2024 season: 12-5, first in AFC North, lost against Bills in divisional playoffs
Preview: The AFC is difficult, especially with the chiefs of Kansas City who have won most of the seasons lately. It will not make Baltimore Ravens feel better.
Lamar Jackson is still looking for his first trip to the Super Bowl. This playoff series ended with a huge disappointment, because a potential conversion of 2 game points was abandoned by Mark Andrews, and the Bills wanted to win.
Jackson could have been MVP from the NFL again. Derrick Henry had a remarkable first season in Baltimore. The defense was excellent after a few mid-season adjustments. And it was still not enough.
The Ravens have had one of the most coherent franchises in the NFL in the past two decades. Their front office always seems to have the right movement to fill the gaps left starting from free agents. But the challenge, after looking at a fantastic offense and an increasing defense, will be how to finally bring Jackson to a Super Bowl.
NFLPA report card
Classification: 13th
No major weakness appeared for ravens in players’ surveys, head coach John Harbaugh and owner Steve Bisciotti winning positive comments. The players called a cramped wardrobe and the need for better communication with families.
Here’s how he broke down from the NFLPA and where the Ravens rank:
Key -free agents
Ot Ronnie Stanley
CB Brandon Stephens
G Patrick Mekari
FB Patrick Ricard
Who is in / out: Stanley’s decision is key. He was a good player, but the injuries accumulated and he is now in his thirties. And given the lack of quality offensive line options in the free agency, it will not be cheap to keep. There are not many other high priority free agents for Ravens, who may have a calm off -season.
Key needs for free agent
Offensive line
Defensive line
Back
Why the holes? The Ravens have questions to answer on the offensive line, starting with the left tackle Stanley and if they bring it back. The defensive line is always a priority in Baltimore. Derrick Henry is one of the best backs of the NFL, but he is also 31 years old and he could be good for the Ravens to find someone who can remove some doors from his plate.
Do they have the money?
The Ravens paid Lamar Jackson, which means that there are CAP challenges. The Ravens had a little $ 9 million under the ceiling planned at the start of the offseason, According to Spotrac. It does not seem that the Ravens will be great expenditure in the free agency.
Notable potential cuts
S Marcus Williams
K Justin Tucker
CB Arthur Maulet
Why they might have left: Williams was out of the defensive plans by the end of the season and seems to be an obvious candidate. Tucker had unusual difficulties, but if the Ravens decide to move, this is probably due to the controversy out of scope of Tucker. The ravens are deeply in the corner and this could mean that they go from Maulet.
Draft choice
1st round: n ° 27
2nd round
3rd round
4th round
4th round (compensatory)
5th round (compensatory)
5th round (compensatory)
6th round (Panthers)
6th round
6th round (compensatory)
7th round
Good draft adjustment
Mike Green, Edge, Marshall
Why him? Ravens are a deep team that can go to any direction with their choice of first -round draft. It is never bad to fill up on pass rushers, so Green could be a good adjustment. It is also a good place to restore the offensive line, if the Ravens take this path.
Last year, the Baltimore offensive gave us the QB1 Global, RB2, TE5 and a pair of top-30 receivers, so this offense is fundamentally as good as possible. Fantasy managers will never challenge the addition of a wide range to an already busy team, although it is not a screaming need. If the Ravens simply undertake to keep Isaiah probably involved on a coherent basis, it would also be good. –Andy Behrens
(tagstranslate) Lamar Jackson
