Roster Changes

 

Key additions

RB Mark Ingram, WR Seth Roberts, WR Michael Floyd, OLB Shane Ray, OLB Pernell McPhee, CB Justin Bethel, S Earl Thomas

 

Key losses

QB Joe Flacco, RB Alex Collins, RB Javorius Allen, RB Ty Montgomery, WR John Brown, WR Michael Crabtree, TE Maxx Williams, DE Brent Urban, OLB Terrell Suggs, OLB Za’Darius Smith, ILB C.J. Mosley, S Eric Weddle

 

2019 draft class

WR Marquise Brown (1.25), OLB Jaylon Ferguson (3.85), WR Miles Boykin (3.93), RB Justice Hill (4.113), G Ben Powers (4.123), Iman Marshall (4.127), DL Daylon Mack (5.160), QB Trace McSorley (6.197)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB: Mark Ingram
WR: Marquise Brown
WR: Willie Snead
TE: Nick Boyle
TE: Hayden Hurst
LT: Ronnie Stanley
LG: Ben Powers
C: Matt Skura
RG: Marshal Yanda
RT: Orlando Brown

 

Defense

DE: Michael Pierce
DT: Brandon Williams
DE: Chris Wormley
OLB: Matthew Judon
ILB: Patrick Onwuasor
OLB: Tyus Bowser
CB: Marlon Humphrey
CB: Brandon Carr
CB: Tavon Young
S: Earl Thomas
S: Tony Jefferson

 

Team Outlook

 

Notable depth

QB Robert Griffin III, QB Trace McSorley, RB Justice Hill, RB Gus Edwards, RB Kenneth Dixon, FB/DL Patrick Ricard, WR Miles Boykin, WR Seth Roberts, WR Jordan Lasley, WR Chris Moore, WR Michael Floyd, TE Mark Andrews, OT/G James Hurst, G Alex Lewis, DE Willie Henry, DL Daylon Mack, OLB Shane Ray, OLB Tim Williams, OLB Jaylon Ferguson, ILB Kenny Young, CB Jimmy Smith, CB Anthony Averett, CB Justin Bethel, DB Iman Marshall, S DeShon Elliott, S Chuck Clark

 

Biggest strength: Secondary

If the Ravens are going to remain an elite defensive team in 2019, the secondary will have to carry the load after the roster lost multiple key pieces in the front seven. Fortunately, Baltimore has a quartet of high-quality, starting-caliber corners (Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Carr, Tavon Young, and Jimmy Smith), and Earl Thomas was a tremendous pickup to play alongside Tony Jefferson. Plus, second-year player DeShon Elliott should be ready to make plays as the third safety.

 

Biggest weakness: Wide receiver

General manager Eric DeCosta targeted upside at receiver this offseason, but while Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin could turn into studs on the perimeter, the position is almost a complete unknown, especially considering “Hollywood” is coming off a Lisfranc foot injury, and Boykin (4.42 speed and a 43.5-inch vertical) didn’t consistently display his freakish athleticism on the field at Notre Dame. Having a couple veterans step up as reliable targets underneath would be big for Lamar Jackson’s development.

 

Position battle to watch: Outside linebacker

Former fifth-round pick Matthew Judon has emerged as a solid option with 15.0 sacks over the past two seasons, but the Ravens really need to see at least one of Tyus Bowser (No. 47 pick in 2017), Tim Williams (No. 78 pick in 2017), Shane Ray (a first-round selection of the Broncos in 2015), or rookie Jaylon Ferguson live up to their draft billing. If the collection of young talent struggles, people will undoubtedly point to the decisions to let Terrell Suggs and Za’Darius Smith walk in free agency.

 

One more thought

I had Lamar Jackson as a top-ten prospect coming out of Louisville, but he admittedly did not look very comfortable throwing the ball in his rookie year, and the run-heavy play style might not be sustainable from a durability perspective. If that’s is the case, don’t be surprised if former Penn State star Trace McSorley—a winner/playmaker—ascends up the depth chart due to injury, performs well, and doesn’t look back.

 

Early over/under: 8.5 wins (via CBS Sports)

Under. The Ravens had a strong draft in my opinion (particularly on Day 3), but the stout defensive front lost four starters from a season ago, and opponents will have had an entire offseason to prepare for their dynamic rushing attack. Early indications are that Baltimore will likely finish around the 7-9 to 9-7 range, but I’m leaning towards the lower end right now.