With The First Pick
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Franchise Building Blocks: Baltimore Ravens

By Jon Dove

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The Baltimore Ravens have missed the playoffs for a second straight year, but feel they have the talent to turn things around.

It’s been a difficult two-year span for the Baltimore Ravens who are not use to being out of the playoff mix. They improved their record this past year, but still failed to get back to the post season. There’s talent on this roster, but there are also enough holes to question whether or not the playoff drought will end.

Baltimore’s most important player is Joe Flacco whose large salary has made it tough for the Ravens to hang on to important free agents. They need Flacco to start playing like a franchise quarterback and leading his team to victories.

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The issue is that the Ravens don’t have a ton of talent surrounding Flacco. Things only get worse with the retirement of Steve Smith. The receiving corps will lean on Mike Wallace to continue his career resurgence.

Breshad Perriman is an important piece of the puzzle, but injuries have limited his development. He needs to get a full season under his belt and prove he was worth of a 1st round pick.

The offensive line is in solid shape with Marshal Yanda, Jeremy Zuttah and Ronnie Stanley in place. Ricky Wagner could be a part of the future if the Ravens are able to keep him from leaving via free agency.

Dennis Pitta had a solid year, but his history of hip injuries put his long-term future in question. The lack of development from Maxx Williams hinders the depth of the position.

Baltimore needs to use this offseason to find a reliable running back. The combination of Terrance West and Kenneth Dixon just didn’t produce enough big plays. Flacco’s style of play relies heavily on play action which needs a strong running game to be effective.

The Ravens have long been known as a team that wins because of its defense. However, there has been roster turnover which as seen the unit struggle. Baltimore is looking at another change when Terrelle Suggs and Elvis Dumervil are forced to retire.

C.J. Mosley is the team’s top defensive player and one of the better linebackers in the NFL. Some of his success is thanks a powerful defensive line that features standouts like Brandon Williams and Timmy Jernigan.

Williams is a free agent and someone the Ravens will work hard to retain.

The secondary is lead by the veteran Eric Weddle who still has a few years left in the tank. Jimmy Smith is arguably the most talented player in the secondary but has struggled to stay on the field. Tavon Young is someone who had a nice rookie season and made himself apart of the long-term future.

Baltimore recently got some bad news when standout linebacker Zach Orr decided to retire at the age of 24. He suffered a neck injury during the season which impacted his decision.

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