3 former Baltimore Ravens players who won't be missed in 2023

2. The Baltimore Ravens will be fine without Josh Oliver

One of the bigger surprises in free agency was the Minnesota Vikings giving Josh Oliver a big contract. If you are a Ravens fan, you know that he probably deserved the deal. He was a team player and always showed well as a blocker.

However, if you are a Ravens fan you also know that the team will be just fine without Josh Oliver. First, Oliver is just the blocking tight end to Mark Andrews. He did have just 149 yards on 14 catches last season, so there is mainly just one aspect of his game that needs upgrading.

Now, beyond Andrews they have Isaiah Likely entering year two. Charlie Kolar was injured last season, but many liked him as much, or more than Likely when they came out in the same draft class.

No one thinks that Kolar can simply replace Oliver, but it was suggested that he was a better blocker than Likely when the two were coming out of college. If the Baltimore Ravens can get the same or average production from Mark Andrews, and Isaiah Likely takes a step forward as a pass catcher then the drop in blocking will be worth it. If Charlie Kolar is as good as advertised we may learn that the decline is not even noticeable. For the price that the Vikings are paying for Oliver, they will do just fine without him, spreading that money out to spots that need it more.