Ravens Receive A- Grade After Week 1 of Free Agency
The Baltimore Ravens knew that there would be personnel changes this offseason, as their salary cap situation, coupled with two key defensive stars, Justin Madubuike and Patrick Queen, both in line for contract extensions, things wouldn't be the same.
As such, Queen left for Baltimore's direct rivals, the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Madubuike was signed to a long-term deal. Other departures were guard John Simpson, running back Gus Edwards, safety Geno Stone, and long-snapper Tyler Ott.
With that sorted, the Ravens also had a rather nice incoming, with former Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry joining Todd Monken's offense.
So there have been some big outgoings, but the Ravens signed a player in Henry who should thrive in their offense.
With the first week of free agency now over, CBS Sports has given the Ravens a rather positive grade for their work thus far.
Grade: A-
"The Ravens retaining one of the NFL's best defensive tackles in Justin Madubuike (four years, $98 million) -- led all DTs in sacks (13.0), QB hits (33) and QB pressures as a three-technique, per Next Gen Stats (38) -- is a great start for the league's top defense," CBS Sports writes. "Swapping out running back Gus Edwards, who has since departed to the other Harbaugh out West with the Los Angeles Chargers, for Derrick "King" Henry (two years, $16 million) is a significant upgrade. Baltimore now has the NFL's most dynamic backfield with him and 2023 NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson. Losing Pro Bowl linebacker Patrick Queen is an adjustment, but the Ravens develop the inside backer as good as anyone in the NFL."
So the Ravens have done reasonably well in free agency, but there are still holes that need to be filled. Perhaps the most pressing is the offensive line. With starting guard Simpson already gone and Kevin Zeitler still a free agent, Baltimore needs to get Lamar Jackson's protection sorted.
Whether that is through free agency with a bargain signing or through a draft that is littered with talented linemen, there are a couple of avenues the Ravens can go down.
As the free agency landscape got off to a blistering start with big-money deals getting signed, the Ravens played slow and didn't overspend when they didn't need to.
Still, with a lot of talent on the roster, general manager Eric DeCosta will no doubt be looking to make another move over the next few days.
But for now, with the work he and the Ravens have done, with an A- grade, the franchise appears to be in good shape as we enter Week 2 of free agency.
