Dynasty Capsule: Baltimore Ravens
As part of the premium content package, we’re again unveiling dynasty capsules for every team in the NFL leading up to free agency and the NFL Draft. This year, we’re again going to do a follow-up on all the teams after all the free agency and NFL Draft movement to assess the impact of any players teams have gained or lost. Since these capsules are always done as a simple snapshot in time, we figured that was the best way to tackle the off-season and provide ultimate value for our subscribers. All in all, we’ll have close to 500 player profiles found in these capsules over the off-season.
We continue our path through the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens.
Quarterbacks
Joe Flacco
Even though Joe Flacco finished his best statistical season in 2014, he still only finished as the QB13 in fantasy. The end of year stats looked solid with 3,986 passing yards and a solid but not spectacular 27:12 touchdown to interception ratio. The one thing his season lacked though was consistency. He passed for 300+ yards only five times and 3+ touchdowns just twice. One of those games included the craziest 16 minutes of NFL football I’ve ever seen against Tampa Bay in week six. In a Madden-like fury, Flacco threw four touchdowns in the first quarter and a fifth 1:03 into the second.
There’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding Flacco entering 2015. Torrey Smith likely won’t be back, he’s a free agent expected to sign elsewhere. Steve Smith Sr. will be 36 years old when the season starts and the team released Jacoby Jones on Feb. 25th. Sitting next to Smith atop the depth chart is Kamar Aiken and Marlon Brown. With Marc Trestman hired to replace Gary Kubiak, the Ravens offense is intriguing but they’ll need to add some talent around Flacco. With a General Manager like Ozzie Newsome, it’s crazy to see the team’s offensive skill players this diminished.
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Keith Wenning
Wenning is entering his second season and currently projects as Joe Flacco’s back-up. It’s difficult to believe they won’t upgrade the position in free agency. Its possible Jimmy Clausen follows Trestman from Chicago to Baltimore.
Running Back
Lorenzo Taliaferro
After the Ray Rice debacle, Taliaferro was the hot add last pre-season but failed to deliver and was leap frogged by journeyman Justin Forsett who went on to have a career year. Now with Forsett looking to finally cash in at 29-year old, it’s going to be difficult for the Ravens to justify bringing him back.
Taliaferro is a beefy 6’ and 226 pounds with a solid all-around game but not necessarily strong in the receiving portion. He was used mostly has a short yardage battering ram in rookie season but still managed 4.3 yards per carry and four touchdowns. With limited film, a new offensive coordinator and one of the stronger running back classes in recent memory, Taliaferro isn’t guaranteed anything.
Bernard Pierce
Pierce was often called a “poor man’s Arian Foster.” What they apparently meant was he is a bankrupt, homeless version of Arian Foster with dementia. He was supposedly tailor fit for Gary Kubiak’s zone scheme but looked absolutely terrible. His roster spot isn’t guaranteed and his dynasty value is as low as it’s ever been.
Fitzgerald Toussaint
If the former Michigan Wolverine makes it to week one on the active roster he’s done better than I thought he would. He’s just a guy.
Wide Receiver
Steve Smith Sr.
Like I noted earlier, Steve Smith will be 36 years old very soon and finds himself on top of the depth chart. He turned back the hands of time in 2014 and performed at an elite level during the first half of the season but cooled dramatically over the second half – 675 of his 1,065 yards were in the first eight games. He’ll be counted on heavily in 2015 as both the team’s top receiving option and a mentor to the younger pass catchers.
Kamar Aiken
Aiken flashed from time to time in his fourth season. The 24 catches, 267 yards and three touchdowns he caught in 2014 are also his career numbers as he never caught a pass prior to 2014. The fact he’s currently the WR2 on the roster speaks volume to the state Joe Flacco’s weapons.
Marlon Brown
After a promising rookie campaign where he caught seven touchdowns, Brown caught zero as a sophomore while his catches and yardage were almost exactly half. According to a RotoWorld blurb, Brown didn’t have a single target inside the 20-yard line. At 6’5 and 214 pounds, this is criminal. He’s built like a prototypical Marc Trestman wide receiver so he’s still worth a dynasty hold. He could easily set career highs in catches in yardage in 2015 but the seven touchdowns could be a tall task.
Michael Campanaro
Campanaro only played four regular season games in 2014 due to injuries, totaling seven catches for 102 yards and a touchdown. He’ll enter 2015 fighting for slot duties.
Tight Ends
Dennis Pitta
Coming off his second hip dislocation in as many seasons, Pitta is not a lock to play in 2015. General Manager Ozzie Newsome recently stated the team is looking to add tight ends this offseason and are in “wait-and-see” mode with the soon to be 30-year old Pitta. Prior to his injuries he was becoming a viable fantasy tight end. The Ravens desperately need reliable pass catchers and a healthy Pitta would be great for Flacco. Unfortunately, the deck is stacked against him ever making a full recovery.
Crockett Gilmore
Gilmore finished his rookie campaign with 10 catches and 121 yards with one touchdown. With tight end being one of the most difficult for rookies to adjust to, Gilmore’s season isn’t too alarming, but he has plenty of room to improve. He’s just 23 years old, goes 6’6” and 250 pounds with ok athleticism, Gilmore could flirt with low to mid-TE2 numbers in 2015 if he can win the starting gig.
Follow me on Twitter @OlingerIDP.
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- Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Seven - October 24, 2018
- Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Six - October 16, 2018
- Dynasty IDP Waiver Wire: Week Five - October 10, 2018
