OWINGS MILLS — The Ravens have had a busy offseason, signing several free agents, bringing back key players and selecting nine players in the 2024 NFL draft.
ESPN NFL expert Seth Walder gave them a “B” for those moves and ranked them No. 10 in the league.
Walder was especially impressed with the decision to re-sign defensive tackle Justin Madubuike to a four-year, $98 million deal in March.
Last season, Madubuike, 26, started all 17 games for the Ravens, producing career highs in tackles (56), sacks (13), tackles for loss (12), quarterback hits (33) and forced fumbles (2), en route to earning his first Pro Bowl honors and second-team All-Pro honors.
Walder still has concerns about the Ravens’ pass rush after losing Jadaveon Clowney, who had 9 1/2 sacks last season, and defensive coordinator Mike Macdonald.
“Baltimore signed Madubuike to a big $98 million deal with $48.5 million fully guaranteed,” Walder wrote. “There’s no question the Ravens needed a pass-rusher, and it’s hard to fault them for paying the defensive tackle after a huge season in which he recorded 13.0 sacks, but I’m a little wary. Mike Macdonald’s simulated pressure-filled scheme was a contributor to Madubuike’s success, and Macdonald left for Seattle.”
Walder likes the Ravens’ offense after they added running back Derrick Henry, who is a four-time Pro Bowler. The one-two punch of Henry and two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson should boost a Ravens offense that was already among the best in the NFL last season.
“One of the Ravens’ biggest – and certainly most fun – moves of the offseason was signing Henry to a shockingly cheap deal,” Walder wrote. “The $9 million fully guaranteed was less than D’Andre Swift, Tony Pollard, Joe Mixon, Josh Jacobs and Devin Singletary received.”
Walder see questions on the Ravens’ offensive line, which will have three new starters.
The Ravens lost their starting guards — Kevin Zeitler and John Simpson — to free agency and traded right tackle Morgan Moses and a fourth-round pick in this year’s draft to the Jets in exchange for fourth- and sixth-round selections.
The Ravens expect strong competition among the veteran players and rookies to fill those spots.
Zeitler could be the biggest loss, according to Walder.
“Zeitler left for Detroit, and they’ll have to rely on their depth and possibly rookie tackle Roger Rosengarten to reshape that unit, which might get dicey,” Walder wrote. “As always, the Ravens dominate the compensatory pick game and are expected to land the maximum four picks next year, per OverTheCap.”
Round 1, Pick 30: Cornerback Nate Wiggins, Clemson
Round 2, Pick 62: Offensive tackle Roger Rosengarten, Washington
Round 3, Pick 93: Outside linebacker Adisa Isaac, Penn State
Round 4, Pick 113: Wide receiver Devontez Walker, North Carolina
Round 4, Pick 130: Cornerback T.J. Tampa, Iowa State
Round 5, Pick 165: Running back Rasheen Ali, Marshall
Round 6, Pick 218: Quarterback Devin Leary, Kentucky
Round 7, Pick 228: Center Nick Samac, Michigan State
Round 7, Pick 250: Safety Sanoussi Kane, Purdue
