With the first wave of NFL free agency in the rearview mirror, all but a few of the big-name players have landed new deals. With rotational and reserve players continue to speak with teams, the market has calmed, giving each club a chance to assess where it stands less than a month before the 2020 NFL Draft.
The Baltimore Ravens, armed with limited cap space and resources, chose not to make any huge splashes in the free-agent market. Instead, their biggest move came in the form of the franchise tag issued to edge rusher Matt Judon and a trade for former Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell. While the Ravens made a few other moves, those represent the biggest acquisitions of their offseason thus far.
Of course, Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta parted with some notable talent as well since the new league year began. At the start of the contract negotiating window, he sent former No. 25 overall pick Hayden Hurst and a fourth-round selection to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for draft choices in the second and fifth rounds. While his skill set fits the Ravens offense, the team’s depth at tight end — Mark Andrews and Nick Boyle each possess starting-caliber talent — made Hurst expendable. That surplus at the position, along with the quality draft capital coming back, made the deal one DeCosta couldn’t refuse.
As currently constituted, the Ravens look better on paper than when the offseason began. However, they still have needs to address prior to the start of the 2020 season.
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Offensive line
The Ravens offense proved to be a strength last season as MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson, Pro Bowl running back Mark Ingram, and the team’s bevy of skill-position talent produced one of the most dominant rushing attacks of recent vintage. While reproducing 2019’s success will take some luck and creative flourishes from offensive coordinator Greg Roman, ensuring another year of sturdy play from the offensive line ranks top on the list of concerns in Baltimore.
With future Hall of Fame guard Marshal Yanda hanging up his cleats earlier in the offseason, the Ravens have a sizable hole to fill along the interior of the unit. Ronnie Stanley and Orlando Brown return to bookend the line with Matt Skura and Bradley Bozeman prepared to take up their roles at left guard and center, respectively. However, even at Yanda’s “advanced” age, no offensive lineman meant more to Baltimore in recent years. At least as currently constituted, the team will feel his absence.
Unfortunately for the Ravens, the veteran market features few starting-caliber options. None of the remaining free agents represent an obvious upgrade over the linemen currently in Baltimore vying for the job. Perhaps DeCosta can contact Milt Hendrickson, his former assistant now working in the Green Bay Packers’ front office, to inquire about the availability of Lane Taylor. Taylor started 49 games over the past five seasons and could slide in at right guard. However, he would only provide the team with a short-term solution to a long-term problem.
More likely, the Ravens will have to pursue a future starter in the draft. Though the class features better talent at tackle than guard, few general managers have done a better job uncovering quality offensive linemen in the middle rounds than DeCosta.
Edge rusher
Right now, the Ravens have multiple viable starters at outside linebacker. Judon, who led the defense with 9.5 sacks last season, received the franchise tag, removing him from the open market. The team also returns former second-round picks Tyus Bowser (five sacks) and Jaylon Ferguson (2.5). With Bowser and Ferguson showing signs of development, the group looks strong on paper.
However, it remains uncertain whether the Ravens will actually sign Judon to a contract extension or the qualifying offer for the tag. Instead, they might trade him later this offseason, either for draft compensation or a player capable of filling one of their needs elsewhere. While Baltimore has proven itself capable of recovering from the loss of a star pass rusher — Za’Darius Smith departed a year ago without significantly hindering the defense — Bowser and Ferguson have a way to go before filling Judon’s shoes.
The free-agent market offers at least one name that could interest the Ravens. The Tennessee Titans released Cameron Wake one season into a three-year deal, leaving the 38-year-old without an NFL home. Wake plans to continue his career, and Baltimore likely wouldn’t need to extend him a large offer to secure his services. Additionally, he wouldn’t cost the team a compensatory pick due to his status as a “street” free agent. Still, Wake can only handle a rotational role at this point and wouldn’t negate the potential loss of Judon.
Linebacker
A year after the New York Jets signed away C.J. Mosley to a market-setting deal, they landed another former Ravens linebacker. Patrick Onwuasor, who played roughly half the team’s defensive snaps over the past three seasons, agreed to a one-year deal to join his former teammate in New York.
Though Onwuasor’s departure won’t sting as much as Mosley’s, the Ravens now need to completely rebuild that part of the defense. At present, they have only Chris Board, L.J. Fort, and Otaro Alaka at the position full time. Anthony Levin Sr. has situationally played linebacker as well, though defensive coordinator Don “Wink” Martindale only uses him in certain sub packages.
Rather than look for bargains on the veteran market, the Ravens will likely turn their attention to the upcoming draft. This year’s class features a cavalcade of talented linebackers, a group headlined by Clemson’s Isaiah Simmons, LSU’s Patrick Queen, and Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray. While Simmons will almost certainly come off the board early in the first round, Baltimore could have a shot at one of the other two.
Jason B. Hirschhorn is an award-winning sports journalist and Pro Football Writers of America member. He has bylines at NFL.com, SB Nation, Sports Illustrated, and other outlets.