Ravens Rise to No. 1 in Post-Free Agency Power Rankings
The Ravens didn't make the most moves or the splashiest ones during the first week of free agency, but there isn't a better team on paper right now, according to two outlets.
Pro Football Focus and Pro Football Network put the Ravens at No. 1 in their post-free agency power rankings.
"After falling short of capitalizing on a historic season from Lamar Jackson, the Ravens made two critical moves — retaining talent and addressing a glaring offensive hole," PFF’s Mason Cameron wrote. "They re-signed Ronnie Stanley, the top pending free-agent tackle, and added veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins to bolster the passing attack.
"With a strong defensive foundation and an offense led by the highest-graded quarterback and running back tandem in the NFL, Baltimore is positioned to take the next step in the postseason."
Pro Football Network’s Kyle Soppe wrote: "PFSN's QB+ metric projected Lamar Jackson to repeat as MVP last season. While he ultimately didn't win the award, he remains one of the most impactful quarterbacks in the league. In his first season with Derrick Henry, Jackson led an offense that paced the league in yards per play — and by a wide margin. The Baltimore Ravens were 9.7% better per play than any other team. They moved to sustain that success by re-signing Ronnie Stanley and Patrick Ricard while adding DeAndre Hopkins to an already potent offense.
"Jackson was backed by the eighth-ranked defense, which peaked down the stretch. If that unit can build on its late-season success, there's no reason to think this team won't be playing in February."
Meanwhile, NFL.com’s Eric Edholm updated his post-Super Bowl power rankings. The Ravens moved up two spots to No. 3, trailing only the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles and AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs.
"The Ravens were already an offseason winner for me when they retained left tackle Ronnie Stanley," Edholm wrote. "I'm not quite as enamored with Stanley as others are, but there's no doubting his value to this team – and the replacement options weren't great. The DeAndre Hopkins signing was a nice little surprise, even if the 32-year-old is going to have some quiet games these days. Even the Cooper Rush signing was a smart addition, giving the team one of the stronger backups in the NFL and another layer of insurance after Lamar Jackson.
"Most of the band is back together, and the Ravens should be right up there among the elites in the league."
Mel Kiper Jr. Mocks Another Safety to Ravens in First Round
In Mel Kiper Jr.'s latest mock draft, the ESPN draft analyst again has the Ravens selecting a safety, but it's a different one than in his previous mock.
This time it's Georgia's Malaki Starks. Last month, Kiper mocked South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori to Baltimore at No. 27, but he now has Emmanwori, who had an impressive showing at the Scouting Combine, going 18th overall to the Seattle Seahawks.
"I actually have Starks ranked slightly ahead of Nick Emmanwori as the top safety in the class, even though the Ravens get Starks nine picks after Emmanwori was selected in this scenario," Kiper wrote.
Kiper said Starks would help cut down the number of big plays the Ravens' secondary gave up last season.
"It allowed 58 plays for 20 or more yards this past season, third most in the NFL, and Baltimore hasn't added a defensive back [in free agency]," Kiper wrote. "But Starks has the skill set to thrive alongside Kyle Hamilton from the back end. Starks closes well to break up passes and stop the run, and he can be used over the slot, if necessary."
Three Free Agents Who Would Fit Ravens
With Week 2 of free agency under way, The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec identified 10 available players who would be good fits for the Ravens. Here's a look at three:
ILB C.J. Mosley
"Mosley was released by the New York Jets last week, and there were immediate questions about whether he could be an option for Baltimore, given the Ravens' need for a starting inside linebacker to pair with Roquan Smith. It makes sense. The Ravens love Mosley, who made the Pro Bowl four times in five seasons after Baltimore drafted him in the 2014 first round.
"Ravens Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr played alongside Mosley. The 32-year-old probably won't be too expensive, as the Jets still owe him roughly $4.5 million. However, Baltimore would have to be comfortable with where he's at health-wise. He played in only four games last year because of toe and neck injuries."
CB Asante Samuel Jr.
"There just isn't a lot left on the free-agent cornerback market, and the Ravens' depth chart at the position suggests they need to look at everything. Samuel played just four games last year because of a bad shoulder. He's an undersized corner (5-foot-10, 180 pounds), and tackling isn't his strength. But he has strong coverage skills and gets his hands on a ton of footballs. In his first three NFL seasons, he totaled six interceptions and 35 pass breakups. That's a lot of ball production."
S Justin Simmons
"For a second straight offseason, Simmons is looking for work. A two-time Pro Bowler with 32 career interceptions, Simmons is not coming off a particularly good year with the Atlanta Falcons. He had just two interceptions, his fewest since 2017, and his 19.8 percent missed tackle rate was the second highest among regular safeties. The 31-year-old does have a track record, and the Ravens could use an experienced safety with a history of taking the ball away."
Analyst Says Ravens and Hopkins Are Perfect Marriage
The Ravens continue to garner praise for the shrewd signing of Hopkins to a one-year deal with a reported maximum value of $6 million.
NFL.com analyst Bucky Brooks included the Ravens' acquisition of Hopkins on his list of five perfect free-agency pairings.
"The Ravens finally secured a WR3 with the tools to flourish as a complementary weapon on the perimeter," Brooks wrote. "As a sticky-fingered playmaker with a knack for winning 50/50 balls down the boundary, Hopkins gives Lamar Jackson a reliable pass catcher to target when opponents load the box to stop Derrick Henry and lean the safety in Zay Flowers' direction to limit big plays.
"Despite coming off a down year in which, at the age of 33, he lost some speed and quickness, the perennial Pro Bowler is a ball magnet with the size and leaping ability to expand the strike zone for the two-time MVP."
Chiefs color analyst Danan Hughes, who saw Hopkins in action with Kansas City last season, discussed what the Ravens are getting in the five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver during an appearance on “Glenn Clark Radio.”
"If there's one area that you can still count on him to be productive, it's the red zone," Hughes said. "He had an amazing catch on 'Monday Night Football' against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You know exactly what you're going to get from him.
"The short passing game, I can envision Hopkins with Lamar Jackson and his running ability. Imagine a linebacker having to face Lamar Jackson at the line of scrimmage while DeAndre Hopkins is running a shallow cross. Who do you guard and basically pick your poison?"
Hughes also credited Hopkins for his leadership.
"He filled in a role you needed him to, and that's not just on the field in production, but in the locker room as well, mentoring guys like Xavier Worthy," Hughes said. "I think that's where guys around the Ravens organization should be happy about getting Hopkins. He'll hold receivers accountable and even Lamar Jackson."
Ravens Urged Not to Ignore This Position in Draft
PFF’s Bradley Locker identified one mistake each team should avoid in the draft. For the Ravens, it's eschewing the interior offensive line.
"Guard/tackle Patrick Mekari signed with the Jaguars, and projected starting right guard Daniel Faalele recorded only a 61.8 PFF overall grade last season," Locker wrote. "Considering that Ravens guards ranked just 26th in PFF overall grade in 2024, Baltimore must add some immediate starters next to recent extension recipient Ronnie Stanley.
"While Baltimore could be enticed by someone like Tyler Booker or Grey Zabel in the first round, there should be plenty of viable starters in the later rounds to protect Lamar Jackson and pave lanes for Derrick Henry."
Faalele's PFF grade notwithstanding, the 2022 fourth-rounder improved throughout the 2024 season and was named a Pro Bowl alternate.
As for replacing Mekari as the starting left guard, Andrew Vorhees started there the first three games in 2024 before suffering an ankle injury, and he'll be looking to reclaim the role.
The Ravens have already added depth at guard by re-signing Ben Cleveland, and they undoubtedly will further bolster the position in the draft and/or free agency.
