After an offseason that saw some key departures on both sides of the ball, the Baltimore Ravens enter training camp with a few holes on their roster.
While there are concerns about the offensive line and their wide receiver talent, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec believes the team should be concerned about their ability to replicate their success on defense from last season.
Zrebiec listed the Ravens' defense as an area of concern, writing:
"This offseason saw an exodus from arguably the league’s best defense in 2023. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald and key position coaches Dennard Wilson and Anthony Weaver left for promotions elsewhere. The Ravens also lost outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney, inside linebacker Patrick Queen, cornerback Ronald Darby and safety Geno Stone, among others, in free agency. They added some pieces in the draft and are confident several younger players will emerge at other spots. Still, their defensive depth, particularly at outside and inside linebacker and safety, could become a significant problem if injuries hit."
The Ravens do still have some of the NFL's most elite defenders, like safety Kyle Hamilton, linebackers Roquan Smith and Kyle Van Noy, and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. And as Zrebiec noted, they added some defensive talent in the draft in cornerbacks Nate Wiggins and T.J. Tampa and edge rusher Adisa Isaac.
The Ravens could also get a boost if Marlon Humphrey can get healthy, though he sat out of OTAs and minicamp with "nagging" injuries, according to head coach John Harbaugh.
Still, as Zrebiec noted, one or two big injuries could seriously test the team's depth.
There will also be the adjustment period of playing under new defensive coordinator Zach Orr. During minicamp, Van Noy said Orr will run an aggressive scheme — something that could benefit a team that led the NFL in turnovers last year.
The Ravens' ability to draft and develop has earned them the benefit of the doubt. But considering Baltimore was a win away from the Super Bowl last year, it's hard not to raise an eyebrow at some of their offseason moves when they seem weaker on both sides of the ball.
