The Baltimore Ravens failed to make the playoffs for the first time during the six year tenure of Head Coach John Harbaugh. It was clear that the Ravens missed the toughness that Anquan Boldin brought to the wide receiver position. They needed to address that and grab a young pass catching tight end that can be a target for Joe Flacco. It was also evident that they needed a rangy safety to compliment Matt Elam. This team became more athletic on defense thanks to two key draft picks. They added a few free agents as well, one of which will have a huge impact despite his small stature. Here are five key additions for the Baltimore Ravens:
Free Agent Acquisition: Steve Smith WR
Adding Steve Smith will prove to be a solid pickup. They are catching him at a very good time. He is a proven player that will have a chip on his shoulder due to his release from the Carolina Panthers, the only team that he played for throughout his 13 year NFL career. He is the exact kind of hard nosed, gritty player that the Ravens need. It’s rare that wide receivers are tone setters but Steve Smith and Anquan Boldin are cut from the same cloth when it comes from that aspect.
Smith can still occasionally be a deep threat but his contribution will primarily come by bringing the mid range passing game to life. He can still run the dig route and can still work the outside the numbers routes such as outs (deep) and comeback routes. This is an excellent match for the big arm that Joe Flacco has. The way that Steve Smith has evolved into a consistent option especially when it comes to moving the chains will be crucial. He will get his share of targets because defenses will be focused on minimizing the vertical ability of Torrey Smith.
First Round Draft Pick #17 Overall: C.J. Mosely LB
What the experts say: “He’s such a solid football player. There are some concerns about his shoulder, but he was medically cleared by just about every team. He’s a plug-and-play linebacker in a 3-4 defense. He pursues sideline to sideline. He improved on getting off blocks this year. This is a typical Baltimore Ravens solid football player; a solid pick.” — Mike Mayock
Mosely was recognized as the nation’s top linebacker when he won the Dick Butkus Award. He brings leadership back to the linebacker position which has been known to the Ravens as a catalyst thanks to the days of Ray Lewis. Mosely is a high football IQ guy that brings absolute intensity on the field. It was clear that he was a leader on a talented Alabama defense. Watch his college games and you will see him lining up his teammates and making the calls on defense.
He has the lateral agility to flow to the ball carrier from sideline to sideline. He’s a down hill linebacker that explodes into his target when he hits them. His coverage ability is there as he is fluid enough to move with the smaller speed backs in man coverage and strong enough to hold his own against tight ends. Mosely will emerge as a key piece to the rather athletic defense that the Ravens are putting together.
Third Round Draft Pick #79 Overall: Terrence Brooks
What the experts say: “Terrific pick right here. Brooks can run from the free safety position. He can blitz, He can play the center field spot for you.” — Charles Davis
The addition of Terrence Brooks instantly makes the Ravens secondary better. Brooks has the fluid hips along with the change of direction quickness that is required to drop down in the box and cover a slot receiver. He could in effect become a nickel back at first, and then work his way in as a starter. His ability to play center field in single high coverage will allow the Ravens to use Matt Elam more in the box which is where his ability is tailored for. Brooks has the ability to cover a lot of ground yet he will still be aggressive in run support. He was a standout at the Senior Bowl, especially in one on ones.
Third Round Pick #99 Overall: Crocket Gilmore TE
What the experts say: “One of the best two way tight ends.” — Daniel Jeremiah
Gilmore is a large target for Flacco. He measured in at 6-6 260 pounds. He is a natural hands catcher. This was on display at Senior Bowl practices as he made a couple of nice catches during seven on seven and team periods. Gilmore can make contested catches in a crowd by using his big frame to box out defenders. The Ravens do already have Dennis Pita and he will be the primary tight end. However, many offenses have started to employ 12 personnel (two tight ends) more often. It wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect Gilmore to beat out Owen Daniels as the number two tight end. Daniels signed a one year one million dollar contract. Quarterbacks like big bodied tight ends that have a large catch radius. Gilmore has 33 3/4 arms to go along with his big frame.
Seventh Round 218th Overall Selection: Mike Campanaro WR
What the experts are saying: “The Ravens move back into the draft to get the elusive, quick Campanaro who should remind some of Danny Amendola with his ability to stop and start with suddenness and find space underneath. A great value in the seventh round.” — Derek Stephens
It is not often that a seventh round pick is considered to be a key addition before the season starts. However, the NFL has given birth to a number of shifty, smaller, fast twitch wide receivers. Offensive coordinators are playing these guys in the slot and letting them use their short area quickness to beat defenders in man defense or quickly find a soft spot against zones. Campanaro is another addition to the toughness category for the wide receiver group. He brings a Wes Welker like possession element to the slot position. His 20 reps on the bench at the Scouting Combine was really impressive especially with him only being 5-9 192 pounds. Campanaro will benefit from one on one match-ups as teams will have their focus on Torrey Smith. Don’t be surprised if Campanaro makes a strong push for significant playing time.
Ozzie Newsome is known across the NFL as a very good evaluator of talent. He did a very good job of addressing some needs this off season. The selection of Timmy Jernigan in the second round was great value. Many had him going in the first round and he could challenge Brandon Williams for the starting nose tackle position. Lorenzo Taliaferro is another draft pick that could pay off in the long run. He may need to be a feature back for a bit while Bernard Pierce recovers from his injury and Ray Rice could be facing a league suspension. The Ravens are set to begin OTAs this week. It will be very interesting seeing the new faces in Ravens uniforms when they take the field during the later phases of OTAs.
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