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.
8. Chase Young, EDGE, San Francisco 49ers
Young's value was in the dirt after two injury-filled seasons, but some quality games in the 49ers' Super Bowl run did wonders for his reputation. The Ravens could lose their top three sack producers to the open market, and Young would be a tremendous addition if they need to find a new starter.
Young, like Jadeveon Clowney before him, is a player who is much more disruptive than raw sack numbers would indicate. After helping the three-time Pro Bowler Clowney set a new career-best sack mark, the Ravens would be wise to either pair him with Young or add the former Ohio State star as a replacement.
The Baltimore Ravens could easily sign Chase Young
7. Kevin Dotson, OG, Los Angeles Rams
Dotson was cast aside by the Steelers before this season, but he was born anew with the Rams. As both a run-blocker and masterful pass protector for Matthew Stafford, Dotson put together enough above-average games on tape in a very tough division to warrant a multi-year contract this offseason.
Dotson is not going to come cheap, as PFF projects him to land a contract that would make him the fourth-highest-paid guard in the league. DeCosta and the Ravens are smart enough to do some cap gymnastics to save money, which could pave a path for Dotson to get a big-money deal that solidifies the Baltimore line.
6. Kamren Curl, SAF, Washington Commanders
The Ravens love to run three-safety looks on the defensive side of the ball, and the impending free agency of Geno Stone could complicate things. Curl would not only be a high-level starter, but he would make a very flexible Ravens defense even more lethal and multifaceted.
While Kurl lacks Stone's coverage skills, he more than makes up for it in versatility and hard-hitting. Kurl playing in the box while Marcus Williams does more traditional safety coverages and Kyle Hamilton keeps unleashing his unique skillset against unsuspecting coordinators could make for a hellacious Year 1 defense for Zach Orr.
The Baltimore Ravens need to sign a RB like Saquon Barkley
5. Saquon Barkley, RB, New York Giants
Reports seem to suggest the Ravens will aim for the stars in their quest to get Jackson a high-end running back with more skill than Gus Edwards, and Barkley would fit the bill. Even a casual observer can see the former No. 2 pick's Pro Bowl potential behind a more robust Baltimore offensive line.
Even with subpar quarterback play and terrible lines in front of him with the Giants, Barkley amassed just under 3,000 yards from scrimmage with 20 touchdowns in the last two years. Imagine those stats and Barkley's raw talent added to a backfield that contains Jackson making magic happen. As a running back, his cap hit won't sink the team's financial flexibility.
4. Bryce Huff, EDGE, New York Jets
The emergence of Jermaine Johnson and last year's No. 15 pick being used on Will McDonald seems to indicate the Jets are unlikely to bring Huff back. He isn't a household name and is below-average as a run defender, but Huff's pressure numbers are right up there with the vest in the game.
The fact Huff managed 10 sacks despite only playing 42% of snaps with the Jets shows the type of pass-rush talent he can be. Huff has said in the past he will likely go to whichever team pays him the most money, which can make it very easy for the Ravens to see where they stand with him.
The Baltimore Ravens should try to sign Mike Evans
3. Mike Evans, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Evans is not a lock to return to Tampa Bay, and he might try to prioritize winning a second championship if he is going to leave the Bucs. Going to Baltimore can quench his thirst for contention and a starting role while also giving him a competitive salary for a player his age.
The Ravens might have to pay high-end prices for a 31-year-old receiver, but DeCosta would be foolish if he can't see the impact he would make in this receiver room. If he leaves Tampa Bay, and the Ravens don't love any of the best wideouts in this NFL Draft class, Evans could start getting fitted for his purple jersey.
2. L'Jarius Sneed, CB, Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs will have to pay Chris Jones a ton of money in free agency, and they will also have to save enough room for the inevitable Trent McDuffie megadeal. Having already let Charvarius Ward walk in the past, Kansas City has shown they are comfortable letting corners walk and drafting a replacement.
The Ravens have proven they will break the bank if they can smell elite talent and the ability to improve over the duration of the contract. Sneed can instantly give them arguably the league's best cornerback tandem (even at the expense of a few extra starters elsewhere) while also subtracting a key piece from Kansas City's roster.
The Baltimore Ravens could sign Derrick Henry
1. Derrick Henry, RB, Tennessee Titans
The Henry-to-Baltimore train has already left the station, as former Ravens like Bart Scott and Robert Griffin III seem to be all in on the idea of pairing one of the best running backs of the last decade with Jackson. Henry's 2023 season proved he still has enough gas left in the tank to be a star for a contending team.
Henry is still capable of ripping off his trademark long scampers down the sideline while also barreling ahead for the short-yardage gains Edwards made a name for himself with. No Super Bowl favorite would make Henry as featured an option in their overall offensive gameplan as Baltimore would.