Five Biggest Free Agency Moves: Baltimore Ravens
With free agency now into its fourth week as April’s Draft draws closer, it’s time to start reviewing which teams filled some needs and who got weaker. Here are the five biggest free agency moves for each team so far.
After an 8–8 season, the pressure is on Baltimore to improve. Injuries have been a factor over the past couple of years, but the Ravens haven’t been to the playoffs or had a winning season since 2014. With the Steelers still the team to beat, the Ravens need to reload around Joe Flacco. Here are Baltimore’s five biggest free agency moves:
1 — Re-signing Brandon Williams
Williams was one of the best defensive tackles set to hit free agency, so the Ravens made sure he returned to Baltimore on a five year, $54 million deal. Williams anchored the league’s fifth best run defense last season and allows Baltimore to remain stout against the ground game; especially important in an AFC North division that features some strong running backs.
2 — Signing Tony Jefferson
After signing former Chargers safety Eric Weddle to a four year, $26 million contract last off-season, Baltimore needed a new starting strong safety to play alongside him. Enter former Cardinals safety Tony Jefferson, who signed a four year, $36 million deal to join the Ravens. Jefferson has developed into one of the league’s best strong safeties after going undrafted in 2013. Jefferson was a dual-threat playmaker in Arizona last season, with two sacks and five passes defensed. He should improve Baltimore’s run defense as well as being an enforcer in the passing game, and is an upgrade over Matt Elam.
3 — Signing Brandon Carr
The Ravens have struggled for years to find another corner to play across from Jimmy Smith. The disappointing Lardarius Webb has been released and April’s Draft is deep for defensive backs. But finding another veteran contributor in the secondary will be vital, so Baltimore signed former Cowboys corner Brandon Carr to a four year, $24 million deal. Carr is a solid contributor who has never missed a game in his ten year career. Last year he recorded his first interception since 2013, but also had nine pass breakups.
4 — A reshuffled offensive line
Promising young right tackle Ricky Wagner signed with Detroit, while veteran center Jeremy Zuttah was traded to the 49ers for a swap of sixth round picks. Last year’s first rounder Ronnie Stanley can fill a tackle spot, while veteran Eugene Monroe takes the other. Promising young centers Ryan Jensen and John Urschel should stand in for Zuttah.
5 — Signing Danny Woodhead
Ozzie Newsome continues to find veteran contributors, signing former Chargers running back Danny Woodhead to a three year, $8.8 million deal. Woodhead is coming off an ACL injury but is a good pass catcher out of the backfield and gives Flacco a reliable safety valve on third down. Woodhead had 80 catches for 755 yards and one touchdown in 2015; his last full season.
