Although free agency is over a month in the rearview mirror, there remains talent on the board for teams to add and round out their rosters ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft. The Baltimore Ravens should try to take advantage of that.
Baltimore’s needs are clear. Interior offensive and wide receiver are the top two holes, and they could also use more effective contributors at pass rush and cornerback. At this point, though, they’re unlikely to find top dogs for the right price at those spots. They should be searching for depth pieces that can rotate in when necessary.
One need that no one is talking about is depth at offensive tackle. The Ravens could use another backup to Ronnie Stanley, especially given his injury history. A possible fix? Former Detroit Lion and 10-year veteran Taylor Decker. It could both catch fans off guard, and also excite them.
Baltimore Ravens could find veteran solution to under-the-radar need in free agency
In a recent article, Sports Illustrated’s Gilberto Manzano ranked the top eight free agents still available as we begin counting down the days to the 2026 NFL Draft. Taylor Decker came in at No. 6 on his list, and Manzano believes that the Ravens are the ideal landing spot for him. Manzano wrote:
“It would be wise for Decker to join a contender and be more of an insurance player in case of injury. He has dealt with injuries in his career, but Decker has played in at least 14 games the past three seasons.”
Manzano added that Decker may be staring down retirement due to a strong draft class at the tackle position. However, for Baltimore, they could be searching for a more proven backup. If Decker’s okay with taking a step back into a backup role, he could be the perfect late-offseason addition.
The Ravens already have a young, developmental tackle in Carson Vinson. He’ll have to earn the trust of the new coaching staff, but he put in a good word for himself through last year’s preseason. And with that in mind, it may be wise for the front office to elect to add a veteran rather than a rookie to that room.
Decker would be an ultra-reliable backup to have. Over 10 seasons, he’s started in 140 games, and according to Pro Football Focus, he’s never posted a grade below 65.3. He’s always provided above-average left tackle play. If they somehow managed to bring him in, they’d be extremely fortunate to have him on their side.
Of course, Decker could still potentially cash in with a team that has an open tackle job. He may be 31 years old, but he can still be a starter in this league. If not, though, he’d be an elite backup, which is what the Ravens could use.