The beginning of free agency is typically not a time when the Baltimore Ravens are very active. The Ravens like to sit back and sign free agents after they are released by other teams, so they don’t get dinged in the NFL’s compensatory pick formula.
This year has been a little different. Baltimore agreed to terms with multiple players during the first couple of days of free agency. There were needs to be addressed and Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta swiftly found players to fill the void.
The moves became official when the new league year started on March 16, 2022. The biggest move came when Baltimore agreed to terms with safety Marcus Williams on a five-year contract worth $71 million.
Injuries to Marcus Peters, Marlon Humphrey and Jimmy Smith among others severely decimated Baltimore’s secondary. The Ravens pass defense gave up a franchise-worst 31 touchdown passes and intercepted only nine passes. Adding Williams will help immensely.
He is a ball-hawking safety who started 76 games for the New Orleans Saints since the team selected him in the second round of the 2017 draft. He has 15 career interceptions and 38-passes defended over his five-year career.
Entering his sixth season, Williams 26, is considered to be one of the NFL’s top free safeties. He joins starting cornerbacks Peters and Humphrey along with safety Chuck Clark to form one of the NFL’s top secondaries.
The offensive line was another area for focus during free agency. Last year’s starting right tackle Alejandro Villanueva retired leaving the Ravens in need of another tackle.
Even with Villanueva in the lineup, Baltimore gave up 57 sacks, the most in franchise history. It should also be noted that All-Pro starting left tackle Ronnie Stanley was out for most of the season due to injury.
While Stanley is working his way back, DeCosta swooped up nine-year veteran tackle Morgan Moses. Moses agreed to a three-year contract worth $15 million, which is a bargain for a starting offensive lineman.
The Ravens had four linemen play 60 or more snaps at right tackle in 2021. Adding Moses will provide much-needed stability.
Moses, 31, has started 16 games in seven straight seasons. He was selected in the fifth round by Washington in the 2014 draft.
Going back to 2015, Moses has played in 113 consecutive games. He spent last season with the New York Jets.
The Ravens are in a much better place now thanks to the additions of Williams and Moses. There’s still more moves to make so stay tuned.
