'Big Picture!' Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh Not Deterred By Offseason Roster Losses

The Baltimore Ravens have categorically suffered a ton of losses this offseason, and as of today, have yet to replace many of them - especially along the offensive line.

The Baltimore Ravens have categorically suffered a ton of losses this offseason, and as of today, have yet to replace many of them - especially along the offensive line.

But when asked about it on Tuesday during the pre-NFL Draft presser, head coach John Harbaugh disagreed that the roster is any weaker than it was at this time last year.

Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh addresses reporters at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis on Feb.

HAL HABIB / The Palm Beach Post / USA

“Every year, it’s the same questions, and it’s kind of a rolling type of thing. Some years you’re going to lose more free agents but you’re going to pick up more compensatory picks. Then, two years from now, you’re going to have more picks in the draft. Then, you’re going to get younger, and you’re going to have younger players who cost less, but you’re going to have to pay the guys that turned out to be great players that you want to keep — as many as you can,” Harbaugh said. “So, that ongoing process is part of this whole big picture, and the goal is to be in, all in every single year, as best as you can be. You can’t just be, ‘Oh, we’re going to put all our chips on the table this year, and next year we’re going to fold and not play any games.’ No, we’re going to try to win the championship every single year, as many games as we can.

“That’s what we’re all about. That’s what football is. It’s not just a math equation. It’s more than that, and that’s what makes it so exciting and so interesting. And we’re going to have a heck of a team next year — you wait and you watch. You wait and see what we do.”

As Harbaugh and general manager Eric DeCosta are finalizing their draft board in Baltimore prior to April 25's first round, the free agent losses have to be at the forefront of their minds.

Other than running back Derrick Henry, the team has yet to make any big splashes from outside free agents. The Ravens brought back defensive tackle Justin Madubuike and linebacker Kyle Van Noy, but lost other key players on defense, like linebacker Patrick Queen.