Throughout the course of an offseason, the needs of an NFL team like the Baltimore Ravens tend to evolve. Several moves to acquire talent defensive linemen eased pressure on the Ravens to bolster their run defense, for instance.

Meanwhile, a deal that sent tight end Hayden Hurst to the Falcons turned one of Baltimore’s strongest and deepest positional groups into an area of the roster that deserves more attention.

So as the start of the 2020 NFL Draft sits nine days away, I’m ranking the Ravens’ roster needs, starting with the positions most secure in the short and long term to those that appear the most shaky.

12) Specialists

With All-Pro kicker Justin Tucker in the fold for the foreseeable future and trusty veterans in place at punter (Sam Koch) and long snapper (Morgan Cox), the Ravens have the luxury of confidence in their specialists. They don’t need to add anything beyond a few training camp helping hands here.

11) Quarterbacks

The Ravens can keep reigning MVP Lamar Jackson on his rookie contract for three more seasons, while Robert Griffin III provides ideal insurance as a backup and Trace McSorley offers a younger option for depth. No need to stress about the signal-callers on the roster.

10) Cornerback

Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters give Baltimore two first-team all-pro corners, and Baltimore re-signed Jimmy Smith to maintain admirable depth on the outside. Tavon Young, who missed all of the 2019 season with a neck injury, is a top-notch slot cornerback. The Ravens might want another nickel corner to add a layer of protection behind the oft-injured Young, but even that isn’t a pressing concern after Humphrey performed well in that role last season.

9) Running back

Pro Bowl starter Mark Ingram, power-running backup Gus Edwards and speedy 2019 rookie Justice Hill supply the Ravens a solid trio of ball-carriers. Though Baltimore might have more star power at other positions, running back is one of the few areas of the roster that can remain untouched without major concern through the 2020 season.

8) Offensive tackle

Both the Ravens’ starting tackles, Orlando Brown and Ronnie Stanley, made the Pro Bowl last season. Still, general manager Eric DeCosta might welcome additional young talent at the position considering Baltimore released backup James Hurst last month in a cost-cutting move and Stanley’s contract is in line to expire after the 2020 season.

7) Safety

Earl Thomas and Chuck Clark give the Ravens a sturdy starting tandem at safety, and the team fortified depth by signing Anthony Levine. But Levine and Thomas are in their 30s, and Baltimore can find creative ways to make use of top-notch players in the secondary. There’s good reason for the Ravens to consider drafting a safety in the middle rounds.

6) Tight end

The Ravens still have a tight ends room that teams across the league should envy. Pro Bowler Mark Andrews led Baltimore in receiving last season, and Nick Boyle remains among the league’s best blockers at his position (and Pat Ricard, a fullback who regular lines up as tight end, helps in that area, too). Even so, the trade of Hurst sapped the Ravens of a dynamic receiving threat behind Andrews. Unless 2019 practice squad rookie Charles Scarff is ready for a promotion, DeCosta will need to consider finding a more direct replacement for Hurst.

5) Defensive line

The Ravens revamped their defensive line over the past few weeks by trading for five-time Pro Bowler Calais Campbell, acquiring veteran free agent Derek Wolfe and re-signing a few dependable role players. The problem? All three of Baltimore’s projected starters up front — Campbell, Wolfe and Brandon Williams — are in their 30s. Without an infusion of skilled youth, the future of the team’s defensive line will remain murky.

4) Wide receiver

On one hand, the Ravens’ wide receivers ranked among the least productive groups in the NFL last season, and the team didn’t sign any free agents to help out. On the other, Baltimore saw signs of potential from 2019 rookies Marquise Brown and Miles Boykin last year, and the offense showed it could thrive without consistent excellence on the outside. So depending on which fan you ask, the Ravens are either in dire need of a wide receiver or they’re in position to contending for a title with the pass-catchers they already have in house.

3) Edge rusher

The Ravens placed the franchise tag on 2019 sacks leaders Matthew Judon, which represents the ultimate short-term solution. If Baltimore doesn’t strike a deal with Judon before next March, he’ll hit the open market and continue to seek a large payday. Jaylon Ferguson is the only outside linebacker signed with the Ravens beyond 2020.

2) Interior offensive line

Eight-time Pro Bowl offensive guard Marshal Yanda announced his retirement in March about a week before the free agency period opened, but the Ravens did not sign his replacement. Maybe 2019 fourth-rounder Ben Powers can step into a starting job. Or perhaps center Matt Skura can recover from his knee injury to provide relief for offensive line. For now, however, it’s not clear how Baltimore will proceed— and coach John Harbaugh said last week that addressing the interior of the line was “job one or two” for the team.

1) Inside linebacker

The Ravens have three inside linebackers on the roster and none have played more than 35 percent of a team’s defensive snaps for a season. One, Otaro Alaka, hasn’t appeared in any NFL game. L.J. Fort’s the only member of last year’s three-man rotation who remains on the roster, and even if the Ravens plan to scoot safeties up into the box regularly, they’d struggle to get by without adding a little more help for Fort. The value of inside linebackers has shrunk in the modern NFL, and Baltimore can get creative to make do without a wealth of talent at that spot. But if we’re defining positional need as the necessity to address an area of the roster, inside linebacker has to top the list.

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Aaron Kasinitz covers the Baltimore Ravens for PennLive and can be reached at akasinitz@pennlive.com or on Twitter @AaronKazreports. Follow PennLive’s Ravens coverage on Facebook and Youtube.