Ravens Predicted to Pursue Raiders Safety in Free Agency
With the start of free agency just days away, pundits continue to play matchmaker.
The Athletic's Mike Jones made one free-agent target prediction for every team. He believes the Ravens will pursue Raiders safety Tre'von Moehrig.
"The Ravens have decisions to make with a number of their own players, including left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who is set to hit free agency," Jones wrote. "But as far as outside free agents go, they need help in their secondary, where a lack of speed and impact plays hampered their efforts. Moehrig would fill a big need at free safety after racking up 104 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions for the Raiders last season."
It's widely believed the Ravens will add a safety to allow All-Pro Kyle Hamilton to return to his "Swiss Army Knife" role after playing the second half of last season as more of a traditional safety.
A number of mock drafts have the Ravens selecting a safety in the first round. As far as free agency, Moehrig and Jevon Holland are regarded as the top options.
Moehrig, a 2021 second-round pick who has started 64 games over four seasons with the Raiders, is ranked as the 11th-best free agent overall by ESPN's Matt Bowen.
"An ascending player, Moehrig notched five interceptions and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons," Bowen wrote. "He had five tackles for loss in 2024. He has the range to play from depth, and he is a tone-setter on contact when he spins down into the front."
Moehrig is ranked 20th overall by NFL Network’s Gregg Rosenthal, who wrote: "I send a rough draft of my list to some of the smartest people I know in the business to ask for their outliers. More than one said Moehrig could not be placed high enough."
Pundit Says Darius Slay and Ravens Are Perfect Free-Agent Match
The Ravens are expected to bolster their cornerback depth this offseason, and Pro Football Focus’ Bradley Locker said veteran Darius Slay would be the perfect signing for them.
"While he likely won't be on the market until after June 1, Slay is a strong match for Baltimore's defensive structure," Locker wrote. "In Defensive Coordinator Zach Orr's first year calling the shots, the Ravens played Cover 1 on 23.8% of coverage snaps, the ninth-highest rate in the league. As part of a broader bounce-back 2024 campaign, Slay was strong in Cover 1: His 67.9 PFF coverage grade in the single-high man look ranked 10th among qualified cornerbacks. Likewise, Slay was effective in zone, as reflected by his 76.8 PFF coverage grade in that scheme.
"Given that he's 34 and a bit more inconsistent on a yearly basis, Slay figures to be a relatively cheap but savvy addition for a contender after the draft. The veteran would fit Orr's bunch well and wouldn't stop the Ravens from still targeting a cornerback in the first few rounds of the draft."
As noted in Late for Work earlier this week, Slay nearly signed with the Ravens two years ago before he re-signed with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Jeff Zrebiec Ranks Ravens' Biggest Offseason Needs
The Athletic's Jeff Zrebiec ranked the Ravens' 10 biggest needs heading into the start of the new league year. Here are the top three:
Offensive tackle
"If the Ravens can't re-sign Stanley, one of the league's top pending free agents, they could move Roger Rosengarten to left tackle after he started on the right side as a rookie. But who then plays right tackle? With Patrick Mekari also hitting free agency, who is Baltimore's swing tackle? The only other tackle under contract is Corey Bullock, an undrafted free agent who spent his rookie season on the practice squad."
Cornerback
"Marlon Humphrey, a four-time Pro Bowler, and Nate Wiggins, who had a strong rookie year, are a nice duo, but the Ravens need another potential starter on the outside to replace [free agent] Brandon Stephens and more depth in the slot. As it is, T.J. Tampa, a fourth-round pick last year who played sparingly as a rookie because of injuries, should get an opportunity to seize a bigger role. Jalyn Armour-Davis might be counted on as well if he can stay healthy."
Edge rusher
"On paper, this has the makings of a solid group, particularly if David Ojabo or Adisa Isaac gives them consistent play. However, it's a bit of a volatile mix that feels short term. Kyle Van Noy, Odafe Oweh and Ojabo are all in the final year of their deals. The soon-to-be 34-year-old Van Noy brought up his contract on a few occasions this offseason after he thoroughly outperformed it last season. Will the Ravens sweeten the pot to make sure he returns? Barring a contract extension in the coming months, Oweh will be playing for his next contract as well. Ojabo, who has four sacks in three seasons, will likely start training camp on the roster bubble. The Ravens have both present and future considerations here."
Derrick Henry Acquisition Ranked Second-Best Free-Agent Signing of 2024
The Ravens traditionally don't make a ton of moves in free agency, but the ones they do make are impactful.
There's no better example than the acquisition of running back Derrick Henry, which Sports Illustrated’s Matt Verderame ranked as the second-best free-agent signing of 2024, only behind the Eagles acquiring Saquon Barkley.
"Henry and the Ravens agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal last offseason and the union became one of the more successful between any player and team in the NFL," Verderame wrote. "Henry earned All-Pro honors by rushing for 1,921 yards, narrowly missing out on his second 2,000-yard season, something no player has ever done before.
"Henry was the engine of Baltimore's offense, leading it to the AFC North title. He also scored 16 rushing touchdowns while averaging a spectacular 5.9 yards per carry. The question now is whether the Ravens will extend Henry past his age-31 season with his contract set to expire following the 2025 campaign."
General Manager Eric DeCosta indicated at the Scouting Combine last week that he's interested in extending Henry.
Quick Hits
Yesterday's Most Read: Late for Work: Chiefs to Reportedly Target Ronnie Stanley If He Hits the Open Market
- Nose tackle Michael Pierce was No. 8 in PFF’s interior defender rankings for the 2024 season.
