The Baltimore Ravens missed the playoffs for the second time in three years and injuries caused them to finish with a dismal 5-11 record. However, this team still expects to compete for the AFC North title and make the postseason next year. Here are three players that need to step up if that is going to happen:
WR Breshad Perriman
Baltimore desperately needs another receiver they can pair with Steve Smith, and Perriman is their best bet at doing that after missing his entire rookie season. Perriman is an athletic marvel who basically amounts to a bigger, faster, and much stronger Torrey Smith. In a league where the likes of Sammy Watkins, Odell Beckham Jr,. and others are expected to enter the league as ready-made superstars, Perriman's going to have a bright spotlight on him as he finds his way in the Ravens offense. While Baltimore has depth behind Perriman to back him up if/when the growing pains crop up, the present and future of the team's wide receiving corps rests on his shoulders.
RB Justin Forsett
Forsett had a disappointing 2015 season before suffering a season-ending injury, recording just two games with 70 yards or more in 10 appearances this year. He is an interesting case in that he found his sea legs as a feature back in his age-29 season, and the team's running game will be counting on the Cal product again in 2016. If he can return to his 2014 form, the Ravens will be fine. If not, they probably won't make the playoffs again.
DE/OLB Terrell Suggs
Suggs has been a focal point of Baltimore's defense for the past decade-plus, and he showed how much he meant this defense when he was forced to miss the entire season this year with a torn Achilles. The Ravens simply need him to stay healthy for their defense to return to a championship level next year - and him making a full recovery from that injury at age 33 is no sure thing. If he's fully healthy, Baltimore will be just fine.
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