Twelve Ravens thoughts following early waves of free agency

With the early waves of NFL free agency in the books and the 2021 draft a little over a month away, I’ve offered a dozen Ravens thoughts, each in 50 words or less:

1. Sammy Watkins wouldn’t be the answer many sought, but he’s 6-foot-1, a veteran presence with meaningful postseason experience, and an intermediate target who had success over the middle for Kansas City. Of course, his long injury history trumps much of that upside. We’ll see what happens.

2. With T.Y. Hilton becoming the latest receiver reportedly turning down a push from the Ravens, you wonder how fruitful the dwindling list of free agents is if they must overpay. Exploring trades and waiting for the draft — and any cuts that follow — might be the best approach at this point.

3. Some disgruntled fans have noted how the Ravens approach wide receiver compared to addressing the run defense last offseason by tagging Matthew Judon, acquiring Calais Campbell and Derek Wolfe early in free agency, and drafting Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison early. It’s an interesting juxtaposition, but much offseason remains.

4. It’s still strange to note that two of the 12 1,000-yard receiving seasons in franchise history occurred in that inaugural 1996 campaign when passing wasn’t nearly as popular across the league. Michael Jackson (1,201) and Derrick Alexander (1,099) accounted for two of the four highest single-season totals in franchise history.

5. A recent tweet suggests Lamar Jackson is taking Baltimore’s quest to upgrade at receiver in stride, but it’d be fascinating to know his unfiltered thoughts, especially as the likes of Dez Bryant comment on the circumstances around him. Being a team guy doesn’t mean Jackson isn’t entitled to some frustration.

6. It was interesting to see Calais Campbell and Brandon Williams accept pay cuts even if they can recover everything through incentives. They missed a combined seven games in 2020 and are entering the final year of their contracts. Baltimore still has the means to create additional cap flexibility if necessary.

7. Tyus Bowser is a good example why you don’t want to be too hasty in writing off draft picks. Yes, you prefer a second-round pick to blossom more quickly, but I expect Bowser’s re-signing to bring better value than the lucrative price New England paid for Judon.

8. Though outside linebacker should be a priority in the draft, a veteran addition would make you feel much better about the position group. With Melvin Ingram, Carlos Dunlap, Jadeveon Clowney, and Justin Houston among those still available, there’s a value signing out there to be made. 

9. I’ve remained skeptical about a team offering enough to justify the Ravens trading Orlando Brown Jr. ahead of a season with Super Bowl aspirations. Regardless of Brown’s status for 2021, adding a young offensive tackle with upside remains a must. Perhaps Brown’s market heats up closer to the draft.

10. Inside linebacker isn’t a spot valued like it once was, but L.J. Fort has the versatility to help any defense needing experience at the position. However, Fort may struggle to find much of a market with the lower salary cap. It’s a rough offseason for 30-somethings like him.

11. Though the departure of Matt Skura was a foregone conclusion by the end of 2020, he deserves credit for transforming himself from an undrafted practice-squad player who failed to make the 53-man roster out of his first two training camps to a four-year starter. Best wishes to him in Miami.

12. No disrespect to ex-Ravens Chris Moore and Terrence Brooks, but Houston signing such an aimless collection of players last week is exactly how teams shouldn’t approach free agency. No matter how much you’re rooting for David Culley to succeed, the Texans are a disaster on and off the field.