The Baltimore Ravens may be fresh off a 14-3 record and an appearance in the AFC Championship game, but the dynastic run of the Kansas City Chiefs has crystallized the notion that Eric DeCosta and the front office needs to hit a home run this offseason to keep pace with Patrick Mahomes.
The Ravens have over 20 players on the free agent market, and they won't be able to retain a good chunk of them due to financial constraints. The Ravens need to be very judicious with regard to which players they target in free agency and how much they spend to bring them to Maryland.
Once the Ravens use their franchise tag and decide which internal free agents are worth holding on to, they need to take a very aggressive look at the rest of the market as they find supplementary players to boost Lamar Jackson's chances of making it to the Super Bowl.
Any one of these 10 free agents percolating around the free agent mill (to varying degrees of availability) could come to Baltimore and make an impact instantly. The Ravens' championship window won't be open forever, especially with Kansas City still rocking, making this offseason vitally important.
10 realistic 2024 free agents the Baltimore Ravens could sign
10. Chidobe Awuzie, CB, Cincinnati Bengals
Awuzie struggled to stay healthy during his last few years with the Bengals, but he can still be a viable No. 2 or No. 3 cornerback in the NFL at his best. Awuzie played a big part in Lou Anarumo's defense, which got Cincy to a Super Bowl and inches away the following year.
Awuzie's sticky style in man coverage hasn't eroded, and it would make him a good fit next to Marlon Humphrey. In an AFC loaded with star quarterbacks, stocking up on defensive backs is never a bad idea. Stealing a starter from a rival in Cincinnati could also be a very intriguing thought for DeCosta.
The Baltimore Ravens might sign Robert Hunt
9. Robert Hunt, OG, Miami Dolphins
The Ravens could lose both their starting guards in John Simpson and veteran Kevin Zeitler in free agency, and it wouldn't behoove them to find a cheap alternative. Baltimore would need a big name to steady their offensive line, and Hunt could easily be that guy.
Hunt played a big part in Tua Tagovailoa's resurgence, as he showed he has the mobility and power needed to hold his own against the best in the AFC. Hunt will get a big contract somewhere, and the Ravens might be that team if they are unable to get the experienced Zeitler back on a team-friendly contract.