[News] 2014 Rookies Poised For Even Bigger Roles

[BR News]

Led by first-round pick C.J. Mosley, the Ravens have big expectations for last year’s draft class.

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[b93333]

No doubt 2014 was a really strong draft year... kind of takes the sting out of the 2013 draft. 2015 looks like another home run as well!

[bostonraven]

No doubt 2014 was a really strong draft year... kind of takes the sting out of the 2013 draft. 2015 looks like another home run as well!

Agreed. Two very strong drafts in consecutive years should bode well for our team for the next three to four years.

[peppy57]

Are you ready for some FOOTBALL!, let's get it on, excitement is through the roof, bout ready to go crazy, the off season is like watching grass grow, I am pumped up for the ravens, I just know this is gonna be a awesome year.

[steelcityraven]

Great draft class...with the ability to accomplish even more this season! Cannot wait to see what some of these guys can contribute. I am excited bc I think we have a couple of very special players in that draft... along with some very solid contributors and potential starters.... Really hope the progression continues and a very good draft class turns into a great draft class and maybe even our best (and that is saying a great deal)!

[Nick04263]

Maybe it is just me but I am a little concerned about what the impact of the wrist surgery might have had on Mosley's conditioning. Not saying he is out of shape per se but it could be an issue where he isn't "bigger" or stronger than last year. Most guys going into year two tend to have their routine changed to adapt their college bodies to the NFL. I certainly could be wrong but it seems he is excluded from everything this off season because of the surgery.

[Saxxin]

Gilmore is going to shock the world. At 6'6" and the catches he makes he's going to surprise every NFL writer and fan out there. Big strong guy that can black and catch. He's a nightmare for LB's to handle. And it's only his second year! He'll be a big part of this offense giving Williams time to learn as his backup. By years end they will be the #1 and 2 guys and Pitta can retire with his heath intact. The ravens struck gold in the TE department over the last two years. They are set at TE for the next 3 or 4 years having both locked up under rookie contracts. Ozzie is the man!!

[Ravenseconbeast]

Out of all that is listed, Gilmore was the biggest disappointment.

He basically did squat until that Steelers game at last minute....yet he had plenty of snaps all throughout the season. Didnt do nothing with it.

I am hoping he comes out big this year. Another year like last season will push him out of the roster next year. I do not want our team to waste time on unproductive 'jah reid' type of player!

[stampedehero]

Taliaferros committment to improve himself gives me confidence in the running backs roster.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

One game at a time. Stack the Wins

[harfordravenfan]

Out of all that is listed, Gilmore was the biggest disappointment.He basically did squat until that Steelers game at last minute....yet he had plenty of snaps all throughout the season. Didnt do nothing with it.I am hoping he comes out big this year. Another year like last season will push him out of the roster next year. I do not want our team to waste time on unproductive 'jah reid' type of player!

Seriously? He was mainly used as a blocker last year & did well. Hasn't been hurt, does his job, and will only get better... I don't see a jah reid in Gilmore sorry

[January J]

Out of all that is listed, Gilmore was the biggest disappointment.He basically did squat until that Steelers game at last minute....yet he had plenty of snaps all throughout the season. Didnt do nothing with it.I am hoping he comes out big this year. Another year like last season will push him out of the roster next year. I do not want our team to waste time on unproductive 'jah reid' type of player!

what games were you watchin bro? That was probably the most off the wall statement I've read in a while.

[Mr.Incredible]

I just want everybody to get better, every single player on the team has to take an extra step forward. I have high expectations for everyone, Lorenzo has to show he's more than a goal line back, TJ has to step up to replace Nagta and generate more interior pass-rush, Gillmore has to stand out and earn his reps over top prospect Maxx and Boyle who's was impressing in minicamp, and Urschel has to prove he can be a starter like Hurst did. Even though there are certain players we are more excited to see than other, really I just want everybody to get better and aim for bigger roles.

[trevorsteadman]

I just want everybody to get better, every single player on the team has to take an extra step forward. I have high expectations for everyone, Lorenzo has to show he's more than a goal line back, TJ has to step up to replace Nagta and generate more interior pass-rush, Gillmore has to stand out and earn his reps over top prospect Maxx and Boyle who's was impressing in minicamp, and Urschel has to prove he can be a starter like Hurst did. Even though there are certain players we are more excited to see than other, really I just want everybody to get better and aim for bigger roles.

Urschel did prove he was starter worthy last season. He stepped in a couple games as a starter when Osemele went out for a couple games. The only thing he can really prove now is that he is better than our starter now Zuttah which we have signed for a couple years.

[ALSKAN RAVEN FAN]

Gilmore is at the top of the depth chart right now because Pitta's playing time is in question as of right now and Mad Maxx is learning the plays but I seriously expect big things out of all the guys who play this season.

[huntrgathrr]

Last year's draft class propelled the Ravens to the playoffs. It was a pure home run with at least 5-6 guys making real contributions and poised to improve. Flacco is going to make Gilmore a star. Likewise for Williams, Perriman and Waller.

This year's draft class looks just as good. Perriman, Waller, Davis and Williams are going to make impacts this year. We'll see with Z. Smith and Walker. They may need a year or two of seasoning. We'll be glad we have Allen at some point but Forsett and Taliaferro look in prime shape. Boyle will help for depth if one of the TEs gets injured. The OT Williams will probably replace Reid on the roster but will have 2-3 years before he needs to suit up.

Ozzie's drafts the last 3-4 years have been the overall best in the NFL. That is why we can let excellent players for us leave and get overpaid somewhere else. We have great talent and great quality depth everywhere you look. Even Teddy Bruschi rated us the best overall talent in the AFC. Now there is something you don't hear every day.!!

The Ravens are set for another deep playoff run. This year we are the class of the AFC.

[runcontrol]

Out of all that is listed, Gilmore was the biggest disappointment.

He basically did squat until that Steelers game at last minute....yet he had plenty of snaps all throughout the season. Didnt do nothing with it.

I am hoping he comes out big this year. Another year like last season will push him out of the roster next year. I do not want our team to waste time on unproductive 'jah reid' type of player!

Like everyone has said, Gillmore was drafted to be a blocking tight end, so any receiving yards he got was a plus. And he really didn't play that many snaps. He only played 34% of the offensive snaps. Considering Pitta played 15% of them it's easy to see how little Gillmore was in the game.

[runcontrol]

I just want everybody to get better, every single player on the team has to take an extra step forward. I have high expectations for everyone, Lorenzo has to show he's more than a goal line back, TJ has to step up to replace Nagta and generate more interior pass-rush, Gillmore has to stand out and earn his reps over top prospect Maxx and Boyle who's was impressing in minicamp, and Urschel has to prove he can be a starter like Hurst did. Even though there are certain players we are more excited to see than other, really I just want everybody to get better and aim for bigger roles.

I think you need to switch Hurst with Urschel. Urschel played good enough to start, while Hurst showed he had potential, but needs to pick his game up if he wants to start.

[GO_Ravens]

I think we need one more veteran NT or DT to add depth someone who is cheap but can clogged the middle like the yeAr we picked up Kemouetu.

[Underdogsontop!]

I think we need one more veteran NT or DT to add depth someone who is cheap but can clogged the middle like the yeAr we picked up Kemouetu.

Yes sir! Kemoeatu is a good friend of mine. We both played D line together in high school.

[huntrgathrr]

We are in great shape up front if a couple of things are true that appear to be true. We have Williams and Jernigan who could both end up as pro bowl players this year. The 2 "ifs" about which we are hopeful are: 1) Both KLM and Urban stay healthy and play up to expectations. 2) Davis plays as well as expected.

Given these 2 scenarios the Ravens will have the one of the most talented and youngest defensive fronts in the NFL. Canty, Guy, Tyson and Means may see very little PT except in injury situations or as part of an expanded rotation. Two or three of them might not make the team.

The Ravens are loaded up front and bringing in more DL seems pretty far fetched.

[Purpleghost23]

These Guys will shine

[hen826957]

@Go_Ravens what about Red Bryant for a 1 to 2 year deal a veteran pickup would be nice but it's not necessary though.

[Underdogsontop!]

@Go_Ravens what about Red Bryant for a 1 to 2 year deal a veteran pickup would be nice but it's not necessary though.

that's what I've been saying! Get him on board so he can be a true bird!

[hen826957]

@Underdogsontop! I agree he will be a great veteran presence. Also Red Bryant would also be a great DT to block kicks as well saw some his block videos on YouTube. LOL

[hen826957]

@Underdogsontop! But do we have a lot of room for DT because we got a lot of talent there. If we do get Bryant it will leave an player to get cut but I wouldn't mind having Bryant here though.

[cobrajet]

I really want Wagner to get healthy and be the force he was on the o-line before he got hurt.

[AsianRice]

I have high expectation for Gilmore; the dude blocks everything comes to him and opens up hole for Forsett. This year, he will have much bigger role; he will be asked to catch more TDs......

[steelcityraven]

Cant wait to see how Cj and Timmy progressed. I think both could be probowlers. I think that Gilmore will contribute but there is a ton of competition at TE and reps will be limited as season wears on. Still love his potential to show growth. I Like what Talifero showed...especially around the goaline. Brooks has so much potential and if he is healthy I expect him to be the most improved out of all of our sophomores. Urschel... leaves me very confident that he can and will take that next step. I have no problem is he needs to step in and play! He showed that last season... he can be a starter in this league (we just happen to have two of the best G's in the league in front of him). Hurst... has to add muscle and that may take him two years but has shown to be a great pickup already.... Campanaro.... (I love his potential but needs to show that he can stay healthy. if he does... he can be a great weapon for us who brings a different skillset that makes us harder to defend). Love to see a great draft class continue to progress and grow....cant wait!