Three Big-Name Players Ravens Could Target Via Free Agency or Trade
The frenzy portion of free agency is over, and while the Ravens crossed off a huge item on their offseason to-do list by signing elite defensive end Trey Hendrickson and filled some other needs, they had more subtractions than additions.
So, what's next?
"This is typically when General Manager Eric DeCosta and the Ravens have done their best work in free agency, as the first and second waves are over and some bargains should be available," The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec wrote. "There should be some trade options, too."
Zrebiec identified 10 players the Ravens could target. Here's a look at three of the biggest names:
WR A.J. Brown
"There's been little buzz over the last couple of weeks that the Ravens are in the Brown sweepstakes, and it's widely believed that he'll either end up in New England or remain with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, it wouldn't be the first time the Ravens came out of nowhere to land a star player. Baltimore would benefit from adding a big and physical receiver, and DeCosta has done plenty of trades with Eagles General Manager Howie Roseman. It seems highly unlikely that the Ravens would part with a first-rounder-plus for Brown, but we thought the same before the Maxx Crosby deal."
WR Jauan Jennings
"Widely considered the top free-agent receiver available, Jennings is a big, physical target who makes contested catches and is a weapon in the red zone and on third downs. He had 15 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the San Francisco 49ers. He's also an extremely physical blocker on the perimeter, which is important to the Ravens. He still might be primed to make more money than Baltimore wants to pay, but if his market doesn't materialize, DeCosta should consider pouncing. He'd be a nice fit."
OLB Jadeveon Clowney
"Clowney showed last year for the Dallas Cowboys that he still has plenty of juice left with 8.5 sacks in 13 games. One of the best seasons of his career came when he had 9.5 sacks for the Ravens in 2023. The Ravens are excited about 2025 second-round pick Mike Green's potential, but all indications are that they would still like to add another accomplished veteran on the edge. Clowney is one of several quality options still available."
Interior Offensive Line Remains High Priority
Upgrading the interior offensive line was a priority this offseason, and the loss of center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency has exacerbated the situation.
"The Pro Bowl center was supposed to be a building block, the type of homegrown talent the Ravens usually keep over two or even three contracts," The Baltimore Banner’s Childs Walker wrote. "Instead, he blew the top off the center market with the three-year, $81 million deal he signed to go to Las Vegas.
"The Ravens did sign a familiar face, powerful and durable John Simpson, to fill one of their holes at guard. … But the bottom line is the Ravens will likely go into another season hanging their Super Bowl hopes on unproven starting linemen."
Now that the Ravens have their first-round pick back with the Crosby trade falling through, it's possible they could use it to address their need at guard.
"The easiest player to project to them with the 14th overall pick is Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane, who earned an outstanding 87.0 PFF pass-blocking grade while allowing just four pressures in 2025," Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman wrote. "He paired that terrific production with a career-high 78.6 PFF run-blocking grade."
NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah noted that teams looking for starting-caliber interior offensive linemen won't necessarily have to use a first-round pick to get one.
Walker pointed out that the Ravens also have other holes to fill.
"They'll also have to rebuild their tight end corps after Isaiah Likely and Charlie Kolar signed with other teams, sign or draft a punter to fill Jordan Stout's shoes and add at least one playmaker to complement Derrick Henry and Zay Flowers," Walker wrote.
The good news is the Ravens still have ample resources to improve the roster. The restructuring of quarterback Lamar Jackson's contract opened up $40 million of cap space, and the Ravens have 11 draft picks.
Why Ravens' Free-Agent Departures Weren't Just About Money
No team had more departures in free agency than the Ravens, and while losing players always stings, it's a testament to the organization's ability to draft and develop players that other teams covet.
DeCosta said last week that there were certain players the Ravens didn't want to lose, but they were not going to get into bidding wars.
"You have a threshold that you get to, that you want to get to, and typically we try to be fairly responsible when it comes to that, and we have to make tough calls," DeCosta said.
Walker said being fiscally responsible likely wasn't the only factor.
"Some of the Ravens' choices probably reflect Head Coach Jesse Minter and his staff's talent assessments," Walker wrote. "Perhaps new Offensive Coordinator Declan Doyle did not see a place for a bruising fullback, even though Patrick Ricard has been essential to the Ravens' ground-and-pound juggernaut over the last seven seasons. Perhaps Doyle wanted a more versatile back than speedy Keaton Mitchell, whom the Ravens probably could have kept with a modest tender offer.
"Some of these talent losses might not make sense at the moment, but we have to give Minter and Co. room to customize the roster to their vision."
