The hype of free agency has come and gone and now it’s time to look at what teams have gained and lost since March 16th and where they stand as they prepare for the upcoming draft. Let’s rave about the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens
Key acquisitions: S Marcus Williams, OT Morgan Moses, DT Michael Pierce
Re-signed: DE Calais Campbell, LB Josh Bynes, FB Patrick Ricard
Departures: C Bradley Bozeman (Panthers), S DeShon Elliott (Lions), CB Anthony Averett (Raiders), CB Tavon Young (Bears), OT Alejandro Villanueva, S Anthony Levine, DT Justin Ellis (Giants), WR Sammy Watkins (Packers), LB Chris Board (Lions), TE Eric Tomlinson (Broncos)
Remaining free agents: DT Brandon Williams, CB Jimmy Smith, DE Justin Houston, RB Devonta Freeman, RB Latavius Murray, LB L.J. Fort, LB Pernell McPhee
Analysis: The Baltimore Ravens continue to be one of the best-run organizations in football. No matter the amount of free agents they have and sign elsewhere, they’re still set up well for the upcoming season.
The Ravens big signing of the offseason is former Saints safety Marcus Williams on a five-year $70 million contract. Williams has been an every-game starter in his five-year career and has played at a very high level, despite the mishap in the playoffs in 2017. After playing on the franchise tag, Williams cashes in to play on a very good Ravens defense that is hoping to stay healthy in 2022. Williams will start alongside Chuck Clark, taking the place of DeShon Elliott, who signed with the Lions, with the hope that Marlon Humphrey and Marcus Peters are back. Replacement CB Anthony Averett signed with the Raiders after a solid season, slot corner Tavon Young was released, and Jimmy Smith is still a free agent. The Ravens should prioritize adding CB depth before training camp.
Also added (back) on defense is Michael Pierce, who was released after two years with the Vikings. He joins up with Calais Campbell, who is back on a two-year deal. The team also brought back linebacker Josh Bynes, who is a very good player that team’s refuse to give a multi-year deal to despite a lack of quality starting-caliber linebackers.
The Ravens added a new starter on the offensive line, signing veteran tackle Morgan Moses to a three-year deal. After a season starting 16 games for the Jets in 2021, the longtime Redskins starter has a clear path to be the starting right tackle following the retirement of Alejandro Villanueva. In 2021 after left tackle Ronnie Stanley was lost for the season after Week 1, Villanueva took over, and Patrick Mekari and Tyre Phillips started the rest of the season. Mekari will likely be the starting center after Bradley Bozeman signed with the Panthers with Kevin Zeitler at right guard and a competition between Phillips, Ben Powers, and Ben Cleveland at left guard.
A few losses for the Ravens include the retirement of longtime special teams captain Anthony Levine and wide receiver Sammy Watkins, who was fine, 394 yards is nothing to be impressed by, but he was depth, and that’s all Watkins is at this point. Running backs Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray are free agents, but shoutout to them for playing well after the horrible luck the Ravens had with losing J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill before the season. Hopefully those guys are back, but Freeman really carried the load and should get a job soon as he proved he can still play after a couple rough seasons bouncing around the league.
Conclusion: You can never feel down about the Baltimore Ravens, there is always hope. The question right now is still Lamar Jackson’s contract situation as he is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Baltimore is willing to talk contract, they just need Jackson to engage in the talks, because you cannot let this guy go. You built your offense and your personnel around his skillset, you have to lock up the final piece and this franchise can go on a run. The Ravens are very much in the mix for the playoffs in a very competitive AFC.
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