NFL Executives Offer Unfiltered Thoughts on Ravens' Free-Agency Moves
We've reached the point in free agency where deals continue to trickle in, but the most impactful moves were made weeks ago.
The Athletic’s Mike Sando checked in with NFL executives for their "unfiltered" thoughts on what has (and hasn't) transpired for each team in free agency.
The Ravens, who are tight against the salary cap, stuck to their "right player, right price" mantra as expected. Sando noted that Baltimore ranks 32nd in average per-year salary added in free agency ($10.6 million) and 14th in APY salary lost ($37.5 million).
"They went through a lot of change last offseason," an executive said. "If they could minimize change this offseason, that is probably a plus. And it looks like they did that."
The biggest splash the Ravens made was re-signing Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year contract extension. Their most notable outside addition was five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins.
"I like the fact that they kept their guy (Stanley)," another executive said. "He's had some injuries, but he still is a good player. D-Hop, that doesn't do anything for me."
Hopkins had a 1,000-yard season as recently as 2023 and his tape from last season showed he is still adept at making contested catches.
Moreover, Hopkins was signed to complement (and mentor) young wide receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman. Teams could do a lot worse than having Hopkins as their No. 3 wide receiver.
Another executive addressed what the Ravens still need to do.
"They were in on a lot of interior O-linemen in free agency, so that is going to be a need for them, because they lost [Patrick] Mekari," the executive said. "Defensively, they could have some decisions looming with Travis Jones and [Odafe] Oweh coming up for extensions. They have a little bit of a management situation with those guys."
Sports Illustrated Writer Says AFC North Is 'Bit Overrated,' But Praises 'Mighty' Ravens
Sports Illustrated’s Conor Orr ranked the divisions at this point in the offseason. The AFC North came in at No. 3.
Orr contended that the AFC North "is a bit overrated" because the Ravens are the lone Super Bowl contender in the division.
"[The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers] will be playoff contenders," Orr wrote, "but the Bengals did nothing to address their laundry list of defensive issues, and the Steelers currently have Mason Rudolph as QB1 as they wait for Aaron Rodgers to sign. A signature from a signal-caller in his age-42 season probably won't help Pittsburgh win their first playoff game since 2016.
"As for the mighty Baltimore Ravens, the question for them is not whether they'll make the playoffs, but rather: Will this finally be the year that Lamar Jackson gets them to the Super Bowl? … Baltimore could be an impactful rookie away from getting over the postseason hump."
The Ravens are seeking a third consecutive AFC North title, and while they are favored to do so, they know every divisional game is typically a dogfight.
The NFC North was No. 1 in the rankings, followed by the AFC West.
Pundits Identify Ideal Top Two Picks for Ravens
NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter and Pro Football Focus’ Jordan Plocher each named the ideal top two picks for the Ravens. Here's a look at their selections and analysis:
Reuter: Round 1 – Georgia safety Malaki Starks; Round 2 – N.C. State offensive lineman Anthony Belton
"Starks' average athleticism scores and lack of fit in some teams' schemes could make him available to the Ravens, who should get the most from his playmaking skills. Belton is a long, strong blocker who lacks elite lateral quickness, so he might be destined for a move inside at the next level, similar to the transition made by Baltimore's starting right guard, 2022 fourth-round pick Daniel Faalele. Even if Belton can't beat out Andrew Vorhees for the left guard spot as a rookie, his experience at left tackle will come in handy if veteran Ronnie Stanley suffers another injury."
Plocher: Round 1 – Alabama offensive guard Tyler Booker; Round 2 – Ohio State edge Jack Sawyer.
"Drafting Tyler Booker in the first round would give the Ravens a big, physical presence on the interior of their offensive line. Booker didn't allow a sack on 395 pass-blocking snaps in 2024 and earned an 86.5 PFF pass-blocking grade. In the second round, Jack Sawyer would be an ideal target to bolster the defense. He finished the 2024 season with a 90.5 PFF overall grade, excelling as a pass-rusher with 10 sacks, 16 quarterback hits and 38 hurries on 380 pass-rushing snaps."
