NFL Power Rankings: Coaching Changes Keep Ravens Out Of Top 2
The Baltimore Ravens have improved their roster this offseason as we enter Week 2 of free agency and approach April's NFL Draft which is just over a month away.
But the Ravens didn't just have players to replace this year, they had to deal with coaching departures too. Not the least of which was defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who left for the West Coast to become the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks.
The team has also lost a lot of depth from the roster, affecting the team's spot in the latest NFL.com Power Rankings. The last rankings appeared just after the Super Bowl in February, where Baltimore stood at No. 3, behind the two contestants in that game, the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs.
After the first wave of free agency and all the early offseason coaching changes, the Ravens are still at No. 3 with no change in the top 5 spots.
No. 3 Baltimore Ravens - 2023 Record: 13-4
"I thought about ranking the Ravens first or second, and they'd be entirely deserving of a spot that lofty, but I do want to see how they handle the depth they've lost; plus, replacing the impact of former defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald (who left to head up the Seahawks) isn't a finger-snap operation. Yes, Eric DeCosta and a great scouting staff always seem to find a way.
"They nail the draft more often than not and have a keen eye for reclamation projects. They kept Justin Madubuike, added Derrick Henry and still have Lamar Jackson and the makings of another competitive team around him. So, no, the ship is not listing; it's just taking on a little water right now. Come May, the Ravens might be full steam ahead again, as they often are by that time of year. "
The top five spots remain the same, with Kansas City at No. 1, San Francisco at No. 2, and Ravens at No. 3. Detroit is still at No. 4 despite an impressive offseason so far, and the Buffalo Bills sit at No. 5.
