Tag: Baltimore Ravens free agents

Calais Campbell: Ravens are ‘a great opportunity’ and gave me a ‘chance to win’

Though he said he could have earned more money elsewhere, Calais Campbell said it was the Baltimore Ravens’ potential that got him to sign

[jwplayer 7OkHTDSV-ThvAeFxT]

The Baltimore Ravens’ prized acquisition this offseason came via a trade with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Defensive end Calais Campbell was the first part of the Ravens’ eventual plan to solidify their defensive line while bringing pass-rushing acumen to help outside linebacker Matthew Judon get to the quarterback.

Much like fellow offseason addition, Derek Wolfe, Baltimore contending for a Super Bowl has Campbell excited.

“Baltimore is a great opportunity for me,” Campbell said on the Rapsheet and Friends podcast. “On the football field, it’s very obvious. The team is 14-2, young and talented, full of potential. I know I bring some good things in that can add some value and hopefully get over the hump and go out there and hoist the Lombardi Trophy a year from now.”

Campbell said the trade was contingent on getting a contract extension done and it had to be done pretty quickly. While Campbell said his agent believed he could get more money elsewhere, it was winning that was his ultimate goal.

“I told him [Campbell’s agent] that ‘my main goal was to have a chance to win'”

Campbell hasn’t been on many winning teams in his 12 years in the NFL. He spent three years with the Jaguars with only one winning season that ended at the conference championship. Campbell’s nine years with the Arizona Cardinals had more opportunities but he still wasn’t able to get over the hump, losing Super bowl XLIII to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In Baltimore, Campbell will be joining a team that was 14-2 last season and is one of the favorites to win Super Bowl LV. As he noted, hopefully the revamping of the defensive line with Campbell at the head of it will be enough to push the Ravens the rest of the way.

[vertical-gallery id=44750]

Ravens find comfortable spot behind Chiefs in TD Wire’s offseason power rankings

The Ravens have retooled their defensive line to remedy what got them kicked out of the playoffs and it has them sitting pretty for 2020.

[jwplayer J41erS98-ThvAeFxT]

We know how the 2019 season ended and now with the first big wave of free agency over, we have a clear look at how teams are shaping up for 2020. With the top free agents now off the market, the NFL pecking order might have changed a little bit from the last time everyone was in pads. For the Baltimore Ravens, they stay about the same.

Mark Schofield of Touchdown Wire put together his mid-free agency power rankings and the Ravens sit in the second spot behind the Kansas City Chiefs. It’s the same second-place they finished the 2019 season with.

Though the power rankings were made when Baltimore still had a deal with Michael Brockers, the change out to Derek Wolfe likely doesn’t impact that very much. As we covered in our look at how Wolfe will impact the defensive line and in our instant analysis of the signing, Wolfe might end up being a better value in the end.

Overall, Schofield pointed out the Ravens made clear moves to shore up their run defense and help out outside linebacker Matthew Judon as a solid strategy to this offseason, especially with how they exited the playoffs last season.

It is always fascinating to see a team take stock of how their season ended and make moves to counteract what did them in. In this case, you can see the Ravens adding reinforcements along their defensive front for one reason: stopping Derrick Henry and the running game. Henry tagged them for just under 200 yards rushing in the Tennessee Titans’ upset victory over the Ravens in the divisional round, and adding Campbell and Brockers on the inside makes this already solid defense even better up front. Now obviously Campbell can also get after the passer, so pairing him with Matthew Judon, who they used the franchise tag on, will enable Baltimore to continue pressuring passers while perhaps relying less on the blitz than they did a season ago.

Baltimore will have to prove they should be in that No. 2 spot when the helmets get buckled back up for the 2020 season. With the NFL’s highest-scoring defense last season and an always stout defense that has gotten better this offseason, teams are going to be gunning for the Ravens come Week 1. If they can handle the initial onslaught, they could jump up that final spot to No. 1 soon enough.

[vertical-gallery id=44750]

Derek Wolfe says dislocated elbow that ended 2019 season is ‘fine’

After suffering a dislocated elbow that sent him to injured reserve last season, Derek Wolfe says he’s healthy for the Baltimore Ravens.

[jwplayer J41erS98-ThvAeFxT]

One of the top concerns for new Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Derek Wolfe has been his health. Wolfe has missed 15 games over the last five seasons, including four in 2019 after going on injured reserve with an elbow injury. Considering the Ravens walked away from their deal with Michael Brockers over a medical concern with his ankle, Wolfe’s injury history has drawn a few question marks.

Wolfe says he understands the concern over what was a dislocated elbow and the coronavirus limiting teams from getting physicals done. However, he believes his elbow is just fine.

“I think the coronavirus happened and you can’t get guys in for physicals and you can’t meet guys,” Wolfe said, per Mike Klis of 9News. “I dislocated my elbow and that scares people. But I posted a video that showed that it’s fine.”

Wolfe put up a video of him lifting weights with full extension and seemingly no major pain. While that’s far from a physical from an independent doctor, it’s certainly a good sign for both Wolfe and the Ravens. While Baltimore has yet to make the deal official yet, they must be good with what they’ve seen to once again agree to terms on a signing.

[lawrence-related id=44706]

On a one-year “prove-it” deal, both Wolfe and the Ravens are hoping he’s healthy and can remain that way through the 2020 season. When on the field, Wolfe has proven to be a solid run defender that brings some upside as a pass rusher. When combined with fellow new Ravens defensive lineman Calais Campbell, Baltimore looks to be in good shape in the trenches.

[vertical-gallery id=44750]

Ravens to sign DE Derek Wolfe to 1-year deal worth up to $6 million

The Baltimore Ravens are trying to make up for letting Michael Brockers go after a concern was found on his physical. They sign Derek Wolfe

With the Baltimore Ravens missing out on Michael Brockers following a concern found on his physical, defensive line suddenly became their top need. Though few options remained in free agency, the Ravens are set to sign former Denver Broncos defensive end Derek Wolfe on a one-year deal worth up to $6 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Wolfe will join Calais Campbell as Baltimore’s new additions on their defensive line. It’s been the clear point of contention for the Ravens this offseason, re-signing Justin Ellis, Jihad Ward and trading for Campbell while letting Michael Pierce leave in free agency.

Wolfe has spent all eight years of his career with the Broncos where he accounted for 33 sacks, 299 combined tackles and 77 quarterback hits. While Wolfe brings production, he’s also had his issues with health. Over the last five seasons, Wolfe has missed 15 games and has managed just one full 16-game season over that time. Wolfe ended last season on injured reserve after 12 games, though he had a career year, putting up seven sacks, 12 quarterback hits and 18 pressures.

[vertical-gallery id=43993]

With Josh Bynes, Patrick Onwuasor signing elsewhere emphasis is put on the 2020 NFL Draft for Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens have a huge hole in the middle of their defense at inside linebacker and now both of their free agents are gone.

One of the Baltimore Ravens’ biggest needs remaining is at inside linebacker. While they’ve shored up their defensive line, which should help outside linebacker Matthew Judon get better matchups, Baltimore doesn’t even have enough inside linebackers on the roster to go into the regular season.

The Ravens had shown some interest in both of their free-agent inside linebackers — Josh Bynes and Patrick Onwuasor — during free agency. With how Baltimore was re-signing their own players this offseason, it seemed as though a reunion was forthcoming with at least one of them. However, Onwuasor is signing a one-year deal with the New York Jets while Bynes is signing with the Cincinnati Bengals, taking both familiar options off the table. Now with only lesser or older options still remaining in free agency, the Ravens might be forced to remedy the problem in the early rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Mock drafts have frequently given Baltimore Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray or LSU’s Patrick Queen in the first round, filling a need with a quality player. But there are no guarantees when it comes to the draft — either in a player falling or in any prospect being good.

If there’s a run on wide receivers, pass rushers and quarterbacks, the Ravens might see either Queen or Murray fall into their laps. But just as easily, both could be off the board which would force Baltimore to either hope they can get one of the second-tier linebackers in a later round or reach for one of them there. While the second wave of free agency following the draft could still net them a starter-quality player at inside linebacker, it’s something the Ravens rarely leave to chance.

This hypothetical is exactly why the Ravens like to address as many of their needs as possible ahead of the draft. Instead of drafting the players they like most, Baltimore is now eyeing up the possibility of having to adjust their entire draft to find a starter at a key position.

Ravens re-sign DB Anthony Levine Sr. to 1-year deal

The Baltimore Ravens are bringing back a key contributor on defense and special teams in defensive back Anthony Levine for the 2020 season.

[jwplayer uptiT7QX-ThvAeFxT]

The Baltimore Ravens are all about bringing back their own players. At the same time Baltimore re-signed cornerback Jimmy Smith on a one-year deal, the Ravens also re-signed defensive back Anthony Levine Sr. on a one-year deal, according to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec and ESPN’s Josina Anderson.

While Levine might not be well known outside of Baltimore, he’s been a key piece of the puzzle for the Ravens for years. Levine has played all over the defense, usually labeled as a safety but sliding down to linebacker in a few packages. He’s also a special teams ace, logging an impressive 2404 special teams snaps over the last seven years (343 snaps per year on average).

The move to re-sign Levine helps fill a big need for Baltimore as experienced safety depth and adds back to the secondary a major contributor from last year’s fourth-ranked unit. As the Ravens typically do at this time of free agency, they seem to be filling as many of their immediate needs as possible with low-cost options. That will allow them to enter the 2020 NFL Draft and grab the players that are highest on their board rather than having to potentially reach for prospects that fit pressing needs.

[vertical-gallery id=44016]

Report: Ravens in talks to bring back LB Patrick Onwuasor

With few options remaining in free agency and even less cap space, the Baltimore Ravens have resumed talks to re-sign LB Patrick Onwuasor

[jwplayer 7OkHTDSV-ThvAeFxT]

The Baltimore Ravens have been trying to re-sign several of their own free agents this offseason. They’ve brought back defensive end Jihad Ward and defensive tackle Justin Ellis while giving out some contracts early to guys like cornerback Marcus Peters, punter Sam Koch and wide receiver Willie Snead.

With the first, big wave of free agency down and the Ravens very active, Baltimore is looking back at their own free agents to help fill some of their remaining holes. According to The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, the Ravens are in talks with linebacker Patrick Onwuasor to return.

The decision makes sense for both Baltimore and Onwuasor at this point. The market for inside linebackers has dried up with the top options signing elsewhere. If Onwuasor isn’t getting many offers or a chance to start, returning to the Ravens might be his best option. Likewise, Baltimore doesn’t have a ton of options available to them right now and what is available isn’t obviously better than Onwuasor. So for them, returning a player that they’re familiar with and knows the defense is a wise decision as long as the money makes sense.

Even if the Ravens re-sign Onwuasor, they’re likely going to look towards the 2020 NFL Draft to find a long-term starter at inside linebacker. Many mock drafts have had Baltimore picking LSU’s Patrick Queen or Oklahoma’s Kenneth Murray.

[vertical-gallery id=44016]

Ravens announce they re-signed DE Jihad Ward on 1-year deal

The Baltimore Ravens continue to keep their own and revamp their defensive line by re-signing DE Jihad Ward in free agency

[jwplayer 1Of71mAD-ThvAeFxT]

As previously reported and expected, the Baltimore Ravens are bringing back defensive end Jihad Ward. According to the team’s Twitter account, they’ve re-signed Ward to a one-year deal.

Baltimore has worked hard to bring back several of their key contributors for last season. Though Ward was added late, he quickly found a role for himself at defensive end and helped transform the Ravens’ defense from one of the worst units in the league into a fourth-place ranking by the end of the season. Ward played in 11 games for Baltimore in 2019, playing 38% of the entire season’s defensive snaps. He accounted for two fumble recoveries and one sack over those games.

It’s another step in the Ravens’ attempts to revamp their defensive line. Baltimore traded for Jacksonville Jaguars defensive end Calais Campbell, signed former Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Michael Brockers and re-signed Justin Ellis. All these moves should help the Ravens stuff the run better, something they struggled with at times last season and ultimately was the reason for their early departure in the playoffs.

[vertical-gallery id=44016]

11 best remaining free agents the Ravens should be interested in

The Ravens made some noise in the early part of free agency but could still be looking for help. These 11 free agents could be the answer

With the first wave of high-profile free agents being signed, we now enter the next phase of free agency. This is where the second and third tier of players end up getting short-term contracts as a way to finish out their careers or hopefully rejuvenate them. This is also when the Baltimore Ravens typically are a little more aggressive in signing free agents.

While many of the big names are off the market, it’s these smaller deals that help round out a roster and can actually make a bigger overall impact for a team. For Baltimore, this is where they’ve added guys like Robert Griffin III, Mike Wallace, John Brown and Brandon Carr over the last three years.

So who is still available and who makes sense for the Ravens to sign? I picked out 11 free agents still on the market that could be on Baltimore’s radar still.

Photo by Jennifer Stewart/Getty Images

OLB Jadeveon Clowney

Clowney was the top free-agent outside linebacker this offseason, largely thanks to so many others getting tagged instead. With such a shallow market, Clowney doesn’t seem to be getting the type of attention he was hoping for, which might have lowered his value considerably.

While the Ravens are a little cash strapped at the moment, teams have a way of finding the money to get deals done when they need to. If Clowney is looking at a bunch of one-year deals, Baltimore being so close to a Super Bowl and having a major need at outside linebacker might be able to boost his value for next offseason.

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6, Page 7, Page 8, Page 9, Page 10, Page 11

Reunion potential abound as Ravens’ free agents remain unsigned

The Baltimore Ravens could turn to their own free agents now that the NFL free agency period has slowed down and money has begun to dry up.

The Baltimore Ravens entered free agency with 13 unrestricted free agents set to hit the open market. And after the two-day legal tampering period and a full day of free agency, not many former Ravens have signed elsewhere. Only defensive tackle Michael Pierce and wide receiver Seth Roberts have agreed to terms with other teams, which seem to be partly Baltimore not being very interested. The lack of deals leaves a bunch of former Ravens available for a potential reunion.

Top among them is cornerback Jimmy Smith, who general manager Eric DeCosta had previously said the team would like to re-sign. While it was initially thought the market for cornerbacks would price Smith out of returning to Baltimore, especially after the Buffalo Bills signed Josh Norman. However, some of the deals done for cornerbacks during free agency indicate that might not necessarily be the case after all. Just take a look at these few deals for prime examples of the market being a little stunted.

If the market for cornerbacks remains a little stagnant, Baltimore might be able to woo Smith back on a short-term deal with terms they like. And if not, Brandon Carr — who the Ravens are set to let go by not picking up his 2020 option — remains a viable option to return on a more cap-friendly deal.

The same could be said for linebackers Josh Bynes, Pernell McPhee and safety Anthony Levine. All were solid players last season and with Baltimore tending to favor continuity instead of shaking the boat, all could be low-cost options that fill important roles as stop-gap solutions until draft picks can supplant them.

Bynes was a godsend last season, joining Baltimore prior to Week 5 and quickly earning a starting spot and a hefty percentage of the defensive snaps. In his very first game with the Ravens in 2019, Bynes recorded an interception in what was a very close game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. With his experience and good play came more stability not only at linebacker but on the defense as a whole.

McPhee showed he was still a capable pass rusher, actually beating out several other players including Shane Ray for a spot on the 53-man roster. Through seven games, McPhee started each one and accounted for three sacks and nine total pressures.

Levine might be Baltimore’s most versatile player. While many casual fans might not realize it by looking at his stat sheet but Levine is asked to play all over the defense and is one of their top special-teams players.

While none of these players is really at a starter caliber at this point in their careers, they all provide valuable experience and flexibility while bringing the type of familiarity with the scheme very few outside free agents would have. If the Ravens are eyeing up some low-cost veterans to help round out their roster, looking past their own free agents would be a mistake as long as the money side of things makes sense.

Baltimore was so close to a Super Bowl last season and simply bringing back most of their own guys would give them a solid roster and another good chance at a trophy. With free agency being a little slower for the Ravens’ free agents, a reunion for many of them seems to be shaping up.

[vertical-gallery id=44016]