Rob Long: The State Of The Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens just finished a season that none of us saw coming. Not only did they not make the play-offs, fans saw, for the first time since 2008, a team line-up without quarterback Joe Flacco.
That's not where things started to take a turn for the worst. It started with the first round draft pick Breshad Perriman never playing one snap for the team. He was injured in late July and was eventually lost for the season. Perriman was drafted to be the team's deep threat for years to come. Now, all he's provided is uncertainty.
In 2013, the Ravens selected Matt Elam, safety out of the University of Florida. Not only has he been bad, he did not play a snap in 2015 either. In that same draft, the team selected linebacker Arthur Brown out of Kansas State in the second round. He has not helped the team in any way.
Those three picks were huge for the Baltimore Ravens. That's where they need to look when going forward to not duplicating 2015. Three of the top two picks in the past three drafts did not contribute to the team in any positive way. That is tough to get around when you want to contend for a title. That's on scouting and the front office.
You can talk about coaching all you want but if you don't have the talent to compete, it's nearly impossible to contend. The Ravens have the sixth overall pick in this year's draft. They need to hit a home run in a bad way. They don't need more volume this year, they'll have plenty of picks. They need a stud in the first round and at least a starter in the second round. This is not the year to get "cute" and out think the other teams. Identify what your needs are and GET THAT PLAYER.
In years past this organization has moved down because of their "board". That's when you're drafting late. There's not way they do not have a player on their board in the sixth spot. Go get him. This year's draft is crucial.
