Draft over, but roster reworking continues

With holes still to fill, rookie minicamp this week allows team to see how pieces fit

There is no deadline for improving an NFL roster. Ozzie Newsome reminded everyone of that at every opportunity during the three-day draft, and his history as Ravens general manager bears it out.

Newsome has consistently been able to plug holes and find contributors long after the draft is over and sometimes just as the regular season is about to begin. He added quarterback Steve McNair and middle linebacker Daryl Smith in June. He signed offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie in August and wide receiver T. J. Houshmandzadeh and offensive tackle Willie Anderson in September.

After making six selections in the draft and bolstering his defense while failing to provide any help at the offensive skill positions, Newsome said he’d immediately get back to work to try and get coach John Harbaugh’s team more help.

“For those of you that have been here for years, you know there are going to be players that are going to be released after the draft. There are going to be players that are going to be released in training camp. We are not done,” Newsome said. “The draft is a big part of it, and we are not done with the 53-man squad that we are going to play with when we open up against Cincinnati. We probably will still add some after that.”

The draft left the team’s roster in an interesting state. Barring injuries or releases, the Ravens probably have more depth than they can possibly use at tight end and outside linebacker. They are well stocked on the defensive line and in the secondary.

However, there are obvious questions about what the Ravens’ plans are at wide receiver and a couple of spots along the offensive line, and it remains to be seen what they’ll do at weak-side linebacker if 2016 second-round pick Kamalei Correa doesn’t show enough growth in his sophomore season.

“We have got to give our own players every opportunity,” Newsome said. “That is what John and his staff do: give them every opportunity to compete and win jobs before Newsome