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Odell Beckham Jr.’s brief stint with the Ravens ended much less ceremoniously than it began, with the team releasing the star wide receiver late Wednesday night.
The move was expected after Baltimore restructured his deal in January, which eliminated the void years in his contract and allowed the team to designate him as a post-June 1 release. Under Beckham’s original deal, the remaining years would have voided and the Ravens would’ve taken an $11.068 million cap hit.
The Ravens had until 4 p.m. Thursday to release him or else his $50 million place-holder salary for 2025 would become fully guaranteed.
Instead, the Ravens will carry $2.767 million in dead money for Beckham this year, with $8.301 million in dead money for 2025. Even with the release, his addition was a costly one.
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.
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Ravens coach John Harbaugh said two weeks ago at the NFL scouting combine that rebuilding the offensive line would be the most important thing Baltimore does this offseason.
“We’re offensive-line-centric in our philosophy,” he said. “And we’ve got some question marks in our offensive line.”
With Wednesday marking the official start to free agency and the beginning of a new NFL year, some of the answers to those questions began to trickle in.
Most notably, the Ravens traded veteran right tackle Morgan Moses to the New York Jets in a draft-pick swap, and they restructured the contract of left tackle Ronnie Stanley, clearing much-needed salary cap space. Meanwhile, left guard John Simpson is off to the Jets, signing a two-year deal, and Kevin Zeitler remains a free agent.
Still, questions remain: With Stanley and center Tyler Linderbaum the only returning starters up front, what will the rest of Baltimore’s offensive line look like? Here are the potential options:
Internal tackle options
Patrick Mekari
A five-year veteran who has played all five positions along the line, including 39 starts, Mekari offers versatility. Of course, that could also be the reason he doesn’t end up taking over as the full-time starter at right tackle — a position at which he logged 189 snaps, compared with 388 at left tackle and three at center while appearing in every game of the 2023 regular season. The Ravens like to use him as a swing tackle and it’s easy to see why. In Week 2 against the Cincinnati Bengals with Stanley inactive, he held pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to zero pressures and two tackles. In Week 9 against the Seattle Seahawks, this time filling in for Moses on the right side, he had one of his best performances of the year, with an 80.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.
Daniel Faalele
While Faalele played in 12 games last season, he worked almost exclusively at right tackle, with 155 snaps there compared with 28 at left tackle. In Week 15 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, he also got his highest PFF grade of the year at 71.9, with 21 of his 34 snaps coming on running plays as he filled in nicely in a tackle rotation down the stretch. His 72.4 run-blocking grade that week was also his best of the season. At 6 feet 8 and 340 pounds and just 24 years old, he could have a shot at the starting right tackle job.
From left, Ravens offensive linemen Ben Cleveland, Tyler Linderbaum and Patrick Mekari stand together during warmups before a game against the Rams. (Kenneth K. Lam/Staff) Internal guard options
Ben Cleveland
To say that Cleveland, a third-round pick out of Georgia in 2021, has been a disappointment is fair in the kaleidoscope of expectations and one highlight-reel moment. Everyone will remember him getting cooked by Philadelphia Eagles rookie and former Bulldogs teammate Jalen Carter in a preseason game last year, but in 16 regular-season appearances — the most of his career — he performed solidly, especially pass blocking, which has always been his strongest attribute. Against the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers in Weeks 17 and 18, he received PFF grades of 64.5 and 91.1, respectively, with 57 snaps apiece at right guard. Still, given his body of work over three years, the Ravens would probably prefer to find a more dynamic blocker for at least one of their vacant guard spots.
Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu
Like a new toy, Aumavae-Laulu was something of a training camp darling, with Harbaugh touting the sixth-round rookie out of Oregon as a potential starter for the open left guard spot. Of course, Simpson easily beat him out and the massive 6-5, 325-pound Aumavae-Laulu never saw the field in 2023 with Baltimore deactivating him for all but four games. Perhaps that’ll change in 2024, but it seems unlikely he’ll get the starting nod.
Andrew Vorhees
Vorhees is an intriguing but unknown quantity. He suffered a torn ACL during the 2023 scouting combine and his draft stock plummeted, with the Ravens selecting the former Southern California star in the seventh round after trading with the Cleveland Browns. But at USC, he made 48 starts over six seasons, was a first-team All-American in 2022 and was PFF’s highest-rated offensive lineman in the Pac-12 each of his final two years. Now healthy, he could challenge for either guard spot.
Long shots
TyKeem Doss
An undrafted rookie out of Southern Miss last year, Doss spent the season on the practice squad and was later signed to a reserve/futures contract. A versatile lineman in college, he played left guard in 2020, left tackle in 2021 and right tackle in 2022, with the majority of his snaps coming at left tackle. Overall, he logged 773 snaps at left tackle, 471 snaps at left guard and 233 snaps as a right tackle. At 6-5 and 380 pounds with 35-inch arms, he certainly has intriguing physical attributes.
Tashawn Manning
Another player signed to a reserve/future contract, Manning likewise spent last year on the practice squad after going undrafted out of Kentucky. At 6-3 and 340 pounds, he has size, but lacks lateral quickness, among other things, ultimately making him a project.
Free agent options
G Greg Van Roten
Van Roten ranked 15th among all interior offensive linemen and seventh among guards with a PFF grade of 75.3 as the 34-year-old had something of a resurgence with the Las Vegas Raiders last season. He was also reliable, playing 1,025 snaps across 17 games, and he comes cheap with a projected contract of $2.75 million.
OT Josh Jones
Jones has what the Ravens often covet: versatility. He has starting experience at left tackle, right tackle and right guard in his four NFL seasons. He also led the Houston Texans with 931 snaps after getting traded from the Arizona Cardinals, where he was an adept run and pass blocker with a 75.8 overall PFF grade. His production fell off last year, but the Texans’ offensive line struggled as a whole. He’s projected to make $6.5 million per year, per PFF, though that number could drop the longer his free agency goes.
Notre Dame offensive tackle Blake Fisher could be an option for the Ravens early in the draft. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings) Draft options
Duke OT/G Graham Barton
Barton played left tackle for the Blue Devils, but most analysts project him to move inside to center or guard at the next level. His experience — 2,160 snaps across 30 college starts — and versatility would help him hit the ground running for a team with Super Bowl aspirations. However, given he’s ranked among the top 30 prospects on several big boards, the 6-5, 313-pound Barton might not be available when the Ravens pick at No. 30 overall.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
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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.
“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.
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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.
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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.
Flock Nation I swea it’s up !
— Derrick Henry (@KingHenry_2) March 12, 2024
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.
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.
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John Amis/APFormer Titans running back Derrick Henry runs out of the tunnel before a game against the Falcons last season. (John Amis/AP) -
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.”
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.
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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.
Former Ravens RB Gus Edwards reportedly agrees to deal with Chargers, reuniting with OC Greg Roman
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
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.
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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.
Baltimore, Thank you for the past 4 years ! https://t.co/XzzaVOl2Ql
— Geno Stone (@GenoStone22) March 11, 2024
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.
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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.
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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
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 Football
Michael 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.
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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.
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) -
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.
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.
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The Jets decide to keep one of their own before the start of free agency.
A source has confirmed that the Jets will re-sign safety Chuck Clark to a one-year deal. ESPN was the first to report the news of the Jets re-signing Clark.
The Jets acquired Clark in a trade with the Ravens a year ago in exchange for a 2024 seventh-round pick. They had high expectations for Clark after he registered 101 tackles, four pass defenses, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery in 17 games in 2022. In five seasons in Baltimore, Clark recorded 384 tackles, 3.5 sacks, five interceptions, five forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries
However, Clark tore his ACL during the final week of practice during organized team activities and missed the entire 2023 season. Retaining Clark is a low-risk, possible high-risk reward, considering the lack of depth in the Jets’ safety room.
The only safety currently on the Jets roster is Tony Adams, who finished last year with 82 tackles and three interceptions in 15 games. Jordan Whitehead and Ashtyn Davis are both free agents.
Last season, the Jets defense finished third in yards (292.3) allowed per game and 12th in points allowed (20.9). But, the Jets finished 7-10 after their offense was 31st in yards (268.6) and 29th in points (15.8) per game.
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Justin Madubuike is staying in Baltimore for the long haul.
The Ravens agreed to a four-year contract extension with the star defensive tackle, the team said Friday, keeping a key piece of their defense after he broke out with a team-leading 13 sacks in 2023 to earn Pro Bowl honors.
“Justin is one of the best defensive tackles in the entire NFL and a cornerstone on our defense,” general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “We are thrilled for Justin and his family and equally happy for our fanbase. This is a great way to start the new league year.”
The deal is worth $98 million and includes $75.5 million total in guarantees and $53.5 million at signing, according to ESPN, which first reported the agreement. It comes just days after the Ravens placed the nonexclusive franchise tag on Madubuike after failing to come to terms on a long-term deal by the March 5 deadline.
It’s the third big contract the Ravens have handed out over the past two years. Quarterback Lamar Jackson signed a five-year, $260 million extension last April, while middle linebacker Roquan Smith signed a five-year, $100 million deal last January.
This story will be updated.
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The NFL offseason barely sleeps, if it does at all. For Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, though, there’s more keeping him awake these days than most.
With more than 20 pending unrestricted free agents, eight draft picks and uncertainty at nearly every position group other than tight end and quarterback, the 52-year-old is faced with his most challenging offseason in what will be his sixth year as the team’s chief personnel decision-maker.
One can argue that last offseason, when quarterback Lamar Jackson asked to be traded before eventually agreeing to a long-term extension, was more paramount. Or that 2019, his first at the helm, was more pressure-filled after taking over for Ozzie Newsome and subsequently allowing Pro Bowl linebackers C.J. Mosley and Terrell Suggs, Pro Bowl safety Eric Weddle and outside linebacker Za’Darius Smith to walk in free agency. But this is the most upheaval the organization has had in years, or perhaps ever.
How DeCosta navigates it will play a large part in the Ravens’ success not just next season, but for years to come for a team that got within a game of the Super Bowl and aspires to be a championship contender yearly.
“We try to build this thing out so that we don’t have windows opening and closing, and that’s kind of been the Ravens’ mindset — that we want to be a competitive, good team every single year,” DeCosta said at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis. “That’s what we aspire to, and I think we have a lot of the types of people in that locker room still, and we’ll [continue] to have those types of guys to put us in a position to win every single year.”
Two of those players DeCosta has already decided on. Veteran wide receiver Nelson Agholor signed a one-year extension and defensive tackle Justin Madubuike received the nonexclusive franchise tag after registering 13 sacks to lead all interior defensive linemen and anchoring the middle of Baltimore’s pass and run defense.
But those are only the first couple of moves in what will be a busy and delicate juggling act over the next couple of months.
Tagging Madubuike will cost the Ravens just over $22.1 million for 2024 (unless a long-term extension is worked out by July 15), which puts Baltimore roughly $9 million over the league’s increased salary cap of $255.4 million. That means the Ravens will have to restructure some deals and/or cut players to be cap-compliant by the start of the new league year Wednesday. This can be done several ways, including by converting Jackson’s salary into a prorated signing bonus, which would reduce his cap hit by $11.1 million, according to Over The Cap. Reworking the contracts of inside linebacker Roquan Smith, cornerback Marlon Humphrey, safety Marcus Williams and tight end Mark Andrews would create even more room.
But that would also mean pushing even more money into future years, something that comes with its own problems down the line.
Then there’s free agency, which begins in earnest Monday when the league’s legal tampering period opens, before the official start to the frenzy two days later at 4 p.m.
Tony Pollard, pictured last season with the Cowboys, is among the free agent running backs the Ravens could be interested in. (Will Lester/Inland Valley Daily Bulletin) Given Baltimore’s salary cap limitations, the need to bring back at least some of its own free agents and history, the Ravens don’t figure to be exorbitant spenders on the open market by DeCosta’s own admission. Still, it’s possible they could sign a veteran big-name running back such as Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry or Tony Pollard, among others, at what what would likely not be a relatively big dollar amount, given the devaluing of the position and the glut of available backs.
“It’s a little bit of a saturated market,” New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen said last week. “There are some guys at different ages that have had success, there’s some older guys that have had some success. So, it’s a diverse group.”
It also includes a familiar face: J.K. Dobbins.
Dobbins has appeared in just nine games the past two seasons because of knee and Achilles tendon injuries, the latter of which ended his season in the 2023 opener. On one hand, he’s still just 25 years old, knows the offense and provides the comfort of familiarity. On the other, he has missed more games than he has played, held out of some of training camp last year over a lack of a contract extension and he might be interested in a reset somewhere else.
Whatever direction the Ravens go, they will add running backs, through free agency and the draft, with only two backs (Justice Hill and Keaton Mitchell) on the roster under contract.
Several other positions need tending to as well, including offensive line, outside linebacker and cornerback.
With guards Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson both eligible for free agency and injury and age questions about tackles Ronnie Stanley and Morgan Moses, DeCosta will have to make some tough decisions. The Ravens had one of the NFL’s better offensive lines last season but the unit had more than a few struggles, be it penalties or blown-block rate in pass protection and run blocking. Stanley was the biggest culprit in both last season, and with a $26.2 million cap hit for 2024 (or $17.8 million in dead money if they release him), he’s become something of an albatross.
Coach John Harbaugh made it clear last week that “rebuilding” the offensive line will be the Ravens’ biggest priority this offseason, and that could start with drafting a starting-caliber tackle in the draft as well as Stanley taking a pay cut and Moses ($6.96 million cap hit with $1.46 million in dead money) being cut.
But DeCosta will also have to figure out what to do about the team’s pass rushers, which will be vital if new defensive coordinator Zach Orr wants to build upon predecessor Mike Macdonald’s scheme.
Jadeveon Clowney, who had nine sacks last season, and Kyle Van Noy, who had 9 1/2, are both free agents. Odafe Oweh was inconsistent while matching his career high with five sacks, while there are question marks over David Ojabo, who missed nearly all of the past two seasons with a torn ACL and torn Achilles. Then there’s Tyus Bowser, who played just nine games in 2022 and missed all of last season with a mysterious knee injury after being expected to be available at the start of the season.
If the Ravens are going to generate the type of pressure they enjoyed while leading the NFL in sacks last season, bringing back some of that group while finding younger talent that can step in sooner rather than later will be important.
Clowney, if he’s willing to take a little less money for the sake of happiness, would make the most sense between him and Van Noy. At 31, he’s two years younger than Van Noy, is a better edge setter against the run and showed he still has enough juice with career highs in pressure rate, pass-rush win rate and total pressures.
As for cornerback, DeCosta is fond of saying the Ravens can never have too many, an edict that played out with a slew of injuries in 2023, and that figures to be a focus in next month’s draft and in free agency.
For one, the Ravens have a handful of corners who are due to hit free agency, including veterans Arthur Maulet and Ronald Darby. Both performed well last season, fit well in the locker room as well as schematically and could perhaps be back at a reasonable price. For another, it’s not too soon to start thinking about Marlon Humphrey’s future after injuries limited the 27-year-old to 10 games last season in which he had 26 tackles, five passes defensed and one interception. His contract was restructured to create cap space in September, but he’s currently slated to have a huge cap hit this season of $22.8 million (third-highest at the position), $25.1 million in 2025 and $22.9 million in 2026.
Lastly, DeCosta will also have to make decisions on fifth-year options for Oweh and wide receiver Rashod Bateman by May 2.
The extra year for Bateman would cost $14.34 million, while Oweh would cost $13.25 million. Harbaugh said last week he thinks Bateman will have a big year, but the 24-year-old has struggled with injuries and has yet to fully click with Jackson, who missed him several times this season, especially on deep passes. If Baltimore picks up either option, Oweh’s would seem more likely.
Still, for all the uncertainty in the weeks and months ahead, DeCosta has been mostly effective in negotiating plans big and small. And the Ravens have made the playoffs four times since 2019, including reaching this year’s AFC championship game.
“As hard as it is, when I really step back and look at the season, I would say it was a resounding success in many, many different ways,” he said. “The locker room was crazy good [with] the personalities, the love that I think was felt every single day, the attitude that these guys brought. That gives me great hope that our future is very bright.”
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Before we project the 2024 NFL draft, let’s play a game of musical chairs.
With the three teams at the top of the first round and a few others in need of a quarterback, there’s plenty of intrigue about where the rookie signal-callers will land. But free agency officially begins Monday, and some dominoes could fall.
The biggest is Kirk Cousins, who is set to hit the open market again after six seasons in Minnesota. Given his salary demands, age (35), recent injury (torn Achilles tendon) and moderate success (1-2 postseason record), his time with the Vikings could be up.
Then there’s Justin Fields, who waits in limbo as the Chicago Bears decide what to do with the No. 1 overall draft pick they received from last year’s trade with the Carolina Panthers. All signs point to Fields being traded and Chicago using the pick on a quarterback, but general manager Ryan Poles has yet to make a move.
Russell Wilson was just released by the Denver Broncos. Baker Mayfield hasn’t re-signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Dak Prescott is angling for another contract extension with the Dallas Cowboys. The New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, Atlanta Falcons and Las Vegas Raiders have question marks at quarterback, too.
In this exercise, we’re projecting Cousins to land in Atlanta, Fields to be traded to Denver, Mayfield to re-sign with Tampa Bay and Wilson to play for Las Vegas. That still leaves plenty of openings but should help explain some of the reasoning for this mock draft.
Without further ado, here are The Baltimore Sun’s projections for the first round, which begins April 25 in Detroit:
1. Chicago Bears (via Carolina Panthers): Caleb Williams, QB, Southern California
The Bears start over with the 2022 Heisman Trophy Award winner, who has natural playmaking skills other quarterbacks can only dream of — though it sometimes leads to mistakes.
2. Washington Commanders: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina
It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what a new regime wants in a quarterback, but the 6-foot-3, 223-pound Maye has all the tools to fit any offense and develop into an elite player.
3. New England Patriots: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU
The Patriots don’t pass on a quarterback here. While the 6-4, 210-pound Daniels comes with some durability concerns given his size and aggressiveness, he has the potential to be a Lamar Jackson-level dual threat.
4. Arizona Cardinals: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State
There might be some scouts who rank other receiver prospects ahead of the 6-3, 209-pound Harrison, but there’s no questioning his ability to be a true No. 1 target the moment he steps on the field.
5. Los Angeles Chargers: Rome Odunze, WR, Washington
Maybe new coach Jim Harbaugh pushes for a different position, but given the high-end receiver talent at the top of this draft, it’s hard to see the Chargers passing on a player as big, fast and productive as the 6-3, 212-pound Odunze.
LSU wide receivers Brian Thomas Jr., left, and Malik Nabers celebrate after a touchdown by Thomas against Grambling State on Sept. 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton) 6. New York Giants: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU
With the holes on the roster and the uncertainty about quarterback Daniel Jones, there are no wrong answers here. Adding a dynamic talent like the 6-foot, 200-pound Nabers would be a step in the right direction.
7. Tennessee Titans: Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia
The Titans have Bill Callahan to coach the offensive line. What they really need is another playmaker to help out quarterback Will Levis. The 6-3, 243-pound Bowers is the total package at tight end.
8. Atlanta Falcons: Dallas Turner, EDGE, Alabama
The Falcons’ long search for a pass rusher ends with the 6-3, 247-pound Turner, an athletic marvel who has the physical traits to stress offensive tackles and close in on quarterbacks.
9. Chicago Bears: Brian Thomas Jr., WR, LSU
It’s often been considered a “Big Three” with this year’s receiver class, but Thomas deserves to be in the top tier. At 6-4 and 209 pounds, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.33 seconds.
10. New York Jets: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame
It’s “best tackle available” for the Jets as they try to protect 40-year-old quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 6-9, 322-pound Alt might be the most pro-ready rookie lineman.
Michigan Maryland Football
Nick Wass/APMichigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy passes during a game against Maryland on Nov. 18, 2023. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)11. Minnesota Vikings: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan
With Cousins gone in this scenario, the Vikings have to rebuild on the fly. McCarthy has been a fast riser since winning the national title, offering tantalizing athleticism and arm strength.
12. Denver Broncos: Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo
Pairing the physical, athletic Mitchell with All-Pro Pat Surtain II is a nice plan for slowing down division rival Patrick Mahomes and the rest of the AFC’s top quarterbacks.
13. Las Vegas Raiders: JC Latham, OT, Alabama
The Raiders have a lot of question marks along the offensive line. The 6-6, 342-pound Latham could even be a standout guard if he doesn’t stick at right tackle.
14. New Orleans Saints: Olumuyiwa Fashanu, OT, Penn State
The Saints don’t have a long-term answer at either tackle spot. Fashanu still has room to grow, both in filling out his 6-6, 312-pound frame and improving his technique.
15. Indianapolis Colts: Terrion Arnold, CB, Alabama
The Colts need a cornerback after letting Kenny Moore II enter free agency. Arnold, who recorded five interceptions in a breakout 2023 season, would be a welcome addition.
Florida State defensive end Jared Verse, left, pressures Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader on Oct. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) 16. Seattle Seahawks: Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State
With his strength, instincts and abundance of energy, the 6-4, 254-pound Verse feels like a perfect fit in new coach Mike Macdonald’s defense.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: Nate Wiggins, CB, Clemson
There are few long-term pieces in the Jaguars’ secondary. Wiggins is a bit undersized at 173 pounds, but he put on a show at the combine with a 4.28-second 40-yard dash.
18. Cincinnati Bengals: Taliese Fuaga, OT, Oregon State
With receiver Tee Higgins back on the franchise tag, the Bengals can focus on improving the offensive line. The 6-6, 324-pound Fuaga is a plug-and-play starter at right tackle.
19. Los Angeles Rams: Chop Robinson, EDGE, Penn State
The Gaithersburg native and Maryland transfer was one of the biggest winners at the combine. The Rams could form a scary defensive line with the twitchy, explosive Robinson.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers: Amarius Mims, OT, Georgia
He’s far from polished, but there are few 6-8, 340-pound players who move as well as Mims. The Steelers pounce here to beef up an already imposing running game.
Texas defensive lineman Byron Murphy II reacts after collecting a sack against TCU quarterback Josh Hoover on Nov. 11, 2023. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez) 21. Miami Dolphins: Byron Murphy II, DT, Texas
After letting Christian Wilkins enter free agency, the Dolphins find his replacement in Murphy, a disruptive force who makes his presence felt in the interior.
22. Philadelphia Eagles: Tyler Guyton, OT, Oklahoma
The Eagles love drafting offensive linemen, and Lane Johnson isn’t getting any younger. How about another Oklahoma star to eventually take over at right tackle in the 6-8, 322-pound Guyton?
23. Houston Texans (via Cleveland): Laiatu Latu, EDGE, UCLA
Latu deserves to be drafted higher than this, but medical concerns about his neck injury in college could be a factor. He’s an extremely skilled pass rusher who gets the most out of his 6-5, 259-pound frame.
24. Dallas Cowboys: Adonai Mitchell, WR, Texas
CeeDee Lamb needs a better running mate. Mitchell, a Texas native, has the size, speed and hands to be a dominant receiver who can take the Cowboys’ offense to the next level.
25. Green Bay Packers: Cooper DeJean, CB/S, Iowa
The Packers need to overhaul one of the league’s worst secondaries. DeJean has experience at safety and corner and the instincts and return skills to turn interceptions into touchdowns.
Missouri defensive lineman Darius Robinson runs a drill at the NFL scouting combine Feb. 29 in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) 26. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Darius Robinson, EDGE/DT, Missouri
The 6-5, 285-pound Robinson’s size and versatility should win the affection of Bucs coach Todd Bowles. He can rush from the edge or the interior, though he still needs to refine his game.
27. Arizona Cardinals (via Houston): Troy Fautanu, OT/G, Washington
The Cardinals have struggled to build a reliable offensive line in front of quarterback Kyler Murray. The 6-4, 317-pound Fautanu could start at left tackle or be a standout guard.
28. Buffalo Bills: Jer’Zhan Newton, DT, Illinois
The Bills face a rebuild on their defensive line. The 6-2, 304-pound Newton doesn’t have imposing size or athleticism, but he knows how to use his body to beat blocks consistently.
29. Detroit Lions: Kool-Aid McKinstry, CB, Alabama
The Lions’ cornerbacks were a glaring weakness toward the end of the season. The 5-11, 199-pound McKinstry should provide a reliable presence on the outside.
Duke offensive lineman Graham Barton blocks Florida State defensive lineman Byron Turner Jr. on Oct. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack) 30. Ravens: Graham Barton, OT/G, Duke
The Ravens need to find some answers to their many questions along the offensive line. The 6-5, 313-pound Barton is hailed for his consistency, competitiveness and athleticism and projects to play inside after starting at left tackle in college.
31. San Francisco 49ers: Jackson Powers-Johnson, C/G, Oregon
The center position has always been crucial in a Kyle Shanahan offense. The 6-3, 328-pound Powers-Johnson is considered a top-20 talent because of his strength and attitude.
32. Kansas City Chiefs: Jordan Morgan, OT/G, Arizona
Everybody wants to give the Chiefs a wide receiver here, but they’ve been so successful in large part because of smart drafting. The 6-5, 311-pound Morgan can replace Donovan Smith at left tackle and fortify the offensive line.
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DUBLIN (AP) — Veteran NFL quarterback Joe Flacco’s new team is St Patrick’s Athletic — as an investor in the Irish soccer club.
The Dublin team announced Tuesday that Flacco, New York Islanders forward Anders Lee and former NFL players Matt Birk and Chad Greenway are part of a group that have become “strategic investors.”
“Excited to be on board!” the 39-year-old Flacco wrote on his Instagram story.
Flacco is a free agent after helping the Cleveland Browns reach the playoffs last season. He was the AP’s Comeback Player of the Year.
St Patrick’s did not release financial details. It said the athletes are part of Kenosis Sports Group, a subsidiary of U.S.-based private equity firm Kenosis Capital.
“Joe, Chad, Matt and Anders have had decorated careers in the NFL and NHL and have a keen interest in football,” St Patrick’s Athletic chairman Garrett Kelleher said in a team statement.
St Patrick’s plays in the League of Ireland, the country’s top division.
The team said it has been working with Kenosis in arranging its friendly match against Minnesota United of Major League Soccer on March 20.
Birk, a center, was Flacco’s teammate on the Baltimore Ravens team that won the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. Birk also played for the Minnesota Vikings alongside Greenway, a linebacker.
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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
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Justin Madubuike will be staying a Raven for at least one more year.
The Ravens issued the nonexclusive franchise tag for the 26-year-old star defensive tackle Tuesday after they couldn’t come to terms on a long-term agreement, just ahead of the 4 p.m. deadline.
“We were unable to agree on a contract extension with Justin before the deadline and will use the franchise tag,” Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said in a statement. “Justin is a great player and person, and we will continue to negotiate a long-term deal with him.”
By issuing the nonexclusive tag, Madubuike can still sign an offer sheet with another team, and Baltimore would then have the right to match it or refuse and receive two first-round draft picks from the team he signs with as compensation.
Given the cost — the franchise tag for defensive tackles in 2024 is more than $22.1 million — it seems unlikely that another team would be willing to spend that much, even for a player of Madubuike’s caliber.
Even with the tag, Madubuike and the Ravens have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term extension, something DeCosta said at last week’s NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis he is interested in doing.
“We’ve had discussions with Justin,” DeCosta said. “He’s the guy that obviously has put himself in a fortuitous position this year by the way that he played. Had a great season for us. He’s a valued player on the team, and we’re hopeful that we can get a long-term deal done.”
Madubuike is coming off a breakout season in which he led all NFL interior linemen with a career-high 13 sacks, part of the Ravens’ league-best 60 for the season.
His 13 sacks also tied a franchise single-season record for a defensive tackle, and he became the first Raven to record double-digit sacks in a season since Terrell Suggs in 2017. Madubuike’s streak of 11 straight games with at least half a sack tied the NFL’s single-season record, and Baltimore became the first team in the modern era to lead the league in sacks, takeaways and points allowed per game.
It’s just the second time the Ravens have used the franchise tag on a defensive tackle; the last was in 2011 on Haloti Ngata, who later agreed to a five-year extension.
Baltimore also used the nonexclusive tag on quarterback Lamar Jackson last March before signing him to a five-year, $260 million deal in April. Madubuike’s next contract is projected to be $92 million over four years, according to Pro Football Focus.
Using the tag on Madubuike this season does limit the Ravens’ salary cap flexibility this offseason, particularly with more than 20 of their players due to hit the open market when free agency begins next week. But securing Madubuike was the organization’s biggest priority after he was a consistently disruptive force who helped the Ravens to an NFL-best 13-4 record last season and an appearance in the AFC championship game.
In addition to his sack total, Madubuike had 64 quarterback pressures last season, according to Next Gen Stats, which tied for the second most of any Ravens player since 2016 and were behind only outside linebacker and pending free agent Jadeveon Clowney last season. Madubuike was selected to his first Pro Bowl and named second-team All-Pro after finishing with 56 tackles, including 12 for loss, and 33 quarterback hits.
Bringing back the former third-round draft pick out of Texas A&M also gives the Ravens an All-Pro caliber player at every level of their defense, along with inside linebacker Roquan Smith and safety Kyle Hamilton, and a $30 million increase in the NFL’s salary cap to $255.4 million in 2024 should help when it comes to bringing back at least some of their other pending free agents.
It also means the Ravens will have to undergo cost-cutting elsewhere on their roster.
Before issuing the franchise tag, the Ravens had only about $12 million in salary cap space, according to Over The Cap, and they’ll need to be cap-compliant by the time the new league year begins March 13. There are several ways they can get under the salary cap, including restructuring the contracts of Jackson, inside linebacker Roquan Smith and others.
And that’s just the start of it.
Baltimore can create even more cap space — something it’ll need to do with a draft class that’ll require about $15 million, plus several other holes, including at running back, that will need to be accounted for in free agency — by getting left tackle Ronnie Stanley to agree to a pay cut. His $26.2 million cap hit is second to only Jackson’s, a prohibitively big number for a player who struggled with injury for a second straight year and was not close to one of the best tackles in the game as his contract would suggest.
Among other possibilities to free up more money could include releasing fullback Patrick Ricard, which would create $4 million in cap space, and outside linebacker Tyus Bowser ($5.5 million), who played just nine games in 2022 and missed all of 2023 with a knee injury.
But all of these are decisions that will come over the next week. Tagging Madubuike was just the first step.
This story will be updated.
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The Ravens still miss middle linebacker Ray Lewis, who retired shortly after the team won Super Bowl 47 to end the 2012 season. It’s not just Lewis’ physical presence, but the psychological effect he had to will his team to victory.
If Lewis had been a member of the 2023 Ravens, what a great battle it would have been watching him going against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the AFC championship game, which the Ravens lost, 17-10, in Baltimore.
Both of those players had “it,” that swagger and charisma that becomes contagious and makes everyone around them better. We saw that for 17 years in Baltimore with Lewis winning two NFL Defensive Player of the Year Awards and two Super Bowl titles.
We now see that in Mahomes, 28, who has played in four Super Bowls and won three, including two in a row. He is the consummate professional and has the same aura of invincibility.
The Ravens don’t have that type of player on the roster — not yet anyway. Middle linebacker Roquan Smith has the potential, but he has only been in Baltimore for 1 1/2 years and is still learning the culture, identity and work ethic of this franchise.
This type of machismo usually comes from a quarterback, but Lamar Jackson doesn’t exude that type of confidence. The great ones, such as Hall of Famers Johnny Unitas, John Elway and Joe Montana, never had to talk about being “locked in” or focused. That was a normal assumption.
Those players could carry a team, but Jackson needs superior talent around him. He emerged somewhat as a leader on his way to a second NFL Most Valuable Player Award this past season, but only on the offensive side.
The same is true with Smith. He understands the signature of this franchise is defense. His teammates soak up his words both on and off the field, and he has become the player who consistently delivers the pregame speech, or “boomalacher.”
The Ravens need someone who transcends both offense and defense. Lewis had been on the roster for six years before he became the unquestioned team leader. He watched and learned from the big men who played in front of him, such as tackles Tony Siragusa and Sam Adams and ends Rob Burnett and Michael McCrary.
That’s not to say he wasn’t the top defensive player in the league, but Lewis knew his place. And his teammates, such as offensive tackle Orlando Brown Sr., put him in it when Lewis got too big too soon.
Ravens Training
Kim Hairston/Baltimore SunRavens quarterback Lamar Jackson, left, and inside linebacker Roquan Smith walk off the practice field together. (Kim Hairston/Staff)Since the team moved to Baltimore from Cleveland in 1996, only two players have been the complete face of this organization. One was Lewis, and the other was tight end Shannon Sharpe, who played on the 2000 Super Bowl championship team.
No player, with the possible exception of Minnesota Vikings defensive end John Randle, talked more trash than Sharpe, but he also had possibly the greatest defense in NFL history backing him up. Sharpe would buzz and rattle his teammates and even the opposing team (remember him calling Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Plaxico Burress “Plexiglass”?), but he didn’t care.
Lewis had a similar charm. There were times in games when he would go over and get running back Jamal Lewis amped up, telling him it was “time for the Lewis brothers to take over the game.” That was a pretty imposing pair with Ray at 240 pounds and Jamal at 245.
Ray Lewis could energize M&T Bank Stadium with his “squirrel dance,” complete with picking up dirt and grass. He would challenge his teammates to defend late-game drives. His pregame speeches were priceless, especially the famed, “Where would you rather be right now than right here playing this game?”
He delivered it like clockwork for almost every big game. He was the soul of the Ravens, quoting scripture (“no weapon formed against you shall prosper”) to laying hands on a teammate in prayer like he did with receiver Jacoby Jones before Jones returned a kickoff 108 yards for a touchdown in Super Bowl 47.
Veteran players such as offensive tackle Jonathan Ogden, linebackers Adalius Thomas and Bart Scott and even quarterback Joe Flacco would stand in the back of the pregame huddles because they had seen or heard the routine several times. But young or new players on the roster such as Jones, offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie and defensive tackle Arthur Jones would eat it up and think they were invincible.
That was all part of the will and strength of Ray Lewis, not just his presence on the field. The Ravens miss that ingredient, especially late in games and in the postseason.
Steve Young had it, and so did Roger Staubach and Terry Bradshaw. There have been defensive leaders who’ve had it as well, such as former Steelers defensive tackle Joe Greene and New York Giants defensive end Michael Strahan.
There is only one Ray Lewis, and he can never be replaced. But the Ravens need to find a similar leader who can push this team over the top. Maybe it’s Smith, or maybe it’s a draft pick.
But there’s a hole and void in leadership that Lewis left and hasn’t been replaced in nearly a decade.
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The Ravens will have a new concessions operator come next season — but for now, they’re not saying who that will be.
The team said Monday that it has ended a more than two-decade-long relationship with Aramark, the Philadelphia-based company that has managed food and beverage service at M&T Bank Stadium since 2003.
“We are grateful for our partnership and thank Aramark, particularly its staff, which served Ravens fans for many seasons,” Ravens spokesman Patrick Gleason said in a statement.
The decision comes as the team prepares for an extensive round of upgrades to its stadium. The renovation project, boosted by a $430 million infusion of state money, will result in new bathrooms, expanded concourses, additional suites and three plazas with bars, restaurants and shops.
Gleason declined to comment when asked for more details about the concessions changes. In the Ravens’ announcement, the team said it has been planning a “major expansion” of its food and beverage program since January 2023 “to continue elevating the gameday experience for all Ravens fans.”
The team issued a request for proposals last fall “to secure necessary capital investment and identify a food & beverage and hospitality partner for the lease extension.” Aramark was among the companies invited to participate in the RFP process, though the Ravens ultimately decided to partner with a new food-service provider.
“We look forward to sharing the exciting upgrades to our food and hospitality program in the near future,” Gleason said in the team’s statement.
The decision is the latest food and beverage switch for Baltimore’s teams. Last year, the Orioles embarked on a concessions partnership with Chicago-based Levy, ending a 13-year run with Delaware North. Aramark wasthe ballpark’s concessions manager from 1992 to 2010.
In a statement, Aramark senior vice president for corporate affairs Debbie Albert said the company’s deal with the Ravens was terminated four seasons before it was set to expire.
“We are disappointed with this decision, especially given our excellent performance, as demonstrated by our top-of-class scores in the NFL’s Voice of the Fan rankings for food and beverage at M&T Bank Stadium – top five in the NFL in every year since 2019,” Albert wrote. “Our focus now is on taking care of our employees, many of whom have worked at the stadium for their entire careers, and on continuing to deliver world-class hospitality on behalf of our other partners across the NFL and beyond.”
A spokesperson for Levy said the company was invited to participate in the Ravens’ food and beverage RFP process, but did not indicate whether it would be the stadium’s new vendor.
Ravens Insider: Former Ravens linebacker C.J. Mosley and Jets agree to new contract that provides salary cap relief, AP source says
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By DENNIS WASZAK Jr. (AP Pro Football Writer)
The New York Jets and linebacker C.J. Mosley agreed to a new two-year contract worth $17.25 million that provides the team with more salary cap space in free agency, a person with knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press.
Mosley was due to make a non-guaranteed $17 million in base pay this season under his previous contract, and would have counted a team-high $21.5 million against this year’s cap. The sides agreed to redo the contract to help the team’s cap situation — freeing about $8 million — while also giving Mosley more security and another year with the Jets.
The new deal includes $13.25 million in guarantees, including $9 million fully guaranteed this season, the person told the AP on condition of anonymity because the team didn’t announce the details. ESPN first reported Mosley and the Jets had agreed on a reworked contract.
New York also announced it released wide receiver Corey Davis from the reserve/retired list after he applied to the NFL for reinstatement following a year away from football. The 29-year-old Davis is now a free agent, although he could return to the Jets.
New York also re-signed offensive lineman Jake Hanson, made its trade for offensive tackle Morgan Moses from Baltimore official and announced the signings of quarterback Tyrod Taylor, guard John Simpson, defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu and punter Thomas Morstead — all of whom agreed to deals at the start of free agency.
The 31-year-old Mosley has led New York in combined tackles in each of the past three seasons while also serving as the primary signal caller in the middle of the Jets’ defense. He was a second-team All-Pro last season and made his fifth career Pro Bowl — first with New York — in 2022.
Mosley, voted four times by his Jets teammates as a defensive captain, spent his first five NFL seasons with Baltimore and established himself as one of the league’s top playmaking linebackers. He signed a five-year, $85 million deal with the Jets in 2019, but missed all but two games that season with a torn groin. Mosley also was among several players who sat out the following season due to COVID-19 concerns.
He has been a consistent performer and leader the past three seasons after remodeling his body to better fit as a sideline-to-sideline linebacker in the defense run by coordinator Jeff Ulbrich and coach Robert Saleh. Mosley, voted the winner of the Jets’ selfless warrior award last season by the coaching staff, has played in all but one of New York’s past 51 games.
Mosley has more than 1,000 career tackles, 12 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and nine fumble recoveries.
Davis, who caught 66 passes in two seasons with the Jets, surprisingly stepped away from football during training camp last August.
“I’ve been searching my heart for what to do,” Davis wrote on his Instagram page last summer in announcing his intentions. “And I feel that stepping away from the game is the best path for me at this time.”
Saleh said then that the Jets would leave the door open for a return, but it’s uncertain if Davis wants to rejoin New York or explore his options elsewhere. He spent his first four NFL seasons with Tennessee and has 273 catches for 3,879 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Hanson was a restricted free agent who played in seven games last season, including four starts at right guard. He’ll provide depth on a revamped line that has been the focus of general manager Joe Douglas at the start of free agency.
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AP Pro Football Writer Rob Maaddi contributed to this report.
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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
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