Ranking the top 4 offseason moves made by the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens' offseason was relatively boring. At least, roster transaction-wise it was. The team didn't make many splashes. However, the ones they did make, created tidal waves.

It's not the Ravens' fault that they came into the offseason with a fairly complete team. Also, not much needed to change after coming off of an AFC Championship game appearance. Not many teams have figured out the Patrick Mahomes-sized mountain standing in the way of the Super Bowl.

Knowing that they had most of the pieces already, the Ravens stuck to their guns and looked internally to fill roster holes, brought back key veterans, and made a promise to the running game that it would not be abandoned - no matter how much Lamar Jackson improves as a passer!

As we prep ourselves for Week 1 against the Chiefs, let's take a stroll down memory lane and revisit the four best offseason moves of the Baltimore Ravens.

Ranking the top 4 offseason moves made by the Baltimore Ravens

4. Sign Tyler Huntley

The Ravens desperately needed a backup quarterback this season after parting ways with backup quarterback, Tyler Huntley. Ironically, Huntley is back with the Ravens after his release from the Cleveland Browns. So, problem solved.

Huntley's addition comes at the perfect time. The Ravens failed to field a competent quarterback during the preseason. It felt like they were heading into the season without a reliable backup. Luckily, the Ravens now have a Pro Bowl quarterback behind Lamar Jackson, just in case something terrible happens.

3. Draft cornerback Nate Wiggins

Cornerback was a relatively weak spot this offseason. Ronald Darby left for the Jaguars which opened up a hole that needed to be filled. Enter Nate Wiggins, the 30th overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft out of Clemson.

Wiggins has had an excellent offseason. He's shown the coverage ability and speed he showcased at Clemson which lead some to believe he can make an impact right away. He has all the tools to suggest he'll be a mainstay in this defense for years to come. While it wasn't necessarily the biggest position of need, the Ravens went with "draft the best player available approach," and got their hands on a great one.

He should make an immediate positive impact on the team his rookie season.

2. Sign Derrick Henry

The rich get richer - except in this instance currency is rushing yards and the rich are the Ravens. Derrick 'King' Henry joins the NFL's reigning leaders in rushing yards. Henry has rushed for over 1,000 yards in five of his last six seasons. He's a prototypical workhorse back who utilizes his 250-pound frame to break his opponents.

While he may no longer be the runner he once was, his fit and impact on the Ravens might override any legitimate concerns of "slowing down." Henry now forms a unique one-two punch with the best dual-threat quarterback in NFL history. The running schemes will be Halloween-level nightmarish with those two in the backfield. Henry was the splash this offseason.

1. Re-sign Justin Madubuike

The Ravens swallowed opposing quarterbacks whole last season. There is no simpler way of putting it. Led by Justin (now Nnamdi) Madubuike, the Ravens brought down opposing quarterbacks 60 times. That's a lot. Madubuike led the team with 13 sacks. It earned him second-team All-Pro honors, a Pro Bowl nod, and a top-10 finish for AP Defensive Player of the Year.

That's not all he earned.

The Ravens awarded Madubuike a four-year contract worth $98 million. This deal is a clear win-win as the team has secured a standout player in the trenches for the next four years. While he may not be the best defensive player, he is arguably their most important. With the new contract, Madubuike can continue to disrupt opposing quarterbacks without any outside distractions.

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