With The First Pick
Fansided

Super Bowl LV: Ranking the top 5 NFL AFC contenders

By Nicholas McGee

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrates after the Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs against the Tennessee Titans during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – JANUARY 11: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens runs against the Tennessee Titans during the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium on January 11, 2020 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

2. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens would likely have been in this spot before Baltimore’s front office went out and did what it does best, absolutely crush the NFL Draft.

A running game that befuddled almost every opponent in sight in 2019 is set to get even more diverse after the Ravens drafted a multi-faceted talent at the tailback position in J.K. Dobbins.

Beyond Dobbins, MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson was provided with more weapons in the speedy Devin Duvernay and contested-catch phenom James Proche, who could prove a sixth-round gem for general manager Eric DeCosta.

Their biggest need was addressed as arguably the premier linebacker in the 2020 class, Patrick Queen, fell into their laps in the first round. He and versatile third-round defensive lineman Justin Madubuike join a front seven that will feature Calais Campbell, after the five-time Pro Bowler was somehow acquired for a fifth-round pick, and former Denver Broncos standout Derek Wolfe.

Edge rusher Matthew Judon is set to return after his 9.5-sack season in 2019.

Baltimore got better on both sides of the ball this offseason by letting the draft board come to them and making savvy acquisitions of proven veterans. Top to bottom, theirs is arguably the best roster in the NFL. And yet, such is the brilliance of the quarterback in Kansas City, it still might not be enough to put them over the top as the Super Bowl champs 2020.

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