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NFL Team Reviews: Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens appeared in consecutive playoffs from 2018-20, but their streak was snapped with a season ravaged by injuries. Baltimore got healthy along with a fantastic offseason. They look primed for another playoff appearance.

Improvements: Defensive Line & Safeties

The Ravens’ defense was plagued by injuries last season. They head into the 2022 season healthy and improved.

NFL Team Reviews: Baltimore Ravens
Todd Olszewski/Getty Images/AFP

Baltimore re-signed the vet defensive lineman Calais Campbell and brought back DT Michael Pierce — who played for the Ravens from 2016-19. In addition, they made a splash by signing Marcus Williams to a 5-year, $70 million deal.

They followed a solid free agency with an excellent 2022 draft. Baltimore’s biggest piece is safety Kyle Hamilton, who should fit in perfectly. Moreover, the Ravens added D-line help with David Ojabo and Travis Jones.

Baltimore’s new defensive coordinator, the up-and-coming Mike Macdonald, will lead a dangerous unit.

Stayed the Same: Inside Linebackers

The obvious weakness of the Ravens’ defense is their inside linebackers. This was an offseason need, yet it was barely addressed.

Josh Bynes — who comes off a good season — was re-signed to a one-year deal. Baltimore did not add an inside linebacker.

Patrick Queen is their No. 1 inside backer, which is a risky proposition. The former LSU Tiger has been inconsistent. Like Queen, Malik Harrison is another young LB oozing with athleticism. However, Harrison has played poorly in his first two seasons.

Got Worse: Wide Receivers

Baltimore’s passing attack took the biggest hit this offseason. Trading Marquise “Hollywood” Brown to the Cardinals was a great move. However, it leaves the Ravens’ wideout group thin.

They let Sammy Watkins walk as he went to the Packers. Lamar Jackson will throw to Rashod Bateman, Devin Duvernat, and James Proche. These are young and unproven receivers. The Ravens’ offense will rely heavily on TE Mark Andrews and the run game.

In the backfield, J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill come off major injuries. It may take a period for the run game to be fully effective; this is a problem with a shaky passing offense.

Grade: A

Instead of blaming injuries for missing the playoffs, the Ravens were active this offseason. The upgrades at safety were perhaps the best moves. Plus, they had an elite 2022 NFL Draft. Overlooking wide receiver could be a massive mistake. Baltimore looks like a playoff team, but is the passing attack good enough for a postseason run?

Schedule:

  • Week 1: 9/11 at Jets, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 2: 9/18 vs. Dolphins, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 3: 9/25 at Patriots, 1 p.m., Fox
  • Week 4: 10/2 vs. Bills, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 5: 10/9 vs. Bengals, 8:20 p.m., NBC
  • Week 6: 10/16 at Giants, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 7: 10/23 vs. Browns, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 8: 10/27 at Buccaneers (Thursday), 8:15 p.m., Amazon Prime Video
  • Week 9: 11/7 at Saints (Monday), 8:15 p.m., ESPN
  • Week 10: BYE
  • Week 11: 11/20 vs. Panthers, 1 p.m., Fox
  • Week 12: 11/27 vs. Jaguars, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 13: 12/4 vs. Broncos, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 14: 12/11 at Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 15: 12/17 or 18 at Browns, TBD, TBD
  • Week 16: 12/24 vs. Falcons (Saturday), 1 p.m., Fox
  • Week 17: 1/1 vs. Steelers, 1 p.m., CBS
  • Week 18: 1/7 or 8 at Bengals, TBD, TBD

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