NFL Baltimore Ravens

2015 NFL Draft: Baltimore Ravens’ Top 5 Needs

2015 NFL Draft: Baltimore Ravens’ Top 5 Needs

C.J. Mosley
Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Ravens are not a franchise that lags behind for long. This season, their expectations of making the playoffs are looking increasingly grim, needing to win in Week 17, but also keeping close watch on other games too. Baltimore doesn’t need to rebuild, it needs to reload, and there’s no better way to do it than through the NFL Draft.

5. Tight End

Dennis Pitta
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

5. Tight End

Dennis Pitta
Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

Dennis Pitta has been one of the league’s most deceptively dangerous tight ends during his five-year tenure with the Ravens. Unfortunately, a hip injury ended his season back in September, and the frequency of his setbacks have some wondering if he’ll ever throw on the pads again. Owen Daniels is a fine replacement, but should not be viewed as a long-term solution.

4. Running Back

Justin Forsett
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

4. Running Back

Justin Forsett
Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The jury is still out on the effectiveness of Baltimore’s 1-2 punch in Justin Forsett and Bernard Pierce. Forsett runs like a rookie, but he is actually a journeyman who has already spent seven years in the league. Running backs in the NFL age like dogs, so there’s no telling what sort of diminished impact he will have in a couple of years. Pierce is younger, but has never made the starting role his own. Look for a mid-round pick here.

3. Nose Tackle

Haloti Ngata
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

3. Nose Tackle

Haloti Ngata
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Age is again a critical factor here. The starter at this position – Haloti Ngata – is a multi-time Pro Bowler. He has spent several seasons playing at an elite level, but earns a paycheck in a role notorious for chewing up and spitting out even the finest athletes. Behind him sit Brandon Williams and Terrance Cody -- both fair in relief, but lacking Ngata’s anchorage along the line.

2. Wide Receiver

Steve Smith
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

2. Wide Receiver

Steve Smith
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Don’t bother asking Steve Smith how long he’s got left. He’ll probably tell you to ask his wife again, before insisting he has another 15 years in him. The confidence is admirable, but time waits for no man in the NFL. If this truly is Smitty’s last season, the Ravens may be tempted to snag a replacement in the first round. Baltimore does not boast any other genuine threats, and Torrey Smith has not developed into the all-rounder they hoped for.

1. Cornerback

Danny Gorrer
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

1. Cornerback

Danny Gorrer
Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

One could make the argument that no position group on any other team has suffered the kind of misfortune that Baltimore’s secondary has been put through in 2014; myriad injuries have forced the Ravens to literally sign corners off the street. Expect a healthy Lardarius Webb and Jimmy Smith to start the 2015 season, but the Ravens' brass will do everything in their power to prevent such bad luck from derailing another promising year.

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