Ravens Earn High Grade for First Three Days of Free Agency
General Manager Eric DeCosta has proved true to his word when he said three weeks ago that the Ravens weren't going to "make a lot of splashes" in free agency and would stick to their "right player, right price" mantra.
However, just because they haven't made a flurry of splashy moves doesn't mean the Ravens haven't prospered this week.
CBS Sports graded each team after the first three days of free agency, and the Ravens earned a B. Only six teams had a higher mark.
The Ravens made their most impactful move days before the start of free agency by re-signing Pro Bowl left tackle Ronnie Stanley to a three-year deal reportedly worth $60 million.
"For a minute, it looked like Ronnie Stanley was going to hit the open market, creating an even tougher avenue for the Ravens to retain him," CBS Sports' Tyler Sullivan, Garrett Podell, and Jordan Dajani wrote. "However, the club was able to strike a deal with the star left tackle before the negotiating window opened up, which was a major win for the Baltimore front office.
"The team did lose versatile offensive lineman Patrick Mekari and cornerback Brandon Stephens, but being able to keep Lamar Jackson's blindside protected makes those departures sting a bit less."
The Ravens' biggest outside free-agent signing thus far is a significant one, as they reportedly agreed to terms with wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million. The five-time Pro Bowler is a strong complement to young receivers Zay Flowers and Rashod Bateman.
"Hopkins is an interesting addition to the Ravens' receivers room," Sullivan, Podell, and Dajani wrote. "He's not the same All-Pro player he once was, but he's absolutely reliable."
The Ravens also reportedly re-signed fullback Patrick Ricard and wide receiver Tylan Wallace, and agreed to terms with special teams ace and veteran linebacker Jake Hummel. Those signings won't make national headlines, but all three players have value.
Ricard's ability to open holes is a key ingredient in the running game's success. Wallace adds depth at wide receiver and is a special teams standout. Hummel provides depth at inside linebacker and helps fill a void on special teams with Chris Board and Malik Harrison departing in free agency.
Daniel Faalele, Ar'Darius Washington Rewarded for 2024 Performances
Right guard Daniel Faalele and safety Ar'Darius Washington earned significant pay raises for their strong performances last season. They both were among the top 15 performance-based pay earners, which was announced by the league Wednesday.
Faalele was No. 4 with $1.035 million in performance-based pay, and Washington was No. 14 with $876,554. The performance-based pay program compensates players based on playing time and salary.
Faalele, a 2022 fourth-round pick, won the starting right guard job out of training camp, played nearly every offensive snap in every game, and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
Washington, signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021, started the final 10 games in 2024 and was a key ingredient in the defense's resurgence.
Washington, a restricted free agent, received a right-of-first-refusal tender from the Ravens Wednesday. While he can still negotiate with any other team, the Ravens have the right to match an offer.
In 2023, then-Ravens guard John Simpson led all players in performance-based pay.
Rod Woodson Makes All-Time Free-Agency Team
One of the Ravens' best signings in free agency occurred when the franchise was still in its infancy, and the addition played a significant role in helping the team win its first Super Bowl.
Fox Sports’ Ralph Vacchiano named his All-Time Free Agency Team, and Rod Woodson was the choice at safety. Woodson signed a four-year deal with Baltimore in 1998.
"He built a Hall of Fame career with 10 outstanding seasons in Pittsburgh. But when he ended up in Baltimore at age 33, some of the best was yet to come," Vacchiano wrote. "He had 13 interceptions in his first two seasons with the Ravens, returning four of them for touchdowns, with 20 interceptions in four years overall. He made the Pro Bowl three times and helped the defense lead them to their franchise's first Super Bowl championship."
