Should Ravens Make Another Play for Darius Slay?
The Ravens were close to signing cornerback Darius Slay in free agency two years ago before he re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. Could the six-time Pro Bowler end up playing in Baltimore this season?
The question is being asked because the Eagles are reportedly releasing Slay ahead of his 13th season in a cost-cutting move.
Sports Illustrated’s Zach Dimmitt thinks the Ravens should pursue Slay.
"Adding Slay to the mix both as a playmaker and a mentor for guys like cornerback Nate Wiggins could pay off big for the Ravens next season," Dimmitt wrote. "Baltimore's secondary was also the defense's weak link this past season, as the Ravens surrendered the second-most passing yards per game (244.1) despite allowing the fewest rushing yards per contest (80.1). Slay could help aid in this improvement for Zach Orr's unit."
The Ravens need cornerback depth alongside Marlon Humphrey and Wiggins. Brandon Stephens, who started 33 games over the past two seasons for Baltimore, is a pending unrestricted free agent.
One of the stalwarts on the Eagles defense the past five seasons, Slay helped Philadelphia get to two Super Bowls, winning one. Despite turning 34 in January, Slay still played at a high level this past season.
During an appearance on the “St. Brown Podcast” two weeks ago, Slay said he wants to "play one more year for sure," adding that his preference was either to return to the Eagles or join his former team, the Detroit Lions.
Ravens Urged to Pursue Vikings Pro Bowl Cornerback in Free Agency
Another free agent cornerback who might interest the Ravens is Byron Murphy Jr. of the Minnesota Vikings. ESPN's Aaron Schatz believes Murphy would be a good fit for Baltimore.
"[The Ravens] are low in cap space and might not be able to snag top cornerbacks like D.J. Reed or Charvarius Ward. Murphy might come a bit cheaper because he wasn't seen as a star cornerback until his breakout season in 2024," Schatz wrote. "Murphy ranked fifth in coverage DVOA among qualified corners and had six interceptions with 14 passes defensed.
"Cornerback stats are notoriously inconsistent, so we can't count on Murphy to have similar success in 2025, but he's a quality veteran. He also would fit a Ravens defense that plays a mix of man and zone defenses; Minnesota played zone 69% this past season – the fourth-highest mark – although Murphy also excelled in man coverage."
Murphy, 27, made his first Pro Bowl team this past season. The Athletic's Mike Fisher reported that the Vikings want to re-sign Murphy and the two sides met during the Scouting Combine last week to "gauge the level of interest."
First-Round Prospect Mocked to Ravens Dreams of Pick-Six Against Lamar Jackson
Draft experts such as ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr. and NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah have mocked South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori to the Ravens in the first round, but if Baltimore does select Emmanwori with the 27th-overall pick, it would dash one of his NFL dreams.
During an interview with Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio and Chris Simms at the Combine, Emmanwori was asked which quarterback he dreamed of picking off.
"My dream would be Lamar Jackson. Getting an interception and probably taking it back to the crib," Emmanwori said.
Jackson also was Emmanwori's answer when he was asked which NFL player would make him starstruck when he saw them in a game or in practice.
Emmanwori, whose impressive showing at the Combine has him rising in the latest wave of mock drafts, named Ravens safety Kyle Hamilton as a player he models his game after.
Two Maryland Wide Receivers Named Potential Targets for Ravens
The Ravens are almost certain to draft a wide receiver, and The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker said Maryland's Tai Felton and Kaden Prather could be targets.
Felton was a first-team All-Big Ten selection last season after making 96 catches for 1,124 yards and nine touchdowns, while Prather had 56 catches for 624 yards and four touchdowns
"Felton, a 6-1, 183-pound long-striding receiver … also scored a 9.60 RAS (Relative Athletic Score) during the scouting combine, which ranked 138th out of 3,408 receivers since 1987," Wacker wrote. "Prather, who started his college career at West Virginia before transferring to Maryland, is bigger at 6-3 1/2 and 204 pounds, but more likely an undrafted free agent target for teams."
Wacker noted that Felton and Prather met with the Ravens and are expected to attend the team's local pro day.
