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This article continues off our team outlook series where we will breakdown each NFL team from a fantasy football perspective. We will cover the major changes on each team in the offseason and project what the team will do in the upcoming season.
Today we take a look at the Baltimore Ravens.
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Offseason Moves
Offseason Acquisitions: TE Benjamin Watson, WR Mike Wallace, RB Kenneth Dixon,
Offseason Departures: WR Chuck Jacobs, WR Cam Worthy
Quarterback
The two most important offseason departures aren't listed above. Offensive lineman Kelechi Osemele and Eugene Monroe. The Ravens O-line is not good at all, lowering the fantasy value of their quarterback. There is not much to get excited about regarding Joe Flacco this season. Yes, he has the ability to win a Super Bowl, but that was when he had protection and weapons like Ray Rice, Anquan Bolden and Torrey Smith. He also had a defense headlined by Ray Lewis and Ed Reed. Anyway, this season, he has neither protection nor secure weapons. The Ravens offense is deep. It's also uncertain. His number one target is 37 year old Steve Smith Sr. who missed most of last season because of a torn achilles. And that's if he's 100%.
Flacco certainly has the arm strength and the capability to win games. It's simply hard to trust someone with no upside. There are plenty other options for a QB2.
Running Backs
A four running back committee isn't necessarily a bad thing for a ball club. Although, it spells a ton of trouble for a fantasy squad. The foursome consists of Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen, Kenneth Dixon, and Terrence West. According to ESPN.com, coach John Harbaugh has been most impressed with Forsett, despite the hype surrounding Dixon and West during training camp. Forsett was honored with a Pro Bowl nod two seasons ago but will be wrestling for snaps. Unless he emerges as number one and revisits his 2014 campaign, it will be difficult to bank on him as a RB1.
Lorenzo Taliaferro is also being thrown into conversation. He has scored five touchdowns in two seasons with the Ravens, but has less than 100 attempts over that span. Allen produced when Forsett broke his arm last season but was more affective in a predominately receiving role. He did accumulate 514 yards on the ground but averaged a dismal 3.8 yards per carry. Dixon is still unproven. West had a fairly decent rookie season with the Cleveland Browns but was unable to keep the momentum rolling in his split time with the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore last season. All we can do is wait and see with the Ravens running backs.
Wide Receiver
Baltimore's receiving core is also in question. Starting with the aforementioned Steve Smith Sr., the veteran receiver headlines a group of uncertainty. He is in the latter half of his 30's and recently came off the PUP list. If he returns to form, Smith Sr. is as tough as they come. It's too early to tell with him, but right now, he's a borderline WR3 with the potential to rise.
Breshad Perriman was recently activated off of the PUP list as well and owns the highest ceiling of any Ravens receivers. Despite zero NFL statistics to his name, Baltimore has high hopes for their 6-foot-2, 218 pounds, terribly fast wideout. He too needs to stay healthy but could emerge as the top guy for Flacco and the Ravens offense. He'll be competing with newly signed veteran Mike Wallace and Kamar Aiken. Aiken has played in 16 games in his his first two professional season and filled in nicely in relief of Smith Sr. last season. He finished the year with 944 receiving yards and five touchdowns. It's an overcrowded receiving group, and that's worrisome.
Tight End
Overcrowded seems to be the common theme here. Benjamin Watson was the Ravens first signing this offseason with the health of Dennis Pitta and Crockett Gillmore in question. Pitta broke his finger fighting with a teammate early in August. The injury could linger even when Pitta returns to the field. There's no set timetable for his return. Gillmore performed well in 10 games as the starting tight end last season, accumulating 33 receptions, 412 yards and four touchdowns. Watson is 35 years old, but could still emerge as the favorite. According to ESPN.com, he is projected to tally 49 receptions and around 500 yards. And then there's Maxx Williams who scored two touchdowns in his 2015 rookie campaign. The focus was on Williams taking over the starting role until the Ravens signed Watson.
As is the case with running back and wide receiver, the races are too undecided at his point. At this rate, it appears that regardless of who emerges, the depth at this position will also hurt the fantasy value of each.
Kicker
Justin Tucker is one of the best kickers in the league and should be among the first taken at his position. He slightly struggled last season but six of his seven misses were from 50+ yards. Expect him to again see close to 40 attempts in 2016.
Defense
The Ravens defense finished last in the league with six interceptions and placed 28th in forced fumbles. They did score four touchdowns but were ranked 19th in fantasy scoring last season. It's hard to expect much improvement from an aging group led by Eric Weddle, Terrell Suggs, Ladarius Webb, and Elvis Dumervil, all of whom are in their 30's.
