Over the past two years, Baltimore has added a lot of talent through the draft and free agency. They just need to stay healthy to reap the benefits.
Much like Dallas, the Ravens had some terrible injury luck last year. Joe Flacco, Justin Forsett, Steve Smith and Breshad Perriman -- the team’s starting quarterback, running back, and two top wideouts -- all sustained season-ending injuries. As a result, the Ravens predictably struggled, finishing 30th in Adjusted NEP per play last year.
Smith, coming off an Achilles injury, may not be ready for the start of the year, but Forsett, Perriman and Flacco are expected to be ready to roll.
Perriman, a first-round pick in 2015, should provide a boost to the passing game after missing all of his rookie season. Mike Wallace, after being cut by the Minnesota Vikings, signed as a free agent, and he has generated a lot of positive buzz this offseason. Baltimore also selected receiver Chris Moore in the fourth round of the draft.
Receiver, a position that was a weakness, may become a strength, especially if Smith can get back to 100 percent.
Baltimore is well stocked at tight end, too.
The Ravens brought in Benjamin Watson in free agency. He’ll join Crockett Gillmore and Maxx Williams on a crowded depth chart. Among tight ends to see at least 40 targets last year, Gillmore ranked fourth in Reception NEP per target while Watson was ninth. Williams, the first tight end taken in the 2015 draft, did next to nothing last year, which is customary for rookie tight ends.
At running back, the Ravens added Kenneth Dixon via a fourth-round draft pick. Dixon will team up with Javorius Allen and a healthy Forsett. Prior to breaking his forearm, Forsett was having a decent year as he ended 2015 ranked 21st in Rushing NEP per play. Among the 33 running backs to see at least 40 targets, Allen finished 18th in Reception NEP per target, showing some promising ability as a pass-game weapon as a rookie.