With the Ravens having navigated a very rocky start to the new league year, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts, each in 50 words or less:
1. Baltimore deserves scrutiny for backing out of the Maxx Crosby trade. However, the deal was widely praised, and Trey Hendrickson was always available. The conspiracy theory that Hendrickson was the preference over surrendering two first-round picks only makes sense if Eric DeCosta signed him below projected market value. He didn’t.
2. That said, DeCosta’s stated goal to pair Crosby and Hendrickson veers into “doth protest too much” territory for me. Perhaps there was a tiny possibility for that, but devoting roughly $60 million per year to two edge rushers despite gaping holes along the offensive line? I’m just not buying it.
3. If there’s a lesson to be taken from this, teams should complete physicals as quickly as possible to account for opportunity cost when this happens. Better yet, expand the combine to include physicals for free agents and known trade candidates such as Crosby. Standardize the process and be more proactive.
4. You open yourself for criticism when backing out of an agreement, but the pearl-clutching about this ruining the Ravens’ ability to conduct business has been pretty ridiculous. As DeCosta said, “It hasn’t stopped my phone from ringing.” This happens around the NFL from time to time and certainly will again.
5. What a spicy AFC North storyline it is for Hendrickson to go from a lengthy contract spat with Cincinnati to joining the Ravens. This is also the most lucrative free-agent commitment Baltimore has ever made. Hendrickson isn’t the elite all-around defender Crosby has been, but he’s an outstanding pass rusher.
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6. My favorite signing might be Jaylinn Hawkins. He’s a much better value than Alohi Gilman making $8.25 million per year and doesn’t have the injury history of Ar’Darius Washington. It’s important for this defense to be strong at that No. 3 safety spot, and Hawkins should be an upgrade there.
7. The only free-agent departure that truly surprised me was Keaton Mitchell, who was eligible to be tendered as a restricted free agent. Recognizing his struggles in pass protection, his big-play ability seemed worthy of a $3.52 million tender. He’ll be interesting to watch in Mike McDaniel’s offense with the Chargers.
8. Signing John Simpson at $10 million per year is perfectly fine, but bringing back the left guard regarded as the weakest link on the 2023 offensive line isn’t overly inspiring. I’d like the signing much more if the Ravens didn’t just lose their three-time Pro Bowl center.
9. The time for DeCosta to extend Tyler Linderbaum was after the fifth-year option was declined last spring through the end of last summer when Kyle Hamilton signed his record contract. You wonder if those bookend events left Linderbaum feeling underappreciated entering a contract year that resulted in another Pro Bowl.
10. Even before Linderbaum’s departure, new offensive line coach Dwayne Ledford was shaping up to be the most important position coach on the staff. The Ravens need more talent, of course, but DeCosta highlighted Ledford’s ability to develop when asked about the current state of the offensive line. They’ll need that.
11. John Harbaugh throwing money at Jordan Stout wasn’t surprising, and I wouldn’t want to be setting the market for a punter anyway. That said, I wasn’t a fan of drafting Stout in the fourth round either. My line of demarcation drafting one would be a fifth-round compensatory pick.
12. After nine seasons and six Pro Bowl selections, Patrick Ricard goes down as one of the Ravens’ very best undrafted free agents, which is quite a compliment when understanding this franchise’s history. He can still play, but following Harbaugh to the Giants made perfect sense.
