Baltimore Ravens: Examining Their Greatest Needs

Thanks to the Ravens' inactivity in free agency, they actually have more needs now than they did at the end of the season.

Fans are rightly concerned about the amount of needs the Ravens have, as they will be unable to fill them all in the draft.

The Ravens have a multitude of needs. Certainly Ozzie Newsome and company must be aware of that, so expect them to become more active in free agency as the higher priced free agents go off the market.

With this in mind, here are the holes in the roster that the Ravens need to address.

Offensive Guard

The loss of Ben Grubbs has left a massive void for the Ravens at guard.

Despite having one of the best guards in the NFL on the right side in Marshal Yanda, the Ravens have nothing across from him.

Right now, Jah Reid looks like he might be the heir apparent. Reid is an ascending talent, but moving him to a new position can't be good for the Ravens offense in 2012. This plan almost certainly would make life difficult for Ray Rice and Joe Flacco.

The Ravens could address the position in the draft, as there are numerous interior linemen available, including Peter Konz, Cordy Glenn and Kevin Zeitler, among others.

In free agency, the options are few after the Ravens missed out on signing Evan Mathis. The top available options are Vernon Carey from the Dolphins and Bobbie Williams from the Bengals, but neither is a long term answer.

All in all, the Ravens have a major void at the left guard spot, and they also lack depth at the position. Don't be surprised if the Ravens double dip at the position in either free agency or the draft.

Pass Rusher

Though the Ravens had a rejuvenated pass rush in 2011, they struggled to get after the passer down the stretch.

They relied too heavily on Terrell Suggs, and though he was incredible for most of the season, teams eventually began to focus on shutting him down. None of the Ravens other players were able to pick up the slack.

That has to change in 2012. The best teams in the NFL have multiple good pass rushers, and the Giants won two Super Bowls by stockpiling talented defensive ends.

The Ravens need to take a cue from the Giants and start addressing the pass rush this off-season.

Luckily, the draft is deep with talented pass rushers. In the first round, Whitney Mercilus and Courtney Upshaw could be options, while later, Ronnell Lewis and Shea McClellin are solid options.

Towards the back of the draft, the Ravens should take a long look at Miles Burris, who is a great athlete with an unstoppable motor.

Free agency doesn't have much left to offer, though Manny Lawson and Aaron Maybin both have experience in the 3-4.

Look for the Ravens to look hard at a young pass rusher near the top of the draft.

Wide Receiver

The Ravens' receivers have made crucial mistakes at crucial moments the past two years, and while the Ravens have tried to fill the void, they still only have two solid receivers on the roster.

Acquiring veterans like Lee Evans and T.J. Houshmandzadeh didn't work out, and Baltimore's young players didn't make much of an impact outside of Torrey Smith. That means that the Ravens still desperately need a receiver.

Luckily, the Ravens don't necessarily need a primary target, but they could use more than one complementary target to lessen to load on Anquan Boldin and Torrey Smith.

Though free-agency is devoid of legitimate playmakers at this point, the draft is full of unique weapons who could fit right in with the Ravens.

Joe Adams and Ryan Broyles could be solid options in the slot later in the draft, while Michael Floyd and Juron Criner are solid outside targets who could become top receivers for the Ravens.

The draft is deep with talented receivers, and the Ravens should definitely come away with at least one.

Offensive Tackle

Though the Ravens have their starters for 2012 set, they really need to address the offensive tackle position for the long term.

Bryant McKinnie is only an average player at this point, and he doesn't have many quality years left.

Michael Oher, meanwhile, has proven that his place is on the right side, where he has become a solid player.

Unfortunately, that puts Jah Reid in a tough spot, as he is a pure right tackle. He currently provides solid depth at the right tackle position, but he doesn't look like he'll get a chance to start at tackle any time soon.

If McKinnie goes down, the Ravens will be in a tough situation, as Oher is only a marginal left tackle, and Reid is strictly a right tackle. That means the Ravens really need to address the position both for depth and for a long-term option as the starter.

The Ravens could take a look at the Chargers' Marcus McNeill in free agency, who is an excellent left tackle when healthy.

In the draft, the Ravens would have to address the position in the late rounds, as the top prospects will be gone by the time the Ravens pick in the first round.

Bobby Massie and Zebrie Sanders are both solid options in the second or third round, or the Ravens could choose to look for a diamond in the rough later in the draft.

Regardless, the Ravens will need to have a new left tackle on the roster in 2012.

Safety

Watching Ed Reed play against the Houston Texans in the playoffs was a thing of beauty. He readily sacrificed his body en route to two interceptions and numerous passes defended. He played like a heavy-weight boxer on the ropes.

Sadly, he also looked old and worn out. As amazing as his performance was, he clearly gave everything he had in that game, and every time he landed awkwardly or launched his body, fans cringed fearing an injury.

Ed Reed is truly an all-time great, but the Ravens need to start preparing for life without him. 

Exacerbating this problem is the fact that Tom Zbikowski and Haruki Nakamura both signed with new teams for 2012. That means that the Ravens have minimal depth at the position.

The Ravens actually added safety Sean Considine, lessening the need for immediate depth, but they could still use a developmental player behind Ed Reed.

To that end, Mark Barron or Markelle Martin could be quality additions in the draft, among others.

As long as the Ravens get a young player to back-up Reed, they can consider this need filled.

Special Teams

The Ravens special teams were a mess from top to bottom last year, and they are due for a complete overhaul in 2012.

First, the kicker position is a clear place to start. Billy Cundiff whiffed on an easy game-tying kick in the waning seconds of the AFC Championship game. He was marginal all season, and he can definitely be upgraded.

The Ravens could very well bring back Shayne Graham, who was solid in spot duty last year. Graham has better accuracy than Cundiff, though Graham has also missed big kicks in his career.

The return game also needs work. The best returner on the roster is Lardarius Webb, but he is far too crucial to the defense to consider as a returner again in 2012. Both the punt and kick return units could use an upgrade.

If the Ravens' draft a receiver or a cornerback, don't be surprised if they draft one with return skills. Getting even an average returner in the draft would immensely upgrade the Ravens' special teams.

Finally, the coverage units were among the worst in the NFL last year. The Ravens gave up multiple return touchdowns, and they regularly gave up big returns and good field position to opponents.

To that end, the Ravens have already added Sean Considine and Corey Graham, but more work needs to be done. The Ravens should add a host of solid special teams players in the draft, which will make a major impact.

All in all, the Ravens appear to be committed to improving their special teams, so expect more moves to bolster these units as the off-season continues.