The Ravens have been fairly productive in the free agent market this off-season, addressing big needs on both sides of the ball. From marquee free agent signings, veteran role players and younger acquisitions with upside; this list will power rank the veteran free agents that have signed with the Ravens so far this off-season (looking at you Gerald McCoy).
1. Earl Thomas
A former centerpiece of one of the best secondaries in the NFL five years ago, Earl Thomas could be primed to have the same role again with a daunting Ravens defense. His addition graces the Ravens with a ball-hawking true free safety they haven't had since Ed Reed.
Earl Thomas is the best free agent signing because of how he will make others better around him. Putting him in the defensive backfield will allow Tony Jefferson to not be so heavily relied on in pass coverage where he has shown considerable weaknesses. Jefferson can now move up in the box and doesn't have to split coverage territory with the range-limited Eric Weddle who has departed to Los Angeles. Jimmy Smith, who has been struggling to keep up with speedier receivers now has a true backup on deeper routes where he might lose ground. Marlon Humphrey, the young corner loaded with promise, is paired with a great mentor and someone who will supplement his coverage skills. Thomas definitely boosts the pass coverage ability of the defense which can be a counterweight to a defensive line that has a concerning need for pass rushers.
2. Mark Ingram
Ingram was a signing that puzzled some Ravens fans like myself. However, after getting some time to process it, his addition could be a major upgrade to the Ravens' offense that takes them to the next level.
Although Gus Edwards had an extremely effective rookie year and has a similar bruising, hole-bursting running style that Ingram does, his ability to sustain that production is a large unknown. Ingram finished with 73 fewer yards than Edwards last year but he has averaged almost 5 yards per carry over the last 3 seasons. Both backs have the capability of being bruisers that will keep each other fresh while simultaneously wearing out opposing defenses. Ingram, however, provides a veteran leadership in the backfield that should keep Lamar Jackson grounded and confident in games. The Jackson and Ingram partnership is a dynamic that should make for some exciting football in 2019.
3. Shane Ray
Although he was a late addition in this off season, Ray ranks high because of his potential upside being only 26 years old- the youngest veteran free agent to join the Ravens in 2019. His best year came in 2016 when he recorded 8 sacks and 48 total tackles.
Since then he has had two unproductive seasons that have been shortened by injury, most recently a wrist injury in 2018 where he finished with only 1 sack and 10 tackles. Although he did have a good season two years, it is important to remember that his success came as a product of a dominant defensive line that was already loaded with Demarcus Ware and Von Miller on the ends.
I would put Ray in the same category as a guy like Tim Williams. Both are young edge rushers who have potential that hasn't been reached. I don't believe either has the ability to become a premier pass rusher but they are both plug in guys who can excel if they have a dominant defense around them.
4. Pernell McPhee
I don't expect McPhee to yield massive returns with his second stint in Baltimore, nor do I expect him to be close to the player he was back in 2014.
However, I think he can still contribute to the Ravens' pass rush as a rotational veteran on a snap count. Although he was non-existent with the Redskins last year he did have 4 sacks in each of his previous two seasons with the Bears.
It might also be nice to have a returning Raven from the 2012 glory days after the departure of Terrell Suggs. Although Suggs' presence on the field will most likely be filled by a sack committee of McPhee, Tim Williams and Shane Ray if third round pick Jaylon Ferguson isn't ready for a starting role.
5. Seth Roberts
Although wide receiver was probably the biggest position of need heading into the 2019 off season, Ravens' brass didn't do a lot to address it through free agency. Eric DeCosta seems eager to do what Ozzie couldn't through drafting and cultivating young receiver talent which puts receivers Seth Roberts and Michael Floyd as bubble players at best in making the Ravens roster.
Seth Roberts ranks ahead of Floyd because his smaller size and toughness fit the new Ravens offensive scheme. Roberts also brings blocking ability that will be highly valued in a Ravens run-heavy offense (Zrebiec). However, I don't know if Roberts's skill set too closely matches that of Willie Snead who is the more capable receiver of the two. The Ravens will most likely favor keeping as much young receiver talent as possible which could result in Roberts not even making the team as Willie Snead will probably get the nod over him.
6. Justin Bethel
Bethel, a previous special-teamer and role player with the Cardinals and Falcons, will also face an uphill battle in making the Ravens 2019 roster. Although Harbaugh loves dedicated special teams players who can take on a variety of roles, the Ravens already have a similar player in Anthony Levine Sr. who seems to have a lot of respect from the coaching staff and players on the roster.
The Ravens have a secondary loaded with young talent and I can't see the Ravens going into week 1 with two of the same player with Levine and Bethel.
Bethel does have a great chance at making the team if he is around a lot of turnovers in the preseason. He has made a name at creating turnovers with 4 forced fumbles and returning 3 out of 4 career interceptions for scores. He will have to make big plays with limited opportunities in order to make the squad this year.
7. Michael Floyd
This is a move the Ravens seem like they would have made back in the Joe Flacco era. It may be a few years too late for Michael Floyd who has become a journeyman receiver in the NFL. Meanwhile, the Ravens seem to have shifted from the older veteran receiver with size to younger and faster youth at the position.
This isn't to say that Lamar could greatly benefit from a bigger target with size and possession ability but it remains to be seen if Floyd has anything left in the tank. His numbers have been pedestrian since 2016 and he doesn't have that number 2 receiver talent that he had with the Cardinals in the early 2010's. Consequently, I don't see Floyd taking away a number 4 or 5 spot on the Ravens depth chart when they have their chips on young talent that can also have special teams contributions.
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