By Anthony Fallas Edited by Mike Fallas
The Baltimore Ravens have pulled off a rebound season after not making it to the playoffs in the previous year. They were able to hop back into the playoffs once again this season because of their arising star players. However, a couple of their crucial star players, like Torey smith, are hitting the free agent market, therefore leaving the Ravens in the cold. the Ravens will quickly need to think of a few fixer uppers to make sure their offense maintains their status as the 6th best rushing, 9th best passing, and 6th best scoring team in the NFL. They can maintain this by exercising their interest in players in free agency and in the draft. The following is going to be the top 4 most important players in free agency and in the draft, the Ravens need to get next season.
Player #4: Ameer Abdullah
Ameer Abdullah is an amazing running back out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Abdullah is projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick. It is a definite possibility the Ravens could be thinking about him, if Abdullah is still on the board. Since Justin Forsett is a free agent, and may be too costly for the Ravens to resign him or grant him his $10.9 million franchise tag, after his break-out year, the Ravens may look to a running back that is similar to Forsett in the draft. Abdullah is 5’9” and weighs 190Ibs. Forsett is 5’8” and weighs 197Ibs. Abdullah is extremely similar to Forsett. Once Abdullah enters into the NFL, he may have a break-out year similar to Forsett’s.
Player #3: Jaelen Strong
According to Mike Mayock, a draft expert from nfl.com, he has already predicted that the Ravens will use their number 1 draft pick on a wide receiver. If the Ravens do not decide to use a draft pick on a young wide receiver, their receiving core could collapse easily because of the possibility the Ravens fail to re-sign Torrey Smith or grant him his franchise tag worth $12.8 million. Also to mention, Wide receiver Steve Smith is growing old and will not be able to assist the Ravens pass attack for long. The Ravens will need Jaelen Strong to fill in some crucial gaps, but they also need him because of his extraordinary talent. Jaelen is a tough and a very physical competitor. He plays similar to an athlete all Ravens fans remember in the past, Anquan Boldin. Boldin is a sturdy 6’ 1’’ 223 pounds. Strong is 6’4” and 205lb. Strong is gigantic for his age. Both talents are very durable and productive. They also possess the same aggressive playstyle as one another. Strong could repeat the success Anquan Boldin created with his time with the ravens. If the Ravens can pick up Strong, he may be the huge secret weapon for the Ravens offense.
Player #2: Torrey Smith
Re-signing Torrey Smith is a huge priority for the Ravens. Smith is on his last year of his contract and is now able to explore free agency, unless the Ravens tag him with a franchise tag worth a massive $12.8 million. In his previous season with the Ravens, Smith had a total 767 yards and 49 receptions, which is very exceptional. Moreover, Torey has proven himself very reliable in many situations. For example, on November 3, 2011 the Ravens played against the Steelers. The score was 20-16 with 16 seconds left on the clock. Flacco heaved the ball about 30 yards to Smith into the end zone to seal the game winner. However, thats not the first time Torry has been reliable and clutch, as he has been Joe Flacco's’ favorite weapon for many years.
Player #1: Owen Daniels
The Ravens must re-sign, tight end, Owen Daniels. Tight ends for the Ravens are a huge question. Since Dennis Pitta has been plagued with a dislocated hip two years in a row, the Ravens are unclear about his future on the team. Owen Daniels was signed for a one year contract last year. Daniels was a functional replacement for Pitta along with Crockett Gillmore. Daniels had a total of 48 receptions for 527 yards, which is exceptional for his first year in Baltimore. He may become even better if he settles in with the Ravens. If the Ravens do not re-sign Owen Daniels, the tight end position is going to be a gamble next year.
If the Ravens pursue these players they will have a great chance to maintain the success they had last year.
The Baltimore Ravens have pulled off a rebound season after not making it to the playoffs in the previous year. They were able to hop back into the playoffs once again this season because of their arising star players. However, a couple of their crucial star players, like Torey smith, are hitting the free agent market, therefore leaving the Ravens in the cold. the Ravens will quickly need to think of a few fixer uppers to make sure their offense maintains their status as the 6th best rushing, 9th best passing, and 6th best scoring team in the NFL. They can maintain this by exercising their interest in players in free agency and in the draft. The following is going to be the top 4 most important players in free agency and in the draft, the Ravens need to get next season.
Player #4: Ameer Abdullah
Ameer Abdullah is an amazing running back out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Abdullah is projected to be a 2nd or 3rd round draft pick. It is a definite possibility the Ravens could be thinking about him, if Abdullah is still on the board. Since Justin Forsett is a free agent, and may be too costly for the Ravens to resign him or grant him his $10.9 million franchise tag, after his break-out year, the Ravens may look to a running back that is similar to Forsett in the draft. Abdullah is 5’9” and weighs 190Ibs. Forsett is 5’8” and weighs 197Ibs. Abdullah is extremely similar to Forsett. Once Abdullah enters into the NFL, he may have a break-out year similar to Forsett’s.
Player #3: Jaelen Strong
According to Mike Mayock, a draft expert from nfl.com, he has already predicted that the Ravens will use their number 1 draft pick on a wide receiver. If the Ravens do not decide to use a draft pick on a young wide receiver, their receiving core could collapse easily because of the possibility the Ravens fail to re-sign Torrey Smith or grant him his franchise tag worth $12.8 million. Also to mention, Wide receiver Steve Smith is growing old and will not be able to assist the Ravens pass attack for long. The Ravens will need Jaelen Strong to fill in some crucial gaps, but they also need him because of his extraordinary talent. Jaelen is a tough and a very physical competitor. He plays similar to an athlete all Ravens fans remember in the past, Anquan Boldin. Boldin is a sturdy 6’ 1’’ 223 pounds. Strong is 6’4” and 205lb. Strong is gigantic for his age. Both talents are very durable and productive. They also possess the same aggressive playstyle as one another. Strong could repeat the success Anquan Boldin created with his time with the ravens. If the Ravens can pick up Strong, he may be the huge secret weapon for the Ravens offense.
Player #2: Torrey Smith
Re-signing Torrey Smith is a huge priority for the Ravens. Smith is on his last year of his contract and is now able to explore free agency, unless the Ravens tag him with a franchise tag worth a massive $12.8 million. In his previous season with the Ravens, Smith had a total 767 yards and 49 receptions, which is very exceptional. Moreover, Torey has proven himself very reliable in many situations. For example, on November 3, 2011 the Ravens played against the Steelers. The score was 20-16 with 16 seconds left on the clock. Flacco heaved the ball about 30 yards to Smith into the end zone to seal the game winner. However, thats not the first time Torry has been reliable and clutch, as he has been Joe Flacco's’ favorite weapon for many years.
Player #1: Owen Daniels
The Ravens must re-sign, tight end, Owen Daniels. Tight ends for the Ravens are a huge question. Since Dennis Pitta has been plagued with a dislocated hip two years in a row, the Ravens are unclear about his future on the team. Owen Daniels was signed for a one year contract last year. Daniels was a functional replacement for Pitta along with Crockett Gillmore. Daniels had a total of 48 receptions for 527 yards, which is exceptional for his first year in Baltimore. He may become even better if he settles in with the Ravens. If the Ravens do not re-sign Owen Daniels, the tight end position is going to be a gamble next year.
If the Ravens pursue these players they will have a great chance to maintain the success they had last year.