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Baltimore Ravens: 3 Bold Predictions for 2016 Offseason

By Joe Serpico

Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) and team owner Steve Biscotti (right) meet prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 11, 2015; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh (left) and team owner Steve Biscotti (right) meet prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Baltimore Ravens have a ton of questions to answer this offseason. Here are three bold moves that we think the team will make leading up to the 2016 NFL season.

Part of what makes sports fun is getting to speculate the future. Everyone has their own theories on what certain teams will do this offseason. The Baltimore Ravens are no exception to that as we wonder what moves they make to not be one of the worst teams in the NFL again.

Baltimore has a large to-do list to take care of this offseason. The scouting department is currently at the NFL Scouting Combine to evaluate the future of the league. They need to restructure Joe Flacco‘s contract. They need to decide whether to bring back Justin Tucker, Kelechi Osemele or Courtney Upshaw. Will they cut Daryl Smith or others for salary cap purposes? There is so much that is unknown at this point.

Free agency begins on March 9, and the team will some decisions to make then. The draft follows free agency on April 28 and then we will know most of the players that head into this year’s training camp. For a complete list of dates for this offseason, click here.

All we can do at this point is guess. And if we are going to guess, let’s make some predictions that really stand out. Here are three moves that the Ravens will make this offseason:

Tucker Becomes Highest-Paid Kicker in NFL 

Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) kicks a field goal during the second quarter against Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker (9) kicks a field goal during the second quarter against Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports /

Many feel that Tucker will have a deal similar to that of New England Patriots kicker Stephen Gostkowski, but Tucker will get more than four-years, $17.2 million. He’s younger and has a higher field goal percentage which his agent will use to his advantage in contract negotiations. The salary cap is expected to rise once again which allows the Ravens to find a way to get this deal done and pay Tucker handsomely.

Eric Weddle Comes to Baltimore 

Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle reacts on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Chargers safety Eric Weddle reacts on the sidelines against the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason NFL football game at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

I’ve previously written my top five players that would fit with the Ravens and Eric Weddle was atop the list. Weddle has already stated that he will not return to the San Diego Chargers and Dean Pees could really use a leader in the back end of his secondary. The Ravens are going to give Lardarius Webb a chance to play safety, but Weddle is a significant upgrade over what the team is currently working with.

Ravens Trade Back, Draft Vernon Hargreaves 

Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) works out prior to the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators defensive back Vernon Hargreaves III (1) works out prior to the game against the Florida Atlantic Owls at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

This prediction is contingent with the move above. Ozzie Newsome will turn his draft card in a heartbeat to land Jalen Ramsey if he’s still on the board and the Ravens do not land Weddle. With Weddle in the mix, the Ravens can move back a few spots and get the top cornerback in this year’s draft to place opposite Jimmy Smith.

Next: Ravens Have No Need For Haloti Ngata

You might consider me crazy for these suggestions, but they are three bold predictions that could also come true. Feel free to comment below and let me know what you think!

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