Ravens building elite special teams, DB depth with 2 recent signings

Outside of star running back Derrick Henry, the Baltimore Ravens have made only a few new acquisitions in the 2024 NFL offseason. Considering that they have lost impactful players on both sides of the ball, some fans might be a bit perturbed by Eric DeCosta's lack of activity.

DeCosta seems to be placing an emphasis on retaining as many veterans from the 2023 team as the squad tries to gear up for another championship run. With the secondary having lost some big names, keeping surprise stud Arthur Maulet was a worthwhile goal to achieve for this front office.

The Ravens brought back the veteran Maulet, who seems to have found a long-term home. Maulet was signed to a two-year contract, giving the Ravens a defensive back who knows the culture after Geno Stone left to join the Bengals.

The Ravens didn't stop there, adding a familiar linebacker and tremendous special teams performer in Chris Board. This is a reunion for both parties, as Board got his start in the NFL as a backup for the Ravens.

Baltimore Ravens sign Arthur Maulet, Chris Board in free agency

Maulet bounced between the Jets and Steelers in the prior four seasons, making his mark with Baltimore as a dime cornerback who was one of the more effective blitzing defensive backs in the league. Maulet played 43% of defensive snaps last season, emerging as one of the best players in his specific role across the AFC.

Maulet was a key special teamer, playing a career-high 48% of snaps on special teams. Justin Tucker is still enshrined as kicker emeritus until he hangs it up, but the rest of the unit could be a bit stronger. While they forced a few special team turnovers, they were fairly pedestrian in both kick and punt coverage.

Board spent the first four years of his career with the Ravens, While he never played more than 33% of defensive snaps in a season, he was able to make his mark as an ace special teamer who could plug the B-gap on running plays when needed. Board played almost exclusively on special teams with the Lions in 2022 and Patriots in 2023.

With Board coming back, Malik Harrison having signed a one-year contract, and Trenton Simpson poised to leap into a starting role, the Ravens seem to be taking a committee-based approach as they try to fill in for the now departed Patrick Queen. If nothing else, an ex-special teams coach in John Harbaugh will beef up his area of expertise.