Now that the Super Bowl has been played and free agency is approaching in less than a month, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be looking at the top three needs for each team. Today, the Baltimore Ravens are the focus. The Ravens have the 26th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and a few players will hit the free agency market this year, most notably Justin Forsett and Pernell McPhee. Based on all of the injuries last year, the secondary will be a major focus of the Ravens this offseason.
Baltimore Ravens 2015 Offseason: Top 3 Needs
Cornerback
At his annual season-review press conference, Ravens’ general manager Ozzie Newsome emphasized building the “best 53-man squad and the 10-man practice squad” rather than targeting specific positions. Newsome’s focus on overall depth is based on all of the injuries to Ravens players last season. The Ravens lost 19 players to injured reserve last season. Five of those 19 players were cornerbacks, which forced the Ravens to start seven different cornerbacks last season. Both top corners, Jimmy Smith and Lardarius Webb, missed portions of the season.
Thus, the Ravens will likely draft a cornerback with their first pick. If Michigan State cornerback Trae Waynes is still available at the 26th pick, the Ravens may steal him. Waynes has the combination of speed and strength the Ravens desire.
Washington’s Marcus Peters may also be a Ravens target if his off-the-field issues allow him to drop to 26th in the first round. Peters is arguably the best cornerback prospect in the draft based upon his size and physical play. However, the Ray Rice fiasco last season has to make off-the-field issues a large concern for any future Ravens players. Peters reportedly had issues with the Washington coaching staff and was kicked off the team last November.
If the Ravens cannot take Waynes or Peters, they may opt to wait until later rounds to take a cornerback. Potential targets include LSU’s Jalen Collins, Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson, and Florida State cornerbacks Ronald Darby and P.J. Williams. UConn’s Byron Jones is an intriguing late round pick who made a splash at the combine with a record 12 foot 3 inch broad jump. Jones jumped an astonishing 15 inches more than the second-best player.
Pass Rushing Linebacker
With the expected departure of Pernell McPhee, the Ravens will need to focus on a pass rushing specialist. Nebraska’s Randy Gregory would be a great pick, but it is extremely unlikely that he will be available to the Ravens unless they trade up in the draft. With the 26th pick, the Ravens would have a better chance at drafting Florida’s Dante Fowler, Kentucky’s Brad Dupree or Virginia’s Eli Harold.
Late round possibilities include Washington’s Hau’oli Kikaha or Norfolk’s Lynden Trail. Kikaha is a risk because of his two ACL injuries, but he has a high ceiling if he stays healthy.
Running Back
With the possible departure of Justin Forsett, the Ravens will need to focus on acquiring a running back in free agency or the draft. While the Ravens have Bernard Pierce and Lorenzo Taliaferro, neither have demonstrated that they are worthy of being the top back. Based upon prior inconsistent years, the loss of Forsett may avoid potentially overpaying a player based upon only one breakout season.
While is it unlikely that the Ravens would pick a running back in the first round, Georgia running back Todd Gurley may be available. Gurley is still recovering from a torn ACL in November but, when healthy, he is considered the top running back in the draft. Gurley’s freight train running style is often compared to Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch.
Other options at running back include Wisconsin’s Melvin Gordon, Indiana’s Tevin Coleman, Northern Iowa’s David Johnson or Miami’s Duke Johnson. Any one of them would form a solid trio with their veteran running backs on the roster.
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