This article is part of our Team Previews series.
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
The 2014 Ravens bounced back from a post-Super Bowl letdown, going 10-6 to earn the franchise's sixth playoff appearance in the past seven seasons. While they only finished third in a competitive AFC North, the Ravens looked like the division's best team for much of the season, and then they dispatched Pittsburgh in the wild-card round of the playoffs. It appeared as though the Ravens might ride a playoff hot streak to a second Super Bowl appearance in three years, but the Patriots stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the divisional round to knock Baltimore out of the tournament.That was probably no better or worse than what the team deserved, as the Ravens were a team of obvious strengths and weaknesses, with an excellent offensive line and intimidating front seven trying to make up for a secondary that went through some hideous stretches. The offensive skill-position talent was the only aspect of the team that was arguably mediocre, but Joe Flacco and Co. typically showed up when needed, taking advantage of a vastly improved offensive line.
Despite some notable additions and losses, the 2015 Ravens face many of the same questions as their predecessors, with the team's strength and weaknesses looking pretty much identical. Last year, everyone wondered if the Ravens' receiving corps would be stabilized by one more decent campaign out of Steve Smith, who was ultimately far better than expected, despite fading throughout the season. Now, with Torrey Smith headed to
STATE OF THE FRANCHISE
The 2014 Ravens bounced back from a post-Super Bowl letdown, going 10-6 to earn the franchise's sixth playoff appearance in the past seven seasons. While they only finished third in a competitive AFC North, the Ravens looked like the division's best team for much of the season, and then they dispatched Pittsburgh in the wild-card round of the playoffs. It appeared as though the Ravens might ride a playoff hot streak to a second Super Bowl appearance in three years, but the Patriots stormed back from a 14-point deficit in the divisional round to knock Baltimore out of the tournament.That was probably no better or worse than what the team deserved, as the Ravens were a team of obvious strengths and weaknesses, with an excellent offensive line and intimidating front seven trying to make up for a secondary that went through some hideous stretches. The offensive skill-position talent was the only aspect of the team that was arguably mediocre, but Joe Flacco and Co. typically showed up when needed, taking advantage of a vastly improved offensive line.
Despite some notable additions and losses, the 2015 Ravens face many of the same questions as their predecessors, with the team's strength and weaknesses looking pretty much identical. Last year, everyone wondered if the Ravens' receiving corps would be stabilized by one more decent campaign out of Steve Smith, who was ultimately far better than expected, despite fading throughout the season. Now, with Torrey Smith headed to San Francisco and Dennis Pitta battling a career-threatening hip injury, the Ravens need another decent season from the elder Smith, along with immediate contributions from rookie pass-catchers Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams.
The running game should be just fine, as Justin Forsett returns, with the team having also added a fourth-round pick at running back in both of the past two drafts. Even if Forsett can't match his breakout 2014 campaign, Baltimore should be able to get something out of Lorenzo Taliaferro and/or rookie Javorius Allen, with the latter especially intriguing.
On defense, Baltimore still has the frightening pass-rushing duo of Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil, along with an impressive pair of every-down inside linebackers in C.J. Mosley and Daryl Smith. Haloti Ngata is gone, but the Ravens shouldn't notice much drop off, so long as nose tackle Brandon Williams and DT/DE Timmy Jernigan stay healthy for most of the year. The defensive backfield is again the primary source of concern, as the Ravens have a pair of injury-prone starters at cornerback in Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith.
OFFSEASON MOVES
Key Acquisitions
Breshad Perriman - WR, Central Florida (ROUND 1, 26th overall)Shaky hands, but the first-rounder has all the physical tools of a dominant receiver.
Maxx Williams - TE, Minnesota (ROUND 2, 55th overall)
His rookie season impact may depend on the health of Dennis Pitta (hip).
Javorius Allen - RB, USC (ROUND 4, 125th overall)
The versatile young back could eat into Justin Forsett's workload from the get-go.
Kendrick Lewis - S, Texans
The veteran is expected to start at free safety for the Ravens.
Key Losses
Torrey Smith - WR, 49ersThough he was important as a deep threat, Smith never developed into a true No. 1 wideout for the Ravens.
Owen Daniels - TE, Broncos
The veteran TE filled in admirably for Dennis Pitta in 2014, but the team got younger at the position.
Haloti Ngata - DT, Lions
The long-time Raven became expendable due to a hefty salary and positional depth.
Pernell McPhee - LB/DE, Bears
The Ravens addressed other holes but lack obvious replacements for the versatile pass-rusher.
TEAM NOTES
CAN ROOKIE PASS-CATCHERS STEP UP FOR FLACCO?With tight end Dennis Pitta still recovering from a troublesome hip injury, 36-year-old Steve Smith may be the Ravens' only proven pass-catcher to take the field in 2015. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, as quarterback Joe Flacco has largely gotten by with average (at best) receiving talent throughout his career, while rookies Breshad Perriman and Maxx Williams provide plenty of upside. Perriman ran a 4.25 40-yard dash at 6-foot-2, 212 pounds, but he struggled with drops during his college career. Williams was a different story, as his excellent college tape was somewhat offset by a mediocre showing at the NFL scouting combine, which was highlighted by a disappointing 4.78 in the 40. While they enter the NFL with some questions marks, Perriman and Williams both have enough talent to become the best players in Ravens history at their respective positions. Though highly successful through 19 seasons in Baltimore, the franchise has yet to find a true game-breaking receiver. While the Ravens hope their rookies step up, wideouts Marlon Brown and Kamar Aiken, along with tight end Crockett Gillmore, may also compete for starting roles.
MORE FORSETT OR DOES THE BUCK STOP HERE?
Coming off a breakout season that included 1,529 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns, 29-year-old Justin Forsett should have every opportunity to lead the Baltimore backfield. While he deserves a large share of the credit for his success last season, Forsett is a journeyman who benefited from running behind an excellent offensive line. He re-signed on a modest three-year, $9 million contract, and the Ravens then selected Javorius "Buck" Allen in the fourth round of the draft. Allen and Forsett are both versatile players with strong receiving and blocking skills, while 2014 fourth-rounder Lorenzo Taliaferro could compete for carries as a bruising complement. If healthy, Forsett will be the Week 1 starter, but that doesn't mean he'll dominate the touches and snaps for a second straight season.
MERE COMPETENCE IN SECONDARY MAY BE ENOUGH
Even with Haloti Ngata and Pernell McPhee headed out of town, the Ravens once again have as much front-seven talent as any team in the AFC. While that may be enough to shut down the league's weaker offenses, Baltimore struggled badly against top quarterbacks last season. Will Hill was a stabilizing force at safety, but he's one off-field incident away from a year-long suspension, and he'll have to hold off Matt Elam for a starting job. Cornerback may be an even bigger issue, with Lardarius Webb coming off a down season and Jimmy Smith looking to bounce back from a serious foot injury. The duo has enough talent to form an excellent combo, but, even if that comes to fruition, Baltimore lacks depth at the outside corner spots.
VALUE METER
Rising: Coming off his best statistical season, Joe Flacco will need to adjust to new faces, but he finally has a receiving corps with the potential to be better than average.Declining: While his time in Baltimore started with a boom, Steve Smith was unable to maintain his production throughout the 2014 season, and he's now 36 years old.
Sleeper:Javorius Allen may be just one Justin Forsett injury away from a huge role in the offense, and Baltimore's O-line should be among the best in the NFL.
Supersleeper: A former UDFA who has largely made his impact on special teams, Kamar Aiken should finally have the opportunity to compete for a starting role.
IDP WATCH
C.J. Mosley - LBThe 2014 first-rounder was an immediate standout in his rookie season.
Daryl Smith - LB
Even with Mosley's emergence, Smith played nearly every defensive snap in 2014.
Will Hill - S
Baltimore linebackers are tackle-hogs, but Hill may still be primed for breakout.
