of desperation as the outside linebacker spot. Think about it. The offense is fairly set unless Orlando Brown Jr. gets traded. Quarterback, running backs and tight ends weren’t a questionable area for the team. The wide receiver group may be an area with some doubt, but at least it’s not screaming at you anymore.

The defense has most of the pieces. The secondary is set up for the most part. The Ravens drafted two inside linebackers last year, one of them in the first round. The defensive line is for the most part returning intact. The edge rusher is the one glaring hole for the defense.

The Ravens lost two starters (Matt Judon and Yannick Ngakoue), and a low-key contributor in Jihad Ward. Even if Tyus Bowser has a breakout year this is the biggest position group of need on the depth chart This should be where the Ravens go in the first round, unless a player falls that they can’t pass up.

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