With the start of the new league year just two weeks away, I’ve offered a dozen thoughts on the most notable Ravens free agents, each in 50 words or less:
1. With no indication of any productive contract talks recently and reports of other teams’ interest, envisioning a Bradley Bozeman return is becoming more difficult. He’s a good center, but the bet is on another team being willing to pay him like a great one, something Baltimore probably shouldn’t do.
2. With Calais Campbell still playing at a high level and enjoying his time with the Ravens, his potential return has been a popular topic. However, the 35-year-old ranking prominently on free-agent lists won’t help attempts to re-sign him on the cheap. Some other contending teams will certainly be interested.
3. Meanwhile, there’s been little talk about Brandon Williams despite the 33-year-old saying at season’s end, “As long as they want me, I’ll be here.” If Eric DeCosta wants to maintain a higher run-stopping floor for a defensive line in transition, Justin Ellis would be a younger (31) and cheaper stopgap.
4. I thought we’d see an extension for Patrick Ricard by now, but you can’t blame the three-time Pro Bowl selection for leveraging the potential for other teams bidding despite fullback being a niche spot. Though I could be wrong, I still don’t see another suitor valuing him more than Baltimore.
5. Though the Ravens will likely aim higher and younger than Justin Houston to beef up their edge rush, the 33-year-old’s play was better than critics dwelling on his 4 1/2 sacks would indicate. It’ll be interesting to see what his market looks like, especially with the salary cap increasing considerably.
6. I alluded to this last week, but publications are viewing DeShon Elliott and Anthony Averett anywhere between afterthoughts and potential diamonds in the rough. With some believing the safety market is about to boom, Elliott could be a good value signing if healthy, admittedly easier said than done.
7. Considering the issues at inside linebacker in recent seasons, keeping Josh Bynes or L.J. Fort on a one-year deal makes sense, but Bynes will be 33 and Fort, 32, is coming off a torn ACL. Perhaps Baltimore has someone younger in mind, but you’d prefer a veteran with Patrick Queen.
8. If the Ravens prefer more depth behind the returning J.K. Dobbins and Gus Edwards, targeting a running back early on the last day of the draft makes the most sense. Devonta Freeman and Latavius Murray had their moments, but backs on the wrong side of 30 are emergency options only.
9. Though Chris Board hasn’t developed as much at linebacker as the organization thought he might a couple years ago, he ranked second on the Ravens in special-teams snaps and is a logical candidate to return, especially with longtime special-teams captain Anthony Levine retiring. The cost shouldn’t be too prohibitive.
10. Much like last year, Eric Tomlinson returning on a deal for the veteran minimum with a chance to compete for a roster spot makes sense. Of course, Nick Boyle being fully healthy is the hope and would diminish the need for another veteran blocking tight end.
11. Between Jimmy Smith saying he didn’t envision playing for any other team and Pernell McPhee being limited to just 10 games this past season, I’d be mildly surprised to see either playing in 2022. These Super Bowl XLVII champions have had good careers despite enduring plenty of injuries.
12. Though Sammy Watkins appeared in 13 games, he played a career-low 49% of snaps in contests in which he played, reflecting how much his role diminished down the stretch. He had heroic late-game moments in comeback wins at Detroit and Chicago, but there’s little reason to think he’ll be back.
