Latest Baltimore Ravens Free Agent Signings, Updates, Rumors, Grades

Brett Foote

Feb 22, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Baltimore Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome speaks at the NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports

Free agency brings a frenzy of activity to the NFL, which is rarely a dormant sport. The number of transactions that take place in a short period of time can be staggering, and this season’s moves are enough to make you dizzy.

The same cannot be said of the Baltimore Ravens free agent signings, which have so far been pretty uneventful. But this is a normal, every year occurrence for a team that prides itself on sticking to a formula. And it’s a formula that works quite well.

Having said that, we will help you keep track of all the Baltimore Ravens free agent signings and other various updates of this crazy time period. As the team makes moves, we will continuously update this post. And as the Ravens sign some great free agents (fingers crossed!), we’ll add those in too.

Click next to stay in the know.

Next: Baltimore Ravens Free Agent Tracker

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Oct 19, 2014; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens linebacker Pernell McPhee (90) reacts after making a sack in the game against the Atlanta Falcons at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Pernell McPhee Signs with the Chicago Bears

Everybody knew that McPhee was a goner. The Ravens have a history of letting players walk in free agency, and McPhee was kind of a contract year wonder anyway. Despite that, he was the #2 rated 3-4 outside linebacker by Pro Football Focus in 2014, behind only Justin Houston.

It’s a shame to see a young pass rushing talent walk, but the Ravens weren’t going to dish out $40 million to a guy who had struggled to stay healthy and productive until last season. The Bears are taking a pretty big gamble that McPhee’s light flipped last season and he will continue to be the same guy going forward.

Plus, he was a part time player in Baltimore, seeing action on around 50% of the snaps in 2014. Can he produce as a full time player? We’ll find out soon.

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Jan 3, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Crockett Gillmore (80) celebrates with Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith (82) after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers in the second half during the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Torrey Smith Signs With the San Francisco 49ers

In another move that didn’t surprise too many people, wide receiver Torrey Smith left for greener pastures and a 5 year, $40 million dollar contract with the San Francisco 49ers. Torrey has played his entire career in Baltimore, but had a down year in 2014 despite hopes that he would finally break out.

While Torrey has always been a great deep threat, he is not a complete receiver and often struggles with big, physical corners. He put up big numbers in 2013 but did so on a ridiculous number of targets, the product of a dead running game and a complete lack of any other receiving threats on the roster.

Letting Torrey walk might sting for Ravens fans, but it was the right thing to do. The team is better off looking for a more complete receiver in the draft, adding a guy in free agency, and continuing to develop the young receivers already on the roster.

Grade: A

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Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Kamar Aiken (11) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the New England Patriots in the first quarter during the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens Tender Restricted Free Agents

The Ravens had a slew of restricted free agents, and they retained most of them on the cheap. The most notable names among them are Will Hill, Kamar Aiken, and Rashaan Melvin. The Ravens did not tender RB Fitzgerald Toussaint, LS Kevin McDermott, or DB Anthony Levine, but later resigned Levine.

The other players who received tenders were S Brynden Trawick, TE Phillip Supernaw, OL Ryan Jensen, CB Tramain Jacobs, DT Casey Walker, DE Steven Means, and LS Patrick Scales.

All of these moves are great depth signings and all came at a price of $580,000 or less with the exception of Will Hill. Hill received a low tender, however, and while the Ravens can match any offer for him, they would receive no compensation if they choose not to match.

Grade: B+

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Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata (92) knocks the ball away from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Haloti Ngata Traded to Detroit Lions

Haloti Ngata is simply one of the greatest players in Ravens history, and he had a great season in 2014. It may come as a shock to some that the Ravens would trade him, but in reality it’s a brilliant and underrated move. Much like the Patriots releasing Vince Wilfork, great teams know when to move on.

Ngata carried a burdensome $16 million dollar cap hit in 2015 and was unwilling to renegotiate to help the team clear up space. Following his four game PED suspension to end the 2014 regular season, the Ravens likely knew the writing was on the wall.

With the emergence of Timmy Jernigan and Brandon Williams along the defensive line, the Ravens know they have a solid group with or without Ngata. With the franchise legend entering the twilight of his career, it makes all the sense in the world to move on.

Instead of simply cutting him outright and getting nothing in return, the Ravens received a 4th and 5th round pick in exchange for Ngata and a 7th round pick from the Lions.

Grade: A

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Jan 10, 2015; Foxborough, MA, USA; Baltimore Ravens tight end Owen Daniels (81) reaches for the ball in front of New England Patriots outside linebacker Jamie Collins (91) during the fourth quarter in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Owen Daniels Signs With Denver Broncos

In a move that surprised no one, Owen Daniels followed former Ravens offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak to Denver and signed a multi year contract with the Broncos. Daniels has played his entire career with Kubiak, including their one year together in Baltimore.

Daniels proved to be a solid veteran presence in the middle of the field for Joe Flacco last season, but his days as a special playmaker are over. He has lost pretty much all semblance of speed but still sports a reliable set of hands.

The Ravens are likely to upgrade at tight end no matter what happens with Dennis Pitta. Whether that be through free agency or the draft remains to be seen.

Grade: B

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Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett (29) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Cincinnati Bengals at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens Resign Justin Forsett

This was a move that just had to get done. It made too much sense not to reunite Justin Forsett with the team that gave him his first big chance at the ripe age of 29. With Forsett inking a 3 year, $9 million dollar deal, it’s a bargain price for a 1,200 yard rusher as well.

While the odds are Forsett will likely regress a bit from his breakout 2014 numbers, he’s still an asset to an organization that hasn’t been able to find a decent runner since Ray Rice was in his prime. The Ravens will likely still draft a young running back this year, but Forsett will make a great mentor.

Plus, Marc Trestman loves running backs who can catch passes. Just look at the production of Matt Forte over the last couple of seasons. Forsett is equally adept at running between the tackles as he is catching balls, making this reunion one to look forward to.

Grade: A+

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Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates with free safety Kendrick Lewis (21) after making a sack for a safety during the second half against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Ravens Sign Safety Kendrick Lewis

After publicly calling out first round draft bust Matt Elam following his hugely disappointing sophomore season, Ozzie Newsome went out and signed a guy to compete with him for the starting strong safety job. Lewis was a 16 game starter in 2014 who racked up 84 tackles, two interceptions, and three forced fumbles for the Texans.

Lewis wasn’t great in coverage, but he is a huge upgrade on Elam. Lewis was Pro Football Focus’ 39th ranked safety last season, vs. Elam’s 78th ranking. He allowed an opposing quarterback rating of 69.3 in coverage vs. Matt Elam’s insanely bad 120.0 as well.

Signing Lewis give the Ravens some depth and flexibility at the safety position with Terrence Brooks beginning 2015 on PUP. It’s a strong move in light of how shallow the safety class of the 2015 draft is as well.

Grade: A

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Brett Foote