Niner Noise
FanSided

NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 33
Next
Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Baltimore Ravens outside linebacker Terrell Suggs (55) during the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens

2016 Record: 8-8, Second Place in the AFC North

The Baltimore Ravens are still playing second fiddle to their division rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

And while it’s almost impossible to question general manager Ozzie Newsome, his actions during the 2017 NFL Draft leave a bit to be desired.

Baltimore needed an impact wide receiver to replace Steve Smith, who retired during the offseason. And yet Newsome didn’t take one at all, so one has to wonder how quarterback Joe Flacco’s big arm will be put to use.

Instead, the Ravens added former Alabama cornerback Marlon Humphrey at No. 16. That’s not a bad pickup, per se. But when was the last time an Alabama corner made a serious impact at the NFL level?

The Ravens managed to find some front-seven help in defensive end Chris Wormley and linebacker Tyus Bowser. But they’ll still need to get an eventual replacement for aging veteran, defensive tackle Terrell Suggs. Can he still play at a high level?

Strengths

Baltimore is still going to live and die by its defense. And that’s fine. This was a top-10 group in 2016, and it only got stronger via the NFL Draft.

Wide receiver Mike Wallace is still contributing at a high level, and he’ll be expected to shoulder a bigger load with Smith no longer in the picture. He’ll have to, but there are certainly worse situations out there.

Weaknesses

Outside of Wallace and, to a lesser extent, Flacco and tight end Dennis Pitta, the Ravens don’t exactly boast a plethora of offensive playmakers. Losing Smith hurts. But losing fullback Kyle Juszczyk via free agency could hurt more than anticipated.

One can hope running back Terrence West emerges as a true No. 1 threat. But that doesn’t exactly inspire a lot of confidence.

X-Factors

Suggs remains a linchpin within Baltimore’s defense. But he’ll turn 35 years old this season, so one can only hope he’s able to replicate his eight-sack campaign from a year ago. There’s help here, but a transition phase is clearly starting to happen.

Baltimore is getting a bit older in its secondary as well. Can safeties Eric Weddle and Lardarius Webb continue to make solid impacts on the wrong side of 30 years old?