The frustrating 2023 season will be completely put to bed when the Baltimore Ravens and the rest of the NFL start the new league year next month. Every season presents roster turnover due to expiring contracts and salary cap limitations. The Ravens are no different.
Baltimore has 22 pending free agents this year. It would have been 23, but wide receiver Nelson Agholor signed a one-year contract to return to Baltimore on Sunday.
Here’s a list of the Ravens’ free agents:
LB Patrick Queen
DT Justin Madubuike
G Kevin Zeitler
G John Simpson
RB Gus Edwards
OLB Jadeveon Clowney
CB Ronald Darby
RB J.K. Dobbins
WR Devin Duvernay
S Geno Stone
OLB Kyle Van Noy
LB Malik Harrison
QB Tyler Huntley
DE Brent Urban
CB Arthur Maulet
CB Rock Ya-Sin
C Sam Mustipher
QB Josh Johnson
CB Daryl Worley
WR Laquan Treadwell
LB Del’Shawn Phillips
LS Tyler Ott
The group includes key starters and depth pieces that would be detrimental to the Ravens if they aren’t retained. The team’s success on defense led to defensive coordinator Mike McDonald becoming the head coach for the Seattle Seahawks. Defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson took the defensive coordinator position with the Tennessee Titans.
Having those familiar faces in new places could lead to a few of the Ravens free agents following them.
Stone and Queen would be good options for Wilson in Tennessee. The Titans need help in the secondary especially when it comes to creating turnovers. Stone’s seven interceptions could warrant a nice payday allowing him to be reunited with Iowa teammate Amani Hooker in Tennessee.
McDonald’s Seahawks could use some help along the interior of the defense if they don’t re-sign defensive tackle Leonard Williams. Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike would make sense on that case, especially after posting a career-high 13 sacks in McDonald’s scheme with the Ravens.
New Ravens defensive coordinator Zach Orr may have to find a way to make up for the loss of veteran pass rushers Jadeveon Clowney and Kyle Van Noy who each achieved career highs in sacks last season. Both veterans are free agents. They could choose to stay with the Ravens especially because Baltimore will still have outside linebacker coach Chuck Smith to work with them.
The offense should remain relatively intact. Guard Kevin Zeitler and running back Gus Edwards are the two most significant possible losses. Edwards was part of a committee in the backfield.
Ravens’ general manager Eric DeCosta could make a big splash by signing free running back Derrick Henry if he somehow makes it out of Tennessee. Pairing Henry with Lamar Jackson would be enough to make opposing defensive coordinators lose sleep at night.
Tyler Huntley has served as Jackson’s backup but is a free agent. Huntley is the ideal backup and would come at a reasonable price. DeCosta should make sure he is back.
As for the special team’s unit, Devin Duvernay has been a productive return man, but Tylan Wallace showed he’s capable as well when Duvernay was out. If Duvernay leaves, Wallace would slide into the primary returner role.
Having 22 pending free agents is a tough situation, but the Ravens can still keep their roster intact to make another Super Bowl run.