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Offseason In Review: Baltimore Ravens

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With Lamar Jackson’s extension taken care of, the Ravens entered the 2023 season with renewed expectations. For the second time since Jackson took over as a full-time starter, Baltimore earned the AFC’s No. 1 seed and the superstar quarterback took home the MVP award. The team’s run came to an underwhelming end with a home loss to the Chiefs in the AFC title game, however.

In the months following that defeat, the Ravens have endured a number of notable departures at all levels of the organization. Changes on the field, along the sidelines and in the front office will leave Baltimore depending on several new faces in 2024. Many members of the team’s core remain in place, though, and as such the Ravens can be counted as a contender in the AFC North and beyond.

Trades:

Moses entered the offseason as a cut candidate, so it comes as little surprise he will not be back for 2024. Baltimore was able to add draft capital by sending him back to New York. The 33-year-old served as the Jets’ right tackle starter for 2021, a role he is set to reprise upon his return. The deal cleared $5.5MM in salary for the Ravens, though the team’s setup at the RT spot is one of several questions up front during training camp.

Moses has remained durable throughout his career; the three games he missed in 2023 were the most he was sidelined for since his rookie campaign (2014). The former third-rounder drew strong Pro Football Focus reviews for the fourth consecutive year last season, and he will be expected to provide consistent play in his second Jets stint. His ability to do so will determine his market in free agency next March on a New York re-up or a pact allowing him to join another new team.

Free agency additions:

General manager Eric DeCosta made it abundantly clear during the offseason running back additions would be a priority, and the 2024 free agent crop presented him with several options to choose from. Baltimore emerged as one of several suitors for Saquon Barkley, but it came as no surprise inside or outside the organization Henry was the team’s ultimate acquisition. In terms of pedigree, the latter comfortably represents the most notable new face brought in this offseason.

In the time since Jackson’s rookie campaign (2018), the league’s preeminent dual-threat quarterback ranks ninth in the league in rushing yards. Across that same span, Henry leads the NFL in production on the ground – by a margin of over 1,750 yards. The longtime Titan was named as a target of trade interest for the Ravens ahead of the 2023 deadline. An agreement was reportedly reached, with Tennessee’s ownership vetoing the trade.

Titans GM Ran Carthon has offered a denial on that point, but mutual interest existed between Henry and the Ravens in the build-up to free agency. The two-time rushing champion was also linked to the Cowboys, but Dallas’ decision to allow Tony Pollard to depart was not followed up by a Henry offer. The team was not active on the veteran market until a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott after the draft.

While Henry was surprised to not be on the Cowboys’ radar, he echoed the interest he had dating back to 2023 when reflecting on his Baltimore free agent process. The 30-year-old will receive all but $1MM of his guaranteed money this season, a sign of hesitancy on the Ravens’ part to make a long-term commitment. Henry has led the NFL in carries during each of his last four healthy campaigns, and he is positioned for a heavy workload once again in his new home.

Expectations will nevertheless be high for team and player with Baltimore having made by far the most high-profile backfield addition of the Jackson era. Henry’s acclimation to his new environment will be a critical factor in the Ravens’ ability to remain among the league’s most productive offenses.

As he foreshadowed, Eddie Jackson hit free agency after being let go by the Bears. He needed to wait until just before the start of training camp to find a deal, joining a number of veteran safeties in spending a long time on the open market. Another one – Jamal Adams – visited the Ravens, but he ultimately signed in Tennessee before Jackson was added.

The latter has started each of his 100 career games, but he will be competing for the No. 3 safety role in Baltimore. The Ravens used three-safety looks a number of times last year, and the departure of Geno Stone created a vacancy for the role behind Marcus Williams and Kyle Hamilton on the depth chart. Jackson, 30, struggled in coverage last season but former Bears teammate Roquan Smith endorsed his arrival in Baltimore. He will aim to parlay a change of scenery into a return to his previous form.

Board and Harty suffered a similar fate with their former teams this offseason, with both having been released in cost-cutting moves. The Patriots’ new regime does not value special teams as much as the previous one, and that stance paved the way for Board, 29, to return to the Ravens. A starting linebacker spot is not in play for Board, but he can reprise the integral third phase role he previously held with the team. Harty – a Baltimore native – earned All-Pro acclaim for his work in the return game during his rookie year (2019), and he is positioned to serve as the Ravens’ top returner.

Re-signings:

The Ravens have avoided big-money free agent additions along the edge during DeCosta’s tenure at the helm. Jadeveon Clowney joined Van Noy as a veteran brought in on a low-cost deal last offseason. The former matched his career high in sacks with the Ravens in 2023, while the latter set a new personal mark (nine) in only 14 games played and while logging just a 52% defensive snap share. Retaining at least one was a key 2024 priority.

Van Noy has remained consistent wherever he has played recently, totaling at least five sacks in each of the past five seasons (a stretch including three teams). The 33-year-old will have some stability during the latter stages of his career as he looks to replicate his success from 2023. Young options along the edge will face high expectations for Baltimore moving forward, but Van Noy will have a key role to play as well.

Agholor joined the Ravens on a one-year deal last offseason, but the presence of void years made an extension necessary for him to be retained through 2024 without dead money charges accruing. The former first-rounder operated as a complementary option in the receiving corps (one which, per usual, was not a unit built on a high-volume passing attack). Agholor’s 77.8% catch percentage in 2023 was by far the best of his career, and he should remain in a rotational capacity behind Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman on the WR depth chart for at least one more year.

Josh Johnson has had multiple stints with the Ravens as part of his whirlwind tour around several levels of pro football. The 38-year-old will occupy the backup role in 2024, positioning him for regular season game action in the event Jackson misses time. Johnson has made six appearances since 2021, with his lone start in that span coming during his most recent Ravens tenure.

Not unlike Van Noy, Maulet established himself as a veteran exceling in his role to a greater degree than expected during his debut Baltimore campaign. The former UDFA matched his career highs in pass deflections (five) and sacks (two) last year despite missing three games and logging a higher snap share on special teams than on defense. The Ravens have a number of other cornerback options on the perimeter and in the slot, but Maulet should manage to remain a regular contributor in the latter capacity for at least the short-term future.

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Notable losses:

Queen’s free agent departure came as little surprise considering the Ravens’ decision to decline his fifth-year option last offseason. That move, in turn, came after Roquan Smith inked an extension which – at $20MM per season – remains the league’s most lucrative for inside linebackers. Queen moved into fifth in the position’s pecking order with respect to AAV on his Steelers pact, a deal which is essentially a one-year investment for now based on guaranteed money.

Considering the lack of upfront money a Queen investment required, it was somewhat noteworthy the Ravens did not attempt to keep him in the fold. The 2023 second-team All-Pro later said he accepted less money to join Pittsburgh, citing a desire to sign with a contender. Linebackers being at the heart of the Ravens-Steelers rivalry is nothing new, of course, but that fact will no doubt add a layer to the latest intra-divisional matchups between the teams.

Baltimore will move forward with Smith and 2023 third-rounder Trenton Simpson as starters in the middle this season. The latter has a tall task in terms of replicating Queen’s production from last year – 133 tackles, three sacks, 10 QB pressures – and he only logged notable defensive time during a meaningless Week 18 game as a rookie. Simpson’s success in tandem with Smith will go a long way in determining if the decision to move on from Queen pays off.

With both Dobbins and Edwards departing, Baltimore’s backfield will look much different moving forward. DeCosta expressed a willingness to retain at least one member of the pair, but they each wound up signing with the Chargers. Edwards missed the 2021 season altogether, and the same was true of Dobbins. Injuries were a problem for much of the former second-rounder’s tenure, and his Week 1 Achilles tear spelled the end of his time in Charm City. 2023 UDFA Keaton Mitchell flashed potential as a rookie, but he is expected to miss the start of the season while rehabbing an ACL tear. Particularly in the fall, then, Baltimore will be short on running back options.

John Simpson joined Queen on PFR’s top 50 free agent list, although he did not do nearly as well as some of his fellow guards on the open market. His decision to join the Jets nevertheless created a notable vacancy considering his stronger-than-expected play at left guard in 2023. The 26-year-old will be expected to remain a first-team option in New York after he held down a full-time starting role during his lone Ravens season.

Baltimore enjoyed consistent play at right guard over the past three seasons, proving Zeitler’s 2021 addition to have been a worthwhile one. He earned his first career Pro Bowl nod last year (his 12th in the NFL), and replacing his play against the pass and the run will be a challenge. The Ravens discussed re-signing Zeitler, but he ultimately joined the Lions after they were unable to retain guard starter Jonah Jackson.

Competition for both guard spots, along with the right tackle position, will be a key storyline in the summer and through the start of the campaign if no suitable in-house options are found. Left tackle Ronnie Stanley (no stranger to missed time through injury) and center Tyler Linderbaum are currently the only locks up front for the Ravens.

Stone played primarily on special teams prior to the 2023 season, one in which he demonstrated his ability to contribute on defense. The former seventh-rounder racked up seven interceptions and nine pass deflections, earning himself a two-year Bengals deal in the spring. Many veteran safeties have needed to wait well into the summer (and counting) to land a contract. Stone, however, has spent the offseason preparing for full-time starting duties for the first time in his career.

As of March, a mutual interest existed with Clowney on working out a new agreement. The former No. 1 pick has been a journeyman since his Texans tenure came to a close, and strong production (9.5 sacks, 23 pressures, two forced fumbles) helped him draw interest from outside teams. The South Carolina product eventually joined the Panthers, and the fact he did so on a two-year deal means he could enjoy a degree of late-career stability. The Ravens have few known commodities along the edge, meanwhile, and Clowney’s absence could be acutely felt if the team’s remaining contributors are unable to match his statistical output.

Like Zeitler’s deal, Beckham’s contained void years. As a result, both will account for dead money on Baltimore’s cap sheet in 2024. The latter arrived with great fanfare given the $15MM guaranteed he signed for last offseason in a move supported by Lamar Jackson. Beckham remained mostly healthy and set a career high in yards per catch (16.1) with Baltimore, but he operated in a complementary role before publicly acknowledging his impending departure. That will be the case this season with the Dolphins while he occupies a place on a depth chart featuring Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle.

Extensions and restructures:

In the lead-in to free agency, it was clear the Ravens would not have the cap space needed to make a major outside addition. That is the case during most years, but in 2024 in particular it was due to the fact Madubuike would require a monster long-term deal (or at least a franchise tag) to be retained. To little surprise, Baltimore applied the one-year tender – valued at $22.1MM – in early March to prevent him from reaching free agency.

Just as fellow defensive lineman Broderick Washington was last offseason, Madubuike was a key retention priority. The latter delivered a perfectly timed breakout season in 2023, recording at least a half sack in a record-tying 11 consecutive games. The 26-year-old shattered his previous bests in sacks (13) and quarterback hits (33) en route to a Pro Bowl invitation and a second-team All-Pro nod. Well before his standout campaign ended, it was clear keeping Madubuike in the fold would be one of the Ravens’ top offseason priorities.

The defensive tackle market has erupted over the past two years, with 13 players at the position now attached to $21MM or more in annual compensation. Madubuike’s deal does not compare to the pact Aaron Donald was playing on prior to his Rams retirement, and its value and guarantees fall well short of Chris Jones’ new Chiefs contract. Still, the former third-rounder managed to slightly outgain Quinnen Williams in locked in compensation after his Jets re-up served as the benchmark for 2023 extensions along the D-line.

Baltimore’s defense led the league in sacks last season, and with few established options in the edge department, production from the interior will be crucial once again. Madubuike will be counted on to duplicate his success in both the short- and long-term future as one of the team’s largest financial commitments on either side of the ball moving forward.

Bateman had a brief stay on the reserve/did not report list at the start of training camp last year. As a result, he became ineligible for the fifth-year option, leading to the extension agreement. The Minnesota alum was caught off guard by the offer, but his decision to take it has him in line to put together a strong fourth season in Baltimore. Doing so would help Bateman live up to his draft stock and serve in at least a consistent complementary role in the passing game.

The former No. 27 overall pick’s most productive season to date was his rookie campaign (46 catches, 515 yards). He has not been on the field as often as that year when healthy, though, and in 2023 he averaged only two receptions per game. Bateman has dealt with multiple injuries early in his career, although he enters 2024 with a clean bill of health. Remaining available through the campaign and taking on an increased workload could produce the desired results for team and player through at least the 2026 season.

Over the first four years of his career, Stanley served as a foundational member of Baltimore’s offensive line. That stretch included the 2019 campaign in which he earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors. Ankle and knee injuries have proven to be an issue since then, however. The former top-10 selection was limited to seven games across the 2020 and ’21 campaigns, leading to questions about his long-term future in Baltimore.

The past two seasons have been better from a health standpoint, with 11 and 13 games played. Still, it came as little surprise a notable pay cut (and accompanying reduction in cap hit) took place in a move which made 2025 a void year. Stanley, 30, does not intend to retire any time soon and he hopes to remain in Baltimore well beyond this season. A strong showing would allow him to recoup lost money via bonuses and incentives ahead of a potential first trip to free agency in his career.

Draft:

The back of the first round saw quite a bit of movement, and the Ravens had the opportunity to be involved in that regard. The team received eight trade offers for the No. 30 selection, but instead of moving down the board Wiggins was added to the secondary. He may not see much playing time right away, but he should manage to log a heavy workload in relatively short order.

Marlon Humphrey has remained a full-time starter for the past five years, but he missed five contests in 2021 and another seven last year. Brandon Stephens emerged as a genuine boundary corner option in 2023 with a career-low 80.6 passer rating allowed in coverage and 11 pass deflections. One year remains on his rookie contract, though, and another strong showing in 2024 could price him out of Baltimore.

Especially in that scenario, Wiggins would step into a first-team role. The 6-1, 175-pounder served as a starter over the past two seasons, displaying his athleticism and ball skills (three interceptions, 19 pass breakups, two forced fumbles). Questions have been raised about Wiggins’ frame at the pro level, but the first-team ACC product’s speed and fluidity in coverage should allow him to at least handle sheltered coverage assignments early on. By 2025, it would not surprise to see him handling significant defensive duties.

Troy Fautanu was one of the Day 1 prospects the Ravens hosted on a pre-draft visit, providing an indication the team was prepared to add along the offensive line fairly early. Fautanu was among the eight tackles off the board by Baltimore’s pick, though, and as a result adding up front became a Day 2 priority. Rosengarten was widely believed to be on the 49ers’ radar with the No. 63 pick, so the Ravens would not have had the chance to add him any later in the draft.

Rosengarten worked as the Huskies’ blindside protector by working at right tackle blocking for southpaw quarterback Michael Penix Jr. He is in contention to start as a rookie on the right side, and success in that role could set him up to succeed Ronnie Stanley at left tackle as early as next offseason. As Baltimore undergoes a transition at three starting O-line spots, dependable play opposite Stanley will be critical.

The 2024 draft offered a number of receiving options, and Lamar Jackson gave his input on a number of prospects. Baltimore waited until Day 3 to add a pass-catcher, though, bringing in Isaac before that point. Penn State’s edge rush was led by first-rounder Chop Robinson, but Isaac contributed as well. The latter is regarded as a stronger run defender than the former, and in 2023 he set a career high with 7.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss.

Former first-rounder Odafe Oweh is still in place on the edge, as is 2022 round two selection David Ojabo. Injuries have prevented Ojabo from seeing the field much to date, but he could be healthy in time for Week 1. In that event, Isaac could be relegated to rotational duties during his rookie season.

Other:

Macdonald returned to the Ravens’ staff in 2022 after a single season working under Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. His performance last season put him squarely on the head coaching radar as Baltimore led the league in points allowed (16.5 per game), sacks (60) and takeaways (31). No team had ever taken the top spot in all three of those categories during a single season.

The 37-year-old’s first head coaching opportunity will come in Seattle as he aims to steer the Seahawks back to the postseason at the start of the post-Pete Carroll era. Macdonald will have a major vacancy to fill on the West coast given Carroll’s accomplishments. His Ravens departure has likewise led to questions about the feasibility of adequately replacing him, though.

Orr’s playing career took off in 2016 with second-team All-Pro honors. A congenital neck condition, however, sidelined the former UDFA. The abrupt end to his playing days was followed by a shift to coaching. At 31, Orr becomes the league’s second-youngest active DC as he attempts to join the line of Ravens defensive coordinators who have been promoted from within.

Orr served as an analyst from 2017-20 in Baltimore before his lone season spent in a different organization. The North Texas alum worked as Jacksonville’s outside linebackers coach in 2021, but the end of the Urban Meyer era paved the way for a return to Charm City the following year. After a pair of seasons working under Macdonald, Orr will take on play-calling responsibilities for the first time at the college or NFL levels.

Of course, the Ravens’ decision to promote Orr was made easier given the loss of both Wilson and Weaver. The former spent a single campaign in Baltimore, coaching the team’s defensive backs in 2023. Cornerback Brandon Stephens and safety Geno Stone were among the players who enjoyed career years under him, and expectations will be high for Wilson in Tennessee. Maintaining their strength in the secondary will similarly be a tall task for the Ravens.

Weaver had one season of play-calling experience during his time with the Texans in 2020 before his three-year run in Baltimore. The last two seasons of that span included the title of associate head coach, but Orr was considered more likely to be tapped for the DC gig. The latter had the option of taking the same role with the Packers, but his decision to remain with the team he played for has him lined up for a critical debut season as a coordinator.

Hortiz’s Ravens tenure began in 1998, and over the years he established himself as a key member of the front office. The 48-year-old spent considerable time in the scouting department before being promoted to player personnel director in 2019 and serving as a critical DeCosta assistant. Hortiz drew GM interest in previous years, and with DeCosta set to remain in place for the foreseeable future he will take on a new challenge in 2024. Among Baltimore’s other notable front office departures was college scouting director David Blackburn – he of a 17-year Ravens stint – joining the Commanders as part of Washington’s organizational overhaul.

Oweh displayed major athletic upside in college, although his final season at Penn State did not include any sacks. His NFL production has fluctuated, with his five sacks as a rookie being matched in 2023. Van Noy remaining in place will give the 25-year-old an experienced teammate once again, but the presence of young and unproven edge rushers (namely Ojabo and 2023 fourth-rounder Tavius Robinson) elsewhere on the depth chart in terms of returnees will leave plenty of weight on Oweh’s shoulders.

The latter would help his value tremendously with a breakout campaign, given the nature of the edge market. A long-term extension near the top of the position’s financial pecking order would check in at a much higher rate than that of the option price. Of course, Oweh has a long way to go to consider landing even $15-20MM per year on a second contract with the Ravens or another team. Incremental growth in 2024 would prove the team’s decision to retain him for two more seasons to be a sound one, though.

Top 10 cap charges for 2024:

  1. Lamar Jackson, QB: $32.4MM
  2. Marlon Humphrey, CB: $22.88MM
  3. Marcus Williams, S: $18.03MM
  4. Ronnie Stanley, LT: $17.05MM
  5. Mark Andrews, TE: $16.91MM
  6. Roquan Smith, LB: $13.5MM
  7. Justin Madubuike, DT: $11MM
  8. Patrick Mekari, OL: $6.35MM
  9. Justin Tucker, K: $5.8MM
  10. Patrick Ricard, FB: $5.16MM

Jackson and Smith are among the players set to have their cap hits notably jump in 2025, though their futures in Baltimore are of course not in doubt. The same may not be true for Humphrey, who has battled injuries in recent years and seen his production suffer as a result. The 28-year-old has three years left on his contract, but no guaranteed salary is in place beyond 2024. His financial situation will no doubt depend on his health and performance over the coming months.

Considering the exodus of talent and experience at all levels in the organization, not to mention the depth of competition in the AFC North, it is difficult to envision the Ravens matching 2023’s regular-season success this year. A reliable offensive line could nevertheless allow Henry to remain one of the league’s more productive backs, and a strong rookie season as a coordinator from Orr would be expected to translate to continued success on defense. Overall, health from Jackson and the rest of Baltimore’s core should leave the team in contention for a deep postseason run as the two-time MVP once again attempts to overcome past playoff defeats.