With The First Pick
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Which NFL units have the biggest question marks?

By jonfox

May 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Johnny Manziel leaves the courtroom with his sister Meri Manziel after he makes his first appearance at the Frank Crowley Courts Building on his misdemeanor assault charge. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
May 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Johnny Manziel leaves the courtroom with his sister Meri Manziel after he makes his first appearance at the Frank Crowley Courts Building on his misdemeanor assault charge. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jun 14, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) stands on the field during the first day of minicamp sessions at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 14, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens tackle Ronnie Stanley (79) stands on the field during the first day of minicamp sessions at Under Armour Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Offensive line: The entire left side of their offensive line was replaced during the offseason. Monroe was replaced by Ronnie Stanley. Osemele left for free agent dollars. The Ravens will going into training camp with an open battle at left guard, which is always a problem for a team with a rookie blind side protector and only rushed for 3.9 yards per carry in 2015.

Bottom line: if Stanley isn’t ready for primetime when Week 1 hits, the Ravens are in for a world of trouble. Flacco can be a good quarterback if he has the time to set and throw. If he gets flustered, he’ll struggle. Against Pittsburgh in 2015, he had a QB rating of over 100 when he faced 4 rushers. When he faced more than 4 rushers, his rating dropped down to 44.

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This means that the Ravens also need a rushing game to give Flacco the ability to use play action. Justin Forsett was reinforced with Kenneth Dixon and Trent Richardson. But their success will all come down to how Ronnie Stanley sets the edge and whomever plays left guard replaced Osemele.

This whole situation begs the question of why the Ravens, who had 7 draft picks in round 2-4, passed on guard help to reinforce positions in which they were stocked with talent.

Next: Pittsburgh DBs

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