Baltimore Ravens
2019 Record: (14-2) 1st
AFC North
2019 Season Recap:
Offense
Points: 33.2 (1st)
Yards: 407.6 (2nd)
Pass Yards: 201.6 (27th)
Rush Yards: 206.0 (1st)
Defense
Points: 17.6 (3rd)
Yards: 300.6 (4th)
Pass Yards: 207.2 (6th)
Rush Yards: 93.4 (5th)
When we take a look back at what the Baltimore Ravens were this
past season, its clear they exceeded expectations regardless of what
individuals suggest today. In all honesty, we fully expected Baltimore to take
the next step in their progression, but we still had many questions on what
Lamar Jackson would become.
Going back to the 2019 offseason, the Ravens signed free agent Mark
Ingram from the Saints, and we absolutely loved the move. Ingram is the prototypical
type of runner Coach John Harbaugh needed to make his offense excel in their
scheme. Harbaugh has continuously attempted to form the system of a run first
offense while playing stifling defense – this year was the true culmination of
the two. With Ingram firmly planted in the fold, a league leading run attack
with the read option was virtually unstoppable each and every week. With this
great run prowess, Baltimore managed to win 14 games on the season and was
looking to stamp their ticket to the super bowl.
Our main concern for this Ravens club entering the postseason still
was the lack of passing pedigree from Jackson. While we aren’t suggesting that
Jackson didn’t improve that part of his craft, the offense was built upon the
run and the play action pass. Even as Jackson found new career highs in
touchdown passes (36 TDs), did anyone really believe that his passing ability was
that refined to carry his club in times of struggle. When all was said and done,
the Ravens fell short in their first playoff game to the Titans (Divisional
Round), and were sent packing to the offseason.
Even still, how can anyone argue what they did accomplish over the
course of 2019 – and individual stats and awards were the outcome. Lamar
Jackson was definitely deserving of the leagues MVP honor in how he carried
himself the entire season. Consistency was the name of the game, but learning
how to win in the most important times will be a giant lesson going into 2020.
2020 Offseason
WorkBook:
The Offense
While it appears we aren’t the biggest supporters of what the
Ravens are, that couldn’t be further from the truth. We truly believe in what
this team has built, and moving forward with extra pieces will only increase
the winning ways of what they could eventually become.
When you review the numbers alone, this offense was clearly the
cream of the crop on the ground, but sticking with our point above – holding a
27th rank in pass yards is the issue. This system was built
perfectly to exploit the talent of Jackson and Ingram which also earned well in
the form of touchdown passes off the play action pass. If Jackson can improve
his passing ability to sit around the middle of the league, this offense could
truly be unstoppable.
Continuing down the path of what made this offense so productive, Ingram
should again be a massive piece to the puzzle. Losing traction late in the
season and into the playoffs due to that injured calf, this offense lost power
and couldn’t recover. While we do like what Ingram brings to the fold, our excitement
rests in their backup Justice Hill and his eventual integration into this
offense. Nothing against the running ability of Gus Edwards, but having Hill be
that change of pace, pass catching back will bring with it more mismatches to
the opposition. We truly would be shocked if Hill doesn’t have a much larger
role in 2020.
When we dive into the pass catchers on this club, last years
rookie speedster Marquise “Hollywood” Brown did more than enough to let people
know his name. Mostly used as the team’s deep threat to take the top off in the
pass game, those deep shots were executed mostly to perfection all season long.
And while we do like Brown’s game, the lack of receiver assistance could and
should be viewed as a massive detriment. Nevertheless, the primary option in
this offense did rest in the hands of their star tight end Mark Andrews. With
how the Ravens play multi tight end sets to help in confusing the read option scheme,
Andrews picked apart defenses off the play action pass. Leading the team in all
receiving categories was the outcome and should again be the staple in 2020.
We wouldn’t be shocked to witness more pass catching help added to
this roster in hopes to improve the pass game. But either way, this offense
should be very similar in 2020 to what in was in 2019.
The Defense
For as long as we can remember under the Harbaugh regime, the
Ravens have always held a very stout defensive side. Granted there were a few
seasons where they weren’t a top-notch unit, this crop was fantastic and game
changing. Predicated on bringing the pressure while playing sound coverage,
this defense was far better than just a bend but done break squad – they dominated
the field of play.
Starting with one of the major strengths on this side, the
secondary took leaps to improve what they were the previous season. Its no coincidence
that the level of play excelled in this group as the edition of Earl Thomas from
the Seahawks brought it all together. Marlon Humphrey was the clear winner from
Thomas, who raised his play to new heights and fell into the conversation as
one of the better corners in the game. Adding to that, the mid-season trade to acquire
Marcus Peters from the Rams was a shear stroke of genius. Peters career was
lagging in L.A. which led to many comments believing he was washed. Now finding
a new place with the Ravens, he was able to once again sore.
And while the dominating play of this secondary allowed the front
seven to attack the quarterback that much more, certain players found new
levels of play also. Starting with super stud Matt Judon who has been more than
consistent over his four years with the Ravens. Securing career highs in sacks
and forced fumbles, he truly was a problem for all offenses. Looking to have
priced his way out of town (2020 free agent) we would be surprised to see him come
back with Jackson eventually garnering a massive contract.
Going back to our point that this secondary is truly a beast, of
the top eight tackling leaders on the Ravens, six came from the defensive
backfield. This is a glaring statistic to us as we believe they made everyone
else on that front seven look that much better. The exception of course is with
Judon and line backer Patrick Onwuasor being sound earners in their own right. Over
the course of his career with Baltimore, Onwuasor has been a sound producer but
nothing overly credible to suggest he’s a game changer.
You would be hard pressed to find anyone who wouldn’t argue that
the Ravens will be looking to upgrade a lot on the front seven this offseason.
Team Free Agents / Team Salary Cap
When you begin to dissect the Ravens salary cap and pending free
agents, there is some work that will need to be done, but nothing to get overly
concerned about. Holding a decent 32.8 million in free cap as of today,
Baltimore does have 23 team free agents to contend with.
Already making moves and cutting bait with their injured safety,
Tony Jefferson 8.5 million was saved on the books with 4.6 heading to their dead
cap. Adding to that, notable names which grace this list in need of a new
contract – Matt Judon, Jimmy Smith, Brandon Carr (club option), Michael Pierce,
Patrick Onwuasor, and Pernell McPhee should be top considerations. With that
said, Smith and Carr could be on their way out simply due to age and dollars they
may covet. As we mentioned, Judon will be considered a top commodity, but its
been rumored that a tag and trade is a possibility.
And while everything rests on how much money the Ravens have on
the books, cutting bait with other current team members is always in the cards.
The interesting aspect is that Carr is on the books with a club option worth 7
million, we can’t see them inking that deal – saving 6 million in the process. And
while the other contracts seem to have massive money attached and little wiggle
room, extending left tackle Ronnie Stanley would be an intelligent choice to
drop his 12.8-million-dollar cap hit.
Finding new money is very tough on this roster, but there is
potential to adjust the books and navigate to some degree.
The NFL Draft
When discussing the 2020 NFL draft, Baltimore holds seven picks as
of today with an extra fourth and no sixth-round selection. Under the Ozzie
Newsome regime, the fabric in how many sound players were picked and shaped in
this system is rather astonishing. Now with Eric DeCosta running the show for
his second offseason, we are curious if the same fortitude in draft picks will continue.
Staying with the course of our evaluation, its hard to believe anything
other then adding defense will be seen early in this draft. While the Ravens
could do well in adding another pass catcher to this offense, getting younger and
cheaper on the defensive side will be the priority. Edge rushing and line backers
will be players of desire with the first pick.
While its still very early in the draft process, line backer
should be the first choice, but adding to their strength on the defensive
backend could also be what the doctor ordered. Either way, defense should be
the primary focus in this year’s draft once again for the Ravens.
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