It has been a mixed start to free agency for the Baltimore Ravens.
The Ravens went in to free agency on a high, with crucial free agent Ronnie Stanley re-signed, as well as Patrick Ricard.
That did mean that cap room would be even tighter for new additions. Since then, it has been understandably tighter, with fewer arrivals than departures.
The only addition is a notable one though, bringing in DeAndre Hopkins.
Key re-signing done
The main news for the Ravens was locking down Stanley, it does come with risk and downside though. Stanley will be 31 next month and not at the peak of his powers.
There is a need to create a succession plan for Stanley. He is an injury liability, but to be fair he started every game in 2024.
It also meant that Baltimore could not afford to retain swing tackle Patrick Mekari.
Stanley’s new contract is a sign of the dearth of talent on the free agent and draft market at tackle.
It does mean that the Ravens are locked in across 80% of the line, barring injuries.
They also have a serviceable in-house replacement at left guard in Andrew Vorhees, with the opportunity to draft a competitor, along with depth without the versatility of Mekari to cover positions across the line.
The signing of DeAndre Hopkins is a big name but a relatively small piece of the offense.
Hopkins provides reliable hands as the fourth or fifth option behind the tight ends.
There was a need to add a WR3, but Hopkins is potentially an expensive luxury compared to necessary starting additions on defense.
Defense still fallible
There remain legitimate concerns on defence. Malik Harrison and Chris Board left, and the Ravens still lack a genuine elite pass rush specialist.
Harrison and Board were not always regular starters on defense, but their departures put pressure on rookies – alongside Tavius Robinson – to perform in their absence from Week 1.
That also is not helped by the expected retirement of Michael Pierce.
Free agent Jonathan Allen would have been tempting but was ultimately too expensive, and this will likely need to be the main area of focus during the draft.
Further back, the loss of Brandon Stephens leaves the Ravens needing help at cornerback, having had struggles beyond Marlon Humphrey and Nate Wiggins in 2024.
TJ Tampa and safety Ar’Darius Washington are the players currently slated as starters, with something to prove in 2025.
Overall, early free agency has gone as expected, with the return of Stanley.
Accounting tricks like backloading and void years leave the Ravens with $11m in cap space to tide them through free agency.
However there are four positions that they will want to improve the starter if possible – LG, LB, CB and SS.
That is not to mention the need to add depth and youth in the trenches and at TE.
