Ravens training camp began on July 22, giving fans and media a first look at what might be the best roster in the NFL.
NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger recently spent time in Owings Mills, and second-round edge rusher Mike Green caught his eye. The Ravens have lacked a true franchise pass rusher since seven-time Pro Bowler Terrell Suggs departed in 2018, but Baldinger believes Green could live up to that role.
Baldinger believes that Green could eventually become a defensive closer and be the postseason difference-maker Baltimore has needed in recent seasons.
“I think he’s got that type of potential. I don’t want to compare him to T-Sizzle right now, but he certainly was an elite prospect coming out,” Baldinger said on Glenn Clark Radio July 29. “I spent two days watching him at the Senior Bowl … and he gave the offensive tackles, many of them starting for NFL teams right now, fits.
“You just watch him at Marshall, you watch him out there at practice right now with [Ravens outside linebacker coach] Chuck Smith. I think he’s got a real chance to be a special player.”
The Ravens have tallied double-digit wins in three straight years, but are 2-3 in the playoffs during that span. It’s difficult to poke holes in a team poised to make a Super Bowl run, but the left guard spot raises some concerns.
The Ravens’ unofficial depth chart lists Andrew Vorhees and Ben Cleveland as LG1 and LG2. They’re both 26 and have started a combined 10 games in their careers.
Rookie Emery Jones Jr., currently out with a shoulder injury, could eventually help out along the line. Certain teams were extremely high on the third-rounder out of LSU, even rating him higher than college teammate Will Campbell, who went fourth overall.
Baldinger is comfortable with the Ravens’ offensive line as it stands.
“I’ve said for years that the Ravens replace offensive linemen the way Walmart restocks shelves. That’s what they do,” Baldinger said. “That’s what Ozzie [Newsome] did, that’s what Eric [DeCosta] is doing. I have faith that they’ll get a really good five up there.”
Baltimore made a pair of high-profile signings this offseason in wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and cornerback Jaire Alexander. The two have their issues, however. Hopkins is 33 and his best years are behind him, while Alexander has played just 14 games the past two seasons.
Baldinger says that expectations for the multi-time Pro Bowlers should be tempered, but they are ultimately low-risk additions.
“Whatever you can get out of those players, after the careers they’ve had and the injuries they have sustained, can only be a bonus,” Baldinger said. “If they can help them win some close games, a postseason game, then great, but I don’t think you can go in there saying these are difference-makers right now.
“If they get something from those guys, it’s great. The contracts are not prohibitive. I mean, they’re paying DeAndre Hopkins [$5 million]. He’s an insurance policy right now.”
Amid the Ravens’ playoff shortcomings in recent years, the two-time MVP Jackson has been targeted with much of the blame. His career touchdown-to-interception ratio in the regular season is 3.39, the second-highest in NFL history. In the postseason, that number has dipped to 1.43.
Baldinger says changing the way he plays come playoff time would be foolish.
“You can’t negate the plays that he makes because of his ability, and say, ‘OK, play safe, play scared,'” Baldinger said. “You just can’t ask him to do that. That’s not fair and that’s not smart.”
For more from Baldinger, listen to the full interview here:
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