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The AFC North suddenly has perhaps the best, or at least most intriguing, collection of quarterbacks of any division in football. Nine-time Pro Bowl selection Russell Wilson will attempt to resurrect his career with the Pittsburgh Steelers after being cut loose by the Denver Broncos, while Chicago Bears castoff Justin Fields tries to pry the starting job from him. Joe Burrow and Deshaun Watson, meanwhile, are both returning from season-ending injuries with the Cincinnati Bengals and Cleveland Browns, respectively. And, of course, there’s the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson, coming off a second career NFL Most Valuable Player Award and looking to bounce back from a poor performance in the AFC championship game as he continues to seek an elusive first trip to a Super Bowl. A less heralded move was that of now ex-Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley bolting for the Browns, agreeing on Sunday to a one-year deal worth the veteran minimum. Given how little Cleveland paid, it’s clear the Ravens had little interest in bringing back Huntley, one of their more than 20 unrestricted free agents entering the offseason, for a fifth year. Though he would have provided familiarity, that was perhaps the problem — Baltimore knew what it had. Over the past three seasons, Huntley started 10 games for the Ravens while Jackson was injured and had a 3-7 record in that span. That included Baltimore’s AFC wild-card game against the Cincinnati Bengals in January 2023, when Huntley was stripped on third-and-goal from the 1-yard-line early in the fourth quarter and defensive end Sam Hubbard returned it 98 yards for the decisive touchdown. Signed by Baltimore as an undrafted rookie out of Utah in 2020, he completed 64.6% of his passes for 1,957 yards and eight touchdowns in the regular season. Huntley now goes from a locker next to Jackson’s to backing up Watson and battling Jameis Winston and 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson on the Browns’ depth chart. But Huntley’s departure also raises a question: Who will be the Ravens’ No. 2 quarterback? Given Jackson’s injury history — he missed 10 games in 2021 and 2022 combined because of injury — it’s a pertinent question. Currently, the only other quarterbacks on Baltimore’s roster are 2023 undrafted rookie Malik Cunningham and veteran Josh Johnson, who has played for an NFL-record 14 teams, turns 38 in May and last week re-signed for another year with the Ravens. Put another way, Baltimore will likely want to bolster that group through free agency and/or next month’s draft. With several other holes to fill on the roster — including offensive tackle, outside linebacker and guard — adding another quarterback is far from the most pressing need, but it is one general manager Eric DeCosta will need to address, among others. Here’s a look at who a few options could be at quarterback through free agency or the draft as well, and what other free agents at other positions the Ravens could still pursue. Saints Vikings FootballAbbie Parr/APQuarterback Joshua Dobbs had an up-and-down 2023 season with the Cardinals and Vikings. (Abbie Parr/AP) Quarterback Joshua Dobbs At 29, Dobbs has already played for seven organizations, including the Browns and Steelers. Last season, he led the Arizona Cardinals to a stunning 28-16 upset of the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3, but success in the desert was short-lived. He went 1-7 for Arizona, which included a loss to the Ravens and was traded to the Minnesota Vikings after Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury. He came off the bench to lead the Vikings to a comeback victory over the Atlanta Falcons in November after not taking any reps during the week but was eventually benched two games later after struggling. In all, he had a record of 3-9 as a starter last season and threw 13 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. For his career, Dobbs has completed 62.2% of his passes for 2,290 yards, 15 touchdowns and 13 interceptions. He also has 496 career rushing yards. Brian Hoyer Hoyer, whose first three years in the league were as Tom Brady’s backup with the New England Patriots, led the Browns to a 6-3 start in his first year as an NFL starter in 2014 but he quickly faded with eight interceptions and just one touchdown his next four games. He signed a two-year, $10.5 million deal with the Houston Texans the following year and was again named the starter but was benched in the fourth quarter of the opener, ended up starting just nine games and has bounced around as a backup since. Last season, Hoyer appeared in three games for the Las Vegas Raiders, including one start, and completed 23 of 42 passes for 231 yards and no touchdowns with two interceptions. Blaine Gabbert The backup to Kansas City Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes last season, Gabbert started in their meaningless regular-season finale against the Los Angeles Chargers. In his first start since 2018, the 10th overall pick by the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2011 completed 15 of 30 passes for 154 yards with no touchdowns and one interception while also rushing for 46 yards in the 13-12 win. The Ravens could take a flyer on former Florida State star quarterback Jordan Travis in the later rounds of next month’s NFL draft. (Grant Halverson/Getty) Jordan Travis There’s always the possibility that the Ravens will turn to the later rounds of the draft for a quarterback. Travis, who starred at Florida State and was the 2023 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year, guided the Seminoles to an 11-0 start and had them on the path to the College Football Playoff before a devastating season-ending ankle injury. At 6 feet, 1 inch tall and 212 pounds, Travis is an athletic passer who operates well off script. His fundamentals need work and he projects as a developmental prospect, but he is also recovering well, got out of the walking boot he was in a week before the scouting combine and said he expects to be ready to go for rookie minicamp in May or June. He also said he met with just about every team at the combine. Other needs Offensive tackle There aren’t many options left on the free agent market without injury concerns or questions about their ability to start. The best option would likely be for the Ravens to focus on the draft, which has plenty of tackle depth. Then they can revisit the free agent market in another month or two, too. Best free agent options: Trent Brown, Mekhi Becton, Donovan Smith, Yosh Nijman Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Detroit Lions will reportedly sign former Ravens guard Kevin Zeitler to 1-year deal Baltimore Ravens | Chargers sign ex-Ravens center Bradley Bozeman to 1-year contract Baltimore Ravens | Ex-Raven Hollywood Brown signs deal with Chiefs and looks forward to playing with Patrick Mahomes Baltimore Ravens | Odell Beckham Jr. pens emotional farewell to Ravens; Patrick Queen embraces villain role as newest Steeler Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Offseason grades, roster questions, AFC North pecking order and more Edge rusher While it seems likely the Ravens will turn to the draft to select another young edge rusher, as they have recently with Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo, they lack a veteran presence with Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy both free agents. Bringing back one of them would make sense and Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks last season, would be the best option given his ability as a run defender, but he might be too expensive. Best free agent options: Clowney, Van Noy, Mike Danna, Yannick Ngakoue Guard With John Simpson a New York Jet and the Ravens letting Kevin Zeitler’s contract void, Baltimore will need to replace both guard spots. They have some internal options in Ben Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Andrew Vorhees, but a veteran free agent would be a good addition. There’s not much to pick from at this point, though, so the draft could be an option as well. Best free agent options: Zeitler, Dalton Risner, Greg Van Roten, Andrus Peat Cornerback The Ravens have Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens, but they could use another starting-caliber player on the outside, especially if they want to use Humphrey inside. DeCosta is fond of saying the Ravens can never have too many cornerbacks and that proved out last season with a slew of injuries, including to Humphrey. Georgia’s Kamari Lassiter could be that player at the 30th overall pick in the draft, but it would be a surprise if the Ravens still didn’t add another veteran or two at some point, which could include re-signing Arthur Maulet. Best free agent options: Xavien Howard, Stephon Gilmore, Steven Nelson, Adoree’ Jackson View the full article
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ALLEN PARK — The Detroit Lions had a hole on their vaunted offensive line after losing Jonah Jackson to the Los Angeles Rams. But they’re reportedly signing former Pro Bowl guard Kevin Zeitler, and his 181 career starts to fill that need, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. With Graham Glasgow back on a three-year deal, the Lions again appear to have one of the most desirable offensive lines in the league locked up. Taylor Decker, Frank Ragnow, Penei Sewell, Glasgow, and Zeitler would be the top five. Zeitler is reportedly on his way to Michigan on Tuesday to take his physical and sign his one-year deal with the franchise. The 2012 first-round pick made his lone Pro Bowl appearance last season with the Baltimore Ravens. Zeitler started 15 games and was a key piece in Baltimore’s run-heavy attack, helping Lamar Jackson hit new heights from the pocket. He has also previously played for the New York Giants, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals across his 12 seasons in the NFL. Zeitler has logged 12,453 of his 12,459 career snaps at right guard, so it’s possible Glasgow slides next to Decker on the left side. Related: Lions create cap space by restructuring Carlton Davis’ contract Related: Dungeon of Doom: Why are people freaking out about the Lions in free agency? Pro Football Focus graded Zeitler as the 15th-best overall guard among those with at least 20% of their team’s snaps. He was strong against the run but one of the league’s best interior blockers in pass protection. The analytics site graded Zeitler second among all guards in that department. He allowed three sacks and only 21 pressures on 608 pass-blocking reps. He’s been one of the more consistent guards over the last decade-plus of action, especially in pass protection. PFF has routinely recognized Zeitler as among the best guards at keeping the pocket from getting crushed. It’s another classic Brad Holmes signing because it keeps the team’s draft options wide open across the board. The 34-year-old allows the team to postpone the long-term guard conversation for another season while possibly finding a prospect in the draft to mold for starting duties. Another piece for the offensive line has been among the most popular mock draft selections for the Lions at Pick 29, and that’s unlikely to change even after this addition. That said, Zeitler has been as durable as they come, playing at least 15 games in every season dating back to 2015. If Zeitler remains the same guard he’s been, or at least in the ballpark, then the Lions are getting one of the most dependable and bankable options there was on the starting-level open market. PFF ranked Zeitler as the 33rd-best overall free agent. The Athletic had the veteran guard at 44th, so it’s clear the Lions are adding a starting-level talent to keep them trench-rich. They also have Kayode Awosika and Colby Sorsdal in the mix, while Glasgow offers versatility at center in a pinch. ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit mlive.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. View the full article
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COSTA MESA, Calif. (AP) — Center Bradley Bozeman and linebacker Troy Dye have signed one-year contracts with the Los Angeles Chargers. The team announced the deals on Monday. General manager Joe Hortiz and offensive coordinator Greg Roman both worked with Bozeman in Baltimore. Bozeman was a sixth-round pick by the Ravens in the 2018 draft and was there for four seasons before spending the last two in Carolina. Bozeman is projected to be the Chargers’ starting center with Corey Linsley expected to retire due to a heart issue. Linsley started only three games last season with Will Clapp starting 11 and Brenden Jaimes three. Dye, who spent his first four seasons with Minnesota, is expected to contribute primarily on special teams. He led the Vikings in special teams tackles with 11 in 2021. Chargers special teams coordinator Ryan Ficken directed the Vikings unit in 2021. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl View the full article
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By DAVE SKRETTA (AP Sports Writer) KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Hollywood Brown had so many conversations with the Kansas City Chiefs before the 2019 draft that the former Oklahoma star thought that they would select him to pair with Patrick Mahomes in their high-flying offense. Baltimore took him in the first round before Kansas City had the chance. But after a detour through Arizona, where the Ravens traded him and where Brown spent the past two years dealing with nagging injuries and instability at quarterback, the speedy wide receiver finally landed in Kansas City on Monday. Brown signed his one-year deal worth up to $11 million to finally give Mahomes another downfield option in the Chiefs passing attack. “The world has a way of things coming around like that,” Brown said with a smile. Despite beating the San Francisco 49ers for their second straight Super Bowl title, the Chiefs knew they needed to upgrade at wide receiver, where rookie Rashee Rice had become the unquestioned leader almost by default. But they refused to rush into a big-money, long-term deal with one of the top free agents and bided their time until the right opportunity came along. It wasn’t the $50 million guaranteed that the Titans gave Calvin Ridley. Or the $26 million guaranteed the Falcons gave to Darnell Mooney. Or the $24 million Gabe Davis got from the Jaguars or even the $15 million Curtis Samuel got from the Bills. No, it was a relatively low-risk, high-upside deal with a wide receiver the Chiefs had coveted since college. “They were strong on me,” Brown said, “so it was kind of like, mutual interest. That was very appealing.” It was the right deal for Brown, too. He turns 27 in June, which means there is still time in his career to turn a productive season in one of the NFL’s most pass-friendly offenses into a much more lucrative multi-year contract next offseason. “There’s weapons here,” he said, “and I feel like I can come in and complement the guys they have here. And Coach (Andy) Reid? He’s a mastermind. Patrick Mahomes — I’m excited to work with everyone.” Brown had his best season three years ago in Baltimore, when he caught 91 passes for 1,008 yards and six touchdowns. He was traded to the Cardinals the following year, where he had 118 catches for 1,283 yards and seven TDs in those 26 games. Those numbers might seem modest, but consider: Brown had 51 catches for 574 yards and four scores last season, which would have trailed only Rice and tight end Travis Kelce in receptions, yards and TDs for the Chiefs — and he did it in 12 full games. Brown appears to be motivated, too. Mahomes has invited his wide receivers and tight ends to his home in Texas the past couple of offseasons for what amounts to a voluntary training camp, and he was already looking forward to getting down there. “From the outside looking in, he just seems like a guy that’s very passionate,” Brown explained, “and I’m a very passionate person. Wants to do everything necessary to win. That’s what you want. You want to play with someone who is going to push you to the next level. I feel like he’s one of those guys.” Kansas City still has work to do filling out the offense. Marquez Valdes-Scantling was released and fellow wide receivers Richie James and Mecole Hardman are free agents, while Kadarius Toney could be fighting for a job this season, all of which means wide receiver is still a position of need as free agency continues and the NFL draft looms in April. The Chief also need to address the starting left tackle position and running back, where there is little behind Isiah Pacheco. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl View the full article
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The first wave of NFL free agency has come and gone. The Ravens made a splash, signing four-time Pro Bowl selection and two-time league rushing champ Derrick Henry, and before that re-signing breakout defensive tackle Justin Madubuike for four more years to shore up what should again be one of the league’s better fronts. They also had a few notable departures, including inside linebacker Patrick Queen signing with the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers and wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. officially being released as expected then penning an apparent farewell on social media on Sunday. Both departures were expected and unsurprisingly elicited fervid reaction by fans; and Queen and Beckham each chimed in as well, though with disparate emotions. Their responses and reactions to them perfectly captured the energy of this time of year, when comings and goings shape the future, meaningful football is months away and questions remain over how their voids will be filled. “Swea on everything I appreciate the Flock more than yall could EVER imagine,” Beckham wrote, in part, on Instagram. “Did everything I could wit the opportunities I had. “Thank you for the Vibez! To the City of Baltimore I [mess] wit yall forever FRRRR. And most importantly to my brothers over there this [stuff] a lifetime sentence, I love yall! BiggestTruzzz.” Beckham, whose release last week was a cost-cutting move, was a pricey addition last season at $15 million. He was as much an enticement for quarterback Lamar Jackson to sign an extension as he was a gamble as he missed an entire season after tearing an ACL for a second time during Super Bowl 56 in February 2022. The result was mixed — 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns, only flashes of greatness and plenty of wisdom dispensed on teammates — and while a less expensive reunion was always unlikely, it now seems certain that it won’t happen. For one, Beckham, even at a projected $7 million, per Pro Football Focus, would be too costly for a team that is now about $13 million under the salary cap, has other needs and a full draft class still to come. For another, his signing mostly served its purpose. Queen, meanwhile, has already provided bulletin board material and storylines for next season. But the 24-year-old 2020 first-round draft pick’s words were also revealing. “It’s not even that deep for us players until game week and y’all can’t understand the fact it wasn’t up to me,” Queen said on X, formerly known as Twitter, in part, in the wake of the news he would be joining the Steelers. “I gave y’all everything I had now when it’s time for me to do what I need y’all hurt bout everything I say. Go touch some grass and fill the void in y’all life.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens roundtable: Offseason grades, roster questions, AFC North pecking order and more Baltimore Ravens | Browns agree to terms with Tyler Huntley, former Ravens backup QB Baltimore Ravens | Man who flew drone over Ravens-Chiefs AFC title game sentenced to probation Baltimore Ravens | Steelers trade QB Kenny Pickett to Eagles after signing Russell Wilson Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ first week of free agency Then, 24 minutes later, he fired off another one, saying “Be careful what you wish for,” with a gif of Heath Ledger’s Joker from the 2008 film, “The Dark Knight.” No one can blame Queen, who set a career high in tackles for a second straight year and was selected to his first Pro Bowl, for cashing in. The Ravens declined his fifth-year option last spring, drafted his potential replacement in Trenton Simpson and need to be judicious with their spending, especially with $91 million over the next four seasons remaining on All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith’s deal. Queen, meanwhile, got a three-year deal worth a reported $41 million, or about $13.7 million per year, but the final two years are club options. That makes Queen the fourth-highest-paid inside linebacker in the league in terms of average annual value, but there’s a nearly $4.5 million gap between him and the next highest-paid player, Tremaine Edwards of the Chicago Bears. That Queen didn’t get more nor did he land in Seattle with former Ravens defensive coordinator and now Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald was at the very least interesting if not telling. As for how the Ravens will fill the holes created by Beckham’s and Queen’s exits? Expect next month’s draft and the second week of free agency, which kicked off Monday, to provide the answers. View the full article
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It’s been an eventful start to the Ravens’ offseason. After losing to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game in late January, the team that finished with the NFL’s best regular-season record was picked apart. Defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, defensive line coach Anthony Weaver and defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson were hired elsewhere, right tackle Morgan Moses was traded, wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. was released and linebacker Patrick Queen, running back Gus Edwards, safety Geno Stone and guard John Simpson were among a host of key contributors who departed in free agency. But the Ravens also solidified their roster, re-signing breakout star Justin Madbuike to a four-year, $98 million extension to anchor the defensive line and adding running back Derrick Henry on a two-year, $16 million deal to give reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson an imposing partner in the backfield. As we look ahead to next month’s NFL draft and the latter stages of free agency, Baltimore Sun reporters Brian Wacker and Childs Walker and columnist Mike Preston answer five questions facing the Ravens. After saying goodbye to several key players and coaches, signing Henry and extending Madubuike, what’s your grade for the Ravens’ offseason so far? Wacker: In some ways it’s incomplete, because they still have significant questions about their offensive line. But for the sake of providing a grade, I give it a B-plus. Re-signing Madubuike and adding Henry are home runs. Madubuike is a rare talent — defensive tackles who can get after the quarterback, stuff the run and wreak havoc up the middle are hard to find and worth keeping long term when you do. Henry, meanwhile, is a difference-maker. Yes, one can argue that the Ravens led the NFL in rushing with a backfield of Gus Edwards, Justice Hill and briefly Keaton Mitchell, but how’d that work out in the playoffs? Henry is a star and his presence should take some of the pressure off Jackson, who was reluctant to run at times against the Chiefs in the AFC championship game. Henry won’t necessarily help Jackson’s accuracy, but his playmaking and ability to churn out yards and wear defenses down will have a significant impact. After all, one of the best ways to beat the Chiefs is to keep the ball out of their hands. Walker: B. It would be easy to look at the net loss of quality players and sound the alarm, but we knew the Ravens’ roster was going to take a significant hit in the first few days of free agency. They did not have enough cap space to bring back every man worth keeping. The question was how general manager Eric DeCosta would operate in this tight window to keep the team on track for another deep playoff run. On that count, he did well, prioritizing and securing an extension for the team’s most precious free agent, Madubuike, and signing Henry, one of the top players available at a position that no longer commands premium salaries. The Ravens have always excelled at identifying which homegrown players they should build around, and Madubuike is another in that line. Henry might not transform a running attack that was already the most efficient in the league, but he will give offensive coordinator Todd Monken even greater firepower to keep defenses off balance. DeCosta still has much work to do, but the moves he has made have fit the greater mission. Preston: The grade so far is incomplete and we won’t have a better handle on the offseason until weeks into training camp. Henry and Madubuike were good signings, but there will be more deals once the free agent market cools down. The second wave will begin once teams pour over their salary cap situations and cut some veterans, who will be available at bargain prices. Plus, the Ravens lost three defensive coaches this offseason, and all three had good relationships with their players. We’ll have to see if the replacements can develop the same rapport. That’s all part of determining the offseason grade. The Ravens only have two returning starters on the offensive line. What’s the best way to rebuild that group for next season? Wacker: Ideally, they’ll be able to draft a tackle they can plug in as a starter on the right side of the line this season, then perhaps shift to the left side if Ronnie Stanley isn’t back in 2025. To fill their two guard spots, they can again turn to the draft as well as their own roster, with Ben Cleveland and perhaps Andrew Vorhees their best in-house options. As for free agency, they couldn’t afford a top-tier lineman like tackle Jonah Williams, who signed with the Arizona Cardinals for $30 million over two years, so at this point it’s best to wait and see what capable veterans are available as free agency enters its second week. Walker: The draft, the draft, the draft. That’s not to say the Ravens won’t add a veteran to compete for one of the three open starting jobs; they likely will sign at least one. They’ll also give real shots to incumbent reserves Cleveland, Daniel Faalele, Vorhees and perhaps Patrick Mekari (though they love to keep him in the super-utility role). But it’s no coincidence that DeCosta embraced a rebuild of one the team’s most important units in a year with one of the deepest offensive line classes in recent memory. He won’t abandon his “best player available mantra,” but he hasn’t exactly hidden the fact he’ll be looking for a rookie starter or two at the end of next month. “We have a good plan,” DeCosta said at Henry’s introductory news conference last week. “We’re fortunate that this draft class is pretty good from that standpoint. I don’t want to call it historically strong, but it looks like a very strong crop of offensive linemen.” That’s a pretty clear statement of intent at a time of year when DeCosta usually practices obfuscation. Preston: The Ravens have been recognized as one of the best drafting teams in the league, and we’re going to find out, especially in terms of offensive linemen. Mekari is a versatile performer who can play anywhere on the line, but I’m not sure his lower body will hold up for 17 games as a starter. In recent years, the Ravens have selected Faalele, Cleveland, Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu and Vorhees in the draft. Besides Vorhees, all three are big run blockers, but the Ravens have struggled in recent seasons with pass protection. Both Faalele and Cleveland struggle with bending their knees, backing up and pass blocking, and we’ve seen that for years in training camp. Vorhees might be the most interesting because he played well during his last season at USC before suffering a torn ACL during the 2023 scouting combine. The Ravens will get some offensive linemen via the draft, but they usually don’t start right away unless taken in the first two rounds. After losing Odell Beckham Jr., how aggressive should the Ravens be in adding another wide receiver this offseason? Wacker: They need to draft a starting-caliber wide receiver. The good news is it’s a deep class, so getting someone who can contribute from the beginning shouldn’t be a problem on Day 2. They should also comb the veteran free agent market, like they did last season when they signed Nelson Agholor to a one-year deal last March. That experience worked out so well for both sides that he re-signed for another year. But with Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Agholor as its top three receivers, Baltimore would ideally like to bolster that group. Walker: They need one more. That’s another rich position in this year’s draft, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Ravens pick another wide receiver in the first few rounds, especially with Bateman potentially approaching the last year of his rookie deal. A splash on par with Beckham would be more surprising, but there are big names potentially available on the trade market, and they have made a few aggressive moves to give themselves more spending power, so it’s not out of the question. Preston: The Ravens need to find a quality speed threat on the outside who can make the difficult catch in traffic or win a jump ball. They have all the other vital ingredients in the passing game, but they need a receiver on the outside, especially with Jackson’s difficulty throwing the deep ball. Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd could be a fit for the Ravens as a free agent. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean) Which of the league’s remaining free agents is the best fit for the Ravens? Wacker: Bringing back outside linebacker Jadeveon Clowney should be a priority, but at a projected $9 million, per Pro Football Focus, and with several teams interested, he would probably have to be willing to take a lesser, incentive-laden deal to return to a place where he was genuinely happy. Bringing Kyle Van Noy back would be a cheaper, nearly as effective option, though Clowney is much better against the run. The other area of free agent interest should be wide receiver, and Tyler Boyd would be a terrific addition as a slot receiver with good size (6-2, 185 pounds), excellent hands and a willing and capable blocker in the run game. Plus, it would weaken the division rival Cincinnati Bengals. But at a projected $8.25 million a year, per PFF, he is perhaps too expensive. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Browns agree to terms with Tyler Huntley, former Ravens backup QB Baltimore Ravens | Man who flew drone over Ravens-Chiefs AFC title game sentenced to probation Baltimore Ravens | Steelers trade QB Kenny Pickett to Eagles after signing Russell Wilson Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ first week of free agency Baltimore Ravens | Ravens introduce newly signed Derrick Henry | VIDEO Walker: It’s a boring answer, but Clowney. The top offensive linemen don’t feel like great answers, aside from Kevin Zeitler, who wanted to come back to Baltimore and could still help the Ravens on a short deal. But we know DeCosta prefers to fill out his edge rusher group with veterans on short deals, and Clowney in 2023 was his greatest coup, delivering Pro Bowl-level production and durability at a steep discount. Though Clowney loved his time in Baltimore, he has other suitors who might pay more than the Ravens can afford. He’s almost certainly looking for a significant, well-earned raise. But if he and DeCosta can get to an agreeable number, a reunion would be great for both team and player. Clowney has plenty of juice left, and he’s not going to win a Super Bowl ring with the Carolina Panthers. Preston: The Ravens might need to gamble on edge rusher Chase Young or a cornerback like Stephon Gilmore or Steven Nelson. There’s been a lot of player movement in the AFC North, most notably quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Justin Fields to the Steelers. Which team is the biggest threat to the Ravens? Wacker: The Bengals are still the best team in the division the Ravens will face all year. The return of quarterback Joe Burrow alone from a season-ending wrist injury suffered against Baltimore immediately makes them a contender for the AFC title. They also franchise tagged receiver Tee Higgins and signed former Ravens safety Geno Stone, who should slot in nicely alongside Von Bell and Dax Hill in a three-safety look, with Hill serving as the Bengals’ version of Kyle Hamilton. Cincinnati added defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins, who fills a big hole with DJ Reader moving on to the Detroit Lions. The addition of running back Zack Moss also gives the Bengals a solid back who rushed for just shy of 800 yards, including 120 against the Ravens, and averaged 4.3 yards per carry. Walker: It’s still the Bengals with a healthy Burrow at quarterback. The Browns have a stronger overall roster, but they have yet to find any consistent mojo with Deshaun Watson leading their offense. If they falter early, with 2023 savior Joe Flacco no longer around, Cleveland fans could turn on Watson with a fury. The Steelers picked up Wilson for almost nothing, but when was the last time he looked capable of leading a team on a deep run? That leaves the Bengals, who have a lot of improving to do on defense but were the class of the division in 2021 and 2022 with Burrow throwing to his many weapons. It’s reductive to say everything comes down to the quarterbacks, but that’s the lesson the NFL teaches us year after year. Preston: Every team in the AFC North is a threat. If quarterback Joe Burrow returns healthy, the Bengals will be good again. Pittsburgh has added Wilson and Fields, as well as former Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen, so they have talent. Cleveland is Cleveland, but the Browns will be in the playoff picture again. The AFC North is still the best division in football, even though it struggled early in the 2023 season. View the full article
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CLEVELAND, Ohio — The Browns have reached into the Ravens’ well again for a quarterback to back up Deshaun Watson. Last year, they called upon former Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco to help save their season when Watson went down with a fractured shoulder. Flacco went 4-1 in his five starts, helping the Browns to clinch only their third playoff berth since 1999. With Flacco at the helm, the Browns lost 45-14 to the Texans in the wild card round. This time around, they’ve agreed to terms on a one-year deal with former Ravens backup quarterback Tyler Huntley, who started a game against the Browns in relief of Lamar Jackson and finished another. The deal is worth the veteran minimum with some incentives. Huntley became a free agent last week, and the Ravens had no plans to re-sign him. Instead, they added Josh Johnson to compete with Malik Cunningham for the backup job. Huntley, 26, joins a quarterback room that includes Watson, new backup QB Jameis Winston, and 2023 fifth-round pick Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Winston, 30, agreed to terms with the Browns last week on a one-year deal worth $4 million, with a chance to make another $4.7 in incentives for games started and victories. The Browns need an extra arm because Watson is recovering from surgery to repair a fractured glenoid bone in his right throwing shoulder, and he won’t be rushed. He’ll start throwing soon in Los Angeles and is expected to be ready for training camp, but he’ll be limited during the offseason program and possibly the June minicamp. Huntley went 0-1 in his lone start against his new team, a 13-3 loss in Cleveland on Dec. 17, 2022. In relief of an injured Jackson, he completed 17 of 30 attempts for 138 yards with no touchdowns and one interception for a 54.6 rating. In 2021, Huntley came off the bench in the second quarter against the Browns after Jackson suffered a sprained ankle, and gave the Browns a scare with a late rally in Cleveland’s 24-22 victory. He went 27 of 38 (71.05) for 270 yards with one touchdown and one interceptions for a 99.7 rating. He also rushed for 45 yards and lost two fumbles. In that game, Myles Garrett executed a strip-scoop-score off Huntley, running the ball back 15 yards for a TD. Garrett set the Browns’ single season record with 16 sacks in that game. Overall against the Browns, Huntley has completed 44 of his 68 attempts (64.71%) for 408 yards, with one touchdown pass and one interception. He’s earned a 79.8 rating. In 2023, Huntley was added to the Pro Bowl roster as a replacement for an injured Josh Allen despite making only four starts. In his four-year career, Huntley, signed by the Ravens as an undrafted rookie out of Utah in 2020, has gone 3-6 with a 64.6 completion percentage, 1,957 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. He has a career 79.0 rating. ©2024 Advance Local Media LLC. Visit cleveland.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. View the full article
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The Pennsylvania man who prosecutors said flew a drone over M&T Bank Stadium during this year’s AFC championship game pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal airspace violation. Matthew Hebert, of Chadds Ford, was sentenced Thursday by U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles D. Austin to serve one year of probation and was ordered to pay a $500 fine for the misdemeanor conviction, according to the 44-year-old’s defense attorney, Justin Lake. “Mr. Hebert cooperated with the Government’s investigation from its inception through its conclusion,” Lake said in an emailed statement. “He is grateful that this unfortunate situation is now behind him and for the opportunity to move forward in a positive manner.” NFL security temporarily suspended the Jan. 28 game between the Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs during the first quarter due to the drone flying over the stadium. Maryland State Police tracked the drone to a landing spot on the 500 block of South Sharp Street in the Otterbein neighborhood, about half a mile away from the stadium. There, state troopers and FBI agents found Hebert, who said he was visiting friends in Baltimore for the postseason game and admitted to flying the drone, but said he relied on his drone’s remote control app to tell him whether he was not allowed to fly it in certain areas, according to a court affidavit. The drone was also not registered, and Hebert didn’t have a remote pilot certification from the Federal Aviation Administration to operate the unmanned device, according to the affidavit. Hebert was not arrested, though he was charged for the drone flight just over a week after the Ravens’ final game of the season, during which Baltimore lost, 17-10, in front of about 71,430 fans, including numerous celebrity guests. Federal and stadium officials highlighted a need for education about airspace rules in statements after the 44-year-old was charged. “Operating a drone requires users to act responsibly and educate themselves on when and how to use them safely,” FBI agent R. Joseph Rothrock of the Baltimore field office said in an early February statement announcing the charges. The FAA implements a temporary flight restriction for any stadium or sporting event with a seating capacity of 30,000 or more during any MLB, NFL or NCAA Division I game, as well as NASCAR, IndyCar Series or ChampCar Series main races. The Maryland Stadium Authority installed drone detection software in 2021 after a drone sighting at a Ravens game in 2020, though drone sightings and ensuing stoppages continued in Baltimore — this past Ravens season alone saw 12 drone violations. There were four total unauthorized drones at the Jan. 28 game, though games are typically paused only when drones fly above the seating bowl and potentially endanger fans. In the complaint against Hebert, authorities said the drone flight they traced to Hebert “resulted in a threat deemed serious enough by NFL Security to temporarily suspend the game.” With Hebert’s plea to the misdemeanor airspace violation, which itself carries a maximum sentence of one year of incarceration, prosecutors dropped other drone-related charges related to the incident that would have totaled a maximum sentence of four years in federal prison. They recommended the probationary sentence and $500 fine, according to Hebert’s plea agreement, in which prosecutors noted that the 44-year-old had promptly accepted responsibility for the offense and was a “Zero Point Offender,” meaning, among other things, that he had no prior criminal convictions. View the full article
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PITTSBURGH — The brief and tumultuous Kenny Pickett era in Pittsburgh is over. The Steelers are trading the quarterback to the Philadelphia Eagles, multiple sources told The Associated Press. The sources spoke on condition of anonymity because the deal was not official. Pittsburgh will receive a third-round pick in this year’s NFL draft and two seventh-round choices in the 2025 draft in exchange for Pickett and Pittsburgh’s fourth-round pick this year. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Five things we learned from the Ravens’ first week of free agency Baltimore Ravens | Ravens introduce newly signed Derrick Henry | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | In ‘unicorn’ Derrick Henry, Ravens land the star running back they tried to trade for Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley and Jets agree to new contract that provides salary cap relief, AP source says Baltimore Ravens | Odell Beckham Jr. released by Ravens in cost-cutting move after one season The trade comes just hours after the Steelers signed nine-time Pro Bowl selection Russell Wilson to a one-year deal to compete with Pickett for the starting job, though all signs appeared to be pointing to Wilson having the edge when the team reported for training camp at Saint Vincent College in July. Wilson declined to say he expected to be the starter when asked during his introductory press conference on Friday and added he and Pickett had connected shortly after Wilson agreed to terms with the team, saying they were both focused on making the Steelers better. Instead, Wilson now finds himself as the only quarterback on the roster after the club cut Mitch Trubisky and third-stringer Mason Rudolph — who guided the Steelers to the playoffs after Pickett underwent ankle surgery in early December — signed with Tennessee. Pickett, a first-round pick out of the University of Pittsburgh in 2022, went 14-10 as a starter but struggled to stay healthy and be a difference maker for an offense that languished near the bottom of the league. View the full article
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The Ravens knew they were in for pain when the NFL’s legal tampering window opened Monday. They did not have the money to retain all the players who helped them clinch the AFC’s best record last season. They would have to make difficult choices. After three frenzied days, they were down 11 players, all of them either starters, key reserves or special teams stalwarts. They were also up a King, aka Derrick Henry, the mighty running back who tormented the Ravens in his years as a Tennessee Titan. They still have much work to do before their 2024 roster is set, but here are five things we learned from the Ravens’ first week in free agency. In Derrick Henry, the Ravens signed the running back they wanted, not the one the market yielded. When Henry strode into the team auditorium Thursday in a purple suit and black shirt, it was the culmination of a five-month quest. The Ravens had tried to trade for him before last year’s Oct. 31 deadline only to have the Titans pull back at the last minute. There were a dozen quality running backs available when the tampering window opened, and some analysts thought Eric DeCosta might wait for a bargain, whichever player that might be, to fall his way. Instead, teams snapped them up as if it were 6 a.m. on Black Friday, with the Philadelphia Eagles dropping $37.7 million on Saquon Barkley — younger, quicker, less durable than Henry — and others teams dumping established starters to get in on the hunt. The Ravens did not move that first day, and by the next morning, it was Henry or bust for them. They were fine with that. Henry, who had stiff-armed and sprinted through their defense in a series of heated Baltimore-Tennessee matchups, was the runner they prized, and he considered it a “no-brainer” to join up with Lamar Jackson. “Yeah, I had a good indication,” DeCosta said when asked whether this was the plan all along. “I thought there was a reasonable chance we could get a trade done. It didn’t work out. It was disappointing. But again, you evaluate the tape, you watch the player, you see the history of the player, you talk to the people who’ve been around the player, and it made all the sense in the world for us to target Derrick.” There are reasons to wonder about Henry’s schematic fit in the Ravens’ offense. Most of his carries in Tennessee came from under-center handoffs as opposed to the shotgun looks and run-pass options favored by Ravens coordinator Todd Monken. But Henry’s efficiency in limited samples of those scenarios was excellent, and he made it clear Thursday he’s eager to adapt to whatever his new team asks of him. Monken’s entire philosophy is based on keeping opponents off-balance, and the contrast between Jackson’s style and Henry’s will give him powerful tools in that regard. Henry has to be salivating at the prospect of crashing through lighter boxes with more space to rev up. “Game planning-wise, he’s going to give us a lot of options,” a beaming John Harbaugh said. Skeptics will also wonder whether Henry’s best days are behind because he turned 30 in January and has carried the ball at least 280 times in four of the past five years. The pro game grinds down running backs even faster than it does other players, and we might not see the Henry of 2019 and 2020. But he remained formidable last season, averaging 3.32 yards after contact in a Titans offense that couldn’t lean on any other playmaker of Henry’s caliber. “Tell them to keep watching,” he said when asked about the age-related doubts. DeCosta believes Henry’s the rare athlete who will defy norms: “He’s kind of a unicorn to be honest, with his combination of speed, power and durability.” The Ravens are a contender making what amounts to a one-year bet on the greatest running back of his generation. The true test will come in January, when memories of the Ravens’ vanishing run game from their AFC championship loss to the Kansas City Chiefs will be front and center. Is Henry the man to change that narrative? Let’s just say he was the best candidate available to the Ravens this March. Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike is flanked by defensive coordinator Zach Orr, left, and general manager Eric DeCosta. The Ravens signed Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million extension. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) The Ravens handled their most important piece of business before the market opened. The Henry signing quickly eclipsed the pricier plunge the Ravens took at the end of last week, when they signed defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million extension, but it’s the Madubuike deal that will shape the franchise for longer. DeCosta prioritizes keeping his homegrown stars, just as his predecessor and mentor, Ozzie Newsome, taught him. But he knew he could not pay Madubuike and Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Geno Stone, who climbed from the practice squad to a seven-interception breakout in 2023. He would have to make a choice. Madubuike largely made it for him, consolidating steady improvements from his first three seasons into a magnificent 2023 star turn. His 13 sacks and 33 quarterback hits led the team, and he was an every-week force for the first time in his career, using his rare blend of quickness and power to wreak havoc from every spot on the defensive line. At age 26, Madubuike could grow into the team’s greatest pass rusher since Terrell Suggs, and that level of production is much rarer from an interior lineman than from an edge defender. He was the player the Ravens had to retain, and they were prepared to use the franchise tag to keep him in Baltimore through 2024. Fortunately for them, he wanted to be here, agreeing to a deal that would not have topped the market at his position before the tampering window opened. By signing an extension instead of moving forward under the tag, Madubuike gave DeCosta greater financial flexibility to address other needs. On his end, he locked up life-altering financial security as the well-earned prize for his brilliant season. It was the epitome of a win-win for player and team three days before the free agent frenzy kicked off. The Ravens are steering into their offensive line rebuild. Harbaugh and DeCosta foreshadowed the changes coming on their offensive line during their season-ending news conference, and they have now officially dispensed with any notion that they might get the band back together for one more season. First, they let a Feb. 19 soft deadline pass without extending guard Kevin Zeitler, their most reliable blocker over the past three seasons. Shortly after the tampering window, they waved goodbye to their other starting guard, John Simpson, who revived his career last season. Then, in a move that seemed to surprise many fans, they traded right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets, saving about $5 million and improving their draft capital in the bargain. Only left tackle Ronnie Stanley (who restructured his deal) and center Tyler Linderbaum are certain to be back as starters come September, though familiar faces Patrick Mekari, Ben Cleveland and Daniel Faalele could all contend for snaps along with 2023 draft pick Andrew Vorhees, who essentially redshirted last season as he recovered from a torn ACL. The real takeaway is that DeCosta sees this as the right year to rebuild one of the team’s core units through a draft that’s considered one of the richest in recent memory for offensive linemen. Whether they use the No. 30 overall pick on a replacement for Moses or look stock up in later rounds, there’s little question they’ll look to “augment the roster with good, young, cheap, talented football players,” as DeCosta put it Thursday. Is there risk in this approach for a team that expects to play deep into January led by one of the league’s great quarterbacks? For sure. But the Ravens have always trusted their ability to solve problems through the draft, and if they believe the 34-year-old Zeitler and the 33-year-old Moses will struggle to maintain peak form because of knee and shoulder injuries, respectively, better to move on a year early than a year late. Expect DeCosta to add at least one experienced lineman to start or compete for snaps, perhaps after the draft, when he has a fuller grip on the team’s assets. Wherever the talent infusion comes from, no Ravens position group will be more scrutinized come training camp. Ravens wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. and Patrick Queen hug after a loss to the Chiefs in the AFC championship game. Both are headed elsewhere after Beckham was released and Queen signed with the Steelers. (Jerry Jackson/Staff) Patrick Queen’s market did not develop the way we anticipated. Queen’s departure was expected. He was playing on borrowed time in Baltimore from the moment the Ravens signed his partner, Roquan Smith, to a five-year, $100 million extension in January 2023. As much as the Ravens depended on the pair and valued Queen’s fiery style, they were never likely to commit $15 million a year to their No. 2 inside linebacker. They drafted Trenton Simpson last spring as a hedge against losing Queen. Nonetheless, they probably expected the 24-year-old Queen to earn a larger reward than the three-year, $41 million deal he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, which really amounts to a team-friendly two-year deal. It’s at least a modest bummer for a stand-up character who was visibly moved by making the Pro Bowl after he endured sharp criticism during his first two seasons out of LSU. Smith was the vocal leader of a superb defense, but Queen was right beside him, playing through pain and loudly proclaiming that the Ravens feared no one. He never dodged accountability for a poor game or failed to shower praise on a teammate. Why wasn’t there more fervent interest in a young star coming off his best season, especially with three former Ravens assistants running defenses in other NFL cities? Most likely because there’s lingering skepticism that Queen can thrive as the shot caller at the heart of a defense without Smith as his senior partner. He’ll have his chance to put the lie to that narrative in Pittsburgh, probably the last place Ravens fans wanted to see him land. It’s a lot to ask a Baltimore fan to root for a Steeler, but Queen earned our best wishes. The Ravens have plenty to do and created the wiggle room to operate. DeCosta acknowledged the bittersweetness of a week in which the Ravens added Henry and kept Madubuike but said farewell to so many players who helped them to a glorious 2023. The sheer volume of loss leaves him with a ton of work to piece together his 2024 roster. We discussed the offensive line and Queen, but with Stone and reserve cornerback Ronald Darby out the door, DeCosta will need to fortify a secondary that’s long on front-line talent but lacking the depth that made it special last season. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens introduce newly signed Derrick Henry | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | In ‘unicorn’ Derrick Henry, Ravens land the star running back they tried to trade for Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley and Jets agree to new contract that provides salary cap relief, AP source says Baltimore Ravens | Odell Beckham Jr. released by Ravens in cost-cutting move after one season Baltimore Ravens | Breaking down Ravens offensive line options: Internal players, free agents or draft picks? The Ravens led the league in sacks last year, and Madubuike played the biggest part in that, but right behind him were veteran edge rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy, both of whom are free agents. The Ravens would like to bring Clowney back but could be outspent for his services. They’ll hope that 2021 first-round pick Odafe Oweh breaks out in 2024 the way Madubuike did last year and that 2022 second-round pick David Ojabo finally enjoys a healthy season. But they need more talent on the edges. They’re happy with Jackson’s targets but won’t have wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who gave everything they could have asked for off the field and played decently in a modest role on it. Even with Henry in the fold, they need another running back as they wait for Keaton Mitchell to return from knee surgery. The Ravens made budget trims to duck under the salary cap when the league year opened Wednesday, but some of their moves — the Moses trade, especially — were designed to give DeCosta wiggle room going forward. They could turn to restructures, with Jackson’s $260 million deal first on the list, to free up more spending power. That doesn’t mean they’ll splurge on one player in the near term. Remember, they did a lot of their best building in August and September last year, adding Clowney, Van Noy, Darby and cornerback Arthur Maulet to a defense that would depend heavily on all four. This puzzle is not meant to make complete sense on the third weekend in March. “As a wise man once said, we don’t play games until September,” DeCosta said. “We’ll be ready.” View the full article
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Derrick Henry has long been on Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta’s mind. On Thursday, DeCosta revealed that he tried to acquire the star running back from the Tennessee Titans at the Oct. 31 trade deadline. The deal never materialized, and Baltimore eventually lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game as the NFL’s top rushing team curiously handed the ball to its running backs just six times. That loss is still a painful memory, but a month later, Baltimore got its guy. Henry signed a two-year deal worth a reported $16 million on the first day of free agency Wednesday. “When you evaluate the tape, you watch the player, you see the history of the player, you talk to people who have been around the player, it made all the sense in the world for us to try to get Derrick,” DeCosta said Thursday during Henry’s introductory news conference in Owings Mills. For Henry, a four-time Pro Bowl selection who led the NFL in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns in 2019 and 2020, signing with the Ravens also made sense. “It really was a no-brainer for me,” said Henry, who thought he’d end up in Baltimore midway through last season. “This is where I wanted to be. I love the style, the physicality that they play with in all three phases. It fits my style of play as well. It was really a no-brainer, just trying to figure out the business side of things and glad we were able to get it figured out.” Now it will be up to the Ravens to figure out how to implement Henry into their shotgun-heavy, run-pass option offense led by quarterback and reigning NFL Most Valuable Player Lamar Jackson — one that is vastly different from what the Titans operated. Jackson is coming off a season in which he threw for a career-high 3,678 yards, while Henry has led the NFL in carries four of the past five seasons. In Baltimore, Jackson and the Ravens operated mostly out of the shotgun or pistol last season. For most of Henry’s eight-year career in Tennessee, the quarterback was under center. How will they mesh? “What Derrick does really exceptionally well is going to be where we’re going to move towards,” coach John Harbaugh said. “But we’re versatile. We can go in a lot of different directions. “I also think what we’ve been doing along those lines fit this guy really well. It’s not just his specific talents, because he can run out of any kind of backfield.” Baltimore Ravens introduces newly signed running back Derrick Henry, during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens introduces newly signed running back Derrick Henry, during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens introduces newly signed running back Derrick Henry, center, sits with head coach John Harbaugh, left, and general manager Eric DeCosta during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens introduces newly signed running back Derrick Henry, center, sits with head coach John Harbaugh, left, and general manager Eric DeCosta during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Newly signed Ravens running back Derrick Henry stands with coach John Harbaugh, left, and general manager Eric DeCosta at a news conference Thursday in Owings Mills. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens introduces newly signed running back Derrick Henry, center, sits with head coach John Harbaugh, left, and general manager Eric DeCosta during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Baltimore Ravens introduces newly signed running back Derrick Henry, center, sits with head coach John Harbaugh, left, and general manager Eric DeCosta during a news conference at the team's practice facility in Owings Mills, Md. (Kevin Richardson/Staff) Show Caption of Expand Henry’s addition could also help take some of the pressure off Jackson, who completed 20 of 37 passes with an interception and a fumble against the Chiefs in the AFC title game. “He’s so dynamic,” Henry said of Jackson. “I’m excited to play with him. He had a great year this year, did a lot of great things, had a lot of great guys in the offense. I just want to be an added piece to this offense to help them do better than they did last year.” Only once in Jackson’s six years in Baltimore has he had a 1,000-yard rusher (Mark Ingram II), which was in 2019, when he won his first NFL MVP award. Before Henry’s signing, the Ravens had just three running backs on their roster: fifth-year veteran Justice Hill, 2023 undrafted free agent Owen Wright and rookie sensation Keaton Mitchell, who is only three months removed from a torn ACL. But none of them is close to the player Henry has been — and, even at age 30, still is. Henry is just one of eight running backs in NFL history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season, churning out a career-high 2,027 along with 17 touchdowns in 2020 when he was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. His 9,502 career rushing yards rank second in Titans/Houston Oilers history, 507 behind Eddie George and nearly 1,000 more than Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell. Despite his best years likely being behind him, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound veteran is still one of the game’s most imposing runners, ranking eighth among 49 qualifying backs last season in yards after contact per carry (3.32), per TruMedia. His 3,928 rushing yards after contact over the past five seasons are also 1,000 more than the next closest player, Nick Chubb of the Cleveland Browns. And in his final game for the Titans, he rushed for 153 yards and reached 21.7 mph, according to Next Gen Stats. Still, what kind of impact he’ll have on a team that led the NFL in rushing yards last season without a bell cow back remains to be seen, especially behind an offensive line that could have as many as three new starters because of free agency. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens introduces newly signed Derrick Henry | VIDEO Baltimore Ravens | Odell Beckham Jr. released by Ravens in cost-cutting move after one season Baltimore Ravens | Breaking down Ravens offensive line options: Internal players, free agents or draft picks? Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens QB Joe Flacco heading to Colts on one-year, $4.5 million deal Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trading RT Morgan Moses to Jets as part of draft pick swap “That will be the mission in the coming weeks to build that out,” DeCosta said of rebuilding the line. “I think we’re on our way. I think we have a good plan. We’re fortunate that this draft class is pretty good from that standpoint. I don’t want to call it historically strong, but it looks like a very strong crop of offensive linemen.” Strong would also be an appropriate label for Henry. Over the past five years, no running back had more yards after first contact (3,257). He also reached at least 20 mph on 22 of those carries, which ranked higher than Saquon Barkley (18) and Jonathan Taylor (17). Henry has also been remarkably durable for a position that takes a pounding, playing in at least 15 games in every season but one. “He’s kind of a unicorn,” DeCosta said. “It’s a combination of speed, power, durability.” But running backs also have a history of declining rapidly after turning 30. There have only been 26 backs in the modern era who have had 1,000-yard seasons after eclipsing that age, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Henry’s response when asked about those who think his best days are behind him? “Tell them to keep watching,” he said. “I’m just ready to work, ready to get things started and do my best to help this organization.” View the full article
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By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. (AP Pro Football Writer) The New York Jets and linebacker C.J. Mosley agreed to a new two-year contract worth $17.25 million that provides the team with more salary cap space in free agency, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press. Mosley was due to make a non-guaranteed $17 million in base pay this season under his previous contract, and would have counted a team-high $21.5 million against this year’s cap. The sides agreed to redo the contract to help the team’s cap situation — freeing about $8 million — while also giving Mosley more security and another year with the Jets. The new deal includes $13.25 million in guarantees, including $9 million fully guaranteed this season, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t announce the details. ESPN first reported Mosley and the Jets had agreed on a reworked contract. New York also announced it released wide receiver Corey Davis from the reserve/retired list after he applied to the NFL for reinstatement following a year away from football. The 29-year-old Davis is now a free agent, although he could return to the Jets. New York also re-signed offensive lineman Jake Hanson, made its trade for offensive tackle Morgan Moses from Baltimore official and announced the signings of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, guard John Simpson, defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu and punter Thomas Morstead — all of whom agreed to deals at the start of free agency. The 31-year-old Mosley has led New York in combined tackles in each of the past three seasons while also serving as the primary signal caller in the middle of the Jets’ defense. He was a second-team All-Pro last season and made his fifth career Pro Bowl — first with New York — in 2022. Mosley, voted four times by his Jets teammates as a defensive captain, spent his first five NFL seasons with Baltimore and established himself as one of the league’s top playmaking linebackers. He signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Jets in 2019, but missed all but two games that season with a torn groin. Mosley also was among several players who sat out the following season due to COVID-19 concerns. He has been a consistent performer and leader the past three seasons after remodeling his body to better fit as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the defense run by coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and coach Robert Saleh. Mosley, voted the winner of the Jets’ selfless warrior award last season by the coaching staff, has played in all but one of New York’s past 51 games. Mosley has more than 1,000 career tackles, 12 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries. Davis, who caught 66 passes in two seasons with the Jets, surprisingly stepped away from football during training camp last August. “I’ve been searching my heart for what to do,” Davis wrote on his Instagram page last summer in announcing his intentions. “And I feel that stepping away from the game is the best path for me at this time.” Saleh said then that the Jets would leave the door open for a return, but it’s uncertain if Davis wants to rejoin New York or explore his options elsewhere. He spent his first four NFL seasons with Tennessee and has 273 catches for 3,879 yards and 17 touchdowns. Hanson was a restricted free agent who played in seven games last season, including four starts at right guard. He’ll provide depth on a revamped line that has been the focus of general manager Joe Douglas at the start of free agency. ___ AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report. ___ AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL View the full article
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Odell Beckham Jr.’s brief stint with the Ravens ended much less ceremoniously than it began, with the team releasing the star wide receiver late Wednesday night. The move was expected after Baltimore restructured his deal in January, which eliminated the void years in his contract and allowed the team to designate him as a post-June 1 release. Under Beckham’s original deal, the remaining years would have voided and the Ravens would’ve taken an $11.068 million cap hit. The Ravens had until 4 p.m. Thursday to release him or else his $50 million place-holder salary for 2025 would become fully guaranteed. Instead, the Ravens will carry $2.767 million in dead money for Beckham this year, with $8.301 million in dead money for 2025. Even with the release, his addition was a costly one. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Breaking down Ravens offensive line options: Internal players, free agents or draft picks? Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens QB Joe Flacco heading to Colts on one-year, $4.5 million deal Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trading RT Morgan Moses to Jets as part of draft pick swap Baltimore Ravens | Ravens salary cap moves: LT Ronnie Stanley reportedly agrees to reworked contract; OLB Tyus Bowser released Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Derrick Henry gives Ravens a needed shot in the arm | COMMENTARY Beckham, who turned 31 in November, signed a one-year, $15 million deal last offseason. The Ravens did so in part to entice Lamar Jackson to sign a long-term extension after the star quarterback told the team he wanted Baltimore to sign the three-time Pro Bowl selection. But Beckham’s impact was mixed, at least on the field. He had just 35 catches for 565 yards and three touchdowns in 2023, his lowest total in any season in which he played at least 12 games. He played 14 for Baltimore, missing two games early in the year because of an ankle injury before sitting out the regular-season finale to rest for the playoffs. He averaged just 4.4 targets and 2.5 catches per game, though he did post a career-high 16.1 yards per catch. He had moments of brilliance as well, notably a 40-yard touchdown catch against the Cleveland Browns in November, 116 yards on four catches the following week against the Cincinnati Bengals, four catches for 97 yards and a touchdown against the Rams, and one spectacular 33-yard grab in a blowout of the Miami Dolphins. But in the postseason, he had just four catches for 34 yards and no touchdowns in two games as the Ravens lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, 17-10, in the AFC championship game. Off the field, Beckham was a popular locker room presence and mentor to the team’s younger receivers, including rookie Zay Flowers, whose locker was next to Beckham’s and who led the Ravens in catches and yards. Beckham was popular with fans as well, especially during training camp, where he arrived to daily chants of “OBJ! OBJ!” as he returned to football for the first time since suffering a torn ACL in Super Bowl 56 in February 2022. Likewise, Beckham seemed to genuinely enjoy his time with the organization. “I absolutely love this place,” he said after the AFC title game. “This felt like a home. It felt amazing for me. The city of Baltimore … I wanted it for the city of Baltimore more than anything. I wanted them to be able to have that moment [when] we’re all standing on the field, and ‘The Bank’ [M&T Bank Stadium] is rocking, but [we] just came up short. “If there is anything I felt about myself — regardless of anybody’s opinion or anything like that — is that I know that I can still play football, and I know that I still have [stuff] in the tank.” It’s unclear what his market will be. Beckham planned to meet with the Jets before signing with the Ravens last year and could join quarterback Aaron Rodgers given New York’s need for another receiver. Beckham is projected to receive a one-year, $7 million deal in free agency, per Pro Football Focus. Beckham is just the latest Raven who will be playing elsewhere next season, with inside linebacker Patrick Queen (Pittsburgh Steelers), running back Gus Edwards (Los Angeles Chargers), safety Geno Stone (Bengals), wide receiver-kick returner Devin Duvernay (Jacksonville Jaguars), cornerback Ronald Darby (Jaguars), guard John Simpson (Jets), inside linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips (Houston Texans) and long snapper Tyler Ott (Washington Commanders) all signing elsewhere. Right tackle Morgan Moses was traded to the Jets on Wednesday in a swap of draft picks. View the full article
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Ravens coach John Harbaugh said two weeks ago at the NFL scouting combine that rebuilding the offensive line would be the most important thing Baltimore does this offseason. “We’re offensive-line-centric in our philosophy,” he said. “And we’ve got some question marks in our offensive line.” With Wednesday marking the official start to free agency and the beginning of a new NFL year, some of the answers to those questions began to trickle in. Most notably, the Ravens traded veteran right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets in a draft-pick swap, and they restructured the contract of left tackle Ronnie Stanley, clearing much-needed salary cap space. Meanwhile, left guard John Simpson is off to the Jets, signing a two-year deal, and Kevin Zeitler remains a free agent. Still, questions remain: With Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum the only returning starters up front, what will the rest of Baltimore’s offensive line look like? Here are the potential options: Internal tackle options Patrick Mekari A five-year veteran who has played all five positions along the line, including 39 starts, Mekari offers versatility. Of course, that could also be the reason he doesn’t end up taking over as the full-time starter at right tackle — a position at which he logged 189 snaps, compared with 388 at left tackle and three at center while appearing in every game of the 2023 regular season. The Ravens like to use him as a swing tackle and it’s easy to see why. In Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals with Stanley inactive, he held pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to zero pressures and two tackles. In Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, this time filling in for Moses on the right side, he had one of his best performances of the year, with an 80.1 grade from Pro Football Focus. Daniel Faalele While Faalele played in 12 games last season, he worked almost exclusively at right tackle, with 155 snaps there compared with 28 at left tackle. In Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he also got his highest PFF grade of the year at 71.9, with 21 of his 34 snaps coming on running plays as he filled in nicely in a tackle rotation down the stretch. His 72.4 run-blocking grade that week was also his best of the season. At 6 feet 8 and 340 pounds and just 24 years old, he could have a shot at the starting right tackle job. From left, Ravens offensive linemen Ben Cleveland, Tyler Linderbaum and Patrick Mekari stand together during warmups before a game against the Rams. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Internal guard options Ben Cleveland To say that Cleveland, a third-round pick out of Georgia in 2021, has been a disappointment is fair in the kaleidoscope of expectations and one highlight-reel moment. Everyone will remember him getting cooked by Philadelphia Eagles rookie and former Bulldogs teammate Jalen Carter in a preseason game last year, but in 16 regular-season appearances — the most of his career — he performed solidly, especially pass blocking, which has always been his strongest attribute. Against the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers in Weeks 17 and 18, he received PFF grades of 64.5 and 91.1, respectively, with 57 snaps apiece at right guard. Still, given his body of work over three years, the Ravens would probably prefer to find a more dynamic blocker for at least one of their vacant guard spots. Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu Like a new toy, Aumavae-Laulu was something of a training camp darling, with Harbaugh touting the sixth-round rookie out of Oregon as a potential starter for the open left guard spot. Of course, Simpson easily beat him out and the massive 6-5, 325-pound Aumavae-Laulu never saw the field in 2023 with Baltimore deactivating him for all but four games. Perhaps that’ll change in 2024, but it seems unlikely he’ll get the starting nod. Andrew Vorhees Vorhees is an intriguing but unknown quantity. He suffered a torn ACL during the 2023 scouting combine and his draft stock plummeted, with the Ravens selecting the former Southern California star in the seventh round after trading with the Cleveland Browns. But at USC, he made 48 starts over six seasons, was a first-team All-American in 2022 and was PFF’s highest-rated offensive lineman in the Pac-12 each of his final two years. Now healthy, he could challenge for either guard spot. Long shots TyKeem Doss An undrafted rookie out of Southern Miss last year, Doss spent the season on the practice squad and was later signed to a reserve/futures contract. A versatile lineman in college, he played left guard in 2020, left tackle in 2021 and right tackle in 2022, with the majority of his snaps coming at left tackle. Overall, he logged 773 snaps at left tackle, 471 snaps at left guard and 233 snaps as a right tackle. At 6-5 and 380 pounds with 35-inch arms, he certainly has intriguing physical attributes. Tashawn Manning Another player signed to a reserve/future contract, Manning likewise spent last year on the practice squad after going undrafted out of Kentucky. At 6-3 and 340 pounds, he has size, but lacks lateral quickness, among other things, ultimately making him a project. Free agent options G Greg Van Roten Van Roten ranked 15th among all interior offensive linemen and seventh among guards with a PFF grade of 75.3 as the 34-year-old had something of a resurgence with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. He was also reliable, playing 1,025 snaps across 17 games, and he comes cheap with a projected contract of $2.75 million. OT Josh Jones Jones has what the Ravens often covet: versatility. He has starting experience at left tackle, right tackle and right guard in his four NFL seasons. He also led the Houston Texans with 931 snaps after getting traded from the Arizona Cardinals, where he was an adept run and pass blocker with a 75.8 overall PFF grade. His production fell off last year, but the Texans’ offensive line struggled as a whole. He’s projected to make $6.5 million per year, per PFF, though that number could drop the longer his free agency goes. Notre Dame offensive tackle Blake Fisher could be an option for the Ravens early in the draft. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Draft options Duke OT/G Graham Barton Barton played left tackle for the Blue Devils, but most analysts project him to move inside to center or guard at the next level. His experience — 2,160 snaps across 30 college starts — and versatility would help him hit the ground running for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. However, given he’s ranked among the top 30 prospects on several big boards, the 6-5, 313-pound Barton might not be available when the Ravens pick at No. 30 overall. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens QB Joe Flacco heading to Colts on one-year, $4.5 million deal Baltimore Ravens | Ravens trading RT Morgan Moses to Jets as part of draft pick swap Baltimore Ravens | Ravens salary cap moves: LT Ronnie Stanley reportedly agrees to reworked contract; OLB Tyus Bowser released Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Derrick Henry gives Ravens a needed shot in the arm | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens LB Patrick Queen reportedly agrees to deal with Steelers Arizona OT/G Jordan Morgan Along with Barton, Oklahoma’s Tyler Guyton and perhaps BYU’s Kingsley Suamataia, Morgan is among the top options who could be available at the end of the first round. The 6-5, 311-pound Morgan was a three-year starter who bounced back after suffering a torn ACL late in the 2022 season. He also projects inside at guard and might need to bulk up, but he has the potential to stick at left tackle because of his athleticism. Yale OT Kiran Amegadjie If the Ravens are willing to be patient, Amegadjie could be their left tackle of the future. Although he didn’t play football until midway through high school and didn’t get a chance to continue his development after suffering a quad injury this past season, the 6-5, 323-pound Amegadjie has rare length (36 1/8-inch arms) and athleticism. If he’s available at the end of the second round, the Ravens could take the Ivy League star and mold him to be Stanley’s eventual replacement. Notre Dame OT Blake Fisher Fisher has all the tools to be a great lineman, but there’s a reason he might be available in the third round. Evaluators knock the 6-6, 310-pound tackle for his inconsistent technique and timing, though his overall profile is worth betting on. He’s only 20 years old with the potential to grow into a quality starter. One AFC executive told NFL.com that Fisher is “more naturally talented” than teammate Joe Alt, who is expected to be the first tackle drafted. Kansas OT/G Dominick Puni A former Division II player at Central Missouri who made the jump to the Football Bowl Subdivision, the 6-5, 313-pound Puni does not fit the mold of a typical stud prospect. But he improved dramatically in his second season with the Jayhawks, moving from left guard to left tackle and earning a 90.4 pass-blocking grade from PFF. Projections vary, but the Ravens might need to spend a second-round pick to land Puni. View the full article