The Baltimore Ravens were relatively busy by their first week-plus of free-agency standards, re-signing two players and adding five more from the outside. Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta said Friday that he believes the team has checked a lot of boxes before next month’s draft, and any other moves would likely be of the smaller variety.
“We’ve always been a draft-focused, draft-centric (team),” DeCosta said during Trey Hendrickson’s introductory news conference. “We have 11 picks. We have a lot of work to do. It doesn’t mean we’re not going to be looking at some players over the next couple of weeks. We will be, certainly.
“We will probably have some players visit. We’ll look at some guys. Are we going to go out and break the bank? Probably not. I think we’ve broken the bank in some ways over the last week, but we have opportunities to get better as a team with the draft.”
DeCosta is smart enough to publicly manage the expectations. He’s not going to predict several more big swings that he might not be able to deliver. The reality, too, is that the team fulfilled many of its priorities over the past 10 days.
In re-signing Tyler Huntley and Chidobe Awuzie, the Ravens solidified the backup quarterback role and kept a starting-caliber outside cornerback in the building. Hendrickson, signed after the Ravens backed out of the Maxx Crosby deal with the Las Vegas Raiders, gives them the elite edge rusher they’ve long coveted.
Veteran John Simpson was the starting guard upgrade the Ravens sought after they struggled mightily at the position last season, and Jovaughn Gwyn provides some depth in the interior. Former New England Patriot Jaylinn Hawkins will man the all-important No. 3 safety role in Baltimore. Durham Smythe is the blocking tight end replacement for Charlie Kolar.
That’s not to say there still aren’t holes. The Ravens have done nothing at wide receiver, and their depth chart at the position looks extremely thin with both DeAndre Hopkins and Tylan Wallace still on the free-agent market. They could use another tight end, and there’s a major void at center with Tyler Linderbaum departing in free agency. Their defensive line needs an infusion of talent, and the belief is that DeCosta wants to add another edge rusher.
This is typically when DeCosta and the Ravens have done their best work in free agency, as the first and second waves are over and some bargains should be available. There should be some trade options, too.
Here’s a look at 10 potential options for the Ravens in either the free-agent or trade market.
Denico Autry, DL/OLB
Autry would be a nice replacement for Dre’Mont Jones. He could factor in the outside linebacker rotation, while also playing extensively inside. His interior pass-rush ability would make him a nice insurance piece if Nnamdi Madubuike is unable to return.
Autry has battled injuries the past two years, but from 2020 to 2023, he averaged nine sacks per season.
Mekhi Becton, G
Simpson was signed to start at one guard spot, and the Ravens say they are comfortable with the idea of either Emery Jones Jr. or Andrew Vorhees starting at the other. Becton, though, would be a nice buy-low candidate. He struggled with the Los Angeles Chargers last year, but he played really good football in 2024 and resurrected his career.
Baltimore would presumably provide a comfortable environment for him. At Louisville, he played under Ravens offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford and blocked for Lamar Jackson.
A.J. Brown, WR
There’s been little buzz over the last couple of weeks that the Ravens are in the Brown sweepstakes, and it’s widely believed that he’ll either end up in New England or remain with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it wouldn’t be the first time the Ravens came out of nowhere to land a star player.
Baltimore would benefit from adding a big and physical receiver, and DeCosta has done plenty of trades with Eagles general manager Howie Roseman. It seems highly unlikely that the Ravens would part with a first-rounder-plus for Brown, but we thought the same before the Crosby deal.
Marquise Brown, WR
There’s been a lot of speculation about a reunion between the Ravens and their 2019 first-round pick, although there’s been no indication that it’s anything more than an attempt to connect the dots. Marquise Brown and DeCosta have a very good relationship. Brown is also extremely close with Jackson, and they are offseason workout partners.
There’s no question that the Ravens need a receiver, and Brown’s speed and big-play ability would be a welcome addition. However, if the Ravens use a chunk of cap space on a receiver, you’d think they’ll be looking at bigger targets.
Calais Campbell, DL
It’s unclear if the 39-year-old Campbell is committed to returning for a 19th NFL season, and he’s probably in no rush to make a decision. If he decides to return, the Ravens would presumably be one of the likely landing spots.
Campbell played with the Ravens from 2020 to 2022, and DeCosta has tried to bring him back on a couple of different occasions. Campbell is a six-sack guy at this point in his career, but he still impacts opposing quarterbacks, can stop the run, helps in kick block, and is considered one of the game’s best leaders and mentors.
Jadeveon Clowney has 23.5 sacks over his past three seasons. (Jerome Miron / Imagn Images)
Jadeveon Clowney, OLB
Another potential reunion, Clowney showed last year for the Dallas Cowboys that he still has plenty of juice left with 8.5 sacks in 13 games. One of the best seasons of his career came when he had 9.5 sacks for the Ravens in 2023.
The Ravens are excited about 2025 second-round pick Mike Green’s potential, but all indications are that they would still like to add another accomplished veteran on the edge. Clowney is one of several quality options still available.
Lloyd Cushenberry, C
There’s just not much available on the free-agent center market, with Cushenberry probably heading the list despite having issues with injuries and inconsistency in recent years. The Ravens recently visited with center Danny Pinter, who played his first five seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
Pinter has just 10 career starts, so if they’re valuing experience, Cushenberry might be the choice.
Jonathan Greenard, OLB
The 28-year-old Minnesota Vikings pass rusher is one of the highest-profile names on the trade market. He has 38 sacks in six seasons, and he’s just a year removed from a 12-sack season. He had a combined 24.5 sacks in 2023 and 2024.
The Vikings are said to be willing to move him for a Day 2 draft pick. There’s also been talk that he wants a contract adjustment, and that could prove problematic given the Ravens’ other needs.
Jauan Jennings, WR
Widely considered the top free-agent receiver available, Jennings is a big, physical target who makes contested catches and is a weapon in the red zone and on third downs. He had 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. He’s also an extremely physical blocker on the perimeter, which is important to the Ravens.
He still might be primed to make more money than Baltimore wants to pay, but if his market doesn’t materialize, DeCosta should consider pouncing. He’d be a nice fit.
Wyatt Teller, G
Teller and his longtime Cleveland Browns teammate, Joel Bitonio, are both at the top of the free-agent guard market. However, Bitonio seems likely to stay in Cleveland or retire. That would leave Teller as one of the best interior options.
The 31-year-old is a three-time Pro Bowler and would be quality veteran insurance if the Ravens don’t think Jones is ready.
Other big-name options: Keenan Allen, WR; Joey Bosa, OLB; Stefon Diggs, WR; Leonard Floyd, OLB; Graham Glasgow, C; Shelby Harris, DT; Tony Jefferson, S; Cameron Jordan, OLB; Christian Kirk, WR; Marshon Lattimore, CB; Von Miller, OLB; David Njoku, TE; Ethan Pocic, C; D.J. Reader, NT; Deebo Samuel, WR; Jonnu Smith, TE; L’Jarius Sneed, CB; Darren Waller, TE; Christian Wilkins, IDL; Kevin Zeitler, G.
