The Baltimore Ravens were one of the league’s most surprising teams last season. The emergence of the 2019 unanimous MVP, Lamar Jackson, fueled the Ravens to a 14-2 record and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs for the AFC.
However, the Ravens fell in the Divisional Round of the playoffs against the Tennessee Titans. Following a disappointing end to their season, the Ravens beefed up their roster this offseason.
Key Additions: DE Calais Campbell, DL Derek Wolfe, LB Patrick Queen (Draft), and RB J.K. Dobbins (Draft).
Key Departures: OG Marshal Yanda, LB Patrick Onwuasor, DL Michael Pierce, and TE Hayden Hurst.
Let’s take a look a the Ravens roster going into the 2020 season.
Quarterback
Starter: Lamar Jackson
Backups: Robert Griffin III, Trace McSorely, and Tyler Huntley
The QB position is the Ravens strongest position. They have the reigning MVP in Lamar Jackson; with his rare and elite running ability, he is revolutionizing the QB position.
Jackson will look to improve on his throwing, which is definitely the weaker aspect of his game. Regardless, Jackson is the greatest and most dangerous weapon for the Ravens and will lead the team, looking to build on last season’s success.
Running Back
Starter: Mark Ingram
Backups: J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill
The Ravens added to the RB position by drafting Dobbins out of Ohio State in the second round of the draft. Dobbins brings another hard running style and the ability to be effective in the pass game, like Mark Ingram.
Ingram and Jackson led the rushing attack last season for the Ravens, and it was most dominant running game in the league and became the identity of the offense.
Mark Ingram looks to rush for 1,000 yards for the fourth time in the past five seasons in 2020. He and Dobbins will look to be crucial pieces to the Ravens rushing attack and offense.
Wide Receiver
Starters: Marquise Brown, Miles Boykin, and Willie Snead
Backups: Devin Duvernay, Jaleel Scott, Chris Moore, and James Proche
WR production from the Ravens last season was lacking as Brown led the unit with 584 yards receiving. Brown will look to take it up a level this year as he will look to reach 1,000 yards receiving for the first time.
Devin Duvernay is a rookie who will come in and compete for the WR3 spot with Willie Snead. Duvernay had over 1,300 receiving yards and nine touchdowns in his senior year with the Longhorns and can keep a solid contribute from the start.
Miles Boykin will also look to gain more traction in the offense as he enters his second season after only 13 receptions in his rookie season last year.
Expect more from him and the rest of the group this year as Jackson looks to grow in the passing game.
Tight End
Starter: Mark Andrews
Backups: Nick Boyle, Charles Scarff, and Eli Wolfe
The TE position took a hit this offseason as Hayden Hurst was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. Hurst had the third-most receiving yards on the team last year.
However, the team’s top receiver, Mark Andrews, returns as Jackson’s top option in his arsenal. Andrews had a breakout year, recording 852 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns.
Nick Boyle will take over the spot that is left open with the loss of Hurst. Boyle had a career-high 321 yards receiving and two touchdowns last season.
Offensive Line
Starters: Ronnie Stanley, Bradley Bozeman, Matt Skura, Ben Powers, and Orlando Brown
Backups: Tyre Phillips, Ben Bredeson, Patrick Mekari, and DJ Fluker
The Ravens have a huge hole to fill at RG as Marshal Yanda retired. The future Hall of Famer played his entire 13-year career with the Ravens and was a huge piece of the team.
The Ravens drafted two linemen in the draft this year, bringing a new wave of youth and development on the line to work with the veterans of Matt Skura and Ronnie Stanley.
Ben Powers and DJ Fluker are going to compete to fill the void at the RG position, but the line looks to be strong this year as the running game had the success it had a year ago due to the offensive line play.
Defensive Line
Starters: Calais Campbell, Brandon Williams, Derek Wolfe, and Pernell McPhee
Backups: Justin Madubuike, Patrick Ricard, Jaylon Ferguson, and Broderick Washington Jr.
The defensive line got a major boost this offseason. The Ravens first trade for All-Pro DE Calais Campbell from the Jaguars. Campbell is one of the best defensive linemen in the NFL and provides a huge boost to the front four with his 88 career sacks.
Second, the team added Derek Wolfe, who is coming off a career-high seven sacks last year with the Broncos. Pernell McPhee returns to the Ravens after playing with the Bears and Redskins over the past four seasons.
The front four of the Ravens defense got major upgrades this offseason and expectations are raised for them going into this season.
Linebacker
Starters: Matthew Judon, Patrick Queen, and Malik Harrison
Backups: Chris Board, LJ Fort, and Tyus Bowser
The Ravens fully addressed the LB position this offseason. After losing Patrick Onwuasor to the Jets, Matt Judon was placed on the franchise tag for the this season.
Last year, Judon set career-highs in sacks (9.5), QB Hits (33), and forced fumbles (4). Judon is going to be the leader of the linebacker group as two rookies will get a lot of snaps at the start of the season.
Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison were drafted by the Ravens this year. Queen brings elite athleticism and versatility that will make him a key contributor to the defense. Harrison bring physicality and hard hitting power that will aid the defense against the run.
The linebacker group has a great leader and young potential that will be key in Don Martindale’s defense.
Cornerback
Starters: Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and Tavon Young
Backups: Khalil Dorsey, Jimmy Smith, and Anthony Averett
The CB position is another top strength for the Ravens. The group is led by Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters.
Humphrey set career-highs in interceptions (3) and tackles (65) last season, being named First-Team All-Pro for the first time in his career. Humphrey looks to build off his career season in 2020.
Peters was traded to the Ravens during the 2019 season and earned himself a three-year extension. Peters led the league in interception yards (210) and defensive touchdowns (3). He had five interceptions on the season with 14 passes defensed.
Tavon Young and Jimmy Smith are going to compete and play in the NCB position. The CB position has top tier starters and good depth to support.
Safety
Starters: Earl Thomas and Chuck Clark
Backups: Geno Stone, Jordan Richards, and DeShon Elliot
The back end of the secondary is rounded out by veteran Earl Thomas, who has been one of the NFL’s top safeties for years. Even though his play has gone down, Thomas is still a great leader and contributor to the defense.
Chuck Clark set a career-high in tackles last season displaying his physicality and athleticism. Clark and Thomas proved to be a solid duo for the defense last year and return for another season together.
Special Teams
Starters: Justin Tucker (K), Sam Koch (P), and Morgan Cox (LS)
The Ravens have one of the best special teams units in the entire NFL. Sam Koch is one of the league’s best punters and Justin Tucker is the league’s most consistent and strongest kicker.
The Ravens have made upgrades and improvements to their entire team this offseason. The offense is looking to continue its dominance on the ground, while the defense looks to take it up another level with the huge acquisition of Calais Campbell.
