GM Eric DeCosta has replaced Ozzie Newsome
When DeCosta finally got his opportunity to run the team after longtime general manager Ozzie Newsome retired, he knew he had big shoes to fill. After his first offseason (and regular season), it’s safe to say Baltimore is in good hands.
DeCosta nailed his first draft, drafting wide receiver Marquise Brown in the first round and nabbing falling talent like linebacker Jaylon Ferguson and wide receiver Miles Boykin. In free agency, DeCosta used his cap space to sign Earl Thomas to upgrade at free safety. He also had arguably the biggest steal of the offseason signing running back Mark Ingram to a three year, $15 million dollar deal.
DeCosta didn’t just make moves in the offseason but quickly assessed holes in the roster and signed key contributors in the middle of the season. He let go of outside linebacker Tim Williams, signing inside linebackers Josh Bynes and L.J. Fort as well as defensive tackles Domata Peko and Justin Ellis. All helped Baltimore’s defense make a complete turnaround from the beginning of the season to the unit that finished in Week 17.
But DeCosta’s best work came during a regular-season trade for cornerback Marcus Peters. The Ravens sent struggling linebacker Kenny Young and a fifth-round pick to the Los Angeles Rams for Peters, eventually signing the All-Pro cornerback to a three-year extension later in the season.
With all of these moves, DeCosta solidified and stabilized the defense while not overreacting. He could have easily traded two first-round picks for then-Jaguars cornerback Jalen Ramsey but instead traded for what ended up being the far more productive and likely cheaper player in Peters.
In between all the new additions to the roster, DeCosta has made a point to focus on retaining the homegrown talent. He’s locked up nine different players ahead of free agency, signing some a full year early. It’s paid off by making free agency more manageable while getting some salary-cap savings as well.
If last year was any indication, Baltimore has found their guy. The saying is “In Ozzie we trust” but now it might have to be edited to say, “In EDC we believe.”