ESPN Predicts Ravens Will Target This Position in Free Agency
The Ravens entered the season with a secondary that was regarded as perhaps the best in the league, but the pass defense struggled during the first half of the season before finishing strong after making personnel changes.
ESPN's Ben Solak predicted Baltimore will revamp the secondary via free agency this offseason.
"The Ravens' age and lack of speed in the secondary nearly swamped their season, and they'll be desperate to avoid a similar trap in 2025," Solak wrote. "They will go after free agent safety Tre'von Moehrig, who had a strong contract year with the Raiders, and Jeremy Chinn (Commanders), who is a great Kyle Hamilton foil, to revitalize the core of their defense."
Moehrig started all 17 games for the Raiders last season, finishing with 104 tackles, 10 passes defended and two interceptions. Chinn, who helped the Commanders reach the NFC Championship game, had 117 tackles and two total interceptions (one in the postseason) in 2024.
ESPN's Jamison Hensley also believes adding a free safety is an offseason priority.
"Ar'Darius Washington has admirably replaced Marcus Williams, who was benched after allowing too many big plays. But Baltimore has a history of adding veteran safeties in free agency, from Eric Weddle to Earl Thomas to Williams," Hensley wrote.
How Ravens View Some of Their Younger Players Impacts Offseason Priorities
Which positions the Ravens will look to upgrade with players outside the organization this offseason will be determined in part by how the team views some of its younger players, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec said.
"[Guard Andrew] Vorhees is a good example of why this question is important," Zrebiec wrote. "If the Ravens believe Vorhees, with another offseason in the weight room and another year removed from knee surgery, will develop into a solid starter, then maybe they don't view guard as that big of a need."
Zrebiec noted that starting left guard Patrick Mekari is an unrestricted free agent, as are backups Josh Jones and Ben Cleveland.
Inside linebacker also is a position the Ravens could look at in terms of making additions.
"If the Ravens are still bullish on the potential of inside linebacker Trenton Simpson, who lost his starting job alongside Roquan Smith in December, then adding another inside linebacker doesn't have to be as high on the list of needs," Zrebiec wrote. "If they're no longer sold on him, then inside linebacker suddenly becomes a major need, particularly with Malik Harrison and Chris Board hitting free agency, too."
General Manager Eric DeCosta said at last week's season-ending press conference that Simpson, a 2023 third-round pick, has a "very bright" future.
"We've seen guys like him have their moments and then end up being really, really good players, and I would expect that," DeCosta said. "This guy's a young, very athletic [player]. He can run; he's very explosive; he has a huge care factor, and it's our job to get that out of him, and I think we will."
Zrebiec named wide receiver Devontez Walker, outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, cornerback T.J. Tampa, and safety Sanoussi Kane as other young players to keep an eye on.
"None of the players will be ticketed for Week 1 starting roles in 2025," Zrebiec wrote. "However, any of them becoming weekly contributors at their respective positions would take some pressure off the decision-makers to add to those spots."
Retaining Todd Monken Is 'Potentially Biggest Move of the Offseason' for Ravens
The Ravens' offseason is off to a terrific start with the team and Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken reportedly finalizing a contract extension.
"This potentially the biggest move of the offseason and it's the first one and it happens before the Super Bowl," Baltimore Beatdown’s Zach Canter wrote. "Just look at 2024's historic offense. In just the second year of Monken's offense, Lamar Jackson unlocked new levels of play and had a career-best year after already winning two MVPs. Keeping Monken and maintaining the continuity as Jackson and the Ravens continue to look to dethrone the Chiefs the AFC is arguably the biggest move they could have made on offense."
Under Monken this season, the Ravens led the league in yards and became the first team in NFL history to throw for at least 4,000 yards and rush for at least 3,000.
Monken reportedly was up for head coaching vacancies with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Chicago Bears, and Las Vegas Raiders, but the teams went in other directions.
"That Baltimore will keep Monken, who will turn 59 next month, is significant for a team that expects to contend for a championship every year and is the first step toward what the organization hopes will be its first Super Bowl appearance since 2013," The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker wrote.
QB Prospect Jalen Milroe Talks About Being Compared to Lamar Jackson
Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, who has been likened to Jackson because of his dual-threat ability, said at yesterday's Senior Bowl press conference that he's obviously flattered by the comparison.
"For someone that aspires to go to the NFL, just seeing as he takes his game to the next level each and every year, him being at the top of the league and him definitely being a top-five quarterback in the NFL, that's inspiring for sure," Milroe said. "As a young quarterback that's aspiring to go to the NFL, that definitely puts a smile to my face and I definitely love watching Lamar. Secretly, I'm actually a Ravens fan. I grew up a Ravens fan, so I pull for the Ravens."
That last comment could end up creating an awkward situation, as the Cleveland Browns have been linked to Monroe in the upcoming draft because of his history with new Browns Offensive Coordinator Tommy Rees, who coached Milroe in 2023 as Alabama's offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
