Grading the Ravens’ 2024 free agent additions

In terms of roster building, the Baltimore Ravens lean extra on the NFL Draft to replenish their ranks on either side of the ball. They foundationally don’t consider in investing extra assets into different groups’ free brokers, preferring to re-sign their very own homegrown expertise and defend their projected compensatory picks.

Underneath basic supervisor Eric DeCosta, the Ravens have made at the very least one notable exterior veteran addition annually and supplemented the roster with less-heralded skilled gamers earlier than and after the draft. This 12 months was no exception and with the 2024 season within the books and the beginning of the brand new league 12 months a bit over a month away, it’s time to mirror on the Ravens free agent class from final 12 months and assign grades.

RB Derrick Henry — Signed a two-year, $16 million dealGrade: A+++

Picture by Michael Owens/Getty Photos

If it weren’t for Saquon Barkley actually working the Philadelphia Eagles to the Tremendous Bowl, the Ravens’ five-time Professional Bowl newcomer would’ve been the unquestioned most impactful free-agent addition of any group within the NFL. However, Henry’s contributions to the success of the 2024 Ravens have been transformative. Whereas they’ve fielded dominant speeding assaults since Lamar Jackson turned the full-time starter in 2018, having a transcendent expertise at working again took their floor recreation to an unwitnessed territory.

Henry completed second (behind Barkley) in speeding makes an attempt (325), yards (1,921) and yards per recreation (113). He additionally tied for probably the most speeding touchdowns (16), second-most complete touchdowns (18) and led all working backs in yards per carry (5.9).

LB/ST Chris Board — Signed a one-year, $1.292 million dealGrade: A

Picture by Cooper Neill/Getty Photos

Reuniting with the previous undrafted gem they unearthed again in 2018 proved to be extra fruitful than the Ravens might’ve hoped after they introduced him again. Not solely did he proceed to be an ace on a number of particular groups items however Board carved out a rotational position for himself on protection. He joined forces with fellow veteran Malik Harrison to supplant second-year professional Trenton Simpson within the beginning lineup subsequent to three-time Professional Bowler Roquan Smith. He recorded 30 complete tackles, together with two for a loss, a sack, a quarterback hit, a fumble restoration and a go breakup. Board will probably be one of many prime candidates to be re-signed due to what he brings in two phases and his projected market worth per Spotrac is simply $1.9 million.

I’ve been fairly a vocal supporter of Chris Board for a while, and would like to see him stick round for a short while longer!

You don’t hear a lot from him, he will get his head down and performs soccer. One of many unsung heroes of the protection! #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/bQIhWolAbt

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) January 27, 2025

OT Josh Jones — Signed a one-year, $1.79 million dealGrade: B-

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The fifth-year veteran was introduced in to supply high quality depth at a number of offensive line spots and function the first backup to two-time Professional Bowl left sort out Ronnie Stanley, who was coming off one other injury-plagued 2023 season.

Fortunately, Jones’ providers weren’t wanted due to the superb general well being of the Ravens offensive line in 2024. Stanley performed in each single recreation for the primary time in his profession and had a resurgent season. Jones solely noticed the sphere for 46 offensive snaps within the common season and one other 18 mixed within the playoffs. Most of his motion on offense got here in jumbo formations as an additional blocker or rather than Stanley on the finish of some lopsided victories.

The Ravens put a sixth OL on the sphere for 15 snaps and POUNDED the rock with Josh Jones as an inline blocker.

Jones with the NASTY combo to create displacement of the 3t then cleanly flips his hips and seals the linebacker on this Derrick Henry landing.

BIG BOY FOOTBALL! pic.twitter.com/yh2W7Bhvng

— Spencer Schultz (@ravens4dummies) January 14, 2025

Simply because he wasn’t wanted a lot attributable to circumstance, it doesn’t imply bringing him in wasn’t a feather in DeCosta’s cap. High quality depth within the trenches is difficult to search out on both facet of the ball and having Jones prepared on the drop of a hat was a beneficial asset. Hopefully, the Ravens can carry him again to serve in the identical position or as a veteran insurance coverage possibility forward of the draft in case they aren’t in a position to retain Stanley.

WR/ST Deonte Harty — Signed a one-year, $1.29 million dealGrade: D

Picture by Patrick Smith/Getty Photos

The previous First Crew All-Professional was signed forward of the 2024 NFL Draft to switch two-time Professional Bowl return specialist Devin Duvernay, who they let stroll in free company. Sadly, accidents and off-field adversity restricted him to simply 5 regular-season appearances within the first six weeks and he spent the rest of the season on injured reserve regardless of returning to follow late within the season.

Harty didn’t log a single contact from scrimmage on any of the six offensive snaps however he did handle to document 85 punt return yards on eight makes an attempt with a protracted of 16 and 98 kick return yards on 4 makes an attempt with a protracted of 31. Had he been wholesome and obtainable your complete season, this low-risk transfer would’ve probably yielded extra of a return on their minimal funding however his absence was sorely felt at occasions because the Ravens struggled to search out consistency on the punt returner position particularly.

DB Eddie Jackson — Signed a one-year, $1.5 million dealGrade: F

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By DeCosta’s personal admission, this transfer was a whiff. Whereas he acknowledged the worth of including the previous two-time Professional Bowler, in his end-of-season presser, DeCosta mentioned he didn’t totally bear in mind how Jackson would really feel about enjoying a lesser position. The Ravens’ protection regularly desires to deploy a number of safeties to unleash the total extent of two-time Professional Bowler Kyle Hamilton’s numerous ability set.

Jackson wasn’t simply disgruntled however underwhelming when on the sphere, failing to supply the identical ball-hawking menace the group misplaced when Geno Stone departed in free company and that made him a family title earlier in his profession with the Chicago Bears. He appeared in 9 video games, made 4 begins, and was inactive for 2 video games earlier than being waived on November 23.

Throughout his stint with the group, he recorded 30 complete tackles together with one for a loss, a quarterback hit, one go breakup and at the very least two dropped interceptions in the identical recreation that would’ve helped the Ravens keep away from their stunning Week 8 upset loss to the Cleveland Browns. He additionally gave up a pair of late touchdowns in the identical recreation.

CB Ka’Dar Hollman — Signed a one-year, $1.055 million dealGrade: D

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The Ravens sometimes don’t signal a participant of Hollman’s lackluster pedigree till after the compensatory choose deadline has handed however they went out of their option to carry him in earlier than final 12 months’s draft in late March. He has primarily been a particular groups contributor all through his profession and that didn’t change in Baltimore or final lengthy. Hollman didn’t make the ultimate roster however the group used up his three follow squad elevations within the first three weeks and he recorded an assisted sort out within the season opener. The Ravens didn’t worth him sufficient to signal him to the lively roster and he landed with the Houston Texans. Though they may’ve used one other veteran presence on particular groups because the unit struggled with self-discipline and consistency in the course of the first three-quarters of the season, he clearly didn’t provide sufficient worth as a viable depth possibility on protection to warrant preserving round.