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15 Ravens Players Poised For A Leap In 2017
The Ravens have a long list of young players who could take the next step in their maturation next season. Here's a look at who and why they could break out.
![Boyle came back from a 10-game suspension to play in the final six games. While he didn't make a big impact as a receiver (six catches for 44 yards), his physicality in blocking is a major asset. With more time to grow in the offense next year, Boyle could be more of a supplemental receiver as well. He flashed good hands and was tough to bring down as a rookie.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/ftqa8lrlf5jweehjugw9.jpg)
Boyle came back from a 10-game suspension to play in the final six games. While he didn't make a big impact as a receiver (six catches for 44 yards), his physicality in blocking is a major asset. With more time to grow in the offense next year, Boyle could be more of a supplemental receiver as well. He flashed good hands and was tough to bring down as a rookie.
![Whenever Campanaro has been on the field, he's been effective. Injuries were once again his downfall last season, as he suited up for just three games. He didn't catch a single pass, but ran the ball three times for 72 yards. The Ravens would have to re-sign Campanaro, who is a restricted free agent, but if healthy, he could be the slot receiver they've been searching for, especially after the retirement of Steve Smith Sr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/z9vhx99hsdazpbwamzhh.jpg)
Whenever Campanaro has been on the field, he's been effective. Injuries were once again his downfall last season, as he suited up for just three games. He didn't catch a single pass, but ran the ball three times for 72 yards. The Ravens would have to re-sign Campanaro, who is a restricted free agent, but if healthy, he could be the slot receiver they've been searching for, especially after the retirement of Steve Smith Sr.
![The 2016 second-round pick didn't make the impact he imagined in his first year. Correa played in nine games, mostly on special teams, and recorded four tackles, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. Correa didn't find a spot on the defense after learning multiple positions, both outside and inside, during the offseason. That transition made for a higher learning curve during his rookie year. However, with the sudden retirement of Zachary Orr, and with more time to learn and practice, Correa could get his shot as a sophomore.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/ojox4oldpbpfjwcgyyoi.jpg)
The 2016 second-round pick didn't make the impact he imagined in his first year. Correa played in nine games, mostly on special teams, and recorded four tackles, one pass defensed and one forced fumble. Correa didn't find a spot on the defense after learning multiple positions, both outside and inside, during the offseason. That transition made for a higher learning curve during his rookie year. However, with the sudden retirement of Zachary Orr, and with more time to learn and practice, Correa could get his shot as a sophomore.
![Davis played effectively in 13 games during his rookie season, but the 2015 third-round pick was placed on injured reserve with a preseason ankle injury and sat out the entire year. The 6-foot-5, 327-pound Iowa product has a lot of potential, and has now had the time to get his body in better shape. Davis has a chance to see more playing time in the defensive line rotation, especially if Brandon Williams and/or Lawrence Guy were to leave in free agency.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/lqkyda1wo1fzt5win7bb.jpg)
Davis played effectively in 13 games during his rookie season, but the 2015 third-round pick was placed on injured reserve with a preseason ankle injury and sat out the entire year. The 6-foot-5, 327-pound Iowa product has a lot of potential, and has now had the time to get his body in better shape. Davis has a chance to see more playing time in the defensive line rotation, especially if Brandon Williams and/or Lawrence Guy were to leave in free agency.
![Dixon showed his combination of power, elusiveness, quickness and receiving ability in his 12 games last season, and took on a bigger role as the season went on. As a rookie, the fourth-round pick ran for 382 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 30 passes for 162 yards and a score. A knee injury set him back early in the season and he missed the first four games. If Dixon can stay healthy, he could be a workhorse back.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/dbe6isi7ckd488ipaehd.jpg)
Dixon showed his combination of power, elusiveness, quickness and receiving ability in his 12 games last season, and took on a bigger role as the season went on. As a rookie, the fourth-round pick ran for 382 yards and two touchdowns, and caught 30 passes for 162 yards and a score. A knee injury set him back early in the season and he missed the first four games. If Dixon can stay healthy, he could be a workhorse back.
![The Ravens were happy with Judon's rookie season, in which he recorded 27 tackles and four sacks. Judon has a good combination of power and athleticism. Now that he's had a year to figure out the game more, he should take the next step in his overall game and see more defensive opportunities. With Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil getting older, Judon is a leading candidate to help bridge the gap.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/ozadt0jnqe3kop2kgbi0.jpg)
The Ravens were happy with Judon's rookie season, in which he recorded 27 tackles and four sacks. Judon has a good combination of power and athleticism. Now that he's had a year to figure out the game more, he should take the next step in his overall game and see more defensive opportunities. With Terrell Suggs and Elvis Dumervil getting older, Judon is a leading candidate to help bridge the gap.
![The mammoth 6-foot-6, 285-pound prospect sat out his rookie season after breaking his ankle during a training camp practice. It was a tough start for the third-round pick out of BYU, but he's had time to recover and could be a key piece of the Ravens defensive line next year, especially if Guy leaves in free agency. Kaufusi is strong against the run and brings solid pass-rush potential.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/nbkrptvm1dqobvlexelv.jpg)
The mammoth 6-foot-6, 285-pound prospect sat out his rookie season after breaking his ankle during a training camp practice. It was a tough start for the third-round pick out of BYU, but he's had time to recover and could be a key piece of the Ravens defensive line next year, especially if Guy leaves in free agency. Kaufusi is strong against the run and brings solid pass-rush potential.
![Lewis was thrown into the fire as a fourth-round rookie last season, playing in 10 games and starting eight, before an ankle injury ended his year early. Baltimore liked Lewis' toughness and physicality inside, and even used him at left tackle when fellow rookie Ronnie Stanley was sidelined for four games. With an offseason to add even more bulk, Lewis and Stanley are expected to anchor the left side of the Ravens' line for years to come.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/jvlf7m8jdvpmienxnlqp.jpg)
Lewis was thrown into the fire as a fourth-round rookie last season, playing in 10 games and starting eight, before an ankle injury ended his year early. Baltimore liked Lewis' toughness and physicality inside, and even used him at left tackle when fellow rookie Ronnie Stanley was sidelined for four games. With an offseason to add even more bulk, Lewis and Stanley are expected to anchor the left side of the Ravens' line for years to come.
![The undrafted linebacker led the team in special teams tackles (10) by a large margin. When linebacker Zachary Orr missed the final game of the season, Onwuasor was the player tabbed to take his starting spot. He finished with seven tackles in the game. Onwuasor was a converted college safety who will greatly benefit from another year learning the Ravens' defensive system and getting in the weight room. He or Correa could be a long-term replacement for Orr.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/p7jiv1ukilw4evauy47m.jpg)
The undrafted linebacker led the team in special teams tackles (10) by a large margin. When linebacker Zachary Orr missed the final game of the season, Onwuasor was the player tabbed to take his starting spot. He finished with seven tackles in the game. Onwuasor was a converted college safety who will greatly benefit from another year learning the Ravens' defensive system and getting in the weight room. He or Correa could be a long-term replacement for Orr.
![Perriman showed flashes of his great potential last year with 33 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns, but he still has a lot of room to grow. If Perriman can improve his route running, it will make him more difficult to cover because opponents will have to make quicker breaks underneath and stay tighter in coverage. If he can cut down on the drops, it will improve the trust with his quarterback.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/ceq9atceb1zecmdqlw0s.jpg)
Perriman showed flashes of his great potential last year with 33 receptions for 499 yards and three touchdowns, but he still has a lot of room to grow. If Perriman can improve his route running, it will make him more difficult to cover because opponents will have to make quicker breaks underneath and stay tighter in coverage. If he can cut down on the drops, it will improve the trust with his quarterback.
![Pierce had a standout rookie season, especially considering he was undrafted. He made 35 tackles and added two sacks as part of the Ravens' run-stuffing 1-2 one-two punch with Brandon Williams. If Williams leaves in free agency, Pierce will be the player who will see the biggest bump in playing time. Pierce graded as Pro Football Focus' 14th best interior defensive lineman, and had the second-highest grade of any rookie at the position.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/btotokpfn2uhp7uqa3dc.jpg)
Pierce had a standout rookie season, especially considering he was undrafted. He made 35 tackles and added two sacks as part of the Ravens' run-stuffing 1-2 one-two punch with Brandon Williams. If Williams leaves in free agency, Pierce will be the player who will see the biggest bump in playing time. Pierce graded as Pro Football Focus' 14th best interior defensive lineman, and had the second-highest grade of any rookie at the position.
![After a strong rookie season with 5.5 sacks and 30 tackles, Smith's production dropped in 2016 to one sack and 20 tackles. He was still getting pressure, and came close on several other sacks, but Smith needs to finish. Smith has all the attributes to be a powerful, explosive edge defender. He just has to put it all together and convince coaches that he deserves a chance. If the Ravens give their younger edge defenders more time, Smith could blossom.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/vuezfuj4qwsz5hsummmx.jpg)
After a strong rookie season with 5.5 sacks and 30 tackles, Smith's production dropped in 2016 to one sack and 20 tackles. He was still getting pressure, and came close on several other sacks, but Smith needs to finish. Smith has all the attributes to be a powerful, explosive edge defender. He just has to put it all together and convince coaches that he deserves a chance. If the Ravens give their younger edge defenders more time, Smith could blossom.
![Stanley's rookie season was a big success, as he was graded as the NFL's best left tackle over the final five weeks of the season. That said, there's still room to improve for the sixth-overall pick. While he received a plus-6.2 grade in pass blocking from PFF, Stanley came in at minus-1.3 in run blocking. He has the physical and mental makeup to become a perennial Pro Bowl player. A full offseason in the weight room and on the practice field will help him take the next step.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/zrrmomw7pjlgngkcdfcx.jpg)
Stanley's rookie season was a big success, as he was graded as the NFL's best left tackle over the final five weeks of the season. That said, there's still room to improve for the sixth-overall pick. While he received a plus-6.2 grade in pass blocking from PFF, Stanley came in at minus-1.3 in run blocking. He has the physical and mental makeup to become a perennial Pro Bowl player. A full offseason in the weight room and on the practice field will help him take the next step.
![Waller is another player with all the physical tools to be a really good player. He stands in at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds and has great speed. Of all the Ravens, Waller may be the best pure athlete. However, a four-game suspension sidelined him at the start of last year, delaying his maturation. Waller etched out a role on offense as the year went on and caught 10 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens have a deep tight end room, but Waller may have the highest upside.](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/zif9ks4qupg41jl1qnpf.jpg)
Waller is another player with all the physical tools to be a really good player. He stands in at 6-foot-6, 255 pounds and has great speed. Of all the Ravens, Waller may be the best pure athlete. However, a four-game suspension sidelined him at the start of last year, delaying his maturation. Waller etched out a role on offense as the year went on and caught 10 passes for 85 yards and two touchdowns. The Ravens have a deep tight end room, but Waller may have the highest upside.
![Young was perhaps the Ravens' best rookie last season despite tough competition for that title. The 5-foot-9 fourth-round pick proved he can play outside as he started 11 games. The Temple product notched 53 tackles, eight passes defensed and two interceptions. The next step for Young is to consistently play at a high level, as there were times when he understandably had trouble against the best foes (Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant and New York Giants' Odell Beckham).](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album/t_lazy/f_auto/ravens/nwfsqgprhaceqc3qtxnj.jpg)
Young was perhaps the Ravens' best rookie last season despite tough competition for that title. The 5-foot-9 fourth-round pick proved he can play outside as he started 11 games. The Temple product notched 53 tackles, eight passes defensed and two interceptions. The next step for Young is to consistently play at a high level, as there were times when he understandably had trouble against the best foes (Dallas Cowboys' Dez Bryant and New York Giants' Odell Beckham).