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Baltimore Ravens: 5 offseason needs in 2019

By Russell S. Baxter

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rolls out to pass during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens rolls out to pass during the second half of a game against the Los Angeles Chargers at StubHub Center on December 22, 2018 in Carson, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 30, 2018: Offensive guard Marshal Yanda #73 of the Baltimore Ravens prepares to engage defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah #90 of the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game on December 30, 2018 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore won 26-24. (Photo by: 2018 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 30, 2018: Offensive guard Marshal Yanda #73 of the Baltimore Ravens prepares to engage defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah #90 of the Cleveland Browns in the fourth quarter of a game on December 30, 2018 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. Baltimore won 26-24. (Photo by: 2018 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

4. Fortified interior offensive line

When veteran quarterback Joe Flacco went down with a hip injury at midseason and the team inserted 2018 first-round pick Lamar Jackson into the starting lineup, it was no secret that the Baltimore Ravens’ offense would change dramatically. The emphasis was on the ground game, with Jackson one of the focal points. During the team’s 6-1 finish, Baltimore averaged an imposing 229.8 yards per game on the ground. The rookie signal-caller did his share of damage on the ground, but running back Gus Edwards totaled 122 carries for an impressive 654 yards and two scores over that seven-game span, totaling 100-plus yards in three of those contests.

Be it Jackson, Edwards or Kenneth Dixon, this kind of production doesn’t come without quality offensive line play. And the team may want to take a closer look at the interior of this unit over the next few months.

Via Pro Football Focus (subscription required), only three guards in the league graded out higher than veteran Marshal Yanda in 2018. But on the left side, Alex Lewis (10 starts in ’18) earned subpar grades as a run blocker when he was available. Versatile James Hurst started the final four weeks and the playoffs at left guard but he may not necessarily be the long term solution at that spot. Matt Skura started 16 games at center this past season and like Lewis, didn’t earn high grades in terms of the run game.

The club could certainly look to bring in a little competition here via free agency and the draft to better fit Greg Roman’s offense.

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