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The Baltimore Ravens saw a lot of players leave the Owings Mills facility over the last two months. Whether it was for the greener pastures of free agency, or the victim of a trade this offseason, Baltimore finds itself watching key players donning new jerseys in 2017. Here, we take a look some of the most notable, and most important players from the past few years who are no longer Ravens, and we ask you who will the team miss the most this upcoming season.
Ricky Wagner
Wagner was one of the two players from the 2013 NFL Draft by the Ravens to depart in free agency. Wagner signed a 5-year, $47.5 million deal with the Detroit Lions after spending the last three seasons as the teams starting right tackle. Wagner started 45 games during that three year span, and became a form of consistency for the team on the right side of the line. Wagner did miss what could've been his first playoff appearance in 2014 due to a foot injury that sidelined him for the teams last regular season game, and their two playoff matchups with the Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots. With Wagner going to Detroit, Baltimore hasn't addressed the right tackle position in the free agency market as of yet, but with the selection of guard Nico Siragusa last month, it seems like left guard Alex Lewis will be moved to right tackle. Free agents like King Dunlap and Orlando Franklin are still available if the Ravens change their minds.
Kyle Juszczyk
Another draft pick from 2013 also found a new home for the 2017 season. Juszczyk agreed to a 4-year, $21 million deal with the San Francisco 49ers in the offseason, making him the highest paid fullback in NFL history. Like Wagner, Juszczyk started at fullback for the last three years, becoming a trusted target for quarterback Joe Flacco in the passing game and a fan favorite. During his time in Baltimore, "Juice" notched 97 receptions, 769 receiving yards, and 5 touchdowns. Most notably, he will be remembered for his big time effort to score the go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of the Ravens do-or-die game with their arch-rival Steelers on Christmas night last year. The team lost in the end, but Juszczyk displayed his heart and guts one last time. It is unknown what the team will do at fullback, and it is a lesser talked about need than wide receiver or right tackle because of the fact that the position is so devalued in today's NFL. The Ravens could choose to abandon it, sign someone, or convert someone like tight end Nick Boyle to the position. It will be interesting to see, but Juszczyk was not your typical fullback and his ability as a pass-catcher will be missed.
Kamar Aiken
2016 was not a memorable one for Aiken to say the least. It was a season filled with frustrations and having his role reduced after posting career numbers the year before. Granted, with Steve Smith and Mike Wallace already on board, along with the emerging Breshad Perriman, it was going to be a harder road for the disgruntled receiver. Aiken has been an underdog his whole career after jumping from numerous practice squads once he became an undrafted free agent. Aiken finally found a home and an opportunity in Baltimore during the 2014 season, making key receptions and touchdowns in the teams road to their sixth playoff appearance in seven years. Aiken became a reliable target for Flacco in the slot. He only scored one touchdown in 2016 after posting 74 receptions, 944 receiving yards and five touchdowns the year before. Aiken settled for a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts in the offseason, and as of now, the Ravens have done literally nothing to address the wide receiver position after Aiken's free agent departure, and Smith's retirement. After Wallace and Perriman, it is a barrage of question marks led by youngster Chris Moore, and the often injured Michael Campanaro. Baltimore is reportedly interested in free agent Victor Cruz. One things for sure, team general manager Ozzie Newsome has to do something to address this glaring hole.
Timmy Jernigan
A lot of people had different opinions about Baltimore's second round draft pick from 2014. Some felt that he was a real good, tough football player who was a key young piece to the defense and was primed for the best season of his career entering a contract year in 2017. Others felt he was a knucklehead who let his emotions get the best of him. They also felt that he was inconsistent and never truly lived up to his full potential. Whichever way you sided on, Baltimore wound up trading the former Florida State Seminole and their compensatory pick to the Philadelphia Eagles last month in exchange for Philadelphia's third-round pick in this years draft. Jernigan notched 13 sacks during his three seasons with the Ravens. The good news for Baltimore is that they have talent in-house like the newly resigned Brandon Williams, Michael Pierce, Willie Henry and rookie Chris Wormley to make up for the loss of Jernigan. However, Jernigan's pass-rushing presence on the interior of the line could still be missed.
Lawrence Guy
Jernigan wasn't the only defensive end the team lost in the offseason, as Lawrence Guy will now be a part of the defending Super Bowl champion New England Patriots this season. Just as Jernigan was important to the pass-rush, Guy was used primarily to stop the run. Guy was claimed off waivers by Baltimore in late-September of the 2014 season. He added size and power to the Ravens defensive line at the 5-technique in the team’s 3-4 scheme, recording 45 total tackles and 5.5 sacks in Baltimore. The Ravens are counting on young guys like Wormley, Henry, and Brent Urban to step in for both Guy and Jernigan. While the young players made him expendable, Guy was an underrated tough football player on this team for three years.
Poll
Who will the Ravens miss the most in 2017?
This poll is closed
-
66%
Ricky Wagner
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16%
Kyle Juszczyk
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5%
Kamar Aiken
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7%
Timmy Jernigan
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4%
Lawrence Guy