ExtremeRavens Posted 16 hours ago Posted 16 hours ago Now that Jesse Minter has been hired as the fourth head coach in Baltimore Ravens history, attention shifts to his next moves. First comes the coaching staff. Then the roster. How next season’s group takes shape will offer an early look at the working relationship between Minter and general manager Eric DeCosta — and the vision the two share for the franchise moving forward. That process could include familiar faces. Minter spent the past two seasons with the Chargers, and it wouldn’t be surprising if some players he worked with there emerge as targets in Baltimore. Here are six Los Angeles free agents Minter could potentially bring with him. Khalil Mack, edge rusher A pressing need for the Ravens is acquiring a premier edge rusher. Mack would address that quickly — he has been one of the league’s best at his position over the past decade. Mack recorded 11 1/2 sacks over the past two seasons with Minter calling defensive plays, earning a Pro Bowl nod in 2024 while adding 12 tackles for loss. His sack totals aren’t what they once were — his last double-digit sack season came in 2023, and before that in 2018 — but he would still provide a consistent pass-rush presence for a Ravens defense that finished tied for the third-fewest sacks in the league. The 2016 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and three-time All-Pro would presumably command a sizable contract after coming off a one-year, $18 million deal. The Ravens, meanwhile, have just $5.4 million in effective cap space, according to Over the Cap. Odafe Oweh, edge rusher The Ravens selected Oweh with a first-round pick in 2021 before trading him to the Chargers in October. Under Minter — and playing alongside Khalil Mack — the edge rusher recorded 7 1/2 sacks in 12 regular-season games, along with 13 quarterback hits. He did not record a sack in five games with Baltimore prior to the trade. The move rejuvenated a contract year for Oweh, who had disappointed in Baltimore following a 10-sack season in 2024. If he’s looking to build on that momentum, Oweh could be a candidate to return to Baltimore. Minter’s scheme helped spark his late-season breakout, and a reunion would give the Ravens a familiar pass rusher coming off his most productive stretch of the year. Tony Jefferson, safety Another familiar face: Jefferson played in Baltimore from 2017 through 19 and again in 2021. He has spent the past two seasons in Los Angeles after a brief retirement in 2023. Even at 34 — a milestone he reaches later this week — the safety remained productive, finishing tied as the Chargers’ eighth-best defender this season according to Pro Football Focus. He recorded seven passes defended and four interceptions. With Baltimore’s starting safety spots seemingly locked up by Kyle Hamilton and Malaki Starks — along with free agent Alohi Gilman, who was acquired in the Oweh trade and previously played under Minter — Jefferson would likely be viewed as a depth option rather than a starter if he returned to the Ravens. Del’Shawn Phillips, linebacker Phillips earned All-Pro honors as a special teamer this season in Los Angeles. After a breakout year, it would likely take more than a depth role to lure him away from the Chargers. That could be difficult in Baltimore, where Roquan Smith, Trenton Simpson and Teddye Buchanan are set to return at linebacker. Still, Phillips is familiar with the organization, having spent time with the Ravens in 2022 and 2023. Da’Shawn Hand, defensive tackle A former standout at Alabama, Hand has developed into a reliable veteran interior run-stopper over the course of his NFL career. The 30-year-old is coming off a career season, recording 6 1/2 stuffs with the Chargers — the most of his career — along with 29 tackles. He also has regional ties, having attended Woodbridge High School in Virginia. Benjamin St-Juste, cornerback St-Juste settled into a rotational role in Los Angeles this season. If he reaches free agency, he’d be a familiar depth option for Minter. St-Juste started two games and logged 356 defensive snaps — the lowest total of his career in any season with double-digit appearances — but flashed ball skills in limited opportunities. He logged seven passes defended with one interception. At 28, St-Juste makes sense as a depth option. Have a news tip? Contact Michael Howes at mhowes@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/Mikephowes. View the full article Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.