4 Newcomers Who Will Play Biggest Roles for the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have undergone a number of offseason changes this year on both sides of the ball, which means newcomers to the team—veterans and rookies alike—will have to step up right away and make an impact on the field.

The Ravens are no strangers to having talent on their roster, however, so these changes shouldn't harm the team much. That is, at least, if the following four players play as big a role as I project they will.

In the following slides, I reveal who these four players are and just what to expect out of them in their first season in Baltimore.

LB Courtney Upshaw

When the Ravens drafted linebacker Courtney Upshaw at the top of the second round, it was understood he'd get some time in the team's starting rotation and could have a shot at starting, competing for the vacancy left when Jarret Johnson departed in free agency.

But now that both Johnson and Terrell Suggs' spots are up for grabs (the latter tearing his Achilles' tendon during the offseason), and another linebacker, Mike McAdoo, is out for the season, Upshaw is going to have to play an even bigger role in the Ravens defense this year.

Upshaw is versatile—he has the skill set to play both linebacker and defensive end—making him ideal in both run-stopping and pass-rushing situations. With a serious need at linebacker, Upshaw is set to both get significant playing time and make a significant impact in his rookie season.

RB Bernard Pierce

Yes, the Ravens have one of the most explosive—if not the most explosive—running backs in the NFL in Ray Rice. Rice led the league in offensive yards from scrimmage last year and is currently embroiled in a contract holdout that will eventually result in him receiving a new deal or agreeing to sign the franchise tender the team offered him.

But Rice still needs a true No. 2 back to provide the team with a change-of-pace and to spell him—he shouldn't be called upon to do everything, even though he can. Thus rookie running back Bernard Pierce will have a major role in the Ravens offense this year, even if his impact is ultimately marginal.

Rice is a threat in both the running and passing games and could play every down if asked. But he's also one of the Ravens' most valuable players and limiting his chances for injury or overuse is extremely important. 

With Pierce available as an effective situational replacement for Rice, Rice's potential can be maximized with far less risk. If that's not an important role, then I don't know what is.

CB Corey Graham

Corey Graham came from the Chicago Bears to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency. Though listed as a cornerback, he'll likely get limited defensive snaps this year, but that doesn't mean he won't play a major role.

Graham is one of the most prolific special teams tacklers in the NFL, and special teams are clearly an area in which the Ravens need to improve. Further, Baltimore lost two of the most involved members of their coverage team this offseason (safeties Haruki Nakamura and Tom Zbikowski), so finding someone to replace them was a major offseason priority.

Signing Graham indicates the Ravens are well aware of their special teams deficiencies and that they were willing to make moves to fix them. He's an excellent addition to this phase of the game and will make an immediate impact with his new team.

WR Jacoby Jones

The Ravens brought on Jacoby Jones for two reasons—to compete for the No. 3 wide receiver job and to return punts and kicks. Both jobs are well-suited to Jones' skill set and should ensure that he gets his fair share of time on the field.

As a receiver, Jones provides another target for Flacco and additional veteran leadership in a fairly young receiving corps. His explosive speed makes him an excellent choice as kick and punt returner, especially since the team will no longer be using cornerback Lardarius Webb in that capacity.

The Ravens killed two birds with one stone by bringing Jones on board. With so many roles to fill and the talent to do so, Jones should make a major impact in his first year as a Raven.

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