Lorenzo Taliaferro

A 2014 fourth-round selection, the 225-pound Taliaferro is likely Baltimore's most powerful runner, but it isn't clear if that will help his cause in a Marc Trestman-directed offense that emphasizes running back involvement in the passing game. Taliaferro's first two seasons were cut short by foot injuries, and it appears Justin Forsett, Javorius Allen and Kenneth Dixon are all better fits in Trestman's scheme. Taliaferro will start the season on PUP and will miss at least the Ravens' first six games.

Taliaferro got more work than expected last season, after Ray Rice had his contract terminated and Bernard Pierce's performance continued declining, but the fourth-round rookie wasn't really able to establish a consistent role behind Justin Forsett, and he then missed the last three games of the season with a foot sprain. A pure power rusher who lacks the speed or elusiveness to be an effective feature back, Taliaferro does have the size and strength to emerge as an asset in short-yardage and goal-line situations. That skill set won't necessarily endear him to new Ravens offensive coordinator Marc Trestman, who seemed to prefer the bell-cow backfield model in Chicago and may be reluctant to use a committee approach that might give Taliaferro a chance to shine. Baltimore also spent a fourth-round pick this year on Javorius "Buck" Allen, whose skill set more closely matches Forsett's. If Forsett were to break down, Allen, rather than Taliaferro, would be the natural replacement.

A superbly strong downhill runner with great size at 6-0, 230, Taliaferro was drafted by the Ravens in the fourth round out of Coastal Carolina, where last year he rushed for 1,729 yards and 27 touchdowns. Though he lacks the pure speed of current Baltimore backup Bernard Pierce, whom he'll battle for duties behind Ray Rice in training camp, he's a more polished receiver out of the backfield as well as an outstanding blocker. Taliaferro has all the potential to be a three-down workhorse back, but unless Rice and Pierce continue last year's downward spiral, he'll probably be limited to third-string duties in his rookie season.