2023 NFL Offseason Rankings, Half I: Breaking down which groups thrived, stumbled with their roster constructing

Garrett Podell, CBS Sports activities

18. Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens’ nationwide nightmare is over: MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson is now signed to a long-term deal (5 years, $260 million), so the longer term on the sport’s most necessary place is, expensively, safe in Baltimore. Certain, the worth tag was increased than if they’d gotten critical about negotiations a yr or two in the past, nevertheless it’s all water underneath the bridge now.

The entrance workplace additionally put to mattress the narrative that they haven’t surrounded Jackson with satisfactory pass-catching expertise this offseason with the signing of three-time Professional Bowl vast receiver Odell Beckham Jr. to a one-year, totally assured $15 million contract in addition to with the first-round draft choice of Boston Faculty vast receiver Zay Flowers, one of many 2023 draft’s most exact route runners. Jackson shouted out these two teammates Flowers and Beckham along with former first-round receiver Rashod Bateman, plus tight ends Isaiah Seemingly and Mark Andrews, his prime goal since coming to Baltimore, in his new contract presser. These 5 and new offensive coordinator Todd Monken give Jackson an opportunity to produce as a passer like he by no means has earlier than.

There’s nonetheless work to be accomplished defensively. Present free agent pass-rusher Justin Houston was the one Raven to file six or extra sacks final season (9.5), however he’s 34 years outdated now. At the moment, it seems as if Baltimore is banking on the event of 2021 first-round choose exterior linebacker Odafe Oweh (24 years outdated) and 2022 second-round choose exterior linebacker David Ojabo (23 years outdated). The Ravens would profit from bringing Houston or Yannick Ngakoue, one other former Raven, into the flock proper earlier than coaching camp.

Higher, worse or similar: Ravens’ protection appears to construct off Roquan Smith impact

Jamison Hensley, ESPN

Defensive position

Returners: Justin Madubuike, Michael Pierce, Broderick Washington, Travis Jones, Brent City, Rayshad Nichols

Loss: Calais Campbell (Atlanta Falcons)

Additions: Angelo Blackson (Bears), Kai Caesar, Trey Botts

Higher, worse or the identical? Worse.

The lack of Campbell is a giant one when it comes to management. Washington, one of many group’s extra underrated gamers, will get the prospect to step as much as fill the void within the beginning lineup. It’s unknown how a lot Baltimore can depend on Pierce, who hasn’t performed greater than eight video games in a season since 2019. Blackson joins the rotation after receiving a powerful endorsement from Smith, who performed with Blackson for 2 seasons in Chicago.

Cornerback

Returners: Marlon Humphrey, Jalyn Armour-Davis, Pepe Williams, Kevon Seymour, Ar’Darius Washington

Losses: Marcus Peters, Kyle Fuller

Additions: Rock Ya-Sin (Las Vegas Raiders), Trayvon Mullen (Dallas Cowboys), Kyu Blu Kelly, Jeremy Lucien, Jordan Swann, Corey Mayfield Jr.

Higher, worse or the identical? Similar.

It looks like a negligible distinction with the Ravens signing Ya-Sin to interchange Peters, who by no means appeared like his outdated ball-hawking self final yr. The one different notable additions have been Mullen, a former-second-round choose of the Raiders and cousin of quarterback Lamar Jackson, and Kelly, a rookie fifth-round choice. This group might nonetheless use one other skilled cowl man.

Ten free brokers the Ravens might think about to assist bolster their roster

Jeff Zrebiec, The Athletic

Bryce Callahan, CB: It wasn’t way back when Callahan was thought-about one of many higher slot cornerbacks in soccer. He’s 31 now and has had some injury-marred seasons. But, final yr for the Los Angeles Chargers, Callahan had 47 tackles, six go breakups and three interceptions in 15 video games. If the Ravens need to add a veteran nook, and they need to be, they might do so much worse than Callahan. He’d permit Marlon Humphrey to stay exterior and provides Baltimore some insurance coverage if its younger corners, similar to Jalyn Armour-Davis, Damarion Williams and Kyu Blu Kelly, aren’t able to be relied on for vital snaps.

Kyle Fuller, CB: Fuller tore up his knee in Week 1 towards the New York Jets, ending his first — and maybe solely — season along with his hometown group. Ravens officers have monitored Fuller’s restoration, and he spent a while across the group even after his damage final yr. Fuller is 31 and that is his second main knee damage. There’s clearly no assure that he returns as an efficient nook. Nevertheless, it wouldn’t price the Ravens very a lot to search out out. Fuller’s means to play each within the slot and outdoors, and his expertise, might make him a pleasant addition to the cornerback room.

6 free brokers the Ravens might goal to fill last-minute roster holes

C.J. Doon, The Baltimore Solar

Cornerback Marcus Peters

Whether or not it’s Peters being affected person or a scarcity of curiosity in a 30-year-old cornerback two years faraway from season-ending knee surgical procedure, there hasn’t been a lot of a marketplace for the previous Ravens starter. That would result in a return to Baltimore, the place Peters has been up and down in two wholesome seasons. Given the uncertainty on the place throughout from three-time Professional Bowl choice Marlon Humphrey, a one-year deal for Peters might present precious insurance coverage.

Defensive finish Jadeveon Clowney

The No. 1 total choose within the 2014 NFL draft has been on 4 groups up to now 5 seasons, and his time in Cleveland didn’t finish properly. Nonetheless, the 30-year-old veteran has been productive in spurts, together with 9 sacks and 32 quarterback pressures in 2021, and has all the time supplied stout run protection. He may very well be a worthy flier for a group that’s relied on comparatively low cost veterans similar to Houston, Jason Pierre-Paul and Pernell McPhee for snaps in current seasons.

Rating the NFL’s prime 10 head coaches getting into 2023

Trevor Sikkema, PFF

5. JOHN HARBAUGH, BALTIMORE RAVENS

I can’t maintain Harbaugh out of the highest 5. Some might have a look at his lack of postseason success since profitable the Tremendous Bowl in 2014 and argue to push him down additional. It’s true, his group is 2-5 within the playoffs since then. However the Ravens have made the playoff in 4 of the previous 5 seasons.

In a contemporary NFL world that claims can’t run the ball anymore, the Ravens are No. 1 within the league since 2018, staying artistic and progressive as they play to their strengths, incomes 0.092 anticipated factors added per rush over the span. In second place is the Inexperienced Bay Packers at 0.051, which reveals the Ravens aren’t simply higher than everybody else on the bottom; they’re far and away higher. Additionally they rank sixth within the league in EPA per play allowed on protection at -0.059.