NFL Draft

Draft Analysis: Baltimore Ravens Team Needs

April 8, 2008 @ 08:23:32

By Bryce McRae
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

2007 Finish: 5-11 (AFC North - 4th Place), Non-playoff team

2008 Draft Pick: 8th Overall

Key Positional Needs: QB, RB, WR, OL, LB, CB, RG

Head Coach: John Harbaugh

Offensive Coordinator: Cam Cameron

Defensive Coordinator: Rex Ryan

Key Losses: QB Cullen Finnerty (cut - Denver Broncos), RB Mike Anderson (UFA - released), RB Musa Smith (UFA), RB Cory Ross (ERFA), FB Justin Green (RFA), WR Devard Darling (UFA - Kansas City Chiefs, WR Matt Willis (ERFA), TE Jake Nordin (ERFA), OG Jason Brown (RFA), C Mike Flynn (UFA - released), DL Amon Gordon (RFA), DL Edgar Jones (ERFA), DL Matt Katula (RFA), DL J'vonne Parker (RFA), DL Lee Vickers (ERFA), LB Dennis Haley (UFA - San Francisco 49ers), LB Robert McCune (RFA), LB Mike L. Smith (RFA), CB Willie Gaston (ERFA), CB Ronnie Prude (ERFA), CB B.J. Sams (UFA), CB Jamaine Winborne (ERFA), FS Gerome Sapp (UFA)

Key Additions: PK E.J. Cochrane (signed - Philadelphia Eagles), LB Brendon Ayanbadejo (signed - Chicago Bears), LB Nick Greisen (re-signed), CB Frank Walker (signed - Green Bay Packers)

Key Offensive Positions Needed

Quarterback

The team looks to be set for this year with Steve McNair having one year remaining on his contract. However, McNair turned 35 this year and his backup, Kyle Boller, has been a disappointment since being drafted in the first round in 2003. That leaves just Troy Smith as the lone project at the position. They have interviewed several quarterbacks this offseason and could look at drafting one but probably not until the second day.

Running Back

P.J. Daniels and Cory Ross have a combined 12 career carries between them. Both are a bit undersized (5-foot-10 and 5-foot-6, respectively) and the team could use a bigger back to back up Willis McGahee. If they do not re-sign running back Musa Smith, the team likely will look for another big veteran back in free agency.

Wide Receiver

The team lost Devard Darling this offseason; they still Derrick Mason and Mark Clayton as their two threats at the position. However, Demetrius Williams remains on roster. Due to needs at other positions they will not look here immediately, but don't be surprised to see them take another receiver in the draft or target someone in free agency.

Tight End

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Offensive Tackle

After 12 seasons manning the left post in the Ravens offense, offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden (toe) is leaning towards retirement due to a lingering toe injury. Adam Terry, despite two solid starts at the end of 2007, has been a disappointment since being drafted. The team will almost certainly look at offensive tackle in the draft, possibly with their first pick.

Offensive Guard

Keeping with their draft philosophy, the team will likely look to draft some young inside offensive line help in the latter half of the draft and let them develop into a cohesive unit. This could become a bigger need if they move Chris Chester to center as it would leave only Ben Grubbs and Jason Brown as viable candidates to start. It is possible they bring in some experience as well in free agency.

Center

The team does not have a center, although they could move guard Chris Chester to cover the position after he filled in for last year's center Mike Flynn at times. They will address this position in the offseason, either by bringing in a center or moving a guard and bring in some other offensive line depth.

Key Defensive Positions Needed

Defensive End

The team is set at this position, so you can never have enough depth on the line, and they could look to bring in someone during the latter half of the draft or after the June 1 cuts.

Defensive Tackle/Nose Tackle

Like defensive end, the team could look to add some depth here at the end of the draft or after the June 1 cuts.

Linebacker

He continues to be productive, but Ray Lewis, who turns 33 years old before the start of the season, can't play forever. That the team has let him enter the final year of his contract says how they feel about his future. Don't expect them to let him get away in free agency (the owners are among his biggest fans), but it is time they start gearing for his retirement. They will likely draft a cornerback in the early to middle rounds of the draft.

Cornerback

Both Samari Rolle, 32 in August, and Chris McAlister, 31 in June, have lingering health issues; both are slowing down. They signed Frank Walker (Packers) to be their nickel back but will also look at drafting a cornerback early to groom for a future starting job.

Free Safety

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Strong Safety

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Key Special Teams Positions Needed

Place Kicker

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Punter

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Return Specialist

The team doesn't figure to significantly address the position.

Author Bio

Bryce McRae
Bryce McRae is a Managing Editor with KFFL and has been involved in fantasy sports since 1999. He joined KFFL as a volunteer writer in March 2005 before becoming a Hot off the Wire Analyst in March 2006. He began working in his current capacity in September 2008. His work has appeared on fantasy sports sites such as Yahoo! and CBS Sportsline as well as in print. He graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2008 with a B.A. in History and U.S. Studies.