ExtremeRavens Posted 22 hours ago Posted 22 hours ago Another early playoff exit means another long offseason for the Ravens. After a season with Super Bowl expectations ended with a 27-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in the AFC divisional round Sunday night, work begins to retool a roster built around star quarterback Lamar Jackson. That work, as always, will be focused on the draft. Baltimore’s class of free agents this offseason is not particularly deep, but several key contributors could be on the way out. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley is a pending free agent, as is fullback Patrick Ricard, offensive lineman Patrick Mekari, wide receiver Nelson Agholor, cornerbacks Brandon Stephens and Tre’Davious White and linebackers Malik Harrison and Chris Board. Safety Marcus Williams, who was benched near the end of a five-year, $70 million deal he signed in March 2022, is expected to be released. Those are not huge gaps for general manager Eric DeCosta and the front office to fill, but for Baltimore to keep ascending and finally get over the hump in the postseason, an influx of young, cost-controlled talent is a must. With that in mind, here’s a first look at some potential targets for the Ravens at pick No. 27 overall when the first round begins April 24 in Green Bay, Wisconsin: Marshall edge rusher Mike Green The Ravens got a career year out of 33-year-old Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh recorded double-digit sacks for the first time and Tavius Robinson showed improvement in his second season, but there’s plenty of room for another pass rusher on this roster. Green has been a fast riser after recording a nation-leading 17 sacks this past season, displaying an explosive first step and rare bend off the edge. Though a bit undersized at 6 foot-4 and 248 pounds, he’s a strong run defender, posting a 90.1 Pro Football Focus run-defense grade to go with a stellar 91.0 PFF pass-rush grade. With 2022 second-round pick David Ojabo yet to live up to expectations and 2024 third-round selection Adisa Isaac coming off an injury-hampered rookie year, Green would be a welcome addition to coordinator Zach Orr’s defense. Other EDGE options: Texas A&M’s Nic Scourton, Ohio State’s JT Tuimoloau, Ohio State’s Jack Sawyer Notre Dame cornerback Benjamin Morrison Marlon Humphrey returned to a Pro Bowl level this season and rookie Nate Wiggins looks like a rising star, but there are plenty of questions about how the Ravens will handle their outside cornerback position this offseason after a disappointing year from Stephens. Morrison comes with some concerns after suffering a season-ending hip injury in October, but when he’s been on the field, the 6-foot, 190-pound cornerback has been a star. As a true freshman in 2022, he finished seventh nationally with six interceptions, then led Notre Dame with 10 pass breakups and ranked second with three interceptions in 2023. He had 20 tackles and four pass breakups in six starts before getting injured this year. With long arms, excellent recovery speed and good instincts, Morrison would give the Ravens a budding young tandem alongside Wiggins and allow Humphrey to maintain his standout role in the slot. Other CB options: East Carolina’s Shavon Revel Jr., Texas’ Jahdae Barron, Kentucky’s Maxwell Hairston Oregon offensive lineman Josh Conerly Jr. could be a long-term solution at left tackle. (Amanda Loman/AP) Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. Whether or not Stanley re-signs, the Ravens need a long-term plan at left tackle. This draft could be the best time to address it. A former five-star recruit, Conerly took his game to another level in his second season as a starter. The 6-4, 315-pound left tackle allowed just 10 pressures on 521 pass-blocking snaps, according to PFF, while earning a 78.0 pass-blocking grade on true pass sets. While still raw, his athleticism will have teams buying into his potential as a future star. He might very well rocket up draft boards before the Ravens have a chance to pick him. Other OT options: Ohio State’s Josh Simmons, Texas’ Cameron Williams, Minnesota’s Aireontae Ersery Arizona guard-tackle Jonah Savaiinaea With the versatile and dependable Mekari hitting the open market, the Ravens could have holes to fill at both left tackle and left guard. Savaiinaea could play either spot. After lining up exclusively at right guard in 2022, the 6-5, 330-pound Savaiinaea spent time at both tackle spots over the past two seasons with the Wildcats. He took a big step forward in 2024, posting a career-high 83.4 PFF pass-blocking grade while allowing just 16 total pressures on 738 pass-blocking snaps. The question will be whether his game is better suited for the interior, where he can use his power and quickness to displace defenders. Other OT/G options: Missouri’s Armand Membou, West Virginia’s Wyatt Milum, Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor had 63 catches for 831 yards and six touchdowns this past season. (Michael Reaves/Getty) Stanford wide receiver Elic Ayomanor If the Ravens are thinking about filling out their wide receiver room like a basketball team, Ayomanor is the type of player they’re missing. At 6-2 and 210 pounds, he’s bigger and taller than both Rashod Bateman and Zay Flowers with enticing ball skills to win one-on-one matchups on the outside. Playing in a Stanford offense that was one of the worst in major college football this past season, Ayomanor still had 63 catches for 831 yards and six touchdowns. He ranked 23rd in the country with 14 contested catches, according to PFF, winning nearly half of the 50-50 balls thrown his way (48.3%). His one-handed grab against Syracuse was one of the best across the sport all season. The redshirt junior rose to the occasion in big moments, too. In Stanford’s comeback win over Colorado in 2023, Ayomanor finished with 13 catches for 294 yards and three touchdowns – all in the second half. More impressively, seven of those catches and two of those scores came against two-way star and future Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter, perhaps the top overall player in this year’s draft. Other WR options: Ohio State’s Emeka Egbuka, Texas’ Matthew Golden, Ole Miss’ Tre Harris Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell The loss of Patrick Queen opened the door for Trenton Simpson to step up as Roquan Smith’s running mate, but the 2023 third-round pick was eventually benched in favor of a combination of Harrison and Board. With both of those players hitting free agency, there might be a desire for an upgrade at inside linebacker. With his size, speed and ability to rush the passer, Campbell might be a perfect fit in Baltimore. The 6-3, 245-pound linebacker led the Crimson Tide in tackles (117), tackles for loss (11 1/2), sacks (5) and forced fumbles (2) while recording an interception and two pass breakups. If he improves in coverage, Campbell could help the defense take another step forward in Year 2 under Orr. Other LB options: Georgia’s Jalon Walker, UCLA’s Carson Schwesinger Have a news tip? Contact sports editor C.J. Doon at cdoon@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/CJDoon. View the full article Quote
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