The Baltimore Ravens have undergone some major changes to the roster this offseason and they could continue that way as free agency winds down, as players like Michael Crabtree, Greg Jennings, Stevan Ridley, James Casey, Denarius Moore, Jermaine Gresham and Kyle Wilson could be potential free agent options and this comes as Melvin Gordon could be a target in the draft after Bernard Pierce was released.
The Ravens have a number of need areas heading into the draft and the spring part of free agency, including at wide receiver, running back and tight end. According to Jamison Hensley at ESPN, the team is "far from done" in free agency and they could look at players like Michael Crabtree, James Casey, Denarius Moore, Jermaine Gresham and Hakeem Nicks as options on the market. Wide receiver is expected to be an area of focus, as the Ravens lost their number one option in Torrey Smith.
Smith signed a deal with the 49ers and now the Ravens likely will look at adding one or two players between free agency and the draft. Hensley lists Michael Crabtree, Greg Jennings, Denarius Moore and Hakeem Nicks as the best options left on the market and there is a good chance the Ravens sign one of those players. Crabtree could be the most expensive of the group and he has had interest from the Dolphins, Washington Redskins and San Francisco 49ers on the market.
Nicks could be a high upside, low cost option after one season with the Colts, while Jennings could fit the mold for Ozzie Newsome, who has shown in the past he is not afraid of veteran receivers. The team added Anquan Boldin years ago and also brought in Steve Smith last season. The tight end position is also a big concern, as Joe Flacco likes to use the position and with Owen Daniels in Denver, the team could look at Gresham, Casey or Zach Miller on the market.
Hensley writes that Miller is a player to watch out for, as he once was a coveted player before disappointing in Seattle. Miller could be inexpensive for the Ravens and that could be big with the way Flacco likes to use his tight ends. Miller was injured last season and that could hamper things and the same goes for Gresham, who underwent back surgery this offseason. Other options include Rob Housler and James Casey, but both of those players did not do much in the passing game for their teams last season.
The Ravens also could use some depth at running back, as they signed Justin Forsett to a new deal, but they let go of Bernard Pierce after his DUI. The team could look at free agents like Stevan Ridley or Knowshon Moreno, but the draft also has a number of options. The RB class this year is deep and players like Tevin Coleman, Ameer Abdullah and Melvin Gordon could be potential targets.
The Ravens opted to bring back Chris Canty and they also kept Lardarius Webb after he agreed to take a pay cut. Losing Smith on offense is tough, as he is an explosive player that can find his way into the endzone. Smith did not always put up the biggest numbers, but he was effective on deep balls and had a strong connection with Flacco. The Ravens are hoping to find a solid replacement for him on offense.
