After the first manic day of NFL free agency, the Baltimore Ravens should be feeling pretty good overall.
They answered a major question quickly by re-signing offensive lineman Ronnie Stanley. Had that deal not come together, the Ravens likely had a plan to shuffle their line around, but bringing Stanley back was always the best move—and now it’s a done deal. Considering how much offensive linemen are cashing in elsewhere, getting him at three years and $60 million is a massive win.
But while retaining Stanley was a big step in the right direction, Baltimore has done little else so far. The Ravens have never been a team to go all-in during the early free-agency frenzy, but with Patrick Mekari, Brandon Stephens, Malik Harrison, and Chris Board all signing elsewhere, their depth has taken a hit.
There’s work to do, and with the first wave of free agency behind us, the Ravens can now focus on calculated, team-friendly moves to round out the roster.
The good news? This is when Baltimore tends to thrive. The splashy contracts are out of the way, and the Ravens can do what they do best—find value. Here are three moves they should make after the first wave of free agency.
3 moves Ravens must make after quiet first day of free agency
Trade for Cornerback Jaire Alexander
The Green Bay Packers' 2018 first-round pick is older and, yes, has had some health issues, but when he’s on the field, he changes how offenses attack a defense.
Alexander would be a solid replacement for Brandon Stephens, and if the Ravens can land him for a fifth- or sixth-round pick, why not take a swing?
Sign Safety Justin Reid
It might sound crazy, but pairing Reid with Kyle Hamilton would instantly turn safety from a position of need into a position of strength.
His price tag is a question mark, but the longer he goes unsigned—or at least remains out of trade rumors—the cheaper he becomes. The idea of him alongside Hamilton should be enough to excite even the most skeptical fans. He’s a sure tackler and a well-rounded player.
Reid has expressed interest in returning to Kansas City, but Myles Garrett also once said he wanted to leave Cleveland. Money talks.
Sign Wide Receiver DeAndre Hopkins
You could also put Amari Cooper’s name here, but Hopkins would be the preference.
Hopkins played well for Kansas City last season, but his playoff performance (three catches for 29 yards) might raise some concerns about a pass catcher entering his age-33 season.
That said, signing Hopkins wouldn’t break the bank, and a one-year deal might be all he gets this time around. With the Diontae Johnson experiment officially a bust, the Ravens could do far worse than bringing in Hopkins on a relatively team-friendly deal.