My rookie wide receiver scouting report will be up soon. But in the meantime, there’s another wide receiver angle for the 2023 Ravens that I’d like to explore. And it’s called De’Andre Hopkins. It’s been reported that Hopkins wants out of Arizona – and that the Cardinals are seeking at least a number two draft pick. But the phones apparently haven’t been ringing in Arizona. What will happen to Hopkins, and can the Ravens get him? Here’s my Ravens pre-draft wide receiver concept. Continue reading “A Ravens Pre-Draft Wide Receiver Note”
Category: Opinions
Cornerback Prospects – Ravens 2023 Comprehensive Draft Report
Below is a list of the cornerback prospects for the Ravens in the 2023 draft. Check back as I may augment this list from time to time. To the extent that time permits, other position analyses will follow (excepting offensive tackle, tight ends, centers, and safeties).
UPDATE, April 19, 2023: The Ravens met with the following cornerback prospects pre-draft:
Julius Brents
Emmanuel Forbes
Anthony Johnson
Steven Jones (listed at safety by some)
Jeremy Lucien
Joey Porter Jr.
Kelee Ringo
Cam Smith
Tyrique Stevenson
Cory Trice
The Cornerback Need
The Ravens clearly need a starting corner (or two) at this point in the off season. A return of Marcus Peters, if at all, would be a post-draft event and probably contingent on who the Ravens come up with. The needs are clear. First, a number one man-cover corner who can run (who knows about Armour-Davis) and has scheme diversity. Second, a slot corner (though I still like Pepe Williams in that spot). I’m not a fan of putting Marlon Humphrey full-time in the slot. But the Ravens clearly need speed. They need someone who can turn those hips and take the receiver all the way up the field. To me, if you can’t run at a top level, you’re not a great candidate for the Ravens this year, notwithstanding whatever other traits you bring. With that in mind, here’s the cornerback crop. Continue reading “Cornerback Prospects – Ravens 2023 Comprehensive Draft Report”
Should the Ravens Trade Lamar Jackson?
Should (or must) the Ravens trade Lamar Jackson? Teams have almost universally rejected Jackson as a free agent. Many observers attribute this shunning to Lamar’s alleged fully guaranteed contract demand. But is it more than that? Yes. I’ve written numerous times regarding Lamar’s flaws as a pocket passer. He’s challenged reading defenses. Just getting to the line of scrimmage in a consistently timely manner has been difficult. His work habits are less than admirable. Then there’s the injuries and the obvious issue of how long he can retain his running skills. Add it all up and he’s nowhere near the “clean” quarterback that teams drool over. Combined with his contract demands, Lamar makes a poor case for a team to pay him a fortune and give up a lot of draft capital to do it. Continue reading “Should the Ravens Trade Lamar Jackson?”
The Ravens Non-Exclusive Tender to Lamar – Now What?
The non-exclusive tender to Lamar was perhaps a surprise to outsiders. But it tells us a great deal about Lamar’s likely future and how the Ravens have gauged that future. No doubt the Ravens had a very good sense that other owners have little taste for fully guaranteed contracts. There might be a legal issue brewing here (collusion is a tough case to make). But if Lamar has been unwilling to come off of his fully guaranteed negotiating position (which he must be at this point), there’s no better way for him to learn the illusion of such a contract then by talking to other teams. Which he is now free to do. Continue reading “The Ravens Non-Exclusive Tender to Lamar – Now What?”
The Ravens Lamar Salary Cap Quandary
I was originally intending this post as the “pro” case for keeping Lamar. But I’m changing things around a bit. It’s more pertinent to take a look at the basic question. From a salary cap perspective, can the Ravens afford to keep Lamar Jackson as a franchised player in 2023? Here, the Ravens really are in a salary cap quandary. Continue reading “The Ravens Lamar Salary Cap Quandary”
Ravens One and Done – Boy Was That Painful
Let me say it for everyone – so disappointing! One and done is hard to accept, especially because the Ravens were the better team last night. They had the Bengals. But the backup quarterback and the offensive coordinator had brain spasms, and the season is over. There’s plenty to talk about as the off-season is here. I’ll start here. Continue reading “Ravens One and Done – Boy Was That Painful”
The Ravens Can Beat The Bengals. . . If the Defense is Up to It
This is not a pollyannish pie-in-the-sky prediction that the Ravens can win their playoff matchup without Lamar Jackson. The odds of their offense putting up three touchdowns – without some short fields – are very low. My hope comes from watching the tape of last week’s Bengals matchup, and the extraordinary play of Roquan Smith. The Ravens can beat the Bengals. Let me explain. Continue reading “The Ravens Can Beat The Bengals. . . If the Defense is Up to It”
Trouble in Ravens’ Land
There’s a world of trouble in Ravens land. Let’s face it. The prospects for the 2022 Ravens have diminished to such a degree that it’s almost impossible to foresee a happy ending. And I don’t mean winning a Super Bowl championship. It’s hard to see how this group – such as it is – can win another game. I don’t think this dire forecast is a bridge too far.
There are so many problems heading into the season finale that it’s almost hard to pick a starting point. But pick I must so I’ll go with the obvious starting point. Continue reading “Trouble in Ravens’ Land”
Ravens Before the Steelers Game: More on Lamar Jackson
This is a warm-up for a longer Lamar Jackson analysis that follows when the season ends. Today I offer a few comments on two inter-related Lamar considerations. First, his on-the-field strategic utilization. Second, his progress, and any additional upside potential, within the confines of Greg Roman’s “Lamar” offense. So let’s look at more on Lamar Jackson.
More on Lamar: The 2022 Handicaps
Let’s start with a brief review of how Lamar has been utilized this year. I caveat this discussion by noting that we really haven’t known Lamar’s physical status all season, current injury aside. To me, Lamar has not looked physically right since early in the year. He doesn’t look as quick, as evidenced by his reduced escapability on broken plays, and on occasions when he has been unable to turn the corner. The degree to which his condition has adversely impacted his on-field use is impossible to gauge. Continue reading “Ravens Before the Steelers Game: More on Lamar Jackson”
Ravens Post-Jaguars Loss – The Key Takeaways
My positive comments this week, post-Jaguars, are limited. The key takeaways from this game are negative – critically so. But let me start with the few positives.
Key Takeaways: Three Positives
As others have noted, Josh Oliver has been a wonderfully pleasant surprise. In fact, the Ravens are not utilizing Oliver enough. He’s not just the newer version of Nick Boyle. Oliver is much more athletic, and can do things with the ball in his hands that the other tight ends on the roster can’t. By this I mean his combination of speed and power are impressive. He’s a load who can accelerate. Get him a few more touches going forward. Continue reading “Ravens Post-Jaguars Loss – The Key Takeaways”