OTL: The Ravens Offseason EDC Expected All Along

Much has been made of the exodus of talent from the Ravens this offseason.

A tight cap, full slate of free agents and other teams with plenty of cap space and a need to save decision-makers’ jobs led to players being scooped up early and often, leaving the Ravens with some question marks on their roster as the calendar turned to April.

The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec, as he often does, shared some well-grounded perspective and insight on the Ravens’ situation this offseason, and how General Manager Eric DeCosta and his team anticipated this coming.

“The landscape of this team has changed a little bit, because we struck a contract with Lamar (Jackson),” DeCosta said, per Zrebiec. “The way that we operate will be a little bit different in the future. We’ll continue to try and do early signings as much as possible. The draft will continue to be very, very important as well.”

Zrebiec pointed out that the team did add superstar running back Derrick Henry, along with offensive lineman Josh Jones and a few others with special teams skills. He also mentioned that the team continued their pattern of identifying young players they deem to be difference-makers and locking them up, as they did with defensive lineman Justin Madubuike this offseason.

Still, there were some other pieces that the Ravens maybe-surprisingly let walk away. He brought up pass-rusher Jadaveon Clowney leaving for a relatively-manageable salary, and linebacker Patrick Queen, who signed with the Steelers for less than many anticipated.

He was quick to point out that this isn’t about assigning blame, but more a case of explaining the situation.

“This is, however, more of a commentary on the position the Ravens are in and how nobody should be surprised by it,” said Zrebiec. “DeCosta is very calculated in everything he says and does. It wasn’t an accident that he brought up the changing landscape of the team last September, a little over four months after its five-year, $260 million agreement with Jackson.”

Zrebiec opined that the situation puts even more pressure on the Ravens’ decision-makers to nail the draft, and for the coaching staff to develop that talent, and quickly, and that DeCosta will have to continue his track record of bringing in free agents over the summer who can contribute.

Baltimore Fishbowl’s Karuga Koinage also discussed the Ravens’ offseason.

“DeCosta is extremely patient during the offseason, often making significant additions well into June,” pointed out Koinage. “So it’s hard to evaluate Baltimore’s roster at this point, but the current state of the team can give us an indication of what the Ravens will do with the No. 30 pick of the draft this month.”

He prioritized needs the Ravens still have at this point, and what we might expect the team to focus on in the draft later this month.

Koinage identified offensive line, defensive line, receiver and defensive backs as the top areas of needs for the Ravens, and… yeah. That adds up.

Matthew Marczi of Steelers Depot wrote a piece on how the Ravens might fill their right tackle opening, following the release of Morgan Moses. He focused largely — and I do mean “large” — on third-year pro Daniel Faalele.

“Faalele is also quite likely the largest human being in the NFL at 6-8, 380 pounds,” wrote Marczi. “He’s like Zach Banner at his heaviest, except Faalele is in shape and agile at that weight. Thus far, he hasn’t made a name for himself in the NFL, however, but he has a shot this year.”

He surely has a shot, but unless we see dramatic improvement from him over the summer, it’s hard to see the Ravens lining up with him at such an important position in September. Time will tell.

Also of note:

Super Bowl Odds: Texans Clip Ravens After Diggs Trade | Sports Illustrated

THE key point made on The Athletic Football podcast regarding the Diggs trade:

“Teams that are paying their QBs have to make hard decisions — generally involving their pass catchers.”

Could be why the #Ravens aren’t as aggressive in FA btw. The post-Lamar contract era.

— Dev Panchwagh (@devpanchwagh) April 4, 2024

“The Ravens were winning games without Lamar”

Their record is 4-9 and they don’t score points. You can say coaching keeps them competitive and some of their losses were close and within reach, but the point remains

LJ is the catalyst for the team. Not Harbs#RavensFlock https://t.co/58BjJMLvoW pic.twitter.com/lpWvETYTBi

— Breakfast Carrot (@BreakfastCarrot) April 3, 2024

The biggest what if for me this season is:

What if Lamar Jackson and Rashod Bateman get on the same page.

There would be bloodshed. #RavensFlock pic.twitter.com/VYhY1MFWYN

— Nic Mason (@British_Raven19) April 3, 2024

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