General manager Eric DeCosta, Ozzie Newsome’s successor, has grown increasingly aggressive in handing out contracts, and he’s now built a Super Bowl hopeful for 2023 and beyond.
The Ravens are 20th in the NFL in cap space, with $11.9 million available, and there will be critical decisions regarding several vital contributors and two All-Pros. And they’re spending about $120+ million plus on the offensive side of the football.
With the NFL combine ongoing and free agency just ten days away, we’re looking at Baltimore’s strong 2023 class.
Odell Beckham Jr., wide receiver
Beckham signed a one year, $15 million guaranteed deal.
Beckham had 64 targets during his lone season in Baltimore, hauling in 35 catches, for 565 yards and three touchdowns.
Beckham Jr. could flourish playing opposite Garrett Wilson, while catching passes from Aaron Rodgers and the New York Jets.
Nelson Agholor, wide receiver
Agholor signed a one-year deal worth $3.25 million.
Agholor had 35 catches for 381 yards and four touchdowns on 45 targets. The former first round pick from USC has big play potential and could flourish in his second season with Lamar Jackson.
Geno Stone, safety
Stone signed a one-year deal.
Stone was second in the NFL with seven interceptions despite not being a full-time starter, and he’s proven to be effective at safety, thanks to Kyle Hamilton’s versatility. Stone will have suitors on the open market, but Marcus Williams is injury prone, and you can never have enough good safety play.
If Baltimore doesn’t bring him back, he’ll flourish elsewhere.
Justice Hill, running back
The Ravens re-signed Hill to a two-year, $4.5 million deal.
Hill set career highs in rushing attempts (84) and yards (387) for the second year and finished with three rushing touchdowns. Hill also exceeded his combined career total in targets (39), receptions (28), and receiving yards (206) and scored his first career receiving touchdown in 16 games.
Jadeveon Clowney, DE
Clowney had a career year with Ravens defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
Clowney ranked fifth in pass rush win rate among edge rushers, while logging a career high 9 sacks, along with 50 QB hurries, 10 QB hits and 69 QB pressures.
He also had career highs in pressure rate, pass-rush win rate and total pressures in a season.
Clowney fits the Ravens culture perfectly, but could follow Macdonald to Seattle.
Kyle Van Noy, LB
arriving in Baltimore in Week 4, the 32-year-old Van Noy collected a career-high nine sacks.
Ronald Darby, CB
The 30-year-old was solid in relief of Marlon Humphrey, who missed extensive time, making seven starts and appearing in all but one game.
J.K. Dobbins, RB
Dobbins is still rehabbing the Achilles’ tear that ended his 2023 campaign in a Week 1 win over the Texans.
Rock Ya-Sin, CB
Ya-Sin contributed as a reserve cornerback last season, logging 13 tackles over 14 appearances.
Laquan Treadwell, WR
Treadwell had one catch for 16 yards last season.
Sam Mustipher, OL
Mustipher, who had started 40 games at center with the Bears, signed with the Ravens in a reserve role.
The Owings Mills native filled in effectively for Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum for two games in September but was used sparingly after that.
