Niner Noise
FanSided

The biggest question facing each NFL team in 2017

By Peter Panacy

Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Indianapolis, IN, USA; San Francisco 49ers general manager John Lynch speaks to the media during the 2017 combine at Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 33
Next
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco (5) against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. The Bengals won 27-10. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Baltimore Ravens

Can the Ravens find enough offense to compete in 2017?

It’s hard to bet against Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome. But his moves in the NFL Draft this year surely can’t be looked at as great.

Yes, the Ravens need to get younger on the defensive side of the ball. But Newsome’s efforts largely neglected some pressing offensive needs.

As such, it’s going to be a major point of worry whether or not Baltimore can produce enough, offensively.

Losing veteran wide receiver Steve Smith to retirement hurt. True, replacing him with fellow wideout Jeremy Maclin should help alleviate the loss, but it isn’t as if Maclin will suddenly revamp the entire offense.

Equally concerning is the likelihood Lorenzo Taliaferro starts off as the team’s No. 1 running back. Taliaferro was limited to just one carry in 2016, and it isn’t as if the depth behind him is promising.

It could be a long, long year for the Ravens offense this season.