The Baltimore Ravens could use middle linebacker depth. It sounded like they were inching toward a reunion with veteran C.J. Mosley, but a neck injury cut his career short. With that out of the plans, Baltimore must look elsewhere if they plan to sign another defender to play alongside Roquan Smith.
Third-year pro Trenton Simpson and rookie Teddye Buchanan are the go-to linebackers to pair up with Smith for now, and the duo is battling it out in camp to win the starting reps. However, if the Ravens want a more proven player at the position as they hunt for their first Lombardi Trophy since the 2012 season, free agency could be the route to look to.
There is still a ton of talent left on the free-agent market, and Baltimore just added another star to the defense in two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Jaire Alexander. Looking at linebackers, the team could find themselves with another steal late in the offseason who can contribute valuable playing time in 2025. That steal should be Eric Kendricks.
Eric Kendricks should be Ravens top priority
To avoid any subpar play from one of their starting linebackers and to keep their Super Bowl aspirations alive and well, the Ravens should get Kendricks in the building as soon as possible. He has proven himself a consistent starter over his 10 years in the NFL, starting in 142 out of 147 games played. His strong career includes a dominant 2019 season when he earned Pro Bowl and All-Pro first-team honors, and even at 33, he is still at the top of his game.
In his lone season with the Dallas Cowboys in 2024, the former UCLA Bruin was one of the best linebackers in the league. Pro Football Focus (PFF) gave him a 75.2 overall grade, which was good for 27th out of all players in his position. He was a mainstay in the defense, tallying 918 snaps and making 88 tackles per PFF. Over his career, he has flashed elite traits against the run and pass coverage and has continued to do so in the last two years.
Kendricks is also a reliable player when it comes to his health. He barely misses games, and when he does, it is usually only one or two games in a season. Last year, he dealt with a couple of injuries but still managed to play through them, only being sidelined for a Week 6 game against the Detroit Lions and a Week 16 matchup with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With a healthy track record, Kendricks would be a safe bet for the Ravens to take this late in the offseason.
Simpson and Buchanan are impressing coaches in offseason activities, and the staff seems to have faith in both players. However, there is still uncertainty about how they will look when they take the field for in-game action. If they want to shore up the defense, Kendricks is their guy, and they should not wait any longer.