Grading every move Ravens made during first wave of free agency

The Baltimore Ravens have seen many of their best players part ways with them in free agency, as defensive standouts like Geno Stone and up-and-coming offensive players like John Simpson are just a handful of the players who have traded in Ravens purple for new colors next season.

The Ravens decided to keep some role players who won't break the bank for a team that needs to watch their finances. The two big moves Eric DeCosta had made during this part of the season have been extending All-Pro defensive tackle Justin Madubuike while inking star running back Derrick Henry to a fairly economical contract.

The Ravens still have some big moves left on the ledger, as they have defensive linemen to retain and a wide receiver to add following Odell Beckham Jr. getting cut loose. Even with those tasks left to accomplish, it seems like DeCosta and the front office has done most of the heavy lifting.

When one looks back at the moves Baltimore has finalized in the last few days, some of them vary wildly when it comes to how much they will make the Ravens a better team in 2024. Many of them are solid moves, but they also pulled off one big swing, which can very easily polarize the fanbase.

Grading every Baltimore Ravens move in first few days of free agency

Ravens trade OT Morgan Moses to Jets

The Ravens sent a fourth-round pick and Moses to the Jets in exchange for a better fourth-round pick and a sixth-round choice. This trade helped the Jets get a starting right tackle after signing Simpson to play left guard, while the Ravens opened up a whole new can of worms.

The Ravens decided to keep left tackle Ronnie Stanley on a reworked contract, giving them two of their five starters on the offensive line thanks to Tyler Linderbaum at center. The Ravens now need to fill both guard spots thanks to Simpson and Kevin Zeitler hitting free agent in addition to their right tackle spot.

The Baltimore Ravens lack depth after trading Morgan Moses

The Ravens could use some of their available cap space on a veteran tackle still floating around the unknown realm of the unsigned, but it seems self-defeating to move off someone of Moses' caliber for a possible downgrade. Drafting a right tackle seems quite obvious after this move.

The most confusing aspect of this trade if the fact that his cheap salary doesn't provide much financial freedom. While this grade could change depending on what other moves they make on the open market, Baltimore may have inadvertently put a stick in their bike spokes by trading away a durable, quality lineman for little in return.

Grade: C