NFL NEWS

Ravens offseason review, draft preview

The Sports Xchange

April 12, 2016 at 11:09 am.

Joe Flacco (5) throws a pass in the third quarter against the St. Louis Rams at M&T Bank Stadium last year. The Ravens won 16-13. Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Photo Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

OWINGS MILLS, Md. — The Baltimore Ravens are having one of their most active, and aggressive, offseasons in franchise history.

Following a disappointing 5-11 finish, Ravens general manager/executive vice president Ozzie Newsome has been determined to quickly get the team back on track. Baltimore added wide receiver Mike Wallace and tight end Benjamin Watson to give quarterback Joe Flacco more weapons on offense.

Newsome also signed Pro-Bowl safety Eric Weddle for another experienced playmaker in the secondary. While all three players will be age 30 or older when the season opens, they are experienced veterans that are expected to make an immediate impact.

Baltimore, however, plans further upgrades to the roster, either through the draft or free agency. The Ravens were able to free up money when Flacco agreed to restructure his contract and signed a three-year extension, which provided more than $15 million of salary-cap space.

“I think we have a lot of work to do still going forward,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “We’re not finished.”

The Ravens could use a left tackle, especially with Kelechi Osemele’s decision to sign with Oakland as a free agent. Baltimore is reportedly interested in the Denver Broncos’ Ryan Clady and the New York Jets’ D’Brickashaw Ferguson if either player becomes available. The Ravens are also linked to Notre Dame tackle Ronnie Stanley and Ole Miss’ Laremy Tunsil if either falls to them with the sixth overall pick.

“We’re at a position at (pick No.) 6 where we think we’re going to get a very, very good player,” Newsome said. “Defensively, you’ve got pass rushers, you’ve got corners; those are playmakers, guys that can sack the quarterback, guys that can intercept passes. There are four or five guys that we feel comfortable taking at six on the defensive side, and as we get into the second round, we’re looking at pick 36, again, we see a lot of those kind of guys: playmakers, safeties, ball-hawking safeties, corners who can intercept passes and score touchdowns, pass rushers as either five-techniques or as outside linebackers who can sack the quarterback. So, it does shape up very nicely for us, based on that criteria.”

Linebacker Courtney Upshaw also departed for a one-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons. This means Baltimore will also be looking for depth at that position. Finding an effective pass rusher has been one of the main priorities of this offseason. Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa could fill that role. UCLA linebacker Myles Jack is also a fierce pass rusher, but he might be taken before the Ravens make their selection.

Veteran free agent Dwight Freeney could also be an option if he decides not to retire or re-sign with the Cardinals. The Ravens, though, are confident they will add another effective pass rusher over the coming weeks. Joe Hortiz, Baltimore’s director of college scouting, is confident this year’s draft is deep enough to find talent in the later rounds.

“I think there’s some depth at that position, especially when you look at it, there’s pass rushers as five-techniques, and there’s pass rushers as outside ‘backers,” he said. “Between the two positions, I think you can find value in the later rounds, if you don’t strike early.”

With the addition of Weddle, the Ravens have already upgraded their secondary. The team, however, still could use another dynamic cornerback to force turnovers. Baltimore could fill this role via the draft if Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey or Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves falls to the sixth pick.

In addition, Baltimore added former Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier to the coaching staff to help improve the beleaguered secondary. Frazier, who played cornerback for the Chicago Bears from 1981 to 1985, brings a wealth of experience to the organization. He coached Minnesota from 2011 to 2013 and served as the defensive coordinator of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2014-2015.