Pundit Names His Favorite Free-Agency Move for Ravens
As the second week of free agency nears its conclusion, Pro Football Focus’ Mason Cameron took stock of the transactions made by all 32 teams and identified his favorite and least favorite move for each.
Signing five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins was the move he liked the most for Baltimore.
"Giving Lamar Jackson another dynamic target was a savvy move from General Manager Eric DeCosta," Cameron wrote. "Although Hopkins' prime is in the rearview as he enters his age-33 season, he is still a reliable weapon coming off a 78.1 PFF receiving grade during his time in Kansas City last season. The reliable veteran offers the size and playmaking ability on the outside that Baltimore's offense needed to better complement the skill sets of Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman."
The signing looks even better when considering the price the Ravens paid for Hopkins. The one-year deal is reportedly worth $5 million (fully guaranteed) and up to $6 million with incentives. Prior to the start of free agency, PFF projected Hopkins' contract at two years, $20 million, with $10 guaranteed.
As for Cameron's least favorite move for the Ravens? He didn't have one.
"Even without significant spending power this free-agent cycle, the Ravens managed to take a measured approach to delving out contracts and still made a notable splash, adding key contributors at two of their projected biggest positional needs this offseason," Cameron wrote.
Presumably, the other big move Cameron is referring to is the re-signing of left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year deal reportedly worth $60 million before he reached the open market. Some pundits have named that their favorite move of any team this offseason.
ESPN Writer Changes His Grade on Stanley Signing
Speaking of Stanley, ESPN's Seth Walder revisited his initial grade on the signing and determined that he should've given it a higher mark.
Walder changed his original B+ grade to an A.
"I was overly focused on his injury history and not what I wrote in the first two sentences of my analysis -- that the Ravens had to bring back Stanley and were fortunate this contract didn't cost them more," Walder wrote. "There is risk in retaining Stanley, no doubt. But there were no great options at tackle, and one has to look no further than the Chiefs, who settled for paying Jaylon Moore, a former backup with poor metrics, $15 million per year to see that.
"Protecting Lamar Jackson is paramount for the Ravens, and to get Stanley back at only $20 million per year and $44 million guaranteed is basically a bargain considering the alternatives."
Free Agent Guards Ravens Could Consider
The departure of starting right guard Patrick Mekari in free agency has created a void at the position.
Andrew Vorhees, who won the job out of training camp last year and played well before an ankle injury sidelined him, could reclaim the role, but the Ravens also might look to sign a veteran.
The Baltimore Sun’s Brian Wacker listed Dalton Risner and former Raven Trystan Colon as potential options.
"Baltimore isn't going to invest big money on the interior of its line, but the former starter for the Denver Broncos and Vikings could provide insurance and experience to a line that at the moment does not have a lot of either," Wacker wrote. "He rates well as a pass blocker in particular with his 76.2 PFF grade last season ranking 13th among all guards. Risner, who will turn 30 in July, also didn't allow a sack or commit a penalty in 2024.
"Like Risner, Colon would come cheap. A former undrafted free agent, he also spent his first three years in the league in Baltimore as a backup center and appeared in 20 games during that span. With the Arizona Cardinals the past two years, he has played primarily as a left guard but has logged time at right guard as well. His PFF grade of 71 in 2024 ranked 18th among guards."
ESPN's Bill Barnwell named the Ravens as an ideal fit for former Cardinal Will Hernandez and former Chicago Bear Teven Jenkins.
"Hernandez is coming off an abbreviated campaign, as the 29-year-old suffered a knee injury in Week 5 and missed the rest of the season," Barnwell wrote. "Without access to his medicals, it's unclear whether he is on track to play in Week 1. Before the injury, Hernandez had quietly emerged as one of the league's best guards.
"As a free agent who would qualify for a compensatory pick, teams might be waiting to sign him after June 1, when his medical status should be clearer and he won't count against his new team's compensatory formula."
Regarding Jenkins, Barnwell wrote: "Offensive coordinators are desperate for competent offensive linemen, and Jenkins ranked 33rd in pass block win rate and 44th in run block win rate among guards last season. He stayed healthy for a career-high 14 games and committed only four penalties. At 27, he will be in the prime of his career over the next few years, and there are going to be teams that believe the 6-foot-6 lineman will benefit from getting out of Chicago and away from a dysfunctional offense."
Jeff Zrebiec Mocks Texas Cornerback to Ravens
Cornerback is viewed as one of the Ravens' top needs entering next month's draft, and Jeff Zrebiec addressed the position in The Athletic's latest NFL beat writers mock draft.
Zrebiec mocked Texas' Jahdae Barron to Baltimore in the first round.
"Tennessee edge rusher James Pearce Jr., Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen and Texas offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. were all tempting here, but the Ravens play in a division with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, DK Metcalf, George Pickens and Jerry Jeudy," Zrebiec wrote. "Quality cornerback play is essential and Baltimore only has four corners on its roster.
"Barron, who had five interceptions last year, can immediately slide into the slot with Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins playing outside. Ravens decision-makers talk a lot at this time of year about relying on the tape and Barron's is very good."
