With the 2023 NFL Draft now over, the Baltimore Ravens will turn their attention back to bolstering the roster via free agents. The team addressed a lot of their needs in the draft, but still have some holes to fill. With the free agency pool still filled with talent, it would be no surprise to see the Ravens make some key free agent additions between now and training camp.
Prior to the draft Baltimore’s off-season appeared to be nosediving. However, thanks to the eventual resolution of Lamar Jackson’s contract dispute, things are looking brighter. Their marquee free agent signing in the first wave of free agency was Odell Beckham Jr., who figures to be Jackson’s new primary boundary target. Aside from Beckham, the team acquired Nelson Agholor for depth. They also re-signed Geno Stone to be the their third safety.
The quiet free agency coupled with a limited number of draft picks (just six) means that Baltimore still have some glaring needs. Cornerback and edge rusher are perhaps the most prominent, but the team could still bolster their receiver and running back rooms. Interior offensive line is another thin position group. There are plenty of quality free agents that could be added to deepen these position groups.
It is worth noting that any free agents added now will not impact the compensatory pick formula. The Ravens are due to receive a compensatory pick in next year’s draft due to the departure of Ben Powers.
Five Baltimore Ravens Free Agent Targets Following the 2023 NFL Draft
Marcus Peters, CB
The Ravens could re-sign a familiar free agent by the name of Marcus Peters. The 30-year-old has spent the last three years with the Ravens and has been one of their leaders on the field. While he has had a clear drop-off in play, Peters is still one of the league’s top CB2s. His partnership with Marlon Humphrey over the last few years has been one of the best in the league. Despite drafting Kyu Blu Kelly and signing Rock Ya-Sin the Ravens should still re-sign Peters due to his talent and familiarity with the team.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE/EDGE
Pass rush is still a big need for the Ravens. The projected starting edge rushers are currently Odafe Oweh and David Ojabo. Oweh should take a step up this year, but has underwhelmed so far. Ojabo, meanwhile, has shown flashes since returning from his Achilles tear. The Ravens drafted Tavius Robinson in the draft, but the fourth-round pick does not seem ready to be the team’s third edge rusher yet.
With the 124th overall pick, the Baltimore Ravens select EDGE Tavius Robinson from Mississippi. Developmental rusher with solid athletic traits, but his 6’6” and 257lbs frame is what is most appealing. Aggressive edge setter with rotational upside as a rookie.
— Mason H. Smoller (@Smollerreport) April 29, 2023
While Oweh and Ojabo have immense raw talent, neither are truly starting-calibre edge rushers currently. Given their youth, it would help if the Ravens added an experienced free agent pass rusher like Jadeveon Clowney. Clowney would bring needed experience and talent to the position group, despite seeing a dip in production recently.
The 30-year-old is a good fit for the Ravens scheme and would also have the positional flexibility to kick inside for them too. Clowney would be a prime Eric DeCosta-esque signing too, given DeCosta’s affinity with older, established players at the edge position. Recently, the team signed Jason Pierre-Paul and Justin Houston.
Justin Houston, EDGE
Speaking of Houston, the Ravens would be smart to target him as another free agent addition for their edge group. Depending on how much Houston would cost, the 34-year-old could be a good signing.
Houston most recently spent time with the Ravens but had some injury struggles last year. He has clearly taken a step back from his former elite self. However, the veteran pass rusher was still very effective, and was particularly productive on limited snaps. Despite being 34, Houston said that he was ‘not retiring’ and would be keen to return to the Ravens for 2023.
Michael Brockers, DE/DT
Defensive line and pass rush is a clear theme here, and it shall remain so. The Ravens ought to take a look at some of the interior defensive line free agents, given their need at the position. The team currently have Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce and Travis Jones headlining their defensive trench play. However, behind them, more depth is needed after losing Calais Campbell as a cap casualty.
Michael Brockers would thus be an excellent addition. He is a physical, aggressive defensive lineman who plays with violence and physicality. The 32-year-old most recently spent time with the Detroit Lions, but was also a key contributor on the Los Angeles Rams. Interior defensive linemen with pass-rush upside are rare, meaning Brockers would be a valuable asset to Baltimore’s young defensive line unit.
J.D. McKissic, RB
The Ravens have three running backs on their depth chart right now. J.K. Dobbins was held in high regard after being drafted in the second round. Since then, his flashes of potential have left more to be desired. Part of that is due to his inability to stay on the field. An ACL tear a few years ago, followed by various niggles last year has limited his availability. Couple that with the injury history of Gus Edwards and it remains clear that the Ravens desperately need to add a consistent and reliable free agent running back.
Enter J.D. McKissic. McKissic is coming off a neck injury last year but, prior to that, had been very durable. DraftSharks has given him a 9% chance of injury (missing minimum 2 quarters) in 2023, which is very low.
The 29-year-old has spent time on the Seattle Seahawks and Washington Commanders. While he has never had a primary role, he is an excellent change-of-pace back and is a good receiving threat. He would be able to compete with Justice Hill as the third-down back and fits Todd Monken’s offensive system that makes the most of receiving backs (see James Cook and Kenny McIntosh).
Whether the Ravens grab a free agent running back could depend on how high they are on Keaton Mitchell. Mitchell was considered a fifth-round talent in the draft, but Baltimore snagged him as an undrafted free agent. He is an excellent receiving back and is a good fit for Monken’s scheme. The Ravens also added undrafted free agent running back Owen Wright, but he is more of a short-yardage back. Wright is most likely going to compete with Edwards.
And, as a bonus, the #Ravens have also acquired Keaton Mitchell as an UDFA. The undersized back has elite speed, good hands and excellent ball security.@MasterKoda10‘s draft profile is well worth a read:https://t.co/cOxgHNvbOU pic.twitter.com/C4SH14jcpB
— Curtis Leung (@CurtisLeung6) April 30, 2023
Main Image: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
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