2014 NFL Draft Needs: Baltimore Ravens

After Ray Rice struggled to find open running lanes this past season, look for the Ravens to make upgrading the offensive line a priority in the draft.
2014 NFL Draft Needs: Baltimore Ravens
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Areas of Need

1. Offensive Tackle

Left tackle Eugene Monroe was excellent in 11 games with the Ravens, after joining the team in an October trade. He's an unrestricted free agent and re-signing him will likely be Baltimore's top offseason priority, but it's possible he may have priced himself out of the team's range. On the other side, Michael Oher struggled through another disappointing season in 2013 and has likely played his last snap in Baltimore. The Ravens will have at least one tackle to replace this offseason, if not two.

2. Safety

With James Ihedigbo set to hit free agency, the Ravens will likely be in the market for a rangier safety to play alongside 2013 first-round draft pick Matt Elam. Ihedigbo isn't a bad player, but much like Elam, he's strong against the run and shakier against the pass. If the Ravens can find a solid coverage safety, it would allow Elam to slide into his more natural role as a true strong safety.

3. Center

Baltimore finished with just 3.1 yards per carry as a team last season, as running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce struggled behind a poor offensive line. The primary culprits up front were center Gino Gradkowski and left guard A.Q. Shipley, the latter of whom was filling in for the injured Kelechi Osemele (back). The Ravens' brass has already stated a desire to improve the interior offensive line, and the guard spots appear to be in decent shape, unless Osemele

Areas of Need

1. Offensive Tackle

Left tackle Eugene Monroe was excellent in 11 games with the Ravens, after joining the team in an October trade. He's an unrestricted free agent and re-signing him will likely be Baltimore's top offseason priority, but it's possible he may have priced himself out of the team's range. On the other side, Michael Oher struggled through another disappointing season in 2013 and has likely played his last snap in Baltimore. The Ravens will have at least one tackle to replace this offseason, if not two.

2. Safety

With James Ihedigbo set to hit free agency, the Ravens will likely be in the market for a rangier safety to play alongside 2013 first-round draft pick Matt Elam. Ihedigbo isn't a bad player, but much like Elam, he's strong against the run and shakier against the pass. If the Ravens can find a solid coverage safety, it would allow Elam to slide into his more natural role as a true strong safety.

3. Center

Baltimore finished with just 3.1 yards per carry as a team last season, as running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce struggled behind a poor offensive line. The primary culprits up front were center Gino Gradkowski and left guard A.Q. Shipley, the latter of whom was filling in for the injured Kelechi Osemele (back). The Ravens' brass has already stated a desire to improve the interior offensive line, and the guard spots appear to be in decent shape, unless Osemele is moved back to right tackle.

Potential Targets

*Denotes player who declared with eligibility remaining*

1. Offensive Tackle

First round
-Cyrus Kouandjio*, Alabama (6-5, 310)
-Zack Martin, Notre Dame (6-4, 310)
-Taylor Lewan, Michigan (6-7, 315)

Second and third rounds
-Antonio Richardson*, Tennessee (6-6, 330)
-Jack Mewhort, Ohio State (6-6, 310
-JaWuan James, Tennessee (6-6, 320)
-Joel Bitonio, Nevada (6-4, 315)
-James Hurst, North Carolina (6-6, 305)

Fourth round and later
-Wesley Johnson, Vanderbilt (6-5, 290)
-Cornelius Lucas, Kansas State (6-8, 330)
-Austin Wentworth, Fresno State (6-5, 306)

2. Safety

First round
-Ha'Sean Clinton-Dix*, Alabama (6-1, 210)
-Calvin Pryor*, Louisville (6-2, 210)

Second and third rounds
-Dion Bailey, Southern California (6-0, 200)
-Terrence Brooks, Florida State, (5-11, 200)

Fourth round and later
-Marqueston Huff, Wyoming (5-11, 195)
-Ty Zimmerman, Kansas State (6-1, 205)
-Tre Boston, North Carolina (6-0, 205)

3. Center

Second and third rounds
-Travis Swanson, Arkansas (6-4, 320)
-Bryan Stork, Florida State (6-4, 300)
-Weston Richburg, Colorado State (6-4, 300)

Fourth round and later
-Gabe Ikard, Oklahoma (6-3, 300)
-Tyler Larsen, Utah State (6-4, 310)
-Marcus Martin*, Southern California (6-3, 310)

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jerry was a 2018 finalist for the FSWA's Player Notes Writer of the Year and DFS Writer of the Year awards. A Baltimore native, Jerry roots for the Ravens and watches "The Wire" in his spare time.
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