It appears the Ravens are close, possibly one player away, from a Super Bowl after a strong 2008 season that included reaching the AFC championship game. But appearances can be deceiving.
The Ravens, though, are smart enough to realize it.
"We're not content," said Eric DeCosta, the director of pro personnel. "We do have holes. We're not one player away. That was obvious in the Pittsburgh game [the AFC championship].
"We have a lot of question marks, but we have good leadership and we already have a good plan in place."
The Ravens need new blood, and that can come only via the draft. You could see age and injuries take their toll on veterans such as wide receiver Derrick Mason, tight end Todd Heap, cornerbacks Samari Rolle and Chris McAlister, offensive tackle Willie Anderson and even linebacker Ray Lewis. The Ravens paced Lewis through practices, and he wasn't as effective in the last month of the season as he was in the first half.
It's fair to assume Rolle and McAlister will not return next season, so the Ravens are in the market for a shutdown cornerback. Mason hinted after the final game that he might not be back next season, and there would likely be new faces in the meeting room in 2009.
But with the Ravens holding the No. 26 pick in the first round, a big, speedy receiver such as Texas Tech's Michael Crabtree or a shiftier one such as Missouri's Jeremy Maclin might not be available. The Ravens might not be able to draft a stalwart cornerback such as Malcolm Jenkins from Ohio State or Vontae Davis from Illinois.
So what do the Ravens do with the pick?
The Ravens won't give you an answer because they could be faced with some interesting scenarios. The Ravens could fill a big need by selecting Oklahoma State tight end Brandon Pettigrew, whom some rate as the best in the draft at his position. Pettigrew is the complete package: He can block and seal off the perimeter; he also has good, strong hands. Another option might be Missouri tight end Chase Coffman, who had 90 catches for 987 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. A tight end who can dominate over the middle can open up the rest of the field for other receivers. The Ravens made a similar move in 2001, when they drafted Heap 31st overall in the first round.
"If we love a guy and we think he is special and can come in and start, then we would take him," DeCosta said. "Pettigrew could come in and make an impact."
