The first full week of free agency is a wrap! The legal tampering period kicked things off Monday the 11th. Deals started to be finalized last Wednesday the 13th. So much happened in such a tight window. It’s time we take a look at what actually happened and which players landed where.
The Baltimore Ravens made moves all week long, but mainly did a great job keeping players they wanted to bring back in-house. They traded away offensive tackle Morgan Moses to the Jets. They signed “King” Derrick Henry and re-signed several key players who will compete to start in 2024. Eric DeCosta and the Ravens stayed busy last week, and there are still likely many moves to come.
However, now that the dust has settled a bit through the first wave of free agency, let’s take a look at the current state of the roster and where things are likely to go from here.
Note: Asterisks (*) represent a 2024 free agent addition and does not include a re-signed player. Offense’s base personnel is projected as 11-personnel (3 WRs, 1 TE). Baltimore’s defensive front is multiple, but for this exercise assume base personnel is a projected 4-2-5 defense (four down lineman comprised of two interior defensive lineman and two edge defenders, two linebackers, five defensive backs).
Quarterback (3)
Presumed starter(s): Lamar Jackson
Backup(s): Josh Johnson*, Malik Cunningham
How we got here: Lamar Jackson obviously wasn’t going anywhere, but the team did shuffle their backup quarterback situation. They let Tyler Huntley leave town to sign with the Browns. Then brought in Josh Johnson on a one-year deal. Malik Cunningham returns on the second year of his deal.
Running Back (5)
Presumed starter(s): Derrick Henry*
Backup(s): Keaton Mitchell, Justice Hill, Patrick Ricard (FB), Owen Wright
How we got here: The team was set to return just two true running backs from last year in Keaton Mitchell and Justice Hill, so they brought in one of the greatest to ever play the position in Derrick Henry (2 years, $16 million). Ricard returns on the final year of his deal. Owen Wright will likely be on the practice squad.
Wide Receiver (6)
Presumed starter(s): Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman, Nelson Agholor
Backup(s): Tylan Wallace, Sean Ryan
How we got here: The Ravens announced that they will be releasing Odell Beckham Jr., so he will be moving on via free agency. The Ravens re-signed Nelson Agholor to a cheap one-year deal. The receiver room could certainly use one more good player and it’s the most frequently mock drafted position to the Ravens right now.
Tight End (4)
Presumed starter(s): Mark Andrews
Backup(s): Isaiah Likely, Charlie Kolar, Scotty Washington
How we got here: The tight end room is in great shape thanks to some excellent draft choices over the year. The Ravens likely add two more training camp bodies at tight end, but they’re set for active roster.
Offensive line (9)
Presumed starter(s): Patrick Mekari (RT), Ben Cleveland (RG), Tyler Linderbaum (C), Malaesala Aumavae-Laula (LG), Ronnie Stanley (LT)
Backup(s): Daniel Faalele, Tashawn Manning, Tykeem Doss, Andrew Vorhees
How we got here: The Ravens traded away Morgan Moses to the Jets. They also let Kevin Zeitler, John Simpson, and Sam Mustipher leave via free agency. That leaves them rather inexperienced at right tackle and both guard spots. Patrick Mekari and Ben Cleveland were promising last year, but they likely add multiple players here.
Defensive Line (12)
Presumed starter(s): Odafe Oweh (EDGE), Justin Madubuike (DL), Michael Pierce (DL), David Ojabo (EDGE)
Backup(s): Travis Jones (DL), Brent Urban (DL), Broderick Washington (DL), Bravvion Roy (DL), Rayshad Nichols (DL), Malik Harrison (EDGE), Tavius Robinson (EDGE), Malik Hamm (EDGE)
How we got here: The Ravens re-signed Justin Madubuike to a massive contract and brought back Brent Urban short-term too. The inside is set. It looks like they could certainly use some help at edge still. That might be a good priority early in the NFL Draft.
Linebacker (3)
Presumed starter(s): Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson
Backup(s): Josh Ross
How we got here: They let Patrick Queen and Del’Shawn Phillips go and have yet to do anything at off-ball linebacker via free agency. This is not a great linebacker draft class to fill the roster with, so the Ravens still likely add one or two more names via free agency soon. The team only deploys two off-ball linebackers and have them play nearly 100% of the snaps. Roquan Smith and Trenton Simpon are those players, so no need to bring in a high caliber starter.
Cornerback (8)
Presumed starter(s): Marlon Humphrey, Brandon Stephens, Arthur Maulet (NB)
Backup(s): Ar’Darius Washington, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion Williams, Christian Matthew, Tre Swilling
How we got here: The Ravens let Ronald Darby, Arthur Maulet, and Rock Ya-Sin leave via free agency. The Ravens are in a good spot with their top three corners. Arthur Maulet may compete with Ar’Darius Washington to return to his slot role last fall, but Maulet likely earned his spot after a strong 2023. They could certainly use at least one more free agent signing and perhaps a draft pick to fill out the room when they go into dime packages.
Safety (2)
Presumed starter(s): Kyle Hamilton, Marcus Williams
Backup(s): N/A
How we got here: The team let Geno Stone walk via free agency and he joined the Bengals. Daryl Worley and a couple other depth safeties are gone now too. Ar’Darius Washington and Arthur Maulet may operate as the team’s nickel corner safety hybrids so he is a third safety in a way, but the team certainly needs to add help here. No depth whatsoever.
Specialists (5)
Presumed starter(s): Justin Tucker (K), Jordan Stout (P), Nick Moore (LS)
Backup(s): N/A
Returners: Tylan Wallace (PR), Justice Hill (KR)
How we got here: Ravens signed Nick Moore as their new long snapper. Devin Duvernay worked both kick and punt returns last year, but for now the next man up at each spot looks like a mix of Tylan Wallace and Justice Hill. This may change as we get to training camp.
Where do things go from here?
Rostered players: 55
Spots available: 33
The wide receivers are good, but not great. Given the talent likely available in the late first round where the Ravens are situated it might make sense to grab a talented option there.
The Ravens also need to address both offensive tackle and guard positions. They lack proven experienced depth there. Expect multiple free agency acquisitions there still (even if they’re small contracts) and a draft pick or two.
On the defensive side of the ball the team could still use multiple edge defender and safety acquisitions. If Chop Robinson makes it to them at the end of round one that might be their target. Then they could grab safety later in the draft.
Overall, the roster is in a great place to compete at the highest levels already. And the Ravens have nine draft picks, including 4 inside the first 130. They have plenty of ammunition to plug some key holes in the roster to make a push towards the Super Bowl this year.
