Seven issues we realized from Ravens’ necessary minicamp

Brian Wacker, The Baltimore Solar

Ravens might be skinny within the secondary

The Ravens addressed certainly one of their greatest wants this offseason with the addition of Ya-Sin, who labored principally on the outdoors cornerback spot reverse Humphrey throughout minicamp. The highest two security spots are additionally clear: Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton.

However there are myriad questions past that.

Merely put, the Ravens don’t have a number of depth at defensive again.

Cornerback Jalyn Armour-Davis will likely be within the combine for the third spot, however he was restricted in minicamp as he continues to work his approach again from a hip damage from final 12 months. Damarion “Pepe” Williams didn’t take part and likewise is coping with an damage. And Kyu Blue Kelly is a rookie who didn’t face a number of starters.

Brandon Stephens, in the meantime, was moved to security however might be all around the subject once more given his versatility. He’s the most definitely to begin at nickelback, and Geno Stone will likely be a contributor once more. Nevertheless it wouldn’t be a shock to see the Ravens herald a veteran to bolster the secondary, notably at cornerback.

What the Ravens have in versatility, they lack in depth.

“It’s nice to say that we’re interchangeable elements, and that’s true, and at first a part of the offseason, we do educate every little thing conceptually, in order that guys are simply studying X’s,” defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald stated. “However as we get going into the autumn, we’re going to need to begin to slot these issues, sort of, extra full-time, so guys get used to taking part in subsequent to guys that they’re going to be [next to] within the sport.”

50 Phrases or Much less: Rock Ya-Sin Plans to Be a Cornerstone in Secondary

Clifton Brown, BaltimoreRavens.com

Rock Ya-Sin had a powerful minicamp because the anticipated starter at cornerback reverse Marlon Humphrey. One in every of Ya-Sin’s strengths is his willingness to play bodily in protection, which is able to present up extra often as soon as the pads come on. However he already appears to be like like a precious free agent pickup.

Professional Bowl fullback Pat Ricard (hip) will begin coaching camp on PUP, however Head Coach John Harbaugh expects Jalyn Armour-Davis, Tyus Bowser, Gus Edwards, and Pepe Williams to be prepared for coaching camp. Baltimore ought to begin camp a lot more healthy than the previous two years.

David Ojabo and Odafe Oweh want to keep up the momentum they’ve constructed this offseason as soon as coaching camp begins. Whereas the Ravens should signal a free agent edge rusher, Ojabo and Oweh should be making the staff really feel higher about its cross rush.

Ravens roster projection: As minicamp ends, GM Eric DeCosta has ‘scary’ staff with some obvious questions

Jonas Shaffer, The Baltimore Banner

Line of defense (6): Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones, Brent City, Angelo Blackson

The Ravens had solely 5 defensive linemen on their preliminary 53-man roster final 12 months, however a fast re-signing of City bolstered their depth. Given Pierce’s damage historical past, six might be the magic quantity once more this 12 months. Madubuike, Pierce, Washington and Jones are anticipated to anchor a stout defensive entrance. City has proved his worth as a rotational lineman and a particular groups contributor. Blackson is new to Baltimore, however he was disruptive in minicamp and has loads of beginning expertise.

Outdoors linebacker (4): Tyus Bowser, Odafe Oweh, David Ojabo, Tavius Robinson

Expectations are excessive for Oweh and Ojabo. Robinson flashed all through offseason exercises. A return to kind from Bowser, who had a minor knee flare-up in minicamp, would give the Ravens an thrilling group of edge rushers. Nonetheless, there’s room for not less than yet one more. Justin Houston led the staff in sacks final season, has expressed a need to return and wouldn’t break the bank. As the marketplace for cross rushers thins, how affected person will the Ravens be?

2023 NFL defensive position rankings: Philadelphia Eagles take the highest spot, San Francisco 49ers are available at No. 2

Zoltán Buday, PFF

26. BALTIMORE RAVENS

It’s totally doable that one of many Ravens’ younger edge defenders, both Odafe Oweh or David Ojabo, could have a breakout season. However till that occurs, it’s tough to rank this unproven defensive position larger.

One other title to spotlight on this unit is inside defender Justin Madubuike, who has proven flashes that recommend he can play at a really excessive stage however has additionally been too inconsistent over the primary three seasons of his profession.

Finest transfer by every AFC staff forward of 2023 NFL season: Jets go all in at QB, Patriots add acquainted face

Cody Benjamin, CBS Sports activities

Baltimore Ravens

Drafting WR Zay Flowers is definitely probably the most promising funding they’ve made on the place in years. Sure, retaining star QB Lamar Jackson was technically extra very important, however he’s bought questions of his personal to reply. Flowers, in the meantime, has multipurpose juice in a WR room in any other case depending on older, injury-prone veterans.

Submit-Minicamp NFL Energy Rankings: Have the Dallas Cowboys and San Francisco 49ers Climbed Into Elite Territory?

Dalton Miller, Professional Soccer Community

9) Baltimore Ravens

Rashod Bateman, Odell Beckham Jr., Nelson Agholor, and Zay Flowers are an unbelievable enchancment over what we’ve seen from the Baltimore Ravens in current seasons on the skin. Getting a long-term deal finished with Lamar Jackson additionally takes a ton of warmth off the staff, figuring out they’re safe at QB.

The Ravens have greater than sufficient firepower within the secondary to thrive in Mike Macdonald’s protection, and the thought of Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo coming off the sting is terrifying for opposing blockers and quarterbacks.