With free agency well underway, let’s take a look into how one of the most polarizing teams in the NFL has done. It was clear coming into the offseason that the Baltimore Ravens needed to improve in the trenches (OL and DL), add a playmaker to the secondary, and bolster the pass rush. So far, the Ravens’ offseason has gone mostly according to plan.
Morgan Moses
The Ravens filled the hole at RT with this signing, inking Moses to a three-year, $15 million deal. While he is not a star, Moses is extremely durable (113 straight games played) and consistent. Two qualities that the Ravens desperately need on an offensive line that was in constant shuffle last season. Moses was also a bargain signing as he was expected to get around $7.7 million a year and the Ravens snagged him at $5 million a year.
Michael Pierce
Welcome back to Baltimore! Michael Pierce spent his first four seasons (2016-2019) with the Ravens. By signing him to a three-year, $16.5 million contract, the Ravens have found their replacement for Brandon Williams. While not as dominant against the run, Pierce is much more versatile at getting after the quarterback, a quality the Ravens were lacking last season. So long as he can stay on the field (seven missed games last season) this should prove to be an excellent signing.
Marcus Williams
Baltimore welcomes Marcus Williams with a five-year, $70 million contract. This has been without a doubt the biggest and most important signing to date. Williams has intercepted almost as many passes (15) as all of the Ravens’ safeties combined (19) over the past four seasons. This signing gives the Ravens arguably the most talented secondary in the entire NFL (pairing him with Marlon Humphrey, Marcus Peters, and Chuck Clark). After giving up a franchise-record 31 touchdown passes, and 32 passes of 20 or more yards, signing this young star is an fantastic move by Baltimore.
Patrick Ricard
Project Pat is back on a three-year deal worth about $4 million per season. Ricard has been an integral piece in Baltimore’s NFL-leading rushing attack (180.5 yards per game over the past three seasons). It was vital that the Ravens brought him back, and everybody can be thankful that they did.
What’s Next?
After getting spurned by Za’Darius Smith (he reportedly agreed to a contract with the Ravens, then backed out and joined the Minnesota Vikings) the Ravens need to address their pass rush. Additionally, rumors are swirling around after Bobby Wagner visited the Ravens. This should be priority number 1 for Baltimore as Wagner would tremendously help the Ravens on and off the field.
