Sports Illustrated Writer Questions Ravens’ Draft Strategy, Drops Them to No. 7 in Power Rankings
While the prevailing opinion among pundits is that the Ravens strengthened one of the NFL’s most talented rosters in the draft, Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr has a different take.
Orr acknowledged that the Ravens had “an excellent draft,” but still put them at No. 7 in his post-draft power rankings, down two spots from where they were in his post-free agency rankings.
“This defense will be able to evolve with the addition of another rangy safety (Malaki Starks) and high-upside edge (Mike Green),” Orr wrote. “However, the team took a new kicker before addressing any skill positions on the offensive side of the ball. Does the offense have the tools to evolve, too?”
I believe the answer to Orr’s question is yes.
While the Ravens only added one offensive skill position player in the draft (Colorado wide receiver LaJohntay Wester in the sixth round), all the key players from last season’s No. 1 offense in yards are back in Todd Monken’s third season as offensive coordinator.
Baltimore has an elite quarterback in Lamar Jackson; an outstanding running back room featuring Derrick Henry, Justice Hill, and Keaton Mitchell; a talented wide receiver corps led by Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, and Hopkins; and arguably the league’s top tight end trio in Mark Andrews, Isaiah Likely, and Charlie Kolar.
The Ravens also drafted three offensive linemen, including third-rounder Emery Jones Jr., to bolster a group led by Stanley, center Tyler Linderbaum, and right tackle Roger Rosengarten. Starting right guard Daniel Faalele, a Pro Bowl alternate last season, also returns, as does Andrew Voorhees, who began last season as the starting left guard before suffering an injury.