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2020 NFL Roster Breakdown: Baltimore Ravens


Roster changes

 

Key additions

G D.J. Fluker, DL Calais Campbell, DL Derek Wolfe, ILB Jake Ryan

 

Key losses

WR Seth Roberts, TE Hayden Hurst, OT James Hurst, G Marshal Yanda, DL Michael Pierce, DL Domata Peko, ILB Patrick Onwuasor, ILB Josh Bynes, CB Brandon Carr, S Tony Jefferson

 

2020 draft class

LB Patrick Queen (1.28), RB J.K. Dobbins (2.55), DL Justin Madubuike (3.71), WR Devin Duvernay (3.92), ILB Malik Harrison (3.98), G Tyre Phillips (3.106), G Ben Bredeson (4.143), DL Broderick Washington Jr. (5.170), WR James Proche (6.201), S Geno Stone (7.219)

 

Projected Starters

 

Offense

QB: Lamar Jackson
RB: Mark Ingram
WR: Marquise Brown
WR: Miles Boykin
WR: Devin Duvernay
TE: Mark Andrews
LT: Ronnie Stanley
LG: Bradley Bozeman
C: Matt Skura
RG: D.J. Fluker
RT: Orlando Brown

 

Defense

DE: Calais Campbell
NT: Brandon Williams
DE: Derek Wolfe
OLB: Matthew Judon
ILB: Patrick Queen
OLB: Jaylon Ferguson
CB: Marlon Humphrey
CB: Marcus Peters
CB: Tavon Young
S: Earl Thomas
S: Chuck Clark

 

Team Outlook

 

Biggest strength: Quarterback

I could have went with defensive line, offensive tackle, running back, or cornerback, but how could the reigning NFL MVP not be the roster’s biggest strength? Lamar Jackson gives Baltimore a unique advantage over every team in the league because of his game-breaking skillset, and it will be fun to see how a) opponents adjust to the offense, and b) how the offense reacts to the expected adjustments made by defenses. The Ravens should be ready to throw more in 2020 with Marquise Brown healthy and other young options capable of stepping up.

 

Biggest weakness: Linebacker depth

There isn’t really a notable weakness on Baltimore’s roster, but inside linebacker could be an issue if first-round pick Patrick Queen needs some time to develop and/or injuries hit. That said, I viewed Queen as a top-20 prospect and said in his scouting report that he should become an impact player if he “ends up with a team that has a strong front already in place,” which is certainly the case for the Ravens. L.J. Fort, free agent Jake Ryan, and rookie Malik Harrison could all make a case for playing time behind Queen.

 

Position battle to watch: Right guard

Replacing seven-time All-Pro guard Marshal Yanda won’t be easy, but the Ravens fortunately have plenty of options—including rookies Tyre Phillips and Ben Bredeson. Former first-rounder D.J. Fluker should be viewed as the favorite, though, as he will bring toughness and experience to the running game having started 88 games over the past seven seasons. No matter who wins the job out of camp, the Ravens should be in excellent shape up front once again.

 

One more thought

Those who criticize Jackson for not winning a playoff game yet are the same ones that didn’t think he would be a capable NFL quarterback (which was pretty much everyone despite all the revisionist history when it comes to pre-draft evaluations), but it’s an ignorant viewpoint to have. Jackson—who won’t turn 24 until January—is still the youngest starting quarterback in the division, so I think he should get a little more than one-and-a-half seasons as a starter before we question him and the current Baltimore core in postseason play. An improved group of receivers should make Jackson and the offense just as dynamic this fall/winter as they were in 2019.

 

Early over/under: 11 wins (via FOX Bet)

Over. The AFC North should be very competitive, but Baltimore is loaded on both sides of the ball, and it would probably take an injury or unforeseen decline from Jackson for them to fall from the conference’s elite. I’d say 11-5 is a good projection, but the combination of talent and coaching pushes it towards the over.

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