The Baltimore Ravens have not done much in free agency, but that was expected. Still, now they enter the NFL draft window as well as the late stages of free agency with some notable needs. They will look to make some value signings so that they do not look this desperate during the draft.
What are three positions that they need to continue to add?
3. Baltimore Ravens need to upgrade the interior offensive line
While the injury questions of Ronnie Stanley do not make tackle a complete non-question, there is no doubt that the interior offensive line is a bigger issue than tackle at this point. The Ravens lost Ben Powers, and that was expected when you look at his market, the salary cap space that the team has.
They do have Ben Cleveland, and he appears ready to step up to the plate. However, beyond him is Kevin Zeitler, who just turned 33 years old. Zeitler is also on the last year of his deal. Considering this is a step up for Cleveland and it is going to be asking a lot for the veteran to stay healthy, the team would like to have some depth.
There is not much on the current roster to speak of. Beyond that, after Tyler Linderbaum there would be a real question about who else on the roster could slide into center. Patrick Mekari is a great chess piece for his depth, but the team really needs to add some youth and get ready for the potential loss of Zeitler next season.
Do not be surprised if the team drafts interior offensive line help on day two or three, and then also adds a cheap veteran or two.
2. Baltimore Ravens need more wide receiver help
This one should be obvious. We can all hope for Rashod Bateman to stay healthy. By all accounts, it really looked like things were about to break his way for a huge second NFL season. However, after a hot start, he was lost for the season.
This exposed how weak the unit is. Bateman is the still the big name, but he is in year three, and does not have much real production out there. Behind him is Devin Duvernay. In a perfect world Duvernay should be playing in a gadget type of a role as a fourth wide out, not the number two.
Beyond that it starts to get even more questionable. James Proche is probably fine as a fifth or sixth guy because of special teams, but he is right with Tylan Wallace as the third most reliable name on the list. Andy Isabella, Mike Thomas, not that one, and Shemar Bridges round out the group.
It would probably be in the Ravens' best interest to add two wideouts. If they sign a depth guy, and draft a higher upside swing, a rookie, veteran, and Bateman with Duvernay as the fourth could be formidable. Will they make that swing on the rookie in round one? They may have to.
1. Baltimore Ravens need a cornerback
It is tought to decide if they need a cornerback or a wide receiver more. You know that they will be debating both of them for that first round pick. They are losing Marcus Peters, and when you look at his age, and contract it is hard to say that he will be back.
From there, they have questions. They brought in Rock Ya-Sin but nothing had been finalized yet. They also have guys like PePe Williams, but he is a slot only. Right now the Ravens would see Trayvon Mullen, Brandon Stephens and Jayln Armour-Davis compete for outside work. They need to do something about that.
Mullen was signed, and they may ride this into the draft. The draft may feature two mid-round picks to try to fill this issue. Either way, you should expect to see them add an outside cornerback, and potentially a slot cornerback as well. It will be interesting to see if Geno Stone steps into the slot as a third safety the way that Kyle Hamilton did last season. Hamilton will play strong safety now that Chuck Clark is gone, so someone will have to fill that r