This is The Gridiron Review’s Baltimore Ravens 2023 Offseason Team Breakdown. We provide you with all things you need to know about the Ravens heading into FA and the draft. We also provide our thoughts on the needs of the team and how we think they can be addressed!
Baltimore Ravens 2022 Record: 10-7
Baltimore Ravens Salary Cap(According to Spotrac): $26,821,873
Notable Free Agents(According to Spotrac):
- Lamar Jackson, QB
- Tyler Huntley, QB
- Kenyan Drake, RB
- Justice Hill, RB
- Demarcus Robinson, WR
- Josh Oliver, TE
- Ben Powers, OG
- Justin Houston, OLB
- Jason Pierre-Paul, OLB
- Marcus Peters, CB
- Kyle Fuller, CB
Team Needs: QB, RB(Pass Catcher/Depth), WR, OL(Depth), DE(Pass Rusher), CB
3 Free Agent Targets(In No Order):
- Allen Lazard, WR
- Zach Allen, DE
- Jamel Dean, CB
Baltimore Ravens First Round Pick(s): Pick 22
3 Draft Prospect Fits/Targets:
- Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida
- Kenny McIntosh, RB, Georgia
- Jaxon Smith-Njigba, WR, Ohio State
Our Ravens Ideal Offseason Plans/Thoughts:
- Despite having a roster that competes year-in and year-out, the Ravens still have almost $27 million in cap space and are not losing too much to FA (except possibly Lamar). The Ravens also finally fired Greg Roman and brought in Georgia’s OC Todd Monken(which we love as a hire). It just sucks that Wink had to be fired for the Ravens to see that Roman was the problem.
- The QB situation is extremely complicated in Baltimore right now. Action Jackson is looking for a new contract that will pay him top of the line QB money even though he’s missed 10 games in the last two seasons. Jackson also hasn’t fully shown what he’s capable of as a passer (no fault of his own) as Roman really held Jackson’s passing development back. Monken(who was also the Georgia QB coach) has a proven track record of developing QBs. He was also very creative in game planning the Bulldogs offense. We personally think it would be in Jackson’s best interest to stay in Baltimore and work with the new OC Monken. Everything though seems to be pointing to Jackson being on his way out. If Jackson is out, Huntley is a good candidate to bring back as the organization has shown a lot of faith in his ability to lead the team. Don’t be surprised if the Ravens also try to make a move up to go get Florida’s Anthony Richardson who would fit in Baltimore. Some mock drafts have Richardson falling to the Ravens at 22(pre-combine), but come draft night, that’s just not realistic.
- After having another surgery/clean up, Dobbins actually started to look like his old self. Gus Edwards also showed flashes of his old self after recovering from a torn ACL. Running wise, the Ravens backfield is in pretty good shape for Monken’s arrival. At Georgia, Monken had James Cook and Kenny McIntosh as legit pass catching threats. The Ravens are lacking that right now, and don’t be surprised if Monken brings his own luggage with him. McIntosh could be on Monken’s priority list for fixing the Ravens offense.
- The Ravens WR room has been a mess pretty much since the 2012 Super Bowl team. Yes, the Ravens had Steve Smith for a while, but the room around him wasn’t good… much like with Bateman now. The Ravens don’t even necessarily need to go get an All-Pro WR1. Don’t feel like you have to make a move for DK or DHop. Just get a strong room of guys who can contribute, including reserves that don’t look out of place when they have to play in a pinch (similar to what the Chiefs did last offseason). Monken rotated receivers at Georgia a ton, look for him to get a strong WR room full of guys who do different things and have different roles that he can build different packages for. Allen Lazard would be a really good signing for the Ravens. If they don’t go QB in the first round or if he falls into the second round don’t be surprised if the Ravens target Ohio State’s JSN.
- The Ravens need some depth on the offensive line, particularly on the interior. Look for the Ravens to re-sign Ben Powers who had a really good 2022 campaign. First off, the offensive line has always been a strength for the Ravens, why change what worked this year? Secondly, Powers played over 1,000 snaps while giving up 0 sacks and only committing 1 penalty. If Powers is not brought back, look for Ben Cleveland to take over the starting guard position. Cleveland played for Georgia in 2020, which was Monken’s first season as Georgia’s OC.
- The Ravens defensive line, much like their offensive line, has been a strong spot for years. They get big bodies who can stop the run and occupy space and blockers with their interior rush. They have a strong room of big guys, but are lacking more of an interior pass rush specialist. Zach Allen is a good choice coming off a 6 sack season, and could increase that number by simply being around the players Baltimore has in place.
- The Ravens CB room is going to take a hit losing veterans Marcus Peters and Kyle Fuller. The Ravens drafted Jalyn Armour-Davis and Damarion Williams in the 4th year of last year’s draft. They also have 2021 3rd rounder Brandon Stephens who has played significant snaps due to injuries the last 2 seasons. All three players could be given a chance to start alongside Marlon Humphrey, but it’s also possible they bring in a younger veteran with Super Bowl experience. Jamel Dean could be that guy to take over for Peters in Baltimore.
- UPDATE: The Ravens have assigned Lamar Jackson the Non-exclusive Franchise Tag after not being able to agree to an extension by the FT deadline