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ExtremeRavens: The Sanctuary

ExtremeRavens

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  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. Joe Flacco is heading to the Indianapolis Colts after helping the Cleveland Browns reach the playoffs and winning the AP Comeback Player of the Year Award. Flacco and the Colts agreed on a one-year deal for $4.5 million guaranteed, a person familiar with the terms told The Associated Press on Wednesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the contract hasn’t been finalized. Flacco’s deal is worth up to $8.7 million with incentives. Related Articles 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 Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens adding star RB Derrick Henry Flacco, a former Super Bowl Most Valuable Player with the Ravens, was home in New Jersey with his family when Cleveland called him in November. He went 4-1 in five starts and passed for over 300 yards in four straight games with 13 touchdown passes. He wanted to stay in Cleveland to back up Deshaun Watson but the Browns didn’t make him an offer, agent Joe Linta told the AP. Instead, the Browns are bringing in Jameis Winston to serve as Watson’s backup. Flacco turned down an offer from the Philadelphia Eagles to join the Colts. The Saints also had interest in the veteran QB. He’ll help mentor Anthony Richardson with Indianapolis, which let veteran backup Gardner Minshew go to Las Vegas. Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in last year’s draft, was 2-2 with the Colts before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Indianapolis went 7-6 with Minshew. View the full article
  12. The Ravens’ offensive line rebuilding effort will include a new starting right tackle. Baltimore is trading Morgan Moses to the New York Jets, a source with direct knowledge confirmed to The Baltimore Sun. The Ravens will swap fourth-round picks with the Jets, going from No. 135 overall to 113th and also get the Jets’ sixth-round compensatory pick (No. 218 overall), according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who first reported the deal. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens salary cap moves: LT Ronnie Stanley reportedly agrees to reworked contract; OLB Tyus Bowser reportedly 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 Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens adding star RB Derrick Henry Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Derrick Henry agree to blockbuster deal reportedly worth $16 million for 2 years The move gives Baltimore additional draft capital while clearing $5.5 million in salary cap space. It also means that the Ravens’ offensive line, which helped clear the way for the NFL’s top rushing attack and helped quarterback Lamar Jackson to a career-high 3,678 passing yards, will look significantly different next season, with center Tyler Linderbaum and left tackle Ronnie Stanley the only returning starters as of now. Earlier this week, free agent guard John Simpson agreed to sign with the Jets, while Baltimore’s other starting guard, Kevin Zeitler, remains a free agent. The trade clears the way for Patrick Mekari, Daniel Faalele or a newcomer to take over at right tackle. “The offensive line is where it starts,” coach John Harbaugh said at the NFL scouting combine two weeks ago. “We talked about that in 2008. It’s been true forever. You win in the trenches first. So we think we’re offensive-line-centric in our philosophy. And we’ve got some question marks in our offensive line, so there’s going to be some rebuilding that’s going to have to be done in there, and we’re getting to it already. “It’s going to be really probably the most important thing we do on offense.” Moses, 33, struggled with injuries during the second half of last season, but has been one of the game’s best pass protection tackles the past two seasons, a strong run blocker and a leader in the locker room. In joining the Jets, he reunites with Simpson and the team he played for in 2021 following seven seasons in Washington. Meanwhile, the Ravens will now have nine picks in next month’s NFL draft, including the 30th overall along with six more in the top 218 picks. View the full article
  13. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley will return for a ninth season with the Ravens, but outside linebacker Tyus Bowser will not be back for a seventh. Stanley, who will turn 30 next week, has reportedly agreed to a reworked contract, per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler. Related Articles 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 Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens adding star RB Derrick Henry Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Derrick Henry agree to blockbuster deal reportedly worth $16 million for 2 years Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Justin Madubuike, like Chris Jones for the Chiefs, was simply too good for the Ravens to let go of | COMMENTARY While the details have yet to be disclosed, he was due to count $26.2 million against the salary cap — the team’s second-highest cap hit behind quarterback Lamar Jackson — and previously slated to make $15 million for the 2024 season after signing an extension in 2020. Instead, he’ll play on less in base pay but could reach or surpass that number, according to the report. The reworked contract helps Baltimore get under the salary cap as well as open space for its myriad needs. In another move made to create more cap space, the Ravens are reportedly releasing veteran outside linebacker Tyus Bowser, The Athletic reported. That will create about $5.5 million of cap space. Bowser, who had a career-high seven sacks in 2021, did not play in 2023 because of a knee injury and played only nine games the year before as he worked his way back from a torn Achilles. The Ravens, who began the day in the red on the league’s new $255.4 million cap after agreeing to a two-year deal with former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry that will pay him a reported $9 million this coming season, have to be cap compliant when the new league year opens at 4 p.m. Wednesday. Stanley’s re-worked contract and Bowser’s release are just two of several moves that are expected to be made. Retaining Stanley also helps keep at least some of the Ravens’ offensive line intact, with guards Kevin Zeitler a free agent and John Simpson agreeing to a two-year deal with the New York Jets. Stanley, who has been the Ravens’ starting left tackle since 2016, struggled through injuries last season, missing four games with a knee injury. He has never played a full season, though he was an All-Pro and a Pro Bowl selection in 2019 and has been a key member of a line that helped clear the way for the NFL’s leading rushing attack. View the full article
  14. After last season’s disappointing 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC championship game, the Ravens needed to make a big splash in free agency to maintain fan interest, and they did so Tuesday by agreeing to terms with former Tennessee Titans star running back Derrick Henry. On the same day, the Ravens lost one of their top defensive players, outside linebacker Patrick Queen, who reportedly agreed to a three-year contract worth $41 million with the AFC North rival Pittsburgh Steelers. If you’re keeping score, this is a major win for the Ravens, who reportedly signed Henry to a two-year contract worth $16 million. That’s a good deal for a player who led the NFL in rushing in 2019 and 2020, when he was named the league’s Offensive Player of the Year. It’s not surprising the Ravens went after Henry. The free agent running back market had started to dry up with Saquon Barkley (Philadelphia Eagles), Tony Pollard (Titans), Austin Ekeler (Washington Commanders), Josh Jacobs (Green Bay Packers) and a slew of other backs signing with new teams. The Ravens needed a high-profile running back — one who would fit their system — and Henry was the best remaining option. The arrival of the newest Raven created a buzz in Baltimore, similar to the one felt around town before the Ravens lost to the Chiefs in January despite being the No. 1 seed and playing the championship game at home. This franchise needed a shot in the arm. The recent signing of defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year contract worth $98 million last week was uplifting, but Henry gives the Ravens a featured runner Baltimoreans haven’t seen since Jamal Lewis played here from 2000 to 2006. Henry, 30, isn’t in his prime anymore, but he fits the team’s offensive style. He is still a beast of a runner at 6 feet 3 and 247 pounds and last year powered the Titans’ running game with 1,167 yards (4.2 per carry) and an impressive 3.32 yards after contact. Even past his prime, he is better than former Ravens running back Gus Edwards, who reportedly agreed to a two-year contract with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. They have similar one-cut, downhill running styles, and both are closers in the fourth quarter when their teams have the lead. But the major difference is that Henry, who has rushed for 9,502 yards in his eight-year career, can score from anywhere on the field despite his reputation as a grinder. Edwards couldn’t. When Henry’s style is combined with that of quarterback Lamar Jackson’s running ability, it’s the perfect Mr. Inside (Henry) and Mr. Outside (Jackson) combination. Titans running back Derrick Henry stiff-arms Ravens safety Marcus Williams on a 63-yard run during a game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Oct. 15. (Ian Walton/AP) However, there are some reservations. Football games are won at the line of scrimmage, and the Ravens have needs on the offensive line. Both their starting guards of a year ago have become free agents, with John Simpson joining the New York Jets on Monday and Kevin Zeitler still on the open market. Both tackles, Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, are veterans who had nagging injuries and missed substantial playing time in 2023. Versatile, young linemen such as Ben Cleveland, Daniel Faalele and Andrew Vorhees might be viable options but are unproven. There are also questions about the Ravens’ offense and what impact Henry will have on a system that was torn between Jackson wanting to become more of a dynamic passer than a running threat. After giving their running backs just six carries in the loss to Kansas City, coach John Harbaugh said the Ravens had the option of calling run or pass options at the line of scrimmage, but Jackson stayed more with the passing plays. Where exactly will Henry fit in? As for Queen, his departure was expected, especially after the recent signing of Madubuike. That followed both middle linebacker Roquan Smith (five years for $100 million) and Jackson (five years for $260 million) agreeing to big contract extensions last year. Queen, 24, has played well since Smith joined the team in the middle of the 2022 season, and the former LSU star was second on the Ravens in tackles in 2023 with 133, including 3 1/2 sacks. The addition of Smith took a lot of pressure off Queen, who was moved from the middle to the weak side, a position he played in college. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens LB Patrick Queen reportedly agrees to deal with Steelers Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from Ravens adding star RB Derrick Henry Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Derrick Henry agree to blockbuster deal reportedly worth $16 million for 2 years Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Justin Madubuike, like Chris Jones for the Chiefs, was simply too good for the Ravens to let go of | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 free agency tracker: Who’s coming, going and staying The 2020 first-round draft pick flourished in his new role because he was uncovered, and most weak side linebackers are usually second or third on the team in tackles. Queen made dramatic improvements in open-field tackling during the past two years. His loss won’t be glaring but significant because he emerged as a team leader last season. The Ravens also might need to replace similar players in free agent outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy. Pittsburgh, which plays a 3-4 defense, has been a revolving door for inside linebackers, but Queen will have the same freedom to roam the way he did in Baltimore. He is familiar with the Ravens’ playbook and knows Jackson well. Plus, Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has a way of getting the best out of his defensive players, and he’ll have success with Queen. The Ravens, though, could have a solid replacement in second-year linebacker Trenton Simpson, a third-round pick a year ago. It’s part of the building process for general manager Eric DeCosta, who said the window of opportunity isn’t closed for the Ravens after the conference championship loss. The window isn’t closed, and it opened up even more Tuesday. There was some fresh air in the room, and Henry provided the franchise with a sigh of relief. View the full article
  15. Four days after the Ravens signed one of their defensive stars to a four-year contract extension, they watched another one walk out the door for richer pastures. Inside linebacker Patrick Queen reportedly agreed to a three-year, $41 million contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, according to ESPN. The news comes after the start of the NFL’s legal tampering period kicked off Monday. After signing All-Pro inside linebacker Roquan Smith to a five-year, $100 million deal last year, drafting inside linebacker Trenton Simpson in the third round and declining Queen’s fifth-year option last summer, his departure was not unexpected. Still, it’s a blow to a defense that was one of the best in the NFL last season and is facing major changes. Outside linebackers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy are also free agents, while safety Geno Stone reportedly agreed to a deal Monday with the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals and cornerback Ronald Darby to one with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Baltimore also lost its defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald, who left to become the Seattle Seahawks’ head coach, and defensive line coach Anthony Weaver, who was hired as the Miami Dolphins’ defensive coordinator, among other staff changes. Filling the void for Queen, 24, could also be difficult. Drafted 28th overall out of LSU in 2020, he surpassed his career-high in tackles for a second straight year with 133 this season and added 3 1/2 sacks, six pass breakups, an interception, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, and was selected to his first Pro Bowl. He also proved durable, playing through injuries while not missing a game in his four seasons with the Ravens, and was one of the team’s emotional leaders. Along with Smith, who arrived via a trade with the Chicago Bears midway through the 2022 season, the two formed perhaps the best inside linebacker duo in the league and they were the vocal leaders of a defense that became the first to lead the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game in the same season. But the more success Queen had the more obvious it became the Ravens would not be able to afford to keep him, especially after signing quarterback Lamar Jackson to a five-year, $260 million extension last year and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to four-year, $98 million extension last week. Baltimore also has several other holes to fill, including on the offensive line and at running back. While general manager Eric DeCosta has said that he wanted to see if there would be a way to keep Queen, he acknowledged the difficulty of doing so given the team’s salary cap restraints. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Instant analysis from the Ravens reportedly signing Derrick Henry Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, running back Derrick Henry reportedly agree to 2-year deal in free agent blockbuster Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Justin Madubuike, like Chris Jones for the Chiefs, was simply too good for the Ravens to let go of | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 free agency tracker: Who’s coming, going and staying Baltimore Ravens | Safety Geno Stone, who led Ravens in interceptions last season, reportedly agrees to deal with division rival Bengals “You just can’t keep every single player on your team,” DeCosta said Monday. “That’s a frustrating aspect of this job that I have.” Queen likewise said at the end of the season that it would be “nice” to come back but also said he had to do what’s best for me, what’s best for my family.” This story might be updated. View the full article
  16. Here’s what The Baltimore Sun sports staff had to say immediately after the Ravens and running back Derrick Henry reportedly agreed to a two-year deal on Tuesday afternoon: Childs Walker, reporter: At age 30, Derrick Henry is not the wrecking ball he was in 2019 and 2020, when he averaged more than 5 yards per carry on league-high usage. Baltimore fans will never forget the stiff arm on Earl Thomas that captured just how mighty that version of King Henry was. But Henry was far from a spent force in 2023, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, an impressive 3.32 yards after contact and scoring 12 touchdowns for a bad Tennessee offense. He won’t have to carry as heavy a load for the Ravens, and a lesser workload might help him extend his effective years. Not to mention Lamar Jackson is every running back’s best friend with the attention he draws. Henry won’t transform the Ravens’ offense, but he will deliver everything Gus Edwards did with more durability and big-play potential. That’s a fine return for a reported two-year, $16 million deal in the middle of a surprisingly hot shopping spree for running backs. Mike Preston, columnist: At age 30, Henry still has a lot left as far as controlling the pace of a game. He is still physically imposing and can wear down a defense. He is the premier closer in the fourth quarter. The Ravens need to upgrade their offensive line from a year ago, especially the veteran and often hurt tackles. But they have a good inside runner in Henry and an outside threat in Jackson. It’s a good signing for the Ravens, who were in need of a downhill runner. C.J. Doon, editor: It long felt like Henry was headed to Baltimore, especially when he was last top-tier running back remaining in free agency after Monday’s frenzy at the position. But now that he’s actually joining the Ravens, it’s pretty surreal. For as well as Gus Edwards and J.K. Dobbins have played at times over the past few seasons, the Ravens haven’t had a bulldozer like Henry, who will scare defenses just as much as Lamar Jackson in the running game. Sure, he’s 30 years old, but he’s shown no signs of slowing down anytime soon. No back has more rushing yards than Henry since 2018, and nobody has more rushing yards after contact over the past five seasons. He is a true difference-maker for an offense that already thrives running the ball. The Ravens still need to figure out their best starting five on the offensive line, but they have a solid foundation with Jackson and offensive coordinator Todd Monken. There’s a lot of offseason left and more holes to fill, but this could be the move that puts the Ravens over the top in the AFC, so long as Henry stays healthy and productive. Tim Schwartz, editor: Let’s start with this: the Ravens are probably not getting the Derrick Henry of his prime. He’s 30 years old and likely won’t be stiff-arming defenders on his way to 90-yard touchdowns anymore. But the bruising running back will still undoubtedly be effective in Baltimore. He is a menacing figure in the backfield, and pairing him with Lamar Jackson is almost unfair for opposing defenses. With how important the running game is for Baltimore, it needed to get someone after Gus Edwards left in free agency. For the reported $16 million for two years, that’s also a pretty good deal for Baltimore after Monday’s running back feeding frenzy. The Ravens are still in win-now mode — despite general manager Eric DeCosta’s claim that windows never really close — so the move makes a lot of sense from that perspective. Henry in Baltimore has always seemed like a good fit, and now we’ll see just how much he has left in his tank. View the full article
  17. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said two weeks ago at the NFL scouting combine that he had “a plan” for the team’s running back needs. Tuesday, it revealed itself in a big way. Former Tennessee Titans star Derrick Henry has agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with Baltimore, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, in a blockbuster free agent signing that instantly upgrades the Ravens’ backfield to a level it hasn’t seen since the days of Jamaal Lewis in the early aughts and Ray Rice in the years that followed. The deal could be worth up to $20 million and includes $9 million guaranteed, according to ESPN. “Flock Nation I swea it’s up !” Henry wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Henry, 30, is a four-time Pro Bowl selection, including this past season, who led the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in 2019 and 2020. He became just the eighth running back in league history to surpass 2,000 rushing yards in a season during his All-Pro 2020 campaign as he finished with 2,027. His 9,502 career rushing yards rank second in Titans’ history, 507 yards behind Eddie George and nearly 1,000 more than Pro Football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell. His addition gives the Ravens one of the sport’s most dynamic backfields with Henry lining up alongside quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time NFL Most Valuable Player, including this past season. Before the signing, Baltimore had only three running backs — Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, who is only three months removed from a torn ACL, and second-year player Owen Wright — on its roster. Monday afternoon, on the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period and the unofficial start to free agency, other options fell by the wayside with several available backs agreeing to sign elsewhere, including now former Raven Gus Edwards, who bolted for the Los Angeles Chargers. Meanwhile, the Ravens waited patiently — as they often do — and made only a few moves that were largely expected. Last month, they re-signed veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor to a one-year extension. Last week, they re-signed Pro Bowl selection and second-team All-Pro defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year extension worth a reported $98 million. Then early Monday evening, they agreed on a one-year extension with linebacker Malik Harrison, a versatile edge-setting defender whose biggest contributions were on special teams. After Saquon Barkley went to the Philadelphia Eagles, Josh Jacobs went to the Green Bay Packers, Tony Pollard went to the Tennessee Titans, D’Andre Swift went to the Chicago Bears and Austin Ekeler went to the Washington Commanders, among other moves, the Ravens got their guy. Henry had 1,167 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns to go with 28 catches for 214 yards last season and has topped 1,000 yards five of the past six seasons. The only time he didn’t was in 2021 when a broken bone in his foot caused him to miss the final eight games. He still finished with 937 yards and 10 touchdowns. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Mike Preston: Justin Madubuike, like Chris Jones for the Chiefs, was simply too good for the Ravens to let go of | COMMENTARY Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 free agency tracker: Who’s coming, going and staying Baltimore Ravens | Safety Geno Stone, who led Ravens in interceptions last season, reportedly agrees to deal with division rival Bengals Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens RB Gus Edwards reportedly agrees to deal with Chargers, reuniting with OC Greg Roman Baltimore Ravens | Five running backs the Ravens could target in free agency Despite his age and his prime years likely behind him, the 6-foot-3, 247-pound nine-year veteran is still one of the game’s most bruising runners, ranking eighth among 49 qualifying backs in yards after contact per carry (3.32) last year, according to TruMedia. Still, there are questions about how much longer he’ll be able to maintain his elite form and battering style. After averaging 5.1 and 5.4 yards per carry in 2019 and 2020, those numbers dipped to 4.3, 4.4 and 4.2 each of the next three seasons, respectively, though some of that could be attributable to the Titans’ offensive line struggles. Henry has also been durable, missing just one game over the past two seasons. How he’ll fit in the Ravens’ shotgun-heavy, run-pass option scheme also remains to be seen, but he’ll also perhaps be the greatest running back to wear a Ravens uniform. Rice, who played six seasons for Baltimore before being released in 2014 after he was seen on video assaulting his then-fiancee, had 6,180 yards on 1,430 carries along with 369 catches for 3,034 yards and scored 43 touchdowns. Lewis, meanwhile, had 7,801 of his 10,607 career rushing yards in Baltimore, including 2,066 in 2003. What kind of impact Henry can have behind what is expected to be a revamped offensive line and amid a slew of free agent and coaching departures remains to be seen, but Baltimore’s acquisition of one of the game’s most talented and punishing runners provides plenty of deserved optimism for a team that had the NFL’s best record last season and got within a game of the organization’s first Super Bowl appearance in more than a decade. This story will be updated. Falcons Titans FootballJohn Amis/APFormer Titans running back Derrick Henry runs out of the tunnel before a game against the Falcons last season. (John Amis/AP) View the full article
  18. One day after Justin Madubuike agreed to a four-year contract extension with the Ravens that made him temporarily the second-best paid defensive tackle in the NFL, Kansas City’s Chris Jones came to terms with the Chiefs to make him the highest. They were already in an elite category, according to Joe Cullen, who has coached each in the NFL, but the paydays cement it. Cullen, as the Ravens defensive line coach, helped mold Madubuike as a rookie after he was selected in the third round of the 2020 draft. “I thought he played well for a rookie, and the next two years he really progressed,” said Cullen, who last month won his second straight Super Bowl with the Chiefs as their defensive line coach. “I thought he and Chris were the two best defensive tackles in the league this past season. “That’s a good leap. You got [Los Angeles Rams’] Aaron Donald, but in terms of complete players, they are the best. I’m not shocked at his success because he is a great person and has a strong work ethic.” Coming off his first Pro Bowl selection, Madubuike agreed to a four-year deal worth a reported $98 million with $75.5 million guaranteed. Jones agreed to a five-year deal worth a reported $158.75 million, including $101 million in guarantees. His $31.8 million per season is slightly higher than the $31.7 million average Donald makes as part of his three-year deal signed in 2022. That’s no accident. And the market got even bigger on Monday when former Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins reportedly agreed to a four-year, $110 million deal, of which $84.75 million is guaranteed, with the the Las Vegas Raiders. According to Cullen, it was inevitable that Madubuike would become one of the best at his position. The Ravens and Cullen had the Texas A&M standout rated similarly to Alabama’s Raekwon Davis, who was selected by Miami in the second round in the same draft. The knock on the 6-3, 305-pound Madubuike coming out of college was his inconsistency. But Cullen noticed that he played well against some of the premier teams in college, including Georgia. The Ravens also couldn’t interview him personally because of coronavirus restrictions, so Cullen turned to some of his former coaching buddies — offensive line coach Jimmy Turner and defensive line assistant Elijah Robinson — at Texas A&M to evaluate Madubuike. “It was hard to gauge everything but they said he was the best guy in the locker room and I trusted those guys,” Cullen said. “I thought he was explosive, really had power. He could beat you with speed. He was quick, he was tough. And he played really well against Georgia that year. I kept going back, looking at that game, because there was a knock. He didn’t play well on double teams. Against Georgia, the best team in the country, he played really well.” Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike sacks Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes during the AFC championship game in January. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Madubuike slowly yet gradually got better. Now 26, the Ravens needed to sign him to a contract extension. Former Ravens coach and the late Ted Marchibroda coined the phrase “Play Like A Raven,” and nobody symbolizes it more. He reshaped and sculpted his body after his rookie season. He is extremely polite and respectful and has been one of the hardest workers in the weight room. And on game day, he flicks that switch. “He always had that high IQ, was a great worker on the field and in the weight room,” Cullen said. “If he didn’t get it right away, he’d show up early or stay late — whatever he had to do. If he didn’t get it, he’d wear you out on the field as far as wanting knowledge. “He comes from an athletic and respectable family. But you don’t want to tick him off; he’d rip your head off. He is one guy in the locker room that no one messes with, I can guarantee you that.” Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 free agency tracker: Who’s coming, going and staying Baltimore Ravens | Safety Geno Stone, who led Ravens in interceptions last season, reportedly agrees to deal with division rival Bengals Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens RB Gus Edwards reportedly agrees to deal with Chargers, reuniting with OC Greg Roman Baltimore Ravens | Five running backs the Ravens could target in free agency Baltimore Ravens | As free agency opens, Ravens celebrate Justin Madubuike, the star they kept Madubike has always had that explosion off the snap. He was slowed in his rookie season by a meniscus injury but still played in 10 games, finishing with 19 tackles. Over the past two seasons, his career has only skyrocketed despite sharing playing time with Calais Campbell, Derek Wolfe, Broderick Washington and Brandon Williams. A key, Cullen said, was Anthony Weaver, who coached the defensive line the past two seasons but left this offseason to become the Dolphins’ defensive coordinator. Madubuike had 56 tackles, including 12 for loss, this past season, to go with a team-high 13 sacks, which ed all interior NFL linemen. More important were his 64 pressures and 33 hits on the quarterback. Very few tackles can be so disruptive against both the run and the pass. He was just as disruptive as Jones, who finished with 30 tackles, including 13 for loss, during the regular season, and 10 1/2 sacks. Jones has played a high level for longer and has drawn the game plan of opposing offenses, so it will be interesting to see how Madubuike handles that change next year. He won’t be sneaking up on anybody in 2024. Regardless, he will be around for at least four more years because when you have an anchor in the middle of a defense, you don’t let him go. “Both Justin and Chris are players neither team could afford to lose,” Cullen said. View the full article
  19. It will be a busy offseason for the Ravens, who have nearly two dozen unrestricted free agents, holes to fill at just about every position outside tight end and starting quarterback, and myriad salary cap decisions to make. The NFL’s legal tampering period began Monday at noon, which is when teams can meet with representatives of free agents. Free agency won’t officially begin until Wednesday at 4 p.m., when teams can begin to sign players, though plenty of deals will already be in place by then. We’ll update the Ravens’ signings, departures and notable moves in the offseason here. March 11: WR/KR Devin Duvernay gets big payday A two-time Pro Bowl selection and All-Pro returner in 2021, Devin Duvernay is headed south. The wide receiver reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with an $8.5 million base with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Though he was a solid kick returner for the Ravens during his tenure in Baltimore, the former third-round draft pick was inconsistent at best as a receiver, with 20 catches as a rookie in 2020, 33 in 2021, 37 in 2022 and just four this past season. March 11: Safety Geno Stone headed to division rival Geno Stone’s seven interceptions last season led the AFC, which put him in position to land a more substantial role and contract for 2024. And it led him to an AFC North rival as he reportedly agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with the Cincinnati Bengals. Stone went from a seventh-round draft pick in 2020 to being cut twice to being claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans as a rookie to returning to Baltimore. Called by Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta maybe “the best seventh-round pick that we’ve ever had,” Stone played in all 17 games last season, which included 11 starts, and had 68 tackles. “Baltimore, Thank you for the past 4 years !” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. March 11: RB Gus Edwards agrees to deal with Chargers Running back Gus Edwards reportedly agreed to a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers, reuniting him with Baltimore’s former offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, who is now in Los Angeles in the same role. He also goes from playing for John Harbaugh to Harbaugh’s brother Jim, who was hired as the Chargers coach earlier this year. In six seasons with the Ravens, Edwards rushed for 3,395 rushing yards on 699 carries and scored 26 rushing touchdowns. But he’s also coming off his worst season in terms of yard per carry (4.1), which was down nearly a full yard from his 2022 average. He also led the team in touchdowns with 13, almost all of which came from within a few yards of the goal line. March 8: Ravens sign DT Justin Madubuike to extension Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Safety Geno Stone, who led Ravens in interceptions last season, reportedly agrees to deal with division rival Bengals Baltimore Ravens | Former Ravens RB Gus Edwards reportedly agrees to deal with Chargers, reuniting with OC Greg Roman Baltimore Ravens | Five running backs the Ravens could target in free agency Baltimore Ravens | As free agency opens, Ravens celebrate Justin Madubuike, the star they kept Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 free agent guide: Running backs, offensive line are position groups to watch The Ravens have already made what will likely be their most notable move off the offseason in signing defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million extension three days ahead of the league’s start to the legal tampering period. By signing Madubuike, whose 13 sacks last season led all interior defensive linemen, Baltimore not only keeps a cornerstone of its defense in-house but it saves about $10 million in salary cap space. Had Madubuike played next season on the franchise tag, it would have counted just over $22.1 million against the salary cap. Instead, the cap-strapped Ravens will only have a cap hit of $12.25 million with the new deal, providing general manager Eric DeCosta valuable space. Feb. 18: WR Nelson Agholor re-signs for one-year, $3.75 million Nelson Agholor was a complementary piece of the Ravens’ offense with 35 catches for 381 yards and four touchdowns last season, but a solid one. In addition to his numbers and good chemistry with quarterback Lamar Jackson, he was a popular presence in the locker room and a mentor to the team’s younger pass catchers. With Odell Beckham Jr. expected to be a post-June 1 cut, signing the 30-year-old Agholor keeps three of the Ravens’ top four wide receivers intact as he’ll be back alongside Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman next season. View the full article
  20. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said safety Geno Stone was maybe “the best seventh-round pick that we’ve ever had.” Now, Stone will be playing elsewhere, and it won’t be very far from Baltimore. Stone reportedly agreed to a two-year, $15 million deal with the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, the first day of the NFL’s legal tampering period and two days before the official start of free agency. The AFC’s leader in interceptions with seven last season, Stone put himself in position to nab a big payday and a starting role, something that wasn’t likely in Baltimore. The Ravens already have All-Pro Kyle Hamilton and veteran Marcus Williams. “Baltimore, Thank you for the past 4 years !” he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Stone’s journey was also memorable, as he went from seventh-round draft pick in 2020 to being cut twice to being claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans as a rookie to returning to Baltimore. Last year, he played in 17 games, including 11 starts, and had 68 tackles to go with his seven interceptions, which tied for the second-most in the NFL. “I feel like I showed what I can do in this league,” Stone said a day after the season ended in January. “It’s something I’ve always been trying to do, obviously. That’s what everyone in this league wants to do — is show who they can be — and I feel like this was kind of my breakout year. I’m happy that it was this year and the year we had as a team. I’m just appreciative of everything I’ve been through this year.” This story might be updated. View the full article
  21. It took only a few hours for the Ravens’ first free agent domino to fall. Running back Gus Edwards is headed west after reportedly reaching an agreement on a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Chargers. The move reunites him with Baltimore’s former offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, who is now in Los Angeles in the same role, and he’ll go from playing for John Harbaugh to Harbaugh’s brother Jim, who was hired as the Chargers coach earlier this year. Across six seasons with the Ravens, Edwards was one of the team’s most accomplished running backs in franchise history with 3,395 rushing yards (fourth-most) on 699 carries and scored 26 rushing touchdowns (fifth-most). Undrafted out of Rutgers in 2018, he began his career on the team’s practice squad before working his way into the lineup six games into his rookie year and grew from there. A powerful runner, he and Cleveland Browns All-Pro Nick Chubb are the only two players in NFL history to have three straight seasons of more than 700 rushing yards while averaging at least 5 yards per carry. But he’s also coming off his worst season in terms of yard per carry (4.1), which was down nearly a full yard from his 2022 average. He didn’t struggle in the red zone, however, as he led the team in touchdowns with 13, almost all of which came from within a few yards of the goal line. Edwards has also dealt with injuries in recent years. In 2021, he tore his ACL just before the start of the season, a few months after signing a two-year, $10 million extension. He played in just nine games in 2022 as a result. With more than 20 unrestricted free agents, he is just one of several Ravens expected to play elsewhere next season. Running back J.K. Dobbins is also a free agent and Baltimore has only three backs currently signed — Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell and Owen Wright. This story might be updated. View the full article
  22. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta was mum on the team’s running back plans Monday morning. “I understand the question,” he said during the team’s news conference officially announcing a four-year extension for defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. “but talking about a market on the eve of free agency doesn’t seem like a smart thing.” Not long after, the NFL’s legal tampering period opened at noon — the time when teams can contact agents about free agents — and the market did the talking for him. One of the top options was former New York Giants star Saquon Barkley, who reportedly agreed to a three-year, $37.75 million deal with the Philadelphia Eagles that could be worth up to $46.75 million and includes $26 million fully guaranteed at signing. The Chicago Bears reportedly agreed to a three-year, $24 million deal with former Eagles running back D’Andre Swift, while multiple reports had the Tennessee Titans giving the same offer to ex-Dallas Cowboys back Tony Pollard. Then the Green Bay Packers swooped in to reportedly land Josh Jacobs. Both Swift’s and Pollard’s deals came in at a higher value than what Pro Football Focus had projected, and that could be meaningful to how Baltimore approaches their needs at the position with Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell and Owen Wright, a practice squad player, the only backs on its roster. For one, it means someone like Derrick Henry, the former Titans star, could be well out of the Ravens’ price range based on the price tags of the deals so far. For another, the Ravens are typically not aggressive in the early stages of free agency, they already made a splash by signing Madubuike and they haven’t had a clear-cut No. 1 running back since the days of Ray Rice. Still, Baltimore will need to add running backs. Here’s who might be an option in free agency: Austin Ekeler Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | As free agency opens, Ravens celebrate Justin Madubuike, the star they kept Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 free agent guide: Running backs, offensive line are position groups to watch Baltimore Ravens | Jets re-sign veteran safety Chuck Clark after he missed entire 2023 season: source Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Justin Madubuike agree to four-year extension reportedly worth $98 million Baltimore Ravens | As Ravens rebuild on the fly, GM Eric DeCosta faces his most important offseason yet A versatile back, the 28-year-old had 628 rushing yards and five touchdowns while catching 51 passes for 436 yards and another score for the Los Angeles Chargers last season. But he also averaged just 3.5 yards per carry and his average rushing yards over expected (minus-0.3 per carry) were the second lowest of his career. He also had five fumbles. He’s not far removed from being one of the most dynamic players in the NFL, however, and could have more left in the tank after a disappointing 2023 campaign. Devin Singletary Singletary has topped the 800-yard mark rushing each of the past three seasons with the Buffalo Bills and then the Houston Texans last year and has averaged 4.6 yards per carry in his career. He also caught 30 passes for 193 yards in 2023, still averaged 4.2 yards per carry behind a woeful Texans offensive line and is projected to get $4.3 million per year, according to PFF. But he’s also similar to a player they already have in Hill. AJ Dillon An even less expensive option would be Dillon, who is projected to get a two-year, $6.5 million contract. He also averaged just 3.4 yards per carry for the Packers last season, though, and ranked 38th in yards after contact per carry (2.4) and 47th in missed-tackle rate (6.7%). Still, at 247 pounds, he’s a solid short-yardage back and a capable receiver out of the backfield. Titans Colts FootballMichael Conroy/APZack Moss, running against the Titans in October, had career highs in rushing yards (794), rushing touchdowns (five), receptions (27) and total yards (986) while splitting time with Jonathan Taylor for the Colts last season. (Michael Conroy/AP) Zack Moss Moss had career highs in rushing yards (794), rushing touchdowns (five), receptions (27) and total yards (986) while splitting time with Jonathan Taylor for the Indianapolis Colts last season. He also had a 10-plus yard gain on more than 10% of his carries, and at a projected $3.75 million per year would be an affordable option. But returning to Indianapolis could also be an option for the 26-year-old. One of their own Gus Edwards led the Ravens with 13 touchdowns last season, though most were from only a few yards out or closer, and his 4.1 yards per carry were the fewest of his career. Worse yet, he’s already carrying $1.8 million in dead money on this year’s salary cap after the Ravens didn’t extend him. J.K. Dobbins, meanwhile, has been injured for much of his time in Baltimore, missing more games than he has played, including nearly all of last season after suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 1. Dobbins would be a cheap and familiar option at a projected $2 million, but he also might wish to pursue a new home. View the full article
  23. The NFL’s legal tampering window would open in an hour, with teams set to throw millions of dollars at players. At the Ravens’ training complex, meanwhile, general manager Eric DeCosta sat contentedly beside the most important player he’ll sign this offseason, defensive tackle Justin Madubuike. When the Ravens announced Friday evening they had extended Madubuike, 26 and coming off his first Pro Bowl, they continued a story that has defined the franchise since DeCosta’s mentor, Ozzie Newsome, took control of football operations. “We’ve always strived to keep our best young players here in Baltimore, and I’m thrilled that this is another example,” DeCosta said Monday at a news conference marking the Madubuike deal. They did it with Lamar Jackson, Mark Andrews and Marlon Humphrey, and before that with Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and Jonathan Ogden. If the Ravens splurge, they prefer to do it on players they drafted and developed rather than hot free agents from other teams. Madubuike is now part of that line. The reported four-year, $98 million deal came together surprisingly easily, just three days after the Ravens placed the franchise tag on Madubuike to keep him off the free-agent market. It made sense for both sides, with Madubuike securing a massive payday in the city where he wanted to stay and the Ravens buying themselves breathing room with their salary cap. About an hour after the tampering window opened, NFL Network reported that former Dolphins star Christian Wilkins, one of the top defensive tackles on the market, would sign with the Las Vegas Raiders for $110 million over four years, illustrating the value the Ravens locked in by signing Madubuike when they did. DeCosta said the sides met at the NFL scouting combine and were close to a deal before last week’s tag deadline. “I think we were coming from a place of respect,” he said. “Justin knows what we’re all about.” Madubuike said his agent advised patience, noting “they want you, and you want to be there.” “I plan on being here, hopefully for my whole career,” he said. That’s music to the ears of Ravens fans and coaches, who watched Madubuike improve steadily after the team drafted him in the third round out of Texas A&M. He consolidated all those gains in his fourth season, leading the team with 13 sacks and 33 quarterback hits — rare production for an interior defensive lineman. Madubuike recalled embracing Zach Orr, who’s now his defensive coordinator, after the Ravens lost to the Cincinnati Bengals to end their 2022 season. “You’re going to be an All-Pro. I can see it. I can feel it,” Orr whispered in his ear. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Ravens 2024 free agent guide: Running backs, offensive line are position groups to watch Baltimore Ravens | Jets re-sign veteran safety Chuck Clark after he missed entire 2023 season: source Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Justin Madubuike agree to four-year extension reportedly worth $98 million Baltimore Ravens | As Ravens rebuild on the fly, GM Eric DeCosta faces his most important offseason yet Baltimore Ravens | 2024 NFL mock draft (Version 3.0): Projecting first-round picks and QB landing spots Madubuike made good on that prophecy, and the Ravens are betting this will not be a one-year phenomenon. “He played across the defensive line,” Orr said. “This was his first time really getting an opportunity to do that. Now it’s just another year of getting comfortable with the technique that we want at all those different positions. That way, teams can’t just focus in on one spot where he’s at. That’s how I see him getting better.” Madubuike said he wanted to get a deal done quickly so he could turn his focus entirely to meeting or exceeding the standard he set in 2023. “I feel like I have a very unique body type,” he said. “I’m strong enough to hold myself in terms of being a nose [tackle]. I’m quick enough and agile enough to rush as a three [technique]. I’m also fast enough to burn the edge. It’s just the hard work and the consistency and the standard I hold myself to.” The Ravens knew their roster, especially on the defensive side, would be raided after they posted the best record in the AFC last season. With limited spending power, they had to prioritize re-signing one of their young stars, and they chose Madubuike. DeCosta acknowledged the pain that would likely follow as early as Monday afternoon, with homegrown standouts such as linebacker Patrick Queen and safety Geno Stone among the most attractive targets on the free agent market. But he felt some peace of mind, knowing that his most significant offseason business was already done. “You know you just can’t keep every single player on your team; that’s a frustrating aspect of this job,” DeCosta said. “So you have to keep your very best if you can, the guys you feel most strongly about as players but also as people. I think Justin’s one of those types of guys.” Madubuike recalled how he let a few tears flow, said a prayer and called his dad, who reacted with joyous disbelief when the deal was done last week. He wrapped DeCosta in a bear hug after they finished talking Monday, For him and for the team, it was a moment of genuine satisfaction in an uncertain offseason. “I plan on being here, hopefully for my whole career,” Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike said. (Karl Merton Ferron/Staff) View the full article
  24. There were a lot of lessons former Ravens director of player personnel Joe Hortiz said he learned during his 26 years in Baltimore, the last handful of which he spent as right-hand man to general manager Eric DeCosta. One of the foremost was prudence. “Patience — the season doesn’t begin until September, you don’t have to be in a rush to do anything,” Hortiz, who left at the end of January to become the Los Angeles Chargers’ general manager, said last month at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. Indeed it’s a trait that’s been on display in years past and present for DeCosta and figures to be again when the NFL’s legal tampering period begins Monday at noon. That’s when teams can start talking to free agents about potential deals, though it would be misguided to think those conversations haven’t been happening for weeks. Wednesday at 4 p.m. is when free agency officially opens and players can put ink to paper on their deals. Many of the Ravens’ 22 unrestricted free agents, most of whom were key contributors on a team that went an NFL-best 13-4 and reached the AFC championship game, will draw interest from around the league. Just don’t expect Baltimore to be one of the more aggressive teams when it comes to pursuing a haul of players. For one, even after signing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million extension in a way that reduced his salary cap hit for next season by about $10 million from what it would have been under the franchise tag, and even if they restructure the contracts of other players to open up more space, the Ravens are still tight on cap space. For another, it’s just not in their budget-conscious DNA — even as the NFL’s salary cap shot up a whopping $30 million to $255.4 million. “It was nice to see that number,” DeCosta said. “It doesn’t mean that we’re going to just open up the books and go shopping. That’s not really the Ravens’ way.” But it will help, especially given Baltimore’s needs on the offensive line, at running back, outside linebacker, cornerback and elsewhere. Here are five things to keep an eye on for the Ravens as free agency kicks off. Will they make a splash at running back? Last year, the Ravens’ splashiest free agent signing was wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., which was done at quarterback Lamar Jackson’s request ahead of his signing a long-term extension and as part of a much-needed overhaul of the position. This year, Baltimore is going through a similar remake in the backfield, with Justice Hill, Keaton Mitchell, who is only three months removed from a torn ACL, and second-year player Owen Wright the only backs currently signed. Cowboys running back Tony Pollard, scoring a touchdown against the Lions in Detroit in November 2019, could be in the Ravens’ price range. But with a plethora of running backs hitting the market, they’ll have plenty of options. Among the more notable names available are Derrick Henry, who was linked to the Ravens at last season’s trade deadline, Saquon Barkley, Tony Pollard, Josh Jacobs and Austin Ekeler. Of that group, Barkley ($12 million annually), Jacobs ($11 million) and Henry ($9 million) are projected to land the priciest contracts in terms of annual salary, according to Pro Football Focus. They could also all be too expensive, given the Ravens’ financials and their seeming content to operate by committee. More palatable options could include Pollard ($6.7 million), D’Andre Swift ($6.25 million), Ekeler ($4.5 million), Devin Singletary ($4.25 million), A.J. Dillon ($3.25 million) or Zack Moss ($3.75 million). Then there’s J.K. Dobbins. While injuries have forced him to miss more games than he’s played during his tenure in Baltimore, there’s at least familiarity and likely an inexpensive price tag ($2 million). The direction the Ravens go will also probably depend somewhat on what running backs they target in this year’s draft class, which does not have first-round talent but does have relatively good value in the middle rounds. Will they retain Jadeveon Clowney or Kyle Van Noy? Outside linebacker is another area of need with Jadeveon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks, and Kyle Van Noy (nine sacks) both free agents, and uncertainty over the health of David Ojabo and Tyus Bowser. Ojabo is coming off a torn ACL and has essentially missed his first two seasons after a torn Achilles kept him sidelined for nearly all of 2022. Bowser told KPRC 2 Houston on Sunday that he’ll “definitely” be back after undergoing knee surgery last year, but whether he’s in Baltimore remains to be seen. Asked whether he’ll be back with the Ravens, he said: “I’ll see. Have to see how Eric feels and go from there and see what happens.” As for Clowney and Van Noy, both are projected to get significant pay raises at $9 million and $3.3 million, respectively. Clowney was happy in Baltimore, but he could follow former Ravens defensive coordinator and current Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald to Seattle, an organization he told The Baltimore Sun during the season closely resembled that of the Ravens after spending 2019 there. Van Noy, meanwhile, didn’t have a lot of offers when the Ravens signed him a few weeks into the season, so it’s possible he could still be available later in free agency. Eric Espada/Getty ImagesThe Dolphins’ Emmanuel Ogbah closes in on Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson during the fourth quarter of a 2021 game in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Eric Espada/Getty) One player to keep an eye on: Former Miami Dolphins defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah. He was released by Miami last month and Baltimore was interested in him when he was a free agent in 2022. Ogbah had 114 tackles, 24 sacks, one interception, 19 passes defensed, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in four years with the Dolphins, led the team with nine sacks in 2020 and 2021, and was named the team’s Nat Moore Community Service Award winner in 2022, an element that fits well with the Ravens. What will happen with their offensive line? Starting guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson are free agents and there are age, injury and salary considerations when it comes to tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses. In other words, solidifying the offensive line is the team’s top priority. Given the statuses of the aforementioned group, the Ravens likely need to add at least two starting-caliber linemen this offseason, which means there’s a good chance one or both could come via free agency. If the Ravens can get Stanley to take a pay cut, that would help. So does a relatively deep free-agent class. Related Articles Baltimore Ravens | Jets re-sign veteran safety Chuck Clark after he missed entire 2023 season: source Baltimore Ravens | Ravens, Justin Madubuike agree to four-year extension reportedly worth $98 million Baltimore Ravens | As Ravens rebuild on the fly, GM Eric DeCosta faces his most important offseason yet Baltimore Ravens | 2024 NFL mock draft (Version 3.0): Projecting first-round picks and QB landing spots Baltimore Ravens | Joe Flacco and Anders Lee among new investors in Irish soccer team One option at guard could be Damien Lewis, a 332-pound, 26-year-old 2020 third-round pick of the Seahawks who has played both guard spots in his career, has performed well in Seattle’s zone running scheme and improved his pass blocking. He was also a draft target of the Ravens that year and is projected to get a four-year, $38 million deal, making him a potentially viable option. A cheaper choice could be veteran Jon Feliciano, who spent this season with the San Francisco 49ers. The 32-year-old is projected to get a one-year deal for $2 million. What about cornerback? The Ravens are in good shape with Marlon Humphrey and Brandon Stephens as their two outside corners, especially if Humphrey can bounce back from the injury-filled season he had in 2023. Still, DeCosta believes the team can never have too many cornerbacks. But what that looks like in terms of free agency will be worth watching. The Ravens probably aren’t making a push for a top-end corner, given the cost and what they already have. But a low-end veteran could be an option, something that worked out well last season when they signed Ronald Darby and Arthur Maulet. Rock Ya-Sin, though, was a $4 million miss after a knee injury slowed him in training camp and he was outperformed. Of course, Darby and Maulet are free agents themselves, and with Darby projected to get a $2.5 million deal he could be a candidate to return, which brings us to … Which free agents could be back? In addition to Darby, there are a handful of Ravens free agents who could or should be back next season, and all would be relatively inexpensive options. Outside linebacker Malik Harrison is a proven edge-setter against the run. Center Sam Mustipher, an Owings Mills native, made two starts for an injured Tyler Linderbaum and performed more than admirably. Linebacker Del’Shawn Phillips has been a solid special teams performer the past two seasons and would have an opportunity to showcase his skills on defense with the Ravens potentially losing other linebackers. And safety Daryl Worley would be an easy decision with Geno Stone not likely back after an AFC-leading seven interceptions that will likely land him a starting role elsewhere. View the full article
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