Ravens' Free Agency Grade; More Losses Than Additions
We're a week into free agency and several teams have turned their rosters into powerhouses - and some have reduced their rosters to rubble.
There are lots of new faces in new places and others returning to the teams they previously called home.
In the AFC North, each team appears to have improved at least slightly, but two look to have improved drastically and should be fighting for the division title at the end of the season.
While the Browns have added depth at quarterback (a big deal with Deshaun Watson starting) and wideout, the team overall looks to be much the same as last season. And the Steelers have turned over the quarterback position, but have they really? While Wilson and Fields - whoever they decide is the starter - will be an improvement over Mason Rudolph and Kenny Pickett, the offensive line is a mess, and neither presumed starter is a top-tier quarterback in the league.
It could be the Bengals and Ravens dueling it out for the AFC North crown at the end of the season.
The Bengals have probably improved the most after a last-place finish in 2023, with key additions like safety Geno Stone, tight end Mike Gesicki and tackle Trent Brown. Quarterback Joe Burrow should be back and healthy, giving the offense a boost.
The Ravens have made tremendous improvements, namely at running back. Baltimore signed Derrick Henry the second day of free agency and also retained some big names on both offense and defense.
SBNation graded the entire AFC North a week into free agency, and the Ravens earned an A-.
Notable additions: RB Derrick Henry
Notable loses: Tyus Bowser (released), Morgan Moses (traded), OG Kevin Zeitler, RB Gus Edwards, DB Geno Stone, WR Devin Duvernay, CB Ronald Darby, LS Tyler Ott, OG John Simpson, LB Del’Shawn Phillips, LB Patrick Queen, QB Tyler Huntley
Notable retentions: WR Nelson Agholor, DT Justin Madubuike (extension), OLB Malik Harrison, DL Brent Urban, QB Josh Johnson, DB Ar’Darius Washington
"The reigning division champions are rarely among the most active teams during the first and sometimes second waves of free agency when it comes to signing outside talent. Occasionally, the Ravens will take a big swing to upgrade a position they believe will take a unit over the top. However, their primary focus and organizational philosophy is to draft, develop, and retain if possible — or flip for a compensatory pick if not."
The Ravens are still the team to beat in the AFC North and might have crept up on Kansas City as the best in the conference. Come September, we'll see.
