The Baltimore Ravens are known for their savvy team building, their draft expertise, and their raw star power. But what have the results truly been over the last few years?
While players like Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry still lead the charge in the team's quest for a championship, much of the roster has been disappointing. The Ravens have struggled to acquire and retain young talent, leading to a quickly aging core and no clear off-ramp.
In a recent article, Bleacher Report analyst Kristopher Knox ranked the young cores of every team in the NFL. The Ravens ranked 23rd, signifying a closing championship window and an increased sense of urgency within the building.
Ravens' young core ranks 23rd in the NFL
Nate Wiggins, Kyle Hamilton, Travis Jones, and Zay Flowers were listed as notable young stars. Outside of a shaky case for Rashod Bateman, there isn't really an argument to include any other players there.
Knox said, "Players like Ronnie Stanley, Trey Hendrickson, Marlon Humphrey, and Mark Andrews are probably closer to the end than the beginning. However, the Ravens have traditionally done a great job of plugging holes in the draft as they emerge."
The issue here is largely due to the Ravens' roster-building strategy. In many cases, general manager Eric DeCosta is content to let players leave when they reach the end of their rookie deals. He takes the compensatory draft picks he gets when the players sign elsewhere, and uses them to find replacements. Key contributors like Tyler Linderbaum and Odafe Oweh are just a few examples.
It's an admirable way of building a contender, but it relies heavily on the ability to consistently draft quality players. Miss on just a few picks, and the team starts to feel the absences of their former stars in a major way. It's too early to say whether players like Mike Green and Malaki Starks will develop into stars, but the Ravens are now banking on their success.
Jackson isn't going anywhere soon. While he's already 29 years old, he could still play well into his 30s. But the rest of the roster might not have the same kind of runway.
As the core around Jackson ages, the urgency around the push for a championship will only increase. Once players like Hendrickson, Henry, Stanley, and Andrews age out, the Ravens will be forced to enter a roster overhaul that could set them back significantly.
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