Here at Sports World News we will count down each NFL teams’ 2014 draft needs and perfect fits. At the end of every team we will make a pick on who the team could take at their position.
2013 Review: The Baltimore Ravens fell victim to the infamous Super Bowl hangover and finished the season at 8-8. They lost too much veteran talent and leadership to get them through the growing pains of the up and coming young guys. Joe Flacco showed his true colors and put all of those questions of him being an elite quarterback to bed while Ray Rice had a season to forget followed by some legal trouble in the offseason. The Ravens have the pedigree and talent to return to the postseason, but the young talent needs to come around while avoiding the injury bug.
Needs:
Wide Receiver: Steve Smith is a very expensive bandaid the Ravens will live to regret and Torrey Smith is a one trick pony. Baltimore never really recovered at receiver after losing Derrick Mason and later Anquan Boldin, even with a Super Bowl championship. If the Ravens grab a young receiver at No. 17 they can give Joe Flacco some legitimate targets other than Dennis Pitta.
Safety: The Ravens missed the old Ed Reed and Matt Elam was disappointing in his rookie season. Elam has no choice but to improve and show he can be a starter in the NFL, but next to him the Ravens have very little talent. If a Ravens miss out on the wide receiver of their choosing, they could choose to take a chance on one of the two first round caliber safeties.
Running Back: Ray Rice was ineffective last season and now he has criminal charges being brought up on him. It couldn't hurt for the Ravens to find some running back depth later in the draft. It should be relatively easy considering the stock of the running back class is near the bottom of the barrel.
Targets:
Calvin Pryor, S, Louisville
Odell Beckham, WR, LSU
Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, S, Alabama
Best First Round Fit: Marqise Lee, WR, USC
Lee is everything the Ravens need in a wide receiver. He isn't a deep threat like Torrey Smith and he can take over full time when Steve Smith retires or declines in 2014. Lee fits into the offensive puzzle the Ravens are trying to accomplish with the pieces already on hand. Think more of a Greg Jennings' type with his incredible route running and his ability to make plays after the catch.
NFL Draft Team Previews:
No. 18 New York Jets
No. 19 Miami Dolphins
No. 20 Arizona Cardinals
No. 21 Green Bay Packers
No. 22 Philadelphia Eagles
No. 23 Kansas City Chiefs
No. 24 Cincinnati Bengals
No. 25 San Diego Chargers
No. 26 Indianapolis Colts
No. 27 New Orleans Saints
No. 28 Carolina Panthers
No. 29 New England Patriots
No. 30 San Francisco 49ers
No. 31 Denver Broncos
No. 32 Seattle Seahawks
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