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Around the North: Baltimore Ravens

By Travis Steffen

BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals rushes with the ball after making a catch in front of cornerback Brandon Carr #24 and free safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens to score the game winning touchdown at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - DECEMBER 31: Wide receiver Tyler Boyd #83 of the Cincinnati Bengals rushes with the ball after making a catch in front of cornerback Brandon Carr #24 and free safety Eric Weddle #32 of the Baltimore Ravens to score the game winning touchdown at M&T Bank Stadium on December 31, 2017 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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After getting knocked out of the playoffs the last two seasons by divisional rivals, the Baltimore Ravens are looking to get back in 2018.

The Baltimore Ravens had a roller coaster of a season in 2017 finishing at 9-7 when the Cincinnati Bengals knocked them out of the playoffs on a last minute fourth down play. After getting shut out by the Ravens in week one to start the season, the Bengals made an epic last-minute play on fourth and twelve for a 49-yard touchdown pass to beat the Ravens knocking them out of the playoffs.

Baltimore’s offense struggled all season, especially in the passing game. Quarterback Joe Flacco finished the season with a measly 3,141 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. Baltimore had the lowest passing average of 5.7 yards. The ultimate issue for the Ravens has been a lack of playmakers at the wide receiver and tight end positions.

Baltimore brought in wide receiver Jeremy Maclin last offseason to bring some kind of help to their receiver core. Maclin never fit into the offense and was let go after just one season with the team. There is a huge emphasis on finding receivers that Flacco can rely on this offseason to bring back some of the deep throws for the Ravens offense. If they want to get back to the playoffs, they will have to spread out the field and find ways to get the ball downfield. They started that process by signing former Oakland Raiders wide receiver Michael Crabtree.

According to Chris Schisler from Ebony Bird, the Baltimore Ravens FanSided page, the team didn’t meet the immense signings that fans were looking for but still were able to take care of some needs with smaller names.

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“The Ravens didn’t meet the expectations of the fans who wanted them to spend huge money on a Jarvis Landry or Allen Robinson. The Ravens waited through the first wave and the fans went into a pretty hard line of panic mode. The Ravens almost gave big money to Ryan Grant, which riled up fans even more. The contract was voided when Grant failed his physical. Baltimore ended up with a decent haul consisting of John Brown and Michael Crabtree. The Ravens Flock is much happier now than it was when this whole thing got underway.”

Crabtree will no doubt add some skill to the wide receivers group for the Ravens but they will need more help going further. The team has been aggressive talking to numerous receivers in free agency but haven’t had much luck bringing in the top names that they wanted. According to Chris, the Ravens are not done looking in free agency for another receiver.

“The Ravens have been fairly aggressive. They didn’t throw caution to the wind to sign a big fish. The Ravens hopped right on the Michael Crabtree train and Crabtree signed with the only team he visited. That right there is urgency. The Ravens aren’t done doing work at the wide receiver position. The Ravens wanted Allen Hurns. He ended up with the Dallas Cowboys, but they had visits with Cameron Meredith and Willie Snead. I would say the Raven’s aggressiveness on the open market was a six. They didn’t lose sight of reason, but they tossed some money at their biggest problem. “

No matter what Baltimore does with the remaining time before the NFL Draft, they will likely spend most of their picks on playmakers to surround Flacco with. They have the defense already that allowed the sixth fewest points per game last season so there is plenty of space to work on the offense. If they find another playmaker before the draft, Baltimore could be looking at a best available offensive player in the first round.

“When you look at the Ravens draft it really depends on what else they do in free agency. If the Ravens sign another receiver that can help them win, they can do almost anything in the first round. No matter what the Ravens do in the first round, the Ravens are going to look for play-makers for the offense. The Ravens will almost surely target a tight end, in fact, this is a position that the Ravens could realistically double down on this year. I also think the Ravens are going to take a developmental quarterback at some point in the draft. The Ravens will probably take the best player available in the first round. After that here are there positions of need: WR, TE, C, ILB.”

Next: Around the North: Pittsburgh Steelers

Will the Baltimore Ravens be able to make the playoffs in 2018 after being knocked out by the Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers in last minute plays the last two seasons? If they can find some reliable playmakers for Flacco, the defense can do most of the carrying. It could be a close battle for the top of the North if the Ravens land some solid offensive talent this year.

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