FanPost

On paper...


...are the 2019 Ravens better, worse or same as the 2018 version?

QB: All indications are that Lamar has drastically improved his pass game. He's put on weight to absorb blows and the team has built the playbook and roster to suit him. Rookie year in the rear view. RGIII is the perfect backup for this new system. Verdict: BETTER

RB: The addition of Mark Ingram is a major score for a team that wants to churn the ball and eat clock. He is that guy. He also brings leadership to a very young, transitioning team. Drafting Justice Hill brings the youth, speed and change of pace to an already decent RB corps. Verdict: BETTER

WR: They lost Smoke and Crab and signed FAs Roberts and Floyd. They drafted Hollywood and Boykin. Holdovers are Snead, Scott and Moore. Ravens typically keep 6, so someone previously mentioned doesn't make the team. Seemingly reliant on the rookies to have success for this group to be deemed relevant is scary heading into a season. But that said, this group is much faster overall and larger making them better compliments for this new offense. Verdict: BETTER

TE: Despite the loss of Maxx, this is looking like the best group on the offensive side of the ball. Hurst is back healthy and developing a good rapport with Lamar. Boyle signed a nice contract. But Andrews is the MAN!!! Coming off a good season by rookie TE standards, he looks ready to make a leap into the elite of the league. Verdict: BETTER

OL: The Tackles are solid with Zeus going into his sophomore season and Stanley entering contract extension time. Yanda will be a force until he decides to hang it up. Skura is surprisingly locked into the center position but the LG position is a gaping hole with no clear solution entering preseason games. Last year's starter, Lewis was just released leaving Elu, Hurst and rookie Powers to battle it out. This may be a position that the Ravens FO addresses via trade this preseason. But at worse, all 3 are as good as Lewis so based on the point of this article, the Verdict: SAME

DL: Pierce arrived to OTAs out of condition. He has lost most of the necessary weight now in training camp and appears ready to pick up where he left off. Hopefully the focus on weight loss didn't set anything else back. Big Baby will be back as usual plugging up the middle. Worm will be expected to step up and Henry needs to become what they envisioned heading into last season. He was singled out and praised by Suggs as the next Raven to make a name for himself before injuries ended his season. Mack looks like a future monster and Seiler has been quiet. Verdict: SAME

ILB: Unexpectedly lost CJ to the Jets. That has made this unit the team's biggest mystery heading into the season. Current starters are an undrafted former safety, Peanut and another undrafted player in Board. Last year's 4th round pick, Young will see a lot of work rotating in. Levine will play a pseudo ILB role in some packages. Group seems faster but loss of team captain, leading tackler and QB of the D in Mosely could be a huge blow. Verdict: WORSE

OLB: Another unexpected loss to the defense and the city, Suggs decided to go home and play for the rebuilding Cardinals. Expected but huge when combined with the other losses, Z Smith went to Green Bay in FA. Team signed hopeful rebounders in Ray and McPhee and drafted the Sack Daddy, Ferguson. Combined with Williams and Bowser, there is hope a few will help 4th year Judon generate an effective pass rush. This is the unit that has most analysts questioning the defenses overall success this year. Verdict: WORSE

SAFETY: Weddle had slowed and became a liability in coverage. His experience and knowledge of the defense and how he directed the other players are huge losses. One that is tough to overcome......unless you are lucky enough to sign an Earl Thomas. Assuming Earl grasps the defense despite his early concerns of complexity, he is an easy upgrade. Earl's centerfield capabilities should allow TJ to excel closer to the box. Clark is looking improved. But the emergence of Elliott makes this an elite group. Verdict: BETTER

CB: Rated as the best overall position group in the league, this CB room is no joke. Though all of the same starters are returning another year sharper, last year's draft pick, Averett and this year's pick, Marshall make this group stout from top to bottom. This group will be expected to overcome poor pass rush and they have the talent to do it. With Humphrey entering elite status and the incredible depth makes the Verdict: BETTER

STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE: Though slightly tougher than last year, the offset of 'away, home, away, home' throughout the entire season gives better opportunities to avoid losing streaks. Bye week is slightly sooner this year. Verdict: SAME

CONFERENCE: Cincinnati will be one of the worst teams in the NFL (typically Cleveland). Pittsburgh will good, not great (typically Cincinnati). The Browns are a Super Bowl contender (typically Pittsburgh). Verdict: SAME

COACHING: Team thankfully moved away from Marty and handed the offensive reigns to a running game guru, Roman. Loss of ST coordinator, Rosburg could be felt. Arguably best ever. But the addition of Culley as WR coach and movement of Engram away from the never-developing WRs should help a lot. Staff has also invested into serious analytics hiring a full staff. Verdict: BETTER

This is the team on paper based on reports but of course reality differs. Based on the 'paper' results, the Ravens should be improved from last season. What are your thoughts Ravens fans?

The opinions posted here are those of the writer of this article. They are in no way official comments from the team, the editors of this site or SB Nation as a whole, and should not be misconstrued as such.